ここまでのあらすじ：宇宙の気まぐれで得た富で宇宙船メリス号を購入したばかりの地球人船長ラナウェイは、カーデシア人のウィムレクを操縦士に、漂流していたズィンディ爬虫類族の逃亡兵アグルを警備員として雇い、なるべく遠回りをしてズィンディ領域に向かうことに。
Previously on Runaway★Trek: Runaway, the human captain who just bought the starship Marisu after acquiring a vast fortune by a whim of the universe, along with a Cardassian pilot Wimlk, has rescued a drifting Xindi-Reptilian deserter, A'gr. Hiring him as a guard, the ship takes the longest detour possible toward Xindi space.
アグルを拾ってから三日後、メリス号は当初の目的地である貿易ステーションに向けて、順調に航行を続けていた。「ねえ、出発してから誰か機関室行ったことある？」朝食の席でラナが問うと、アグルは合成プロテインの皿から、ウィムはニュースを見ていたらしいタブレットから顔を上げた。
Three days after recovering A'gr, the Marisu was sailing smoothly toward its original destination, the trading station. "Hey, has anyone been to the engine room since we left?" Runa asked at the breakfast table. A'gr looked up from his plate of synthetic protein, and Wim looked up from the tablet apparently checking the news.
「定期的に見回っている。侵入者はいない」と、まだ一部のウロコを欠いたままのアグルが報告した。「何度か利用してる。あそこは私の部屋の次に気温が高いんだ」ウィムはカップを寄せながら言った――カーデシアの果実茶である。ラナはクリームまみれのワッフルを頬張りながら、さらに訊ねた。「メンテとか必要そうだった？」
"I patrol it regularly. There are no intruders," reported A'gr, whose scales were still partially missing. "I have used it a few times. It's the warmest place on the ship after my Quarters," Wim said, pulling his cup of Cardassian fruit tea closer. Munching on a waffle covered in cream, Runa asked further, "Did it look like it needed any maintenance?"
「私は専門外だ。アグル、おまえは動力系は扱えるのか？」と、ウィム。「いや。武器の管理が仕事だった。船を動かすことはできるが、エンジンの調整や修理はできない」「つまり私たちのうちの誰もエンジンをいじれないってこと……」食べ終えたラナは、ラクタジーノ・ラテのマグを手に取った。
"I am no expert. A'gr, can you handle power systems?" Wim asked. "No. My job was weapons management. I can pilot a ship, but I cannot tune or repair an engine," A'gr replied. "So, that means none of us can touch the engine..." Runa said, picking up her mug of raktajino latte after finishing her meal.
「メンテが必要な時は、そういうサービスを提供してるステーションにでも寄ればいいと思っていたけど、もし故障したら遭難確実じゃない。ガムテープで補修して飛び続けるわけにもいかないし、だから探さないといけないかなって――メカに強い人」ラナの提案に、ウィムは情報を求めてタブレットを取り上げた。「機関士か整備士か……腕の確かな奴が欲しいな。求人を出してネットワークから探すか？」「身元の知れない奴を乗せるリスクもある」アグルが指摘した。
"I thought we could just stop by a station that offers maintenance whenever we needed it, but if something breaks, we're definitely stranded. It's not like we can just keep flying with duct tape patching things up, so I was thinking maybe we should look for someone—someone good with mechanics," Runa proposed, prompting Wim to pick up his tablet to look for information. "An engineer or a mechanic... we'll want someone reliable. Should we post a job opening and search the network?" "There is a risk in bringing someone aboard whose background is unknown," A'gr pointed out.
「応募してきた人、一人ずつ面接してスキルと身元をチェックするの？ それも大変そうだし、実際、雇ってみるまでどんな人だか判らないじゃない。こちらから探しに行って選べるようなシステムがあればいいのに……」ラナの言葉に、ウィムはタブレットに付近の宙域の地図を表示させた。「これから向かう貿易ステーション規模の施設なら、雇用システムも充実してるはずだ。それとも……現在のコース沿いに貿易船がいる。恐らくオリオン・シンジゲートが元締めの移動闇市だろう。扱う商品には奴隷も含まれているはずだ――こちらから選べるという点では、船長の意向にも沿う」
"Are we supposed to interview every single applicant, and check all their skills and backgrounds one by one? That sounds like a hassle. And honestly, you never know what kind of person they are until you actually hire them. I wish there was a system where we could go out, look around, and choose someone ourselves..." Hearing Runa's words, Wim brought up a map of the nearby sector on his tablet. "A facility on the scale of the trading station we are heading to should have a well-developed employment system. Or... there is a merchant ship currently along our course. It is likely a mobile black market operated by the Orion Syndicate. Their commodities should include slaves—in terms of being able to choose for yourself, it aligns with your wishes, Captain."
