1

時はドミニオン戦争前、とある宇宙船ブローカーの拠点衛星での出来事。異星人で賑わうセールスフロアに主人公らしき地球人女性がふらりと現れる。ふと顔を上げると、フェレンギ人の借金取り二人組に追われるカーデシア人男性が近づいてくる。

---

It is the era before the Dominion War, on a satellite outpost of a starship broker. A human woman, presumably our protagonist, drifts onto a sales floor bustling with aliens. She looks up as a Cardassian man approaches, frantically fleeing a pair of Ferengi debt collectors.

2

逃げてきたカーデシア人と借金取りの間に割り込んできた女性は、喧嘩腰のフェレンギ人に「半分払う」と驚きの申し出をする。負債額は最新鋭の大型宇宙船を購入できるほどの大金。しかし彼女はその場で負債の半分を清算してしまうのだった。

---

Stepping between the fleeing Cardassian and the debt collectors, the woman makes a surprising offer to the confrontational Ferengi: "I'll pay half." The debt is a massive sum, enough to buy the latest model of a large starship. Yet, she settles the half-payment right there as if it were nothing.

3

とてもそうは見えないのに、何か事情があって莫大な資産を持て余しているらしい女性。それなら全額払えとまくしたてるフェレンギ人に、ここで全額を返済してしまえば将来の利息をまるっと損すると指摘。二人組は納得して去り、まったく事情が飲み込めないカーデシア人が残される。

---

She doesn't look the part at all, yet for some reason, she seems to have access to endless wealth. When the Ferengi demand full payment, she points out that paying the total now would cost them all future interest.　The pair leave, convinced by her logic, leaving the Cardassian behind in a state of total bewilderment.

4

ひとまず難を逃れたカーデシア人は、突如現れて借金を肩代わりした女性を不審がりながらも「ウィムレク」と名乗り、彼女が彼をウィムと呼ぶことを承諾する。彼が名を訊ねると、女性は愛称は「ラナウェイ」でラナと呼ばれていると答える。

*runaway = 逃亡者・家出・暴走した・制御不能な

---

His immediate crisis averted, the Cardassian introduces himself as "Wimlk," allowing her to call him Wim while still eyeing this stranger with suspicion. When he asks for her name, she replies that her nickname is "Runaway", but she simply goes by Runa.

5

ウィムの話すところによれば、母星と衛星基地間を運行する民間シャトルの船長を勤めていた彼は、イオンストームの影響でカーデシア軍の巡洋艦と不幸な接触事故を起こし、全責任を負わされ被害額を弁償させられたという。国家の誇りを傷つけたと叱責されて家族からは勘当され、膨らむ借金の債権は人手を渡ってフェレンギ人の手に。小さなシャトルで逃亡生活をしていたが発見され、攻撃で損傷した船を乗り換えるためにこの衛星を訪れたらしい。

---

According to Wim, he was the captain of a civilian shuttle that operated between his home planet and a satellite base. However, due to an unfortunate collision with a Cardassian cruiser during an ion storm, he was held solely responsible and forced to pay for all damages. Disowned by his family for damaging the nation's pride, his mounting debts were passed around until they reached the Ferengi. After his small shuttle was discovered and attacked, he ended up on this satellite, searching for a replacement for his broken ship.

6

一方、ラナにこの衛星基地に来た訳を聞き出すウィム。なんでも数日前に地球を出たばかりだが、その道中「宇宙の気まぐれ」が原因で巨万の富を得たという。宝くじに当たったのかと訊ねると、まあそんなところだと答えて詳細は明かしてくれない。とりあえず宇宙船を買いたいと話しているが……。

---

Wim asks Runa why she came to this base. She explains that she only left Earth a few days ago, but along the way, she amassed a vast fortune due to a "whim of the universe." When he asks if she won the lottery, she simply replies "Something like that," offering no further details. She says she's here to buy a spaceship.

