ここまでのあらすじ：宇宙の気まぐれで巨万の富を得た地球人女性・名ばかり船長のラナウェイと、国を追われたカーデシア人の操縦士ウィムレクは、購入したばかりの宇宙船メリス号で目的のない旅へ出航したばかり。
Previously on Runaway★Trek: Runaway, a human woman who became a starship captain after acquiring a vast fortune by a whim of the universe, and Wimlk, a Cardassian pilot exiled from his homeworld. Having purchased the starship Marisu, this odd pair has only just embarked on a journey to nowhere.
宇宙船ブローカーの基地を発った二日後、メリス号はワープ4の速度でアルファ宇宙域からベータ宇宙域に針路をとって航行していた。第二デッキのダイニングで食後のデザートを堪能していたラナとウィムは、メインシステムの警告アラームでブリッジに呼び出された。船に搭載された最新鋭のセンサーが微弱な救難信号を受信したらしい。
Two days after departing the spaceship broker's outpost, the Marisu was traveling at Warp 4, heading from the Alpha Quadrant to the Beta Quadrant. While enjoying post-dinner dessert in the dining area on Deck 2, Runa and Wim were called to the bridge by the main system's warning alarm. The ship's latest sensors had picked up a faint distress signal.
「小型の脱出ポッドのようだが遠くてよく分からないな……救助に向かうか？」と、ウィムは操舵席でスキャン結果を読みながら船長の判断を仰いだ。「それって義務なの？」と訊ねるラナに、「自分の船に危険がない限りはな。宇宙航行の原則というか暗黙の了解だ」と答え、最大ワープスピード6.5まで加速した。「この船で助けられるといいけど……」ラナは脇のソファにかけてティラミスの続きを頬張り始めた。
"It looks like a small escape pod, but it's too far to tell.. shall we head to the rescue?" Wim asked from the pilot's seat, reading the scan results and looking to the captain for a decision. When Runa asked, "Is that mandatory?" Wim replied, "As long as our own ship isn't in danger, yes. It's a principle of space navigation, or an unspoken rule," and he accelerates the ship to its maximum warp speed of 6.5. "I hope this ship can help..." Runa said, sitting on the side sofa and starting to eat the rest of her tiramisu.
ラナがデザートを食べ終わる頃、メリス号はスクリーン越しにポッドを目視できる距離まで接近し、ウィムが詳細なスキャン結果を報告した。「生命反応は一人、かなり弱いが安定しているようだ。通信には応答がない。データベースによれば、あのポッドは‘ズィンディ’という種族の宇宙船の付属品らしい……知ってるか？」「さあ、宇宙史の授業で聞いたような気はするけど……」ラナは首を傾げた。「小さいならポッドごと転送できる？」
By the time Runa finished her dessert, the Marisu had closed the distance enough to visually spot the pod on the screen, and Wim reported the detailed scan results. "There's one life sign. It's quite weak but seems stable. No response to our communications. According to the database, that pod appears to be a component of a vessel belonging to a species called the 'Xindi'... Ever heard of them?" "Hmm, I feel like I heard that name in space history class though..." Runa tilted her head. "If it's small, can we just transport the whole pod aboard?"
メリス号の転送機の最大出力は一度に二人程度であるため、一人用の小さなポッドは無事に格納庫（シャトルベイ）へと回収された。「ね、危険はないの？」と、螺旋階段を下りながら不安だか好奇心だかを隠しきれないラナに、ウィムは愛用のハンドスキャナーを見せた。「搭乗客の身元や目的を確認するのも船長の義務だぞ？ 安全を確保するのもな」と、もう一方の手に握られたフェイザーもちらつかせる。
Although the Marisu's transporter had a maximum capacity of only two people at a time, the small single-person pod was successfully beamed into the shuttle bay. "Hey, are you sure it's not dangerous?" Runa asked as they headed down the spiral staircase, a look she couldn't quite hide whether from anxiety or curiosity. Wim showed her his trusty handheld scanner. "Confirming the passenger's identity and intentions is also part of a captain's duty, you know? And so is ensuring our safety," he added, flashing the phaser held in his other hand.