「連邦は領内での奴隷商を禁じているのではないのか？」アグルが訊ねると、ウィムはタブレットを操作しながら説明した。「表向きにはな。だから拠点を移動し続けているし、こういう商売はあいつらの伝統なんだ。完全に取り締まるのは不可能だろう。雇用形態の一種だと思えばいい。奴隷ではなく乗組員として正当に扱ってやるなら、それこそ救済活動だ」「物は言いようってこと……ね、見に行きましょう、人助けよ！」ラナは善心と好奇心に目を輝かせて言った。
"Doesn't the Federation ban slave trading within its borders?" A'gr asked, to which Wim explained while operating his tablet. "Officially, yes. That is why they keep moving their base, and besides, this kind of business is a tradition of theirs. It would be impossible to crack down on it completely. Think of it as just another form of employment. If we treat them fairly as crew members rather than slaves, it would be an act of rescue, if anything." "It's all in how you spin it... Alright, let's go check it out. We're going to do a good deed!" Runa said, her eyes sparkling with goodwill and curiosity.
客の船を引き連れて通常速度で移動する大型貿易船にメリス号が追いつくと、ウィムが連絡を取って入場許可を取り付けた――金に物を言わせたのである。彼の「郷に入れば郷に従え」との助言でフード付きのコートを着込んだ二人は、船の番をアグルに任せて、貿易船の指定された座標に転送移動した。そこは大勢の雑多な異星人が行き交う、薄暗い船倉ホールの一角であった。
When the Marisu caught up with the massive merchant ship cruising at impulse speed alongside its customers' vessels, Wim contacted them and secured permission to board—by throwing money at the problem. Following his advice to "do as the locals do," the two wrapped themselves in hooded coats, and leaving A'gr to watch the ship, they beamed over to a dimly lit cargo bay hall buzzing with a chaotic crowd of diverse aliens.
安全を考慮して、ラナとウィム双方が船長代理という建前で口裏を合わせ、VIP客を出迎えた胡散臭いクタリア人と言葉を交わした。「メカに強い人を探してるのよ、機関士とか――」目当ての商品を尋ねられると、ラナはホール内に並んだ鉄格子の檻に詰め込まれた人々を眺めながら答えた。「――船長のお気に召すような」
For safety, Runa and Wim agreed to pretend they were acting on behalf of the captain and spoke with a shady Ktarian who had come to greet the VIP guests. "We're looking for someone good with mechanics, like an engineer—" Runa replied when asked about their desired merchandise, looking at the people packed into iron-barred cages lined up across the hall, "—the kind our captain would like."
「そちらの船長は、潤滑油（オイル）にまみれたガテン系の女性がお好みで？ それとも船長のエンジンをフル稼働させる、ギャラクシー級の技術者（テクニシャン）？」入札デバイスを受け取ったウィムは、絶妙に会話の食い違う案内人を放っておいて、ラナを連れてホール内部へと勝手に足を進めた。「船長の趣味は、私にも不可解だ」
"Does your captain prefer a blue-collar girl covered in grease, or a Galaxy-class technician who knows how to rev his engine?" Accepting the bidding device, Wim ignored the guide who was completely missing the point, and walked ahead into the hall with Runa. "Our captain's tastes remain a mystery to me as well."
二人はやや離れた位置から順に檻を見て回った――救いを求めて格子の間から手を伸ばしてくる者、悲嘆に暮れる者、誘惑してくる者、悲鳴を上げる者……。「ウィム、あれ見て……妖精みたいな人がいる」と、ある檻の隅を示してラナが言った。「妖精？ ああ、アンドリア人か。青いから周囲から浮いて見えるだけだ」
The two walked along, looking into the cages from a slight distance—some reached their hands through the bars pleading for help, some wept in grief, some tried to seduce them, and some screamed in terror... "Wim, look over there... there's someone who looks like a fairy," Runa said, pointing to the corner of one particular cage. "A fairy? Ah, an Andorian. They just stand out because they're blue."
格子に身をもたせ掛けてうずくまっている若い男の傍に二人が近づくと、すかさず案内人が後ろから声をかけた。「これはお目が高い、お客様。本日入荷したばかりの綺麗な体ですよ。アンドリア人の愛は冷たい炎と称される直情型。複雑な婚姻関係を結ぶことから、男女共に相性が良いこと請け合いでございます。退屈な旅のお供に最上の経験を――」「ね、どうして倒れてるの？」売り込みトークを遮ってラナが訊ねた。
As the two approached the young man crouching with his back against the bars, the guide immediately called out from behind them. "You have an excellent eye, customers. This is a beautiful body, just arrived today. They say an Andorian's love is a cool flame—deeply passionate. Thanks to their complex marriage customs, I guarantee he can accommodate any preference, male or female. A premier companion to give you the ultimate experience on a tedious voyage—" "Hey, why is he collapsed?" Runa interrupted, cutting off the sales pitch.
「首に抑制装置が装着されていまして、少々刺激が強かったようですね。外せば治りますから心配ご無用。時折こういう神経過敏なアンドリア人が紛れ込みますが、敏感な方が良いに越したことはないでしょう？」まくし立てる案内人をよそにウィムは言った。「諦めろ。ひ弱そうだし、機械なんて扱えそうもない」その忠告をよそに、ラナは意気込んで彼の手にしていた入札デバイスをもぎ取った。「決めた、この人が欲しい！ 何としてでも落札しましょう」
"He has a neural inhibitor on his neck. It seems the shock was a bit too intense. But no need to worry, he'll be fine once we remove it. We occasionally get these highly sensitive Andorians, but a little sensitivity is always a plus, isn't it?" Ignoring the fast-talking guide, Wim said, "Give up on him. He looks frail, and he doesn't look like he could handle machinery." Ignoring his advice, Runa eagerly snatched the bidding device right out of his hand. "I've made up my mind, I want him! We are going to win him, no matter what."