7

宇宙航行の知識を全く持たないらしいラナは、借金を肩代わりした恩に着せて、ウィムを操縦士（パイロット）として雇う提案をする。彼の小型シャトルは故障中のため、住居と安定した給料が支給されるなら借金も返済できると、彼も否応なく承諾する。ウィムは金があるのなら贅沢な船をカスタムオーダーすることも可能だと指摘するも、ラナが向かったのは中古の宇宙船を扱うフロアだった。

---

Lacking any knowledge of spaceflight, Runa leverages the debt she just settled to offer Wim a job as her pilot. With his own shuttle out of commission, Wim reluctantly accepts, realizing that a stable salary and a place to live are his only way to repay the rest of his debt. He points out that with her wealth, she could easily custom-order a luxury starship, but instead, Runa heads straight for the used spaceship section.

8

適当な販売員を見つけて中古宇宙船購入の相談をするラナ。金に糸目はつけないと知り、基地で販売しているストックを高価な方から順にホログラム・ディスプレイで紹介される。ラナの目を引いたのは地球籍の小型巡航船（クルーザー）で曰くありげな新古品、当然その理由は教えてもらえないが、ウィムと共に現物の内見のため格納庫へ向かった。

---

Runa finds a salesperson to discuss buying a used ship. Learning that she is sparing no expense, the agent presents their inventory on a holographic display, starting with the most expensive models. What catches her eye is a small Earth-registered cruiser, a "nearly new" vessel that seems to have a bit of a history. Naturally, the salesperson avoids the details, but Runa and Wim head to the hangar anyway to inspect the ship in person.

9

格納庫の一角に到着した一行、まずはターボリフトの窓から目的の船を見学。横から見ると背の低いハイヒールみたいな形状で、アーチ部分の空洞の代わりにスラスター付きのフィンがはえたデザイン。二人を案内する販売員の説明によれば、船は四層（デッキ）構造、搭載人員は15人前後、最上階には展望ラウンジのある優雅なデザインで、ホロデッキも搭載されてるという。

---

Arriing at a corner of the hangar, the group first catches a glimpse of the ship through the turbolift window. From the side, it resembles a low-heeled pump, but with thruster-equipped fins where the arch would be. According to the salesperson, the vessel features a four-deck structure with a capacity for about fifteen people. It's a luxury design, complete with an observation lounge on the top deck and even a holodeck.

10

さっそく最下層のデッキから乗船、貨物室と格納庫（シャトルベイ）、そして上層階に向けて吹き抜け（アトリウム）と緩やかな螺旋階段が延びる。二階層＝第３デッキには船室（キャビン）が外壁に沿って並び、前方に段差を設けたブリッジが、後方の踵に当たる部分には機関室が配置されている。第２デッキにはブリッジからのスロープ、中央の螺旋階段、または後方のターボリフトからアクセス可能、食堂やジャグジーなど共同の設備が集まっている。

---

Boarding from the lowest deck, they find the cargo hold and shuttle bay, where an atrium and a sweeping spiral staircase lead to the upper levels. On Deck 3, cabins line the outer hull, with a raised bridge positioned at the bow and the engine room situated at the stern, in the very "heel" of the ship's profile. Deck 2 is accessible via the central stairs, a ramp from the bridge, or the rear turbolift, and it houses shared facilities, including the dining hall and a jacuzzi.

11

機関室の新品未使用のエンジン（最大ワープ速度6.5）を見学後、一行は最上階＝第１デッキの展望ラウンジにターボリフトで移動。防護シャッター付きのパノラマ展望窓を見たラナは、二十年近く買い手のつかなかった船の設備のアップグレードも含めて即決、セールスフロアに戻って手続きを開始する。あまりの軽率さに苦言を呈するウィムには、気に入らなければ買いなおせばいいと話す。

---

After inspecting the engine room's brand-new, unused engine (boasting a maximum warp speed of 6.5), the group takes the turbolift to the observation lounge on Deck 1. Enchanted by the panoramic windows and their protective shutters, Runa decides on the spot to purchase the ship, along with upgrades for its twenty-year-old systems. When Wim criticizes her for such a reckless, impulsive buy, she simply tells him that if it doesn't work out, she'll just buy another one.