格納庫に横たわる鉛色をした円柱形のカプセルは損傷が目立った。「爆発に巻き込まれたんだろう……それが船を脱出した理由か、あるいは船自体が爆発したのかまでは判らない。さっき読んだデータによれば、ズィンディ人は惑星連邦に加盟しているが、二百年前に地球を攻撃したそうだぞ？」ポッドをスキャンしながらウィムが指摘した。「あー、ズィンディ危機、だっけ……フロリダに谷ができた原因になったやつね。どうして起こったのかは忘れちゃったけど……」と、ラナはポッドのフチを叩いた。
The lead-colored cylindrical capsule lying in the shuttle bay was clearly damaged. "It must have been caught in an explosion... though whether that was why they escaped, or if the ship itself blew up, I can't tell. According to the data, the Xindi are Federation members now, but they attacked Earth two hundred years ago, you know?" Wim said while scanning the pod. "Ah, the Xindi Crisis... the one that made a canyon in Florida. I forgot why it happened, though..." Runa said, tapping the edge of the pod.
「生命維持装置……いや、低温の睡眠槽のような機能があるらしい。仮死状態に近い状態で漂流していたようだ。環境条件を満たしていれば、こちらから信号を送るだけで覚醒処置をして開くはずだ。中の奴が負傷しているのは間違いないが、武器の反応もある……どうする船長？」ウィムが両手のデバイスを掲げるのを見てラナが答えた。「起こしてみて、助けを求めてきたら助けてあげればいいわ。駄目そうなら――そっ閉じして、このまま最寄りの宇宙基地に届けましょう」
"It seems to have a life support system... or rather, a cryogenic sleep function. They've been drifting in a near-death state. If conditions are met, simply sending a signal from here should initiate the waking process and open it. The person inside is definitely injured, but there's also a weapon signature... What are your orders, Captain?" Wim asked, holding his scanner and phaser. Runa saw it and replied, "Wake them up and if they ask for help, we help them. If things get ugly—we just seal it right back up and drop it off at the nearest starbase."
ウィムがスキャナーを操作して三十秒ほど待つと、ポッド先端のハッチがスライドして開き、黄褐色のウロコに覆われた大柄な異星人が寝台ごと吐き出された。戦闘用らしい防護服を身に着けてはいるが、負傷の血や剝がれたウロコの痕が生々しい。「男……よね？ 年齢はぜんぜんわからないけど……セクシーな薄幸の女子がよかった？ キスすると目覚める的な？」振り向いてからかう船長をウィムは無視した。
After Wim operated the scanner and waited for about thirty seconds, the hatch at the tip of the pod slid open, and a large alien covered in yellowish-brown scales was pushed out along with the bunk. He wore what looked like combat armor, but the fresh blood and torn scales from his injuries were graphic. "A guy... right? I have no idea how old, but... were you hoping for a sexy, tragic girl? Like the kind who wakes up with a kiss?" Runa turned around to tease him, but Wim ignored her.
意識を取り戻して身じろぐ男に近づいて、ラナは自己紹介した。「初めまして、私はラナウェイ。この民間船メリス号の船長よ。こっちは操縦士のウィムレク。私たち救難信号を受信して、あなたのポッドを回収したの。それで……助けがいる感じ？」異星人は縦長の瞳孔をした鋭い眼差しで二人を睨みつけると、かすれた声で寒いと囁いた。
Approaching the recovering and shifting man, Runa introduced herself. "Nice to meet you, I'm Runaway. The captain of this civilian ship, the Marisu. This is Wimlk, the pilot. We picked up your pod after receiving a distress signal. So... do you need help?" The alien glared at them with a sharp gaze from his vertical pupils and whispered in a raspy voice that he was cold.
「寒い？ 船内の環境が合わないのね……待ってて、どこか暖かいところ……」と、周囲を見回すラナ。「それは私も同感だ」とさり気なく同意するウィムの言葉を無視して、格納庫の外を指さした。「転送装置！ あれを操作して、私とこの人をラウンジのホロデッキに転送して。あと何か治療に使えそうな物も持ってきて」とラナは命じ、「肩に担いでけとは言わないからさ、お願い」と付け加えた。
"Cold? The ship's environment must not suit you... Hold on, somewhere warm..." Runa said, looking around. Ignoring Wim, who subtly agreed by saying, "I share that sentiment," she pointed just outside the shuttlebay. "The transporter! Operate it and beam me and this guy to the lounge's holodeck. And bring some medical tools," she ordered, then added, "I'm not asking you to carry him on your shoulders, okay? So please!"