「おい、見た目に騙されるなよ。青いから特別ということはない」ウィムが苦言を呈する横で、ラナはデバイスの出品目録に目を通していた。「だってこんなに痛ましい姿、見てられないでしょ？ 整備士は別に探すから……あった、アンドリア人・男性」「待てよ、おまえの本心くらい読める。どうせあの触角を触りたいだけなんだろう？」
"Hey, don't let looks deceive you. Just because he's blue doesn't make him special," Wim grumbled, while Runa browsed through the catalog on the device beside him. "I mean, how can anyone just look at him in such a pitiful state? We can just look for another mechanic... Ah, here he is. Andorian, male." "Wait a minute. I see right through you. You just want to touch those antennae, don't you?"
ラナは驚きもせずウィムを見上げた。「……だめ？ アンドリア人の衝動買い？ 奴隷を解放してあげるんだもん、人道的な行為だってさっき言っていたじゃない。それに船長にはクルーを選ぶ権利があるんでしょ……追い出す権利も」「好きにしろ」と、ウィムは呆れたように呟いてそっぽを向いた――視線の先で、壁際に集まって愛嬌を振りまいていたオリオン女性の一人が、魅惑的なウィンクを投げかけた。
Runa looked up at Wim, completely unsurprised. "...Is it that bad? Impulsively buying an Andorian? I'm freeing a slave, and didn't you say that's a humanitarian act? Also, the captain has the right to choose the crew... and the right to kick them out." "Do whatever you want," Wim muttered in exasperation, turning his head away—and where his gaze fell, one of the Orion women gathered by the wall, putting on a charming display, threw him a seductive wink.
間もなく奥のステージで競売が開始され、奴隷たちは順に競り落とされていった。例のアンドリア男がアシスタントに抱えられたまま登場すると、VIP席から見物していたラナが「大変」とウィムを肘でつついた。「どうした？」不愛想な声が応じた。
Soon, the auction began on the stage in the back, and the slaves were sold off one by one. When that Andorian man appeared, practically carried out by an assistant, Runa in the VIP section said "Oh no" and nudged Wim with her elbow. "What's wrong?" A surly voice responded.
ラナ「値段を二桁間違えて入札しちゃったみたい」
ウィム「多い方か？ 少ない方か？」
ラナ「多い方」
Runa "I think my bid was off by two digits."
Wim "Higher? Or lower?"
Runa "Higher."
そうしてアンドリア男は優待特典の衣装オプション＆アフターサービス付きで落札された。抑制装置を外され、袖のない黒い衣服を着せられた男は、ラナと共にメリス号の空の船室に転送された。涼しく保たれた個室のベッドに横たわる彼にラナが薄手のブランケットをかける頃、虚ろだったまなざしが焦点を結び始めた。
And so, the Andorian man was won, complete with premium costume options and after-sales service. With the neural inhibitor removed and now dressed in a sleeveless black outfit, the man was beamed up to an empty quarters on the Marisu along with Runa. In the chilled room, as Runa draped a thin blanket over him lying on the bed, his hollow gaze finally began to focus.
「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。あなたを奴隷市で見つけて落札したの」ラナが枕元で挨拶すると、男はぼんやりと周囲を見回した。「落札……そうか、とうとう買手がついたのか……それで、僕は君の奴隷なのか？」ラナは首を振った。「ううん、これでも連邦市民だから、奴隷ってのは抵抗あるしね。できたらあなたを正規のクルーとして雇いたくて。――でも、今はゆっくり休んで。抑制装置の後遺症から回復するには、時間がかかるらしいから」
"Hello. I'm Runaway, the captain of this civilian ship, the Marisu. I found you at the slave market and won the bid." As Runa greeted him by his bedside, the man blankly looked around. "Won the bid... so I've finally been bought... Then, am I your slave?" Runa shook her head. "No, I'm a Federation citizen after all, so the whole slave thing doesn't really sit right with me. I'd actually like to hire you as a regular crew member if possible. But for now, just get some rest. I heard it takes time for the aftereffects of a neural inhibitor to wear off."
「地球人だろう……何の船だ？」男が訊ねると、ラナは困ったように肩をすくめた。「貨物船ではないけど……探査船、遊覧船……どれも違う気もする。五日前に買ったばかりの船で、十五人は乗れる大きさなんだけど、クルーは私と操縦士と警備員だけで深刻な人手不足なの。機械とか扱えると助かるのだけど……」
"You're a Human, aren't you... What kind of ship is this?" When the man asked, Runa shrugged helplessly. "Well, it's not a cargo ship... A scout, or a tour ship... none of those feel quite right. I just bought it five days ago. It's big enough for fifteen people, but the crew is just me, a pilot, and a guard, so we're seriously shorthanded. It'd be a huge help if you know how to handle machinery..."
