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

[dream_me_up]

Lalita sits quietly.

[alicornucopia]

"So you spoke Cardassian the whole time, huh."

[dream_me_up]

"Yes I did."

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok appears to find this embarrassing.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita appears to find this adorable.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok appears to find that embarrassing too.

[dream_me_up]

It's a never-ending cycle!

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok interrupts it by clearing his throat and looking at the floor.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita is now grinning irrepressibly.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok cannot see that! He is looking at the floor.

[dream_me_up]

Yes he is. And it's cute.

Does this count as unethical treatment of a prisoner? Oh, probably. Does Lalita care? Nah.

[alicornucopia]

Floorlooking. Lots of floorlooking.

[dream_me_up]

All right.

"Time to go break some weapons sytems," he decides. "I can tie you up again and leave you here, or bring you with me where I can keep an eye on you. Up to you."

[alicornucopia]

"...I'll come with you," decides Kelvok, subdued.

[dream_me_up]

"Okay."

Off they go!

Lalita does not seem especially worried that Kelvok might suddenly attack him.

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok doesn't suddenly attack him even a little bit.

[dream_me_up]

Kelvok is wise.

Lalita familiarizes himself with the ship's weapons systems, and then disables them quite neatly and with minimal damage. He also, along the way, collects every handheld disruptor on board.

[alicornucopia]

"Those are expensive," Kelvok winces.

[dream_me_up]

"I know," he says. "Tell you what, if I see you again and I don't have my friend with me, I'll give them back."

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok doesn't say anything, but he makes an eloquently skeptical face.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita grins.

"Stranger things have happened."

[alicornucopia]

Skepticalface!

[dream_me_up]

He laughs.

"Okay," he says, "time for me to get back to my ship. Do me a favour and sit quietly out of sight while I let my friend know I'm coming, won't you?"

[alicornucopia]

Kelvok finds a place to sit that isn't in view of the other party during hailings.

[dream_me_up]

And Lalita makes contact with the Prometheus.