12

販売員「――以上で購入手続きは終了となります。お客様の船は最優先でアップグレード作業に取り掛からせていただきます。お引き渡しまで二日程かかりますが、その間、当基地内の宿泊施設をご利用いただけます。こちらの端末に権利書や仕様書など関連データをまとめておきましたのでご確認ください……船名は〈メリス号〉となっておりますが、ご変更なさいますか？」

ウィム「メリスって地球の言葉だろう、意味はなんだ？」

ラナ「知らない」

---

Salesperson "—that concludes the purchase process. We will prioritize the upgrade work on your vessel immediately. It should be ready for handover in about two days. In the meantime, please feel free to use the base's accommodations. I’ve compiled the deed, specifications, and all other relevant data on this terminal for your review. The ship is currently registered as the Marisu... would you like to change it?"

Wim "Marisu? That's an Earth word, isn't it? What does it mean?"

Runa "I don't know."

13

大きな買い物をしたのでVIP待遇の二人は、衛星基地上部の宿泊施設へと案内される。フロントで一部屋でいいと答えるラナを二度見するウィム。「だって逃げられたら困るし、眠ってるカーデシア人って見たことないもの」と、監視する気満々。

---

Having made a large purchase, the two were treated as VIPs and escorted to the accommodations at the top of the satellite base. At the front desk, Wim does a double-take when Runa requests just a single room. "Because I'd be in trouble if you got away, and I've never seen a Cardassian sleeping," she says, clearly intent on keeping an eye on him.

14

スイートルームに設置された大型ベッドに絶句するウィムの視線が、隣室に救いのソファを発見する。しかし「最初の船長命令よ、あなたはベッドに寝るの」と、さっそく雇い主の特権を振りかざすラナ。「私も一緒に寝るんだから……でもその前に食事ね」と、レプリケーターを探している。

---

Speechless at the sight of the large bed in the suite, Wim's gaze swept the room for an escape and spotted a sofa in the adjoining room. However, Runa immediately exercised her prerogative as an employer: "This is my first order as Captain: you are sleeping in the bed. I'll be sleeping with you too... but first, let's eat," she said, already looking for the replicator.

15

「カーデシア人って上下関係には厳しいって聞いたけど」と、ラナはサンドイッチを頬張りながらテーブル越しに訊ねた。カーデシア料理を酒で流し込むウィムは、異星人の一般人に命令されていかにも不服そうな様子だが、借金の肩代わりと雇用は紛うことなきことなき事実である。食後、気が進まないながらも広すぎるベッドに横になると、就寝の用意を整えたラナもベッドインして身を寄せてきた。

---

"I heard Cardassians are pretty strict about hierarchy," Runa asked from across the table, munching on her sandwich. Wim, washing down his Cardassian meal with alcohol, looks visibly disgruntled at being ordered around by a civilian alien, but the fact remained that she had undeniably paid off his debts and provided him with a job. After dinner, he reluctantly lay down in the oversized bed. Runa soon finished getting ready, climbed in as well, and snuggled up close to him.

16

「寝るって……本当に寝るだけなのか！？」とツっこむ声に、寝息を立て始めたラナが目を覚ました。「何を期待してたのよ？ カーデシア人ってそんなに旺盛なの？」と訊き返すラナに背中を向けて不貞寝を決め込むウィム。「ずっとシャトルの窮屈なベッドで寝てたんでしょう。ここなら借金取りも追ってこれないし、明日も暇なんだから、ゆっくり眠ればいいじゃない」と、親切な声をかけるラナの真意が読めず複雑な心境。

---

"So sleeping really is just... sleeping!?" Wim exclaimed, waking Runa, who had already started to breathe softly. "What were you expecting? Are Cardassians really that vigorous?" she asked back, but Wim simply turned his back and decided to sulk. "You've been sleeping in that cramped shuttle bunk for ages, haven't you? Debt collectors can't get you here, and we've got nothing to do tomorrow anyway. Why don't you just get some proper rest?" Runa said kindly. Wim couldn't read her true intentions and was left with mixed feelings.