「機械か……ある程度の知識はあるが、宇宙船となると話は別だな。‘アンドリアン・シルク’って聞いたことあるだろう？ 養蚕や製糸工場の仕事に携わっていたんだ」意識が鮮明になるにつれて、男の低音の声は明瞭になっていった。「どうしてそれが奴隷商なんかに？」「ん……ま、色々あってね。夫婦喧嘩をして離婚を宣告されたんだ――三対一だ、敵うわけもない。妻の二人に殺されかかったところを逃げ出して、自家用シャトルで惑星（ほし）を出て、無防備だったところを捕獲されて……気づけば船も僕も商品ってわけさ」
"Machinery... I have some knowledge, but a starship is a different story. You've heard of 'Andorian silk', right? I was involved in silkworm raising and silk mill work." As his consciousness cleared, the man's deep voice grew more distinct. "How did someone like you end up with slave traders?" "Hm... let's just say a lot happened. We had a marital dispute, and I was given a divorce—three against one, I didn't stand a chance. I barely escaped being killed by two of my wives, fled the planet in our private shuttle, and got captured while completely defenseless... Next thing I knew, both the ship and I were just merchandise."
「災難だったわね……アンドリア星の出身でしょう？ 急ぎの旅でもないし、よければあなたを故郷まで送り届けるけど……」ラナの申し出を、男は苦笑と共に辞退した。「いや、戻ったら殺される。そうでなくても婚姻の破棄なんて、僕らの文化では受け入れ難いんだ。もう僕の居場所はないも同然だ」「それなら……この船に雇われてもらえる？」
"That's terrible... You're from Andoria, right? We're not in any rush, so if you'd like, we could take you back to your home planet..." The man turned down Runa's offer with a bitter smile. "No, if I go back, I'll be killed. Even if I wasn't, a dissolved marriage is hard to accept in our culture. I basically have no place left to go." "In that case... would you be willing to be hired on this ship?
「考えておこう。――それよりも、さっきからドアの向こうで誰かが行ったり来たりを繰り返してるみたいだ。ここのクルーだろ？」男は上半身を起こして、閉じた入り口のドアを見つめた。「わかるの？ その触角で気配を感じられるの？」と、ラナは興味津々で聞き返した。
"I'll think about it. —By the way, it seems like someone's been pacing back and forth outside the door for a while. Is that someone from your crew?" The man sat up and stared at the closed entrance door. "You can tell? Can you sense their presence with those antennae?" Runa asked back, full of curiosity.
「たぶんウィムレクでしょう、この船の操縦士。奴隷市であなたを落札するのを手伝ってくれたのだけど、カーデシア人ってちょっと嫉妬深いみたいで……」「へえ、そうなの？」と、募る好奇心が男の表情と触角にも現れる――感情はストレートに表現するらしい。「見てて……」と、ラナは悪戯な笑みを浮かべてわざと声を上げた。
"It's probably Wimlk, the pilot of this ship. He helped me win your bid at the slave market, but Cardassians seem to be a bit of a jealous type..." "Oh, really?" The man's growing curiosity showed on his face and in his antennae—he seemed to express his emotions quite openly. "Watch this..." Runa raised her voice on purpose, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.
「……わあ、ここも青い！ こっちも白い―！」ドア越しにラナのはしゃいだ声が聞こえると、廊下で待機していたウィムは思わず足を止めた。神経を逆撫でされたような表情で愕然と立ちすくむカーデシア男を、アグルが脇から呆れたように眺めていた。
"...Wow, it's blue too! And this part is white—!" Hearing Runa's excited voice through the door, Wim couldn't help but stop in his tracks out on the corridor. A'gr looked on from the side with an exasperated expression at the Cardassian man, who stood frozen in utter shock that his nerves were being so thoroughly grated.
「どう、動きは変わった？」ラナが声を低くして訊ねると、「ああ、立ち止まってドアに耳をくっつけてるみたいだ」と男は答え、二人は声を押し殺して笑いあった。「――こうやってクルーをいじるのが君の趣味なの？」「まあね。あなたのことも教えて？」ラナは気さくなアンドリア男に親近感を覚えた。
"So, did his movements change?" Runa asked in a low voice. "Yeah, he seems to have stopped and glued his ear to the door," the man answered, and the two shared a stifled laugh. "—Is messing with your crew a hobby of yours?" "You could say that. Now, won't you tell me about yourself?" Runa felt a sense of closeness with this friendly Andorian man.
「僕はエナイ、見ての通りアンドリア人だ」「地球でも時々見かけたわ、寒い地方でね。残念だけど、この部屋で設定できる環境温度の最低値は摂氏五度なの」一呼吸おいてから、ラナは改まって訊ねた。「それと、あの……すごーく失礼なことだとは思うんだけど、お願いしたいことがあって……」
"I'm Enai, and as you can see, I'm an Andorian." "I used to see your people back on Earth, usually in the colder regions. I'm sorry, but the lowest temperature this room's environmental controls can be set to is five degrees." After a brief pause, Runa asked more formally, "Also, um... I know this might be incredibly rude of me, but there's something I'd like to ask of you..."