「コンピューター、ズィンディ人に最適な環境を作ってほしいの」と、グリッドに取り囲まれた小部屋に寝台ごと転送された異星人を見下ろしてラナが注文した。『種族を指定してください。水棲族、樹上族、昆虫族、霊長族、爬虫類族のいずれかに該当します』というシステムの声に、「えっ、そんなに種類があるの？」と、ラナはまじまじと男を観察した。「うーん……ウロコだけど泳げるようには見えないし……爬虫類じゃない？」すぐに周囲は眩い光の放射と熱気に包まれた。
"Computer, create the optimum environment for a Xindi," Runa requested, looking down at the alien who had been beamed along with his bunk into the small grid-lined room. "Please specify the species: Aquatic, Arboreal, Insectoid, Primate, or Reptilian," the system responded, making Runa stare intently at the man and mutter, "Wait, there are that many types?" Then she guessed, "Hmm... he's got scales, but he doesn't look like a swimmer... Reptilian, maybe?," and instantly, the surroundings were engulfed in a blinding radiation of light and intense heat.
「うわっ、暑い……砂漠みたいなところに住んでるの？ ――どう、少しは暖まりそう？」ラナが訊ねると男は頷き、目を閉じて言った。「水棲族ほどではないが……おれは泳げる……」「そう、それは失礼。温まったら治療したいのだけど……皮膚再生装置ってウロコにも効くかしら？」話しながら開いたままのドアを振り返ると、ウィムが入りあぐねていた。
"Whoa, it's hot... Do you people live in a desert or something? ...Feeling any warmer?" Runa asked. The man nodded and closed his eyes, then said, "Not as well as the Aquatics... but I can swim..." "Oh, my bad. Once you're warmed up, I'd like to treat those wounds... but I wonder if a dermal regenerator works on scales?" While talking, she glanced back at the open door, where Wim stood, hesitating to come inside.
「コンピューター、寝台以外の場所の光量を落とせ」と命じてから、ウィムは即席の医療室となったホロデッキに入室した。「そういえば、同じ高温でもあなたは暗暑いところが好きなんだっけ……ほとんどの地球人が、カーデシア人も爬虫類だと思ってるよ」と話しながら、ラナは医療キットを受け取って皮膚再生装置を探した。「生物学的な分類上では、私は哺乳類だ――ポッドは調べた。武器はライフルを一丁押収して隠してある。それから記録によれば、彼は五年近く眠ったまま漂流していたようだな」
"Computer, reduce the light levels everywhere except around the bunk," Wim commanded before stepping into the holodeck turned makeshift infirmary. "Right, I forgot you prefer it hot 'n' dark... You know, most humans think Cardassians are reptilian," Runa remarked as she took the medical kit and searched for the dermal regenerator. "Biologically speaking, I am a mammal," Wim corrected her, then reported, "I examined the pod. I seized and concealed one rifle, and according to the logs, it appears he has been drifting for nearly five years."
驚いて目を見開く男の顔の傷に、ラナは再生ビームを当てた。「暖まって具合が良くなったら、あなたのことも聞きたいんだけど……ズィンディ人って初めて見るの」「おまえは地球人か……確かに霊長族に似ているな。そっちがカーデシア人……連邦とは折り合いが悪いと聞いていたが……おれの知らない間に加盟したのか？」「あ、それはまだ。絶賛対立中だと思う。でも例外もいるってこと……戦争とは無関係の民間船だから、のんびり休んでいって」と、ラナは治療を続けた。
As the man opened his eyes wide in surprise, Runa applied the regeneration beam to the wounds on his face. "Once you're warmed up and feeling better, I'd like to hear about you too... I've never seen a Xindi before." "Are you a human... you certainly resemble the Primates," the man said, "And that one is a Cardassian... I heard your people had poor relations with the Federation... did you end up joining them while I was gone?" "Oh, not yet. I think we're still at odds," Runa replied, continuing the treatment. "But there are always exceptions... This is just a civilian ship with no relation to the war, so please just relax and take your time."