17

ラナが目を覚ますとベッドは空、どうやらウィムは早起きしてバスルームに籠っているらしい。やがて濃厚な湯気を伴ってウィムが登場、しっかりバスローブを着込んでいるのでラナはちょっと残念そう。「私のシャトルのソニックシャワーは調子が悪くてな……ここのバスルームは湯の出るシャワーがあるんだ」と、熱気と湿気のせいか見るからに上機嫌のカーデシア男に、「買った船にジャグジーがあってよかったね。そういえばあなたのシャトルってどうしたの？」とラナは訊ねた。

---

When Runa woke up, the bed was empty, as Wim had apparently gotten up early to hole up in the bathroom. He soon emerged amidst a thick cloud of steam, fully bundled up in a bathrobe, much to Runa's slight disappointment. "The sonic shower on my shuttle was broken, but this place actually has hot water," the Cardassian remarked, visibly delighted by the heat and humidity. "It's a good thing the ship I bought has a jacuzzi then. By the way, what happened to your shuttle?" Runa asked.

18

バスルームに戻って着替えてきたウィムの話によれば、攻撃を受けたシャトルは大破寸前のまま基地のランディング・パッドに置きっぱなしだという。ウィムの濡れたままの髪も気になるけど、時間を持て余しているので二人で様子を見に行く流れに。「もうスクラップも同然だろうな。おまえの豪華船に比べればお粗末だろうが、初任給を頭金にローンで購入した自家用船だったんだ。私がおまえの船に乗船するなら、この基地で処分していくつもりだ」と、ウィムは道すがら話した。

---

According to Wim, who had changed and returned from the bathroom, his shuttle was still sitting on the base's landing pad, nearly falling apart after the attack. Runa eyed his still-wet hair, but since they had time to spare, they decided to go and check on the vessel together. "It's practically scrap metal by now. Nothing compared to your luxury ship, but it was my own craft, bought with a loan using my very first paycheck as the down payment. If I'm joining your crew, I intend to dispose of it here at the base," Wim said as they walked.

19

薄ゴールド色をした三人乗りの小さなシャトルの外壁はデコボコで、穴が開かなかったのが不思議なくらいだった。廃船として売却手続きを進めようとするウィムに、メリス号の格納庫には空きがあるので持っていこうと切り出すラナ。金があるなら最新式のシャトルを購入すべきだというウィムの意見を押し切って、金にものを言わせて基地のドックで修理してもらうことに。

---

The pale gold armor of the small three-seater shuttle was so badly dented that it was a miracle the hull hadn't been punctured. As Wim prepared to sell it for scrap, Runa suggested they keep it since the Merisu's hangar was empty. Overriding Wim's practical advice to buy a newer model, she insisted on having the vessel repaired at the base's dock, simply flexing her wealth to get the job done.

20

出現のタイミングから謎の財力まで、何もかも都合の良すぎるラナの行為にウィムは困惑するばかり。連邦とカーデシアの緊迫した背景もあり、ラナが市民を装った艦隊士官やマキの工作員、はたまたオブシディアン・オーダーの差し金である可能性も否定できないウィムは、募る猜疑心を抑えられない。上着の内側に感じる護身用のフェイザー銃の重みだけが頼りの綱かもしれない。

---

From the timing of her appearance to her mysterious wealth, everything about Runa's actions seemed far too convenient, leaving Wim utterly bewildered. Given the tense relations between the Federation and Cardassia, he couldn't rule out the possibility that Runa was a Starfleet officer in disguise, a Maquis operative, or even a plant from the Obsidian Order. As his suspicions grew, the only thing he felt he could truly rely on was the weight of the phaser tucked inside his jacket.