「何だい？」「その触角、ほんの少しでいいから触ってみたくて……」遠慮がちなラナの姿にしばらく笑いを堪えてから、エナイは答えた。「いいよ、助けてもらったお礼に」まさかの快諾に、ラナの方が言葉を詰まらせた。
"What is it?" "I was wondering if I could touch your antennae... just a little bit..." Enai held back a laugh for a moment at the sight of the hesitant Runa before answering, "Sure, as thanks for rescuing me." His unexpected consent left Runa speechless.
「いつも異星人と話すと、視線が頭に集中するのがわかるから、よほど気になるんだろうね。アンドリア人ってプライド高いと思われてるけど、僕はそんなに心狭くないし」エナイは言った。「驚いた…断られると思ったから。でもその前に、この船に乗っていくなら、話しておかないといけないことがあって……」ラナは手短に船内規則第一条、通称〈船長の誓い〉を説明した。
"Whenever I talk to aliens, I can tell their eyes always fix on my head, so I figure they just can't help it. Andorians are thought to be full of pride, but I'm not that touchy," Enai said. "I'm surprised... I thought you'd turn me down. But before that, if you're going to stay on this ship, there's something I need to tell you about..." Runa then briefly explained Shipboard Rule No. 1, or what she calls The Captain's Prime Directive.
「――でも、今回はベッドの外から触らせてもらうわ……船長の権限で。いい？」ラナが確認すると、「今回だけな」と答えて、エナイは少しだけ頭を前に傾けた。片方の触角に手を伸ばし、指の背中でその表面に触れると、ぴくりと逃げかけて、すぐに戻ってきた。
"—But this time, I'll touch them from beside the bed... by the captain's authority. Is that okay?" As Runa asked, Enai replied, "Just this once," and tilted his head forward just a fraction. Reaching out her hand to one of his antennae, she brushed its surface with the back of her finger. It twitched, almost flinching away, before settling right back.
「ありがと……」触れていたのはわずか数秒間であったが、ラナは満足感に胸をときめかせながら礼を伝えた。面白かったかと訊ねるエナイに「スリルがあったかな」と感想を述べると、「僕の方も」と彼は共感を示した。そこへアグルからの船内通信が入った。「船長、貿易船から転送許可を求められてる」
"Thanks..." Although it had been for only a few seconds, Runa expressed her gratitude, her heart fluttering with satisfaction. When Enai asked if it had been fun, she replied, "It was a bit of a thrill ," to which he agreed, "Same here". Just then, an intercom call from A'gr came in. "Captain, the trading vessel is requesting permission to beam over."
ラナ「転送？ 何の？」
アグル「オリオン人が一人、アフターサービスと称している」
ラナ「転送パッドへ送って――それじゃあエナイ、あなたはゆっくり休んでいてね」
Runa "Beam over? For what?"
A'gr "An Orion. She claims it's for after-sales service.'"
Runa "Send her to the transporter pad—Well then, Enai, make sure you get some good rest."
「彼の容体はどうだ？」ラナが船室を出ると、素知らぬ顔で廊下に佇んでいたウィムが訊ねた。「大丈夫そう。それと、機械の扱いも少しは――」その時、開いたままの背後のドアから当人が姿を現し、にわかにラナの上半身に腕を巻き付けると、ウィムに挑発的な視線を投げかけた。
"How is he?" Wim asked, standing in the corridor with a nonchalant face as Runa stepped out of the quarters. "He seems fine. Also, he knows about handling machinery—" Just then, the man himself appeared through the open door behind her, suddenly wrapping his arms around her upper body and giving Wim a provocative look.
「地球人ってのは初めてだけど、愉しませてくれそうだ――いい規則じゃないか、船内規則第一条」驚愕も激怒も通り越して、ウィムは表情を失った。「勘違いするなよ船長、これも助けてもらったお礼だから」と、ラナに耳打ちしてから、エナイは自室に戻った。
"It's my first time with a human, but she looks like she'll be fun—not a bad rule, that Ship Rule No. 1." Past shock or fury, Wim's face went completely blank. "Don't get the wrong idea, Captain, this is just to thank you for saving me," Enai whispered into Runa's ear before heading back into his cabin.
「ウィム、そんなところで固まってないで。転送パッドに誰か送られて来たみたい」ラナは吹き抜け（アトリウム）の手すり越しに第四デッキを見下ろした――上階からでも薄緑色のグラマラスな立体感が見て取れる。我に返ったウィムも階下を見下ろして、半裸どころか大半の衣服を欠いたオリオン女を確認した。「おまえが桁を間違えて入札したせいで、資金源を探りに船の偵察に来たんだろう。カモられる前に帰そう」
"Wim, don't just stand there frozen. Looks like someone was just beamed onto the transporter pad," Runa said, looking down at the fourth deck over the atrium railing—even from the upper level, a light-green, curvaceous mass was visible. Coming to his senses, Wim also looked down and spotted an Orion woman who was not just half-naked, but missing most of her clothes. "You made a mistake with the digits on that bid, so she’s probably here to scout our ship for a source of funds. Let's send her back before she takes advantage of us."