「おれの名はアグル。ポッドで脱出した訳を話そう……」男の話したところによれば、ズィンディ人の植民惑星のある宙域で宇宙船が行方不明になる事件が多発しており、その調査任務を受けた戦艦で彼は上級の戦闘士官をしていた。捜索の末、遭遇したのは一隻のボーグスフィア――戦況は初めから圧倒的に不利だった。
"My name is A'gr. Let me tell you why I escaped in the pod..." According to his story, there was an ongoing crisis where many starships were going missing in a sector where Xindi colonies are located, and he served as a senior assault officer on the warship tasked with investigating the matter. After a long search, what they encountered was a single Borg sphere—the tide of battle was overwhelmingly against them from the very start.
「真っ先にエンジンと武器システムを破壊された。おれは武器管制室に向かい、手動でシステムを操作するよう艦長に命令を受けた。その時点ですでにエンジンはいつ爆発してもおかしくなかった。だから咄嗟におれは通路上にあった脱出ポッドに乗り込んで……そこから記憶がない。おれは逃亡兵なんだ」アグルは台の上で身を起こした。「おれは命令に逆らった。反逆した兵は例外なく死刑だ。だが責任を取る覚悟はある……おれをズィンディの領域に帰してくれ」
"Our engines and weapons systems were disabled first. The captain ordered me to head to the weapons control room and operate the systems manually. At that point, the engines could have exploded at any moment. So, in that split second, I jumped into an escape pod in the corridor... and I have no memory after that. I am a deserter." A'gr sat up on the bunk. "I disobeyed orders. Soldiers who rebel are invariably executed without exception. But I am prepared to take responsibility... Please, return me to Xindi space."
「つまり……死刑になるって知った上で、あなたを故郷に送り届けてほしいっていうの？ 出航二日目でそれは重すぎるわよ、いくらなんでも」ラナは音を上げた。「それならおれをポッドに戻して外に放り出してくれ。別の船を待つ」「そういう訳にもいかないでしょ！」
"So... knowing you'll be executed, you want us to deliver you back to your homeland? That's way too much to take in for only the second day of our voyage," Runa groaned. "Then return me to the pod and cast me out into space. I will wait for another ship." "We can't really do that!"
救いを求めてラナが振り向くと、ウィムは肩をすくめた。「私は操縦士に過ぎない。針路を決める権限は船長にしかない……乗客の安全を守る義務もな」「そうよ、死刑確定の逃亡兵だろうと、私の船に便乗してる限り私の命令に従うべきだわ」ラナは再生装置を握りしめたまま、寝台に腰掛けた男を見上げた。
Looking for rescue, Runa turned around, only for Whim to shrug his shoulders. "I am merely the pilot. The authority to determine our destination lies solely with the captain... as does the obligation to ensure the safety of the passengers." "Exactly. Deserter facing execution or not, as long as you are hitching a ride on my ship, you should obey my orders." Clutching the regenerator, Runa looked up at the man sitting on the bunk.
「おれを匿えば……ズィンディ爬虫類族は、たとえ連邦の民間人であろうと容赦はしないだろう」「そんな脅しになんて屈しないもん。ズィンディだろうと連邦だろうと、賄賂でもなんでも渡して買収してやるんだから！」ラナは断言した。「――でも、まずは治療に専念して、それが船長命令。ほら、服の下の傷も治すから前を開けて」アグルが渋々手を伸ばして上半身の衣服をはだけると、そこもウロコに覆われていた。
"If you harbor me... the Xindi Reptilians will show no mercy, even to Federation civilians." "I won't succumb to threats like that. Whether it's the Xindi or the Federation, I'll just bribe them or do whatever it takes to buy them off!" Runa declared. "—But first, focus on your treatment, that's a captain's order. Now, open up the front so I can heal the wounds under your clothes too." When A'gr reluctantly reached up to part his upper clothing, that area was covered in scales as well.
その瞳に募る好奇心の色を認めたウィムが止める前に、ラナはアグルに両腕を回してしがみついた。「私たち、種族も生体機能もぜんぜん違うけど、オープンかつ親密に付き合えば、もっとわかりあえると思うの」「嘘だろ！？ よりによってこんなトカゲ野郎を……」ウィムが呆れたように口をはさんだ。
Curiosity welled up in Runa's eyes, and before Whim could stop her, she threw her arms around A'gr and clung to him. "Our species and biology are worlds apart, but I believe that by being open and intimate, we can truly understand each other." "Are you kidding me!? Of all people, with this lizard guy...?" Whim chimed in, sounding utterly exasperated.