21

外部ドックに移動されたマリス号のアップグレード作業を窓から眺めながら食事をした二人は、宇宙船の各種パーツを扱う店が集うプロムナードを散策してから宿泊施設に戻った。部屋のドアが閉じるなり、ウィムは懐から取り出したフェイザーをラナの後頭部に突きつけた。ラナは足を止めた。

---

After dining while watching the refitting of the Marisu through the window of the external dock, the two strolled along a promenade lined with shops selling used spacecraft parts before returning to their room. As soon as the door closed, Wim drew the phaser from his jacket and pressed it against the back of Runa's head. Runa stopped.

22

「わからないわ……お互いにメリットがないもの」ラナは言った。「リスク回避という点では、私には理がある」と、ウィムは詰め寄った。「――正体を明かせ」

---

"I don't understand... there is no benefit for either of us," Runa said. "From the standpoint of risk aversion, this is a benefit for me," Wim pressed. "—Now, show me who you really are."

23

「ないとしたら……もし私が何でもないとしたら、それでも信じてくれる？」ラナは振り返った。「何もなくて地球（ほし）を出てきたの、夢とか情熱とか信念とか、何も持っていなくて。でも宇宙の気まぐれで大金を得てしまって、探したいものを探しに行けって言われたから、それで……宇宙船（ふね）があったら見つけられるかもしれないと思ってここへ来たの。あなたに出会ったのは偶然よ。撃ちたいなら、撃てばいいわ。初めから何もないから、未練も何もないの。ただ私が死んだら資産は凍結されて、あなたは雇用主を失い、また借金取りに追いかけられて……それだけでしょう」 話に聞く地球人のイメージからは想像もつかないほど冷淡な、かつ身も蓋もない供述を聞いて、ウィムは銃口を下げた。「……無いものは証明できない、か」

---

"If there's nothing... if I'm nothing, will you still believe me?" Runa turned around. "I left Earth with nothing—no dreams, no passion, no beliefs. But then, by a whim of the universe, I stumbled upon a fortune and was told to go find what I wanted to find... so I came here, thinking that if I had a spaceship, I might be able to find it. Meeting you was pure coincidence. If you want to shoot me, then go ahead. Since I started with nothing, I have no regrets to cling to. It's just that if I die, my assets will be frozen, you'll lose your employer, and end up being chased by debt collectors all over again... that's it, right?" Wim lowered his gun after hearing a testimony so blunt and flat that it defied everything he'd heard about humans. "You can't prove a negative, I suppose..."

24

「資産を得た経緯は話すわ、信じてもらえるかは分からないけど……でも、私の銀行アカウントに預金が溢れているのは事実。それを聞いた上で、あなたが判断すればいい、私を殺すなり、雇われるなり……船に操縦士は必要だから」ラナはソファに腰を下ろして、地球から宇宙に飛び出した道中に遭遇した、わずか数分間の出来事を話した。ウィムは立ち尽くしたまま耳を傾けていた。

---

"I'll tell you how I came by these assets, though I don't know if you'll believe me... Still, the fact remains that my bank account is overflowing. You can make your own judgment after you've heard it—whether to kill me, or be hired... my ship needs a pilot, still." Runa took a seat on the sofa and recounted the events of those few brief minutes she had experienced during her journey from Earth. Wim remained standing, listening in silence, neither affirming nor denying a word.

25

「私に選択肢はないようだな……船長」ウィムは銃を脇に置いてラナの隣に座り込んだ。「おまえを信じるべきか否か、確かめる時間はあるだろう」そうぼやいてため息をつくカーデシア人を見つめていたラナは、おもむろに両腕を伸ばして彼の腰に抱きついた。「私たち、種族も生体機能もぜんぜん違うけど、オープンに親密に付き合えば、もっとわかりあえると思うの」

---

"It seems I have no choice... Captain." Wim put down his gun and sank onto the sofa beside her. "I suppose there's time enough to figure out if I can trust you." As the Cardassian grumbled and let out a sigh, Runa watched him and then slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. "Our species and biology are worlds apart, but I believe that by being open and intimate, we can truly understand each other."