「なんだか急に……片頭痛がする……？」ラナはひっこめた頭を押さえた。「あのオリオン女のフェロモンに当てられたんだ。私たちで対処するから、それまで自室にいろ。アグルには哺乳類のフェロモン受容体はないだろうし……」そう言って螺旋階段に向かうウィムにラナが指摘した。「でも、あなたにはあるんでしょ？」
"Why do I suddenly feel like... I'm getting a headache?" Runa said, pulling her head back and holding it. "You're reacting to that Orion woman's pheromones. We'll handle this, so stay in your room until then. A'gr shouldn't have mammalian pheromone receptors, so..." Wim said, heading toward the spiral staircase, only for Runa to point out, "But you do, don't you?"
「私が理性を失うと？」階段を下りかけたウィムが立ち止まって聞き返すと、ラナは首を傾げた。「それは見る価値がありそうだけど……頭が痛くて鑑賞できないのが残念」寝てろと言い残して階下に消えたウィムの言葉に従い、ラナは回廊の向かい側にある自室にすごすご歩いて行った。
"You think I'm going to lose my mind?" Wim stopped just a few steps down the stairs to ask back. Runa just tilted her head and answered, "That sounds like it would be worth seeing... too bad my headache keeps me from enjoying it." Leaving her with a final word to go to sleep, Wim disappeared downstairs, and Runa trudged off to her room across the corridor.
最下層デッキに降りると、ライフルを抱えたアグルが小型転送パッドに佇むオリオン女を睨みつけていた。ズィンディ爬虫類族への色仕掛けは無効なのか、それとも彼の強固な意志によるものか、立ち上る濃厚な色気になびく素振りは微塵もない――そこへ格好の標的となりそうなカーデシア男が現れたのだ。「アフターサービスを提供するために派遣されてきました。ムーラとお呼び下さい」待ってましたとばかりに、女はウィムにすり寄ってきた。
Descending to the lowest deck, Wim found A'gr holding a rifle and glaring at the Orion woman standing on the small transporter pad. Whether it was because her seduction was useless against a Xindi-Reptilian or due to his iron will, there wasn't a trace of him yielding to her thick, rising allure—and then, a Cardassian man appeared. "I was dispatched to provide after-sales service. Please call me Mura," the woman purred, sidling up to Wim, having finally found her perfect target.
「何でもいたしますわ。落札なさった奴隷の世話でも、船長のお供でも……あなたへの個人的な奉仕でも。まずは船長に挨拶をさせていただきたいのですけど……」カーデシア男性好みの、つんと澄ました態度である――相手によってアプローチを変えるのだと、ウィムの理性は冷静に分析していた。それでも募る感情を振り払うように頭を振ってから、ウィムは言い渡した。「船長は自室で休息をとっている。お引き取り願おう」
"I will do anything for you. Looking after the slave you purchased, accompanying the captain... or even personal services for you. But before that, I would like to greet the captain..." She adopted the aloof, dignified demeanor preferred by Cardassian men—an approach Wim's reason calmly analyzed as tailored to the target. Still, shaking his head to clear the swelling emotions, Wim declared, "The captain is resting in the quarters. I must ask you to leave."
「商品にご満足いただいているようなら何よりだわ。でも、このまますぐに引き返したら、私が罰せられてしまう……私を帰すのなら、少しだけ時間を置いてからにしていただけません？ お仕事をしたと言い訳が立つように……どこか控えていられる場所に案内していただけたら、そこで大人しく待っているわ」上目遣いの要求に、アグルに救いを求めたい気持ちが湧いたが、頼りたくないという矜持が勝った。「上のラウンジに案内しよう――時間を潰したら帰れ」
"I'm glad if the captain is satisfied with the purchase. But if I turn back right now, I will be punished... If you are going to send me away, could you at least wait a little while? Just so I can show I did my job... If you could show me to somewhere I can stay, I will wait quietly there." Her upward glance made him feel an urge to seek help from A'gr, but his pride refused to let him do so. "I'll take you to the lounge upstairs—leave after you've killed some time."
もっちりとしたムーラの肉感的な質量に比べれば、船長の存在感など情けないほど薄く思われた。シャトルベイ後方のターボリフトに向かいかけるウィムの腕に、玉虫色の長い爪のある繊手が絡みついて引き留めた。「待って、これを登って行きたいわ――宇宙船に螺旋階段なんて、とても優雅ね」と、ムーラはアトリウムを見上げた。「時間がかかる方がいいでしょう？」
Compared to Mura's plump, voluptuous presence, the captain's seemed pathetically slight. As Wim started toward the turbolift at the back of the shuttlebay, an iridescent-nailed, slender hand wrapped around his arm to hold him back. "Wait, I want to walk up this way—a spiral staircase on a starship is so elegant," Mura said, looking up at the atrium. "Wouldn't it be better if it takes more time?"
