seventh translation // voice/action

[lt_linguist]

The house is minus one crystal ball, and plus one Captain.

Hopefully it'll stay that way for a while.

[Passersby might notice Uhura outside house #7. What is she doing? Well, she's got a small fire going, of all things. She also has a moderately-sized stack of papers, covered in a neat, feminine hand.

She's burning them, carefully, one by one.]

Comments

[logicphile]

[ Spock is curious as to what she's disposing of, but respects her privacy and stands with hands resting against the small of his back, a good 2.5 meters away. ]

Hope is an imprecise measure, one far removed from what is and what isn't. It is only logical to deal with the relevant facts, and to ensure through actions that any further removal of Captain Kirk becomes an impossible task.

As for Doctor McCoy...

[lt_linguist]

[She smiles a little to herself, because he'll never ask what she's doing, and she'll tell him anyway. And it'll be all right.]

I'm open to any suggestions you have on that point. I'm at a loss, myself.

[She pauses.]

I was...adversely affected by the last experiment. I kept it off the journals, but this seemed to be the best way to dispose of what I wrote.

[logicphile]

Perhaps this will require crew cooperation. Doctor McCoy has also been detained in the past. I do not know if he has informed you of this particular fact.

[ He considers her words, his eyes taking in the scene with new understanding. ]

I see. Then you have shown more restraint than most others similarly afflicted. It is not unexpected that we become affected by the experiments performed here. Do not blame yourself, Nyota.

[ Pause, as he considers whether this is one of those times emotional support is required of him. ]

[lt_linguist]

Buffy mentioned it. She's also been taken.

It seems to happen when least expected. When someone is alone. Well, there's no way to avoid being alone indefinitely.

[She tosses the last few pages into the fire, watching them burn until there's nothing left but some ash flakes. She puts the fire out with some dirt.]

I'm not blaming myself. I'm... worried about what they're capable of. Next time it could be worse, and I won't be as good at fighting it.

They could make me give information that would compromise... everything. [Starfleet. The Federation. Captain Kirk, the crew. Spock.]

[meanandgreen]

[Hey Uhura, you've got someone...or something perched up on your roof; watching you.]

[lt_linguist]

[She's calmly going about her business, burning the pages with intent concentration. Consequently, she's not very aware of her surroundings. She probably won't look up until she's done or someone interrupts her.]

[meanandgreen]

[He has no idea what he's even doing here. He watches her intently, trying to play this out right in his head. She hates him. He knows that, but why does he care? He should be used to this by now.

But no. This's different. This hatred's got nothing to do with what he is or who he fights for. It's because of something he did.

She was trying to help him.

He knows he has to apologize; for real this time. If only his pride would quit getting in the way.

After a while of brooding, he jumps down about ten feet from where Uhura stands. He still has no clue what he's gonna say.]

[lt_linguist]

[The sudden noise startles her, and she looks up. Oh, it's him. She suppresses a sudden pang of fear, because he's got her alone again (not really alone, she reminds herself, she's right outside the house, one yell from her would send everyone running outside to help) and she really, really hates the fact that phasers don't work here.

But she keeps her face impassive, because that's what she does, and showing fear or anger would probably only upset him, and she knows that's the last thing she wants to have happen.]

Did I ever get your name? I can't remember.

[Which is weird, for her, but he won't know that.]

[13th_captain]

[Hey Uhura, have a rather tall alien with a laser scythe wandering past and pausing for a moment to see what you're doing.]

[lt_linguist]

[Oh, wonderful. More strange and scary-looking weapons. She'll eye the alien warily (she doesn't recognize the species, but that's to be expected in a place like this) and nod at him.]

[13th_captain]

It's going to take forever if you do it that way.

[lt_linguist]

I'm nearly done. I just want to make sure I get rid of everything.