life's blood

[warpfairy]

They're not near Cardassian Union space.

But then, they're not near Federation space either. This ship has as much right to be in this system as they do.

It makes Isabella nervous, anyway, and she's just about to suggest leaving and coming back another time, when the Prometheus is hailed.

They're armed. She can't warp inside a solar system.

She answers the hail.

"Hello, Federation vessel," says one of the three visible Cardassians in bad but intelligible English. "What're you doing out here alone?"

Isabella swallows. "This is the deep space survey vessel Prometheus," she begins.

The computer lets her know that they're charging weapons.

"We have no hostile intention," she says.

Comments

[warpfairy]

After what really is a ludicrously short amount of time, considering, Isabella is able to cautiously sit up.

[dream_me_up]

Even better.

[warpfairy]

She sits. She waits. She probes at the recent sites of breakage, clinical, investigative.

Eventually she stands. She's weak, and there are smears of blood and some lingering bruising, but she can maintain her footing, with one hand on the wall.

[dream_me_up]

"Do you want to go back to Prometheus?"

[warpfairy]

"Yes."

[dream_me_up]

"I can help you get to the transporter," he offers.

[warpfairy]

"Thank you."

She leans on him as necessary to get where they're going.

[dream_me_up]

He holds her up without any trouble.

[warpfairy]

Here is the transporter pad.

[dream_me_up]

Yes indeed.

"I think I'd better stay here for now," he says, "because of the prisoner. You can hail the ship if you need anything or want to talk. Okay?"

[warpfairy]

"Yes."

[dream_me_up]

"Okay."

Back to the Prometheus she goes.

[warpfairy]

Isabella takes a deep breath.

She takes a shower.

She changes into a new outfit.

She puts on some quiet music.

She sits in the captain's chair, and makes sure the Cardassians didn't interfere with her computer systems, and then she closes her eyes and meditates.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita discovers that he can monitor the cargo bay from the bridge. He does so.

[alicornucopia]

His prisoner is staying put. He doesn't have much choice.

[dream_me_up]

True. But right now, Lalita would rather be sure.



In time, he gets hungry. He finds himself something to eat and then brings food and clothing to the prisoner.

[alicornucopia]

The prisoner looks at him. And at these items. And doesn't say anything.

[dream_me_up]

"If you want to eat or get dressed or both, I will untie you and let you do that," he says.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok nods.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita unties him.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok puts on the clothes. He takes the food and starts eating it, not taking his eyes off Lalita.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita leans casually against a wall and watches him eat.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok's eyes used to go all warm and soft when he was whispering supposedly incomprehensible words.

They are not like that now.

[dream_me_up]

No. He wouldn't expect them to be.

It is, on so many levels, a pity Isabella was with him when he met these people.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok has apparently firmly decided on a policy of silence to avoid annoying his captor.