「何よ？ 嫉妬？」と、挑発するような言葉を投げかけるラナと不服そうなウィムを交互に見つめて、アグルは訊ねた。「どういうことだ？」「その……船長は、おまえに魅力を感じて誘っているつもりらしい」平静を装いながらウィムが答えた。
"What? Are you jealous?" Runa tossed a provocative question. A'gr looked back and forth between her and a displeased-looking Whim, then asked, "What is the meaning of this?" "Well... it seems the captain is attracted to you and is hitting on you," Whim replied, maintaining a calm facade.
「誘う？ 地球人はそんなに旺盛なのか？」「私の知る限りでは、船長だけだろう」ウィムは吐き捨てるように呟いた。アグルはラナの背中を軽く叩いて言った。「よく分からないが……おれの種族は冬季が訪れないと交配しない。気持ちだけ受け取っておこう」
"Seduce? Are humans really that vigorous?" "As far as I know, it's just the captain," Whim muttered, spitting out the words. A'gr lightly patted Runa's back and said, "I don't quite understand... but our species does not mate until winter arrives. I appreciate the thought."
「気持ち……？」ウィムが盛大に吹き出す一方、ラナは冷静に命じた。「コンピューター、光量を元に戻して、私が頼むまで絶対に変えないで」「おい、ラナ――！？」強烈な光に炙り出されてウィムが退散すると、ラナは男と向かい合った。「見たところ怪我は表面的なものみたいだし、組織の再生処置はできたから、あとは新しいウロコができるのを待つしかないね……鎧みたいに頑丈なのね」
"The thought...?" Whim burst out laughing. Right beside him, Runa calmly ordered, "Computer, revert the lights to the previous setting, and do not change it until I say so." "Hey, Runa—?!" Shot by the intense light, Whim retreated, and Runa faced the man. "From what I can see, your injuries seem superficial, and the tissue regeneration is done, so now we just have to wait for the new scales to grow... They're as tough as armor."
「アグル、だっけ。この船に乗っていくなら、先に教えておくけど……」ラナは額に浮かんだ汗を拭った。「マリス号には〈船長の誓い〉っていう船内規則第一条があって、“ベッドの上では乗組員（クルー）の方が船長よりも偉い”って定められているの。船内のどのベッドでも適用されるわ……ここでも」と、ラナは寝台に手を置いた。「でも私が登っても、船の針路は変えられない。降りたとたん船長に指揮権が戻るから」
"A'gr, right? If you're going to stay on this ship, let me tell you something first..." Runa wiped the sweat from her forehead. "The Marisu has Shipboard Rule Number One, the Captain's Prime Directive. It states that on the bed, the crew is higher in rank than the captain. It applies to every bed on this ship... even here." Runa placed her hand on the bunk. "But even if I get on it, the ship's course cannot be changed. Because the moment I step off, command authority returns to the captain."
「あなたを故郷に送り届けるかどうか、これから操縦士と相談するけど、あなた一人だけのためにそう簡単に行き先は変えられないわ。でも考えておいて、私に何を命令したいか……私、資産には不自由してないから、大概の望みは叶えられると思う」「――待て、この船はどこに向かっているんだ？」立ち去りかけたラナにアグルが問いかけた。ラナは振り返って答えた。「どこかしら……ラナウェイは地球の言葉で“脱走する”って意味なの」
"Whether we deliver you back to your homeland is something I'll have to discuss with the pilot, but we can't just change our destination that easily for you alone. But think about it... what you want to command me to do. I'm not short on assets, so I think I can grant most wishes." "—Wait, where is this ship heading?" A'gr questioned Runa as she was about to leave. Runa turned back and replied, "Somewhere, I suppose... Runaway means 'running away' in the language of Earth."