ウィムとムーラが階段を上り始めると、アグルは黙ったまま一定距離を置いてついてきた。第三デッキを通りがかる時、ムーラはブリッジが見たいと囁いた。単なる民間船だ、見るだけなら問題ないだろうと、ウィムは回廊に進み出た――理性が緩んできたのだ。
As Wim and Mura began to climb the stairs, A'gr followed silently at a fixed distance. When they passed the third deck, Mura whispered that she wanted to see the bridge. Thinking it was just a civilian ship and there was no harm in looking, Wim stepped onto the corridor—his reason was beginning to slip.
「どれも新品じゃない、それに最新の設備みたい。船長はよほど裕福なのね。そんな方に仕えられるなんて、羨ましい限りだわ。私もここで雇ってもらえないかしら……今の上司は、人使いが荒くて嫌いなの」ムーラは操舵コンソールを見てため息をついた。「知っているだろう、オリオン人の女性は他の種族の女性とは相容れない。この船には女性クルーもいるんだ」ウィムは彼女の引き締まった背中を見つめながら言った。
"Everything is brand new, and the equipment looks so advanced. The captain must be very wealthy—I envy you so much for being able to serve someone like that. I wonder if I could be hired here too... I hate my current boss—he's so slave-driving." Mura sighed, looking at the steering console. "As you well know, Orion women don't get along with women of other species," Wim said, gazing at her toned back. "There are female crew members on this ship."
「それなら、あなたが雇って下さればいいのよ、専属の奴隷として。私を寝室から出さなければいいんだもの……」「悪くない申し出だ――」と答えかけて、ウィムは口ごもった。ムーラはコンソールを操作しているように見えた――アグルが何かしらのセキュリティ・システムを構築しているはずだ――多分。
"Then, you could just hire me yourself, as your personal slave. You'd just have to keep me in your bedroom..." "That's not a bad offer—" Wim started to reply, then trailed off. Mura appeared to be operating the console—A'gr must have set up some kind of security system—probably.
「中身も最新式のようね。でも航行データは一部しか表示されないみたい。過去の記録にアクセスできれば、もっとご奉仕できるのに……」ムーラは振り返り、立ち尽くしたままのウィムに近づいた。もしも彼女に手を出したら、船長は嫉妬するだろうか、構わず放っておくだろうか――ラナの悔しそうな顔を見てみたいとウィムは思った。
"The inside seems to be the very latest model, too. But it seems like it's only showing a fraction of the flight data. If I could access the past logs, I could be of even greater service to you..." Mura turned and approached Wim, who stood frozen. If he were to make a move on her, would the captain be jealous, or would she just not care? —Wim found himself wanting to see Runa's frustrated face.
「船長に――教えてもらうのはどうかしら？」と、ムーラが目前に迫った。「今、乗組員名簿を見て判ったわ――さっき一緒に来ていた地球人女が船長なのね。私が来たせいで体調を崩してしまったんでしょう……悪いことをしたわ」薄緑色の手が伸びて、ウィムの強張った首筋に触れた。「行って、慰めてあげるのはいかが？ 今のあなたになら、最高の奉仕ができる……そうしたら、コンソールのロックを解くパスワードを教えてもらえるはず。それを教えてくれたら、私も同じようにあなたに奉仕してあげる……」
"Why don't you... ask the captain to tell you?" Mura pressed in right before his eyes. "I just checked the crew manifest and realized—that human woman with you earlier is the captain. She must have gotten sick because I arrived... I feel so bad." A pale green hand reached out, brushing against Wim's tense neck. "Why don't you go and comfort her? With how you are right now, you could give her the ultimate service... and in return, she would surely give you the password to unlock the console. Once you tell me that password, I will pleasure you in the exact same way..."
「それは……問題がある」ウィムの思考力は著しく低下し、ムーラの言葉も断片的にしか認識していなかった。「いいえ、ないわ。私はラウンジに行ってあの警備員に睨まれておくから、安心でしょう？ あなたは船長をたっぷり可愛がってあげればいいの……でないと、あの新しい青いお友達に取られてしまうわよ？」ウィムはブリッジの入り口で待機しているアグルを振り返って命じた。「彼女をラウンジへ案内して見張っていろ。私は船長の様子を見てくる」
"That... is a problem," Wim said, his thinking severely slowed, barely grasping Mura's words in fragments. "No, it isn't. I will go to the lounge and let that guard glare at me, so you will have nothing to worry about. You should go and take good care of the captain... Otherwise, your new blue friend might take her." Wim turned to A'gr, who was waiting at the entrance of the bridge, and commanded, "Escort her to the lounge and keep an eye on her. I'm going to check on the captain."
ブリッジからドアを一枚隔てただけの船長室に赴き、気づけばウィムはすでにベッドの前に立っていた。暗い寝室の中、ラナはブランケットにくるまって眠っているように見えた。「……ウィム？」と、気配に気づいたラナが寝ぼけ眼で見上げた。
Wim went to the captain's quarters, separated from the bridge by just a single door, and before he knew it, he was already standing before the bed. In the dark bedroom, Runa appeared to be sleeping, wrapped in a blanket. "...Wim?" Runa muttered, sensing his presence and looking up with sleep-filled eyes.