26

「な、何が望みだ……？」予測不能なラナの行動にうろたえるウィムの視線の先には、まばゆい期待のまなざしを向ける暫定船長の姿が。「乗組員（クルー）同士、隠し事はなしにしましょうよ。その首の隆起（リッジ）がどこまで続いてるか知りたいの」と目先の願望を打ち明ける。「地球人がどうかは知らないが、私の種族は親しくない相手に肌を晒すことはしないんだ」と、平静を装って答えるウィムにしがみついたまま、「じゃ、親しくなりましょうよ」とラナは食い下がった。

---

"W-what do you want...?" Wim stammered, overwhelmed by Runa's unpredictability, and found himself staring right into the dazzling, expectant gaze of his provisional captain. "No secrets between crewmates. I just want to know how far those ridges on your neck go," she confessed, revealing her immediate desire. "I don't know how you Humans are, but my people do not expose themselves to those they aren't close to," Wim replied, feigning composure. But Runa, still clinging to him, simply pressed further. "Then let's get close.

27

船長の権限で船員のプライバシーを侵害するなど、宇宙艦隊なら確実にパワハラ案件に相当するはずだ。とはいえその支配欲も然ることながら、服従も美徳となり得るカーデシア人としては、命令系統の秩序は遵守したい気持ちもある。自身の置かれた境遇と民族性との間で煩悶とするウィムに、ラナは付け加えた。「それに特典もつけるわ。最初の船内規則（ルール）……今考えたのだけど」

---

If this were Starfleet, a captain using their position to violate a crewmember's privacy would surely be considered a serious abuse of power. However, for a Cardassian whose world is built on both the exercise of dominance and the necessity of obedience, the need to maintain the established order is not so easily dismissed. As Wim agonized, caught between his current circumstances and his Cardassian nature, Runa added. "And there’ll be something in it for you, too. Our very first ship's rule... I just came up with it."

28

「――“ベッドの上では乗組員（クルー）の方が船長よりも偉い”」訝しむウィムにラナは平然と言い渡した。なんだそのふざけた規則は、と反論しかけたウィムは、不意に口をつぐんで上着を脱ぎ捨てると、シャツの裾に手をかけた。たとえ条件付きであろうと、将来の支配の余地を棒に振るには惜しいと判断するに至ったのだろう――ことに相手が小賢しい異星人の女ならばなおさらだ。

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"...On the bed, the crew member outranks the captain." Runa declared this flatly to a suspicious Wim. He started to retort against such a ridiculous rule, but suddenly fell silent, shed his jacket, and reached for the hem of his shirt. He must have concluded that, even with strings attached, leaving some room for future dominance was too valuable to throw away—especially when dealing with a cunning alien woman like her.

29

シャツを脱いで立ち上がったウィムは、耳元から首筋、そして背中にかけて優雅に伸びる精悍な隆起をラナに向け、屈辱と羞恥のにじむ顔を背けた。「これで満足か？」と訊くと、しばらく沈黙があってから、「うん、ありがとう」と返事があった。思わずウィムは表情を強張らせたまま振り返った。「……それだけか！？」

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Wim stood up and shed his shirt, revealing the sculpted, graceful ridges that traced a line from behind his ears, down his neck, and along his back. With a bitter mix of humiliation and shame, he turned his face away and asked, "Are you satisfied now?" After a brief silence, she replied, "Yeah, thank you," prompting Wim to spin around, his features still stiff with tension. "...That's it!?"

30

ラナ「それだけよ」

ウィム「この為だけにベッドでの主導権を譲ったのか？」

ラナ「約束は守るわ」

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Runa "That's it."

Wim "You let me be on top in bed just for this?"

Runa "I keep my promises."

Publish: 2026.4.01 → To be continued...