ホロデッキを出るとそこは最上階デッキ、窓に囲まれた展望ラウンジである。壁際のソファに座り込んで目元を押さえているウィムの横にラナは腰を下ろした。「どうしよ、かなり深刻な異星人拾っちゃった……」「私は深刻ではなかったのか……」ウィムは呻いた。
Leaving the holodeck, she found herself on the top deck—the observation lounge surrounded by windows. Runa sat down next to Wim, who was sitting on the sofa by the wall, hunched over and pressing his eyes. "What should I do. We just picked up a seriously intense alien..." "Was I not serious enough for you...?" Whim groaned.
ラナ「具体的に何に障ったのよ？ 視神経？ 独占欲？」
ウィム「両方だ」
ラナ「だって全部のウロコの数を数えてみたくなったの。哺乳類のあなたにはないし」
Runa "What exactly did it hurt? Your optic nerves? Or possessiveness?"
Wim "Both."
Runa "But I suddenly felt like counting all his scales. You don't have any since you're a mammal."
「この二日間を私はどう受け止めればいいんだ」顔を上げて訊ねるウィムにルナは答えた。「就職＆借金半額返済おめでとう期間？」「特典に釣られておまえを抱いた私が馬鹿だった……」ウィムは両手に顔を埋めた。
"How am I supposed to process these last two days?" Wim asked, looking up. Runa replied, "A 'congratulations on getting a job and having half your debt paid off' period?" "I was a fool to to sleep with you just for the perks..." Wim buried his face in his hands.
「なんで勝手に盛り下がってるのよ。ラクタジーノのティラミス美味しいって言ってたじゃない」ラナはウィムに身を寄せた。「今度は抹茶ティラミス試しましょうよ」「きっと美味くない……連邦の仲間だけで楽しくやれ」ウィムは相当不貞腐れた様子だった。
"Why are you acting so depressed all by yourself? You said you liked the raktajino tiramisu," Runa said, snuggling up to Wim. "Let's try the matcha tiramisu next time." "I bet it won't taste good... Go have fun with that Federation friend of yours." Wim looked thoroughly sullen.
「そんなに嫌いなら、どうして船の針路を変えないのよ？ ズィンディ領域の基地あたりにポイしちゃえば、それまでじゃない」「それは……命じられてないからだ」ウィムの素っ気ない答えにラナは微笑んだ。「ありがと。何かいい案はない？」
"If you hate him that much, why don't you change our course? We could just drop him off at some base in Xindi space and be done with it." "That's... because I haven't been ordered to." Runa smiled at Wim's blunt reply. "Thanks. Any bright ideas?"
「あいつをズィンディ領域に送り届ける。――なるべく時間をかけて」「時間、それよ――！」ラナは立ち上がった。「遠回りしていくのね、普通に寿命が尽きるくらい。あの種族（ひとたち）がどれくらい生きるのか知らないけど」「私の感では、あのトカゲ野郎は私よりも若い」ウィムはラナを見上げた。「おまえが先に死んだらどうする？」
"We deliver him to Xindi space. —But we take as long as possible." "Time... that's it!" Runa stood up. "We'll take a long detour. Long enough that he might just die of old age. I don't even know how long his species lives, though." "My gut tells me that lizard guy is younger than me." Wim looked up at Runa. "What if you die first?"
「その時は、副船長（ファーストメイト）のあなたが船と全指揮権を引き継ぐの」ラナはウィムの頭を抱きしめた。「もちろん第一船内規則も一緒に――コンピューター、私の最初の遺言として記録しておいて」「最高の遺産だな」ウィムは腕の中で言った。「ウロコを数えるなら、一度に２０枚程度にしておけ」
"If that happens, you will take over the ship and full command as first mate." Runa wrapped her arms around Wim's head. "Along with Shipboard Rule Number One, of course. —Computer, record that as my first will." "A wonderful testament," Wim said from within her embrace. "If you're going to count his scales, you'd better do it about twenty at a time."
オレンジ色の光と熱気に満たされたホロデッキに戻ると、アグルは上着を脱いだまま寝台に横たわっていた。「コンピューター、ベッドをこちら側に拡張してダブルサイズにして」ラナはホログラムの台に上がり、男の隣に寝そべった。「じんわり暑いね……水着着てこればよかった。船のジャグジー、まだ一度も使ってないの」
Returning to the holodeck filled with orange light and heat, she found Agur lying on the bunk with his upper armor off. "Computer, expand the bed to this side and make it a double." Runa then climbed onto the holographic platform and lay down beside him. "The heat is really soaking in... I should've worn a swimsuit. I haven't used the ship's jacuzzi yet."