「パスワードを……聞きたい……船のコンソールにロックが……」ぼそぼそと呟くウィムの異変を察しただろうか。「ロック？ そんなのあったかな……」と、ラナは枕の上で重い頭を傾げた。ベッドの上に乗ってしまえば、彼女自身の制定した第一条に則り、何の問題もなく船長を意のままに扱うことができる。
"I need... the password... The ship's console is locked..." Wim mumbled, leaving it unclear if she noticed his strange behavior. "Locked? Was there one...?" Runa tilted her heavy head on the pillow. If he climbed onto the bed, he can handle the Captain exactly as he pleases without any issue, in accordance with Rule No. 1, which she herself established.
不意にラナは起き上がって言った。「あの……さっきからかったの、ごめんね。悪気は無かったの。エナイ、思ってたよりもお茶目みたいで……やっぱり雇ってみるまで判らないものね」「エナイ……？」ウィムは無表情のまま聞き返した。「あのアンドリア人、あなたと同い年くらいに見えるけど、バツイチなんだって」
Suddenly, Runa sat up and said, "Hey... sorry for teasing you earlier. I didn't mean anything by it. Enai seems much more playful than I thought... I guess you really never know until you hire someone." "Enai...?" Wim asked back, his face expressionless. "That Andorian looks about your age, but he's a divorcé."
「あの男……そんなに気に入ったか？」ウィムの問いにラナは頷いた。「まだそんなに深く知り合ったわけじゃないけど、上手く付き合っていけると思う」その言葉が引き金となって、ウィムの中で何かが爆発した。「ラナ――！」と、彼は脇の壁に横殴りの拳を叩きつけた。
"Do you... like that man that much?" Wim asked, and Runa nodded. "We don't know each other that well yet, but I think we can get along." Those words became the trigger, and something exploded inside Wim. "Runa—!" He slammed his fist sideways into the wall beside her.
「やめてやめて、頭痛に響くから……」と耳を塞ぐラナに、ウィムは声を荒げて言った。「トカゲ男やアンテナ野郎におまえが惹かれるのは勝手だ。だが好奇心で私を弄ぶのはやめろ！」「弄んでないよ、真剣だもん」と弁解するラナの肩を掴む。「真剣だと――どこが真剣なんだ！？ ウロコから触角に目移りするおまえを、私にどう信じろというんだ？」
"Stop, stop, it hurts my head..." Runa said, covering her ears, but Wim raised his voice. "I don't care if you're attracted to a lizard man or an antenna guy, but stop playing with me out of curiosity!" "I'm not playing with you, I'm serious," Runa pleaded, but he grabbed her shoulders. "Serious?! What about this is serious?! How am I supposed to believe you when you're constantly drifting from scales to antennae!?"
「それでもあなたが副船長（ファーストメイト）であることに変わりはないし、規則だってちゃんと守ってるじゃない。でも不満があるなら、船を下りるのはあなたの自由よ。退職金として残りの借金を払い切ってもいい。貿易船で操縦士も探してくるから。――それとも、さっきのオリオン人を雇えばいいじゃない。私よりもずっとあなたの訳に立つだろうし、私よりも真剣にあなたの傍にいてくれると思う」「真剣――まだその言葉を使うか。気まぐれが具現化したようなおまえに、その意味がわかるのか？ 私が今――」ウィムはラナの肩を掴んだままベッドによじ登りかけ、そこで思い留まった。「私が――いや、そうじゃない、私は……私は何を言ってるんだ？」
"Even so, you are still my first mate, and I'm following the rule properly. But if you're not satisfied, you are free to leave the ship. I could even pay off the rest of your debt as your payout. I'll find another pilot at that merchant ship. —Or, you could just hire that Orion woman. She would be much more useful to you than I am, and stay by your side more seriously than I do." "Serious—you still use that word? Do you, the very incarnation of whim, even understand its meaning? Right now, I—" Keeping his grip on her shoulders, Wim started to climb onto the bed, but then he stopped himself. "I'm—no, that's not... what am I saying?"
「フェロモン？」と、ラナはきょとんとしたまなざしでウィムを見つめた。「そうだ、そのせいだ――船長を誘惑して懐柔するようそそのかされて、その通りに動いたらしい」「するの？」と訊ねるラナの肩から手を離して、ウィムは静かに言った。「いや、急にその気が失せた。今の会話は、私の本意ではない――いいな？」
"The pheromones?" Runa looked up at Wim with a puzzled look. "Yes, that's it—I was compelled to seduce and manipulate the captain, and I acted accordingly." "Are you going to?" Runa asked. Wim let go of her shoulders and said quietly, "No, the feeling suddenly left me. That conversation just now was not my intention—understood?"
ラナ「命令するの、私の方じゃないの？」
ウィム「そうだな。あの女を船からつまみ出すよう命じてくれ」
ラナ「よろしく」
Runa "Shouldn't I be the one giving the orders?"
Wim "Right. Order me to kick that woman off the ship."
Runa "Please."
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