for ZEX

[bornsnarky]

[scowling at the communicator]

Yeah, but what the hell happened to him? You could give me a little more-

[Jim barks something curt about not having time and you'll just have to deal with it, Bones]

Oh, great. Just great. Guess I better get ready for anything from the Antares Two-step to Denobulan Mudfever.

Comments

[zexyandiknowit]

It is unacceptable.

[Also possibly meaning both.]

[bornsnarky]

So.

What do we do about it?

[zexyandiknowit]

[Blinks and actually looks at McCoy]

[bornsnarky]

Oh, I know we can't magically stop slavery. But maybe there's something we can do, somewhere.

[zexyandiknowit]

...

There is information--they have information caches they have yet to purge that link them to the Druuge. Though they are immoral, they are not criminals, and the loss of so much sentient cargo goes against many of the Druuge bylaws.

We could stop these specific traders from working ever again, even beyond prison. And we could track their suppliers relatively easily.

[bornsnarky]

[easing a little now you're not quite so dazed and closed off and angry]

Good. I'll help if I can. We should get as much data as we can to Jim and Spock as soon as possible.

[zexyandiknowit]

I have planted a Leech. It should update shortly and remotely.

[bornsnarky]

[casual, wondering if your back will ever start getting better]

A leech?

[zexyandiknowit]

It is a type of spying device from my people. I have several. They have been cleared by the Federation for field use.

[bornsnarky]

Good idea.

[finishing up working on you, frowning at the poisonous spines]

What do these need? I can scan you, of course, and let the computer figure something out. But I'd prefer it if you told me, if you know.

[zexyandiknowit]

...

I know.

[bornsnarky]

[...shit]

[quietly businesslike]

Okay, what is it, then?

[zexyandiknowit]

[...Sigh]

I thought that I was over this.

[bornsnarky]

It's some kind of anger response, right?

[zexyandiknowit]

It is, at its core, a dominance display, and I have outgrown the need for such a thing, but here it is nonetheless. It--frustrates me--that no matter where in the galaxy I travel, whether my ship is Federation or Armada, or what my rank has risen to be, I continue to treat symptoms and not diseases. To see men and women imprisoned in Federation space, the organization that promised me equality and utopia--yes, I am angry. I am furious, and I am ashamed, for I behaved below my station and now I am talking to you.

[bornsnarky]

[...]

[careful not to make sudden movements; I trust you 100% not to actually hurt me, but it is still possible that you might have a reflexive reaction to me and I don't want that to happen for your sake or mine]

The Federation isn't perfect, hell no. There's a lot wrong out there.

[quietly] I respect that it gets to you this much.

[zexyandiknowit]

I have--I have broken promises, made to myself and my once-Subcommander, and I have revisited--painful memories. I understand myself, in this. I am not less wrathful for it.

[bornsnarky]

[telegraphing every move so you can refuse if you want, I'm gonna put a hand on your cheek, to hold your head still while I inspect cuts]

[though it might be possible to interpret this as a gesture of tenderness, too]

Pretty easy to screw up when it's something this big and horrible.

[zexyandiknowit]

[For the first time in a long time, lets his eye slide closed]

I did not want you to see this, Doctor McCoy.

[bornsnarky]

[not immune to that emotionally]

[dabbing at the cuts, but they seem to be healing all right without further intervention from me]

I'm not taking it as a weakness, if that helps.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Noncommittal noise]

[bornsnarky]

[small smile]

[man, I wish I were better at this emotional stuff, I just don't have the words]

I'm not.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Opens his eye again, just as the spines retreat an inch or so]

I would not blame you if you did.

[bornsnarky]

[smile broadens just a little, still tense and worried and pained for you, but... you're you]

Hey. Self-hate is my load of bullshit. You get your own.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Raises a glance at McCoy]

Your taste in people to hate is terrible.