「話はまとまったか？」アグルが訊ねた。「ええ、あなたをズィンディ領域に送っていくことになったわ。でも、私たちの用事を優先させてもらうから、かなり遠回りになるかも……ことによったら数年かかるかもしれない。でも、もしもこの船があなたの救難信号を拾わなかったら、あと何年漂流してたか分からないでしょ。だからその期間は多めに見てほしいの」「いいだろう」と、男は身じろぎもせず答えた。
"Did you come to an agreement?" A'gr asked. "Yes, we're going to take you back to Xindi space. But we're prioritizing our own business first, so it might be a pretty long detour... it could even take a few years. But you know, if this ship hadn't picked up your distress signal, there's no telling how many more years you would've been drifting. So I need you to bear with us for that time." "Fine," the man answered without moving a muscle.
ラナ「それで提案なんだけど、無賃乗船ってのも、お互いに気まずいでしょう？ だからあなたが便乗している間、あなたを船の警備員として雇いたいの……用心棒ってところね。私は武器のことはよく分からないし、ウィムも戦闘訓練なんて受けてないだろうから、そうしてくれたら頼もしいわ。もちろん船室も食事も給与も提供するから」
アグル「食事か……おれは生きた哺乳類の小動物を食うんだぞ」
ラナ「私よりも小さい系のやつだと嬉しいけど……どこかでケージごと調達するわ。――それが命令？」
Runa "And I have a suggestion. It might feel a bit awkward for both of us if you just stay on board for free, right? So while you're traveling with us, I was thinking maybe we could hire you to look after the ship's security... like a guard. I don't really know anything about weapons, and I'm pretty sure Wim has never had combat training, so it would be really reassuring to have you. Of course, we'll take care of your room, meals, and pay you a salary."
A'gr "Meals, huh... I eat live small mammals."
Runa "It would be great if they're smaller than me... I'll find a cage of them somewhere. —Is that your command?"
「いや」アグルは顔をラナに向けた。「処刑される前にしておきたいことを考えた。何を命じてもいいなら、おれの腹を撫でろ」「……腹？」ラナは驚いてアグルを見つめ返した。「そうだ。ズィンディの他の種族にも知られていないが、腹側のウロコは他ほど硬くないんだ。普通は家族や交配相手が撫でる。だが、もう会えないだろう。どうせ死ぬなら、いい心地になってからがいい」
"No," A'gr turned his face toward Runa. "I was thinking about what I wanted to do before being executed. If I can command anything, stroke my belly." "...Your belly?" Runa stared back at A'gr in surprise. "Yes. It's not known to the other Xindi species, but the scales on the belly aren't as hard as the rest. Normally, a family member or a mate would stroke it. But I'll probably never see them again. If I'm going to die anyway, I'd rather do it after feeling good."
「まあ……いいけど」寝台の上に座り込んだラナは、なめらかなウロコの腹に手を当てて上下に滑らせた。「こう？」「もっとゆっくり撫でろ」鋭い視線にねめつけられながら命じられると、ラナはより慎重に、円を描くように手を動かした。しばらく撫でていると、アグルは目を細めた。
"Well... alright." Runa sat down on the bunk, placed her hand on the smooth scales of his belly, and slid it up and down. "Like this?" "More slowly." As his sharp glare stared her down and commanded her, Runa moved her hand more cautiously, drawing circles. After she had been stroking it for a while, A'gr narrowed his eyes.
「……気持ちいの？」ラナが問うと、アグルは目を閉じて頷いた。「ああ。これでもう思い残すこともない」「そんなこと言わないでよ、まだ当分は乗っていくんだし。お腹くらい、いつでも撫でてあげるから」答える代わりに、アグルは猫が喉を鳴らすのに似た音を出し始めた。人間の耳には心地良いが、カーデシア男には殊のほか不快な音に違いないとラナは思った。
"Does it... feel good?" Runa asked, and A'gr closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. Now I have no regrets left." "Don't talk like that. You're going to be staying on board for a while anyway. I can stroke your belly whenever you want." Instead of replying, A'gr began to make a low purring sound. Runa thought that while it was pleasant to human ears, it must be exceptionally unpleasant to a Cardassian man.
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