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Who: Red Fish crew - Hange, Garak, Zhas and Coil
Broadcast: n/a
Action: On the Red Fish deck
When: shortly after the shuffle and Garak's arrival

[The ship is small enough that when their new crewmate appears, Hange can round up the boys just by taking a stroll through the ship and yelling.]

Zhas! Coil! We have a new recruit, let's meet in the galley!

[Time for everyone to get comfy with each other. And also, discuss ship upgrades, this seems like a convenient time to do that.]

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[He glances over at her. Ever so subtly, his cheery facade winds back somewhat; he gives her a franker gaze.]

A rather unusual crew, but given our circumstances, I can hardly pick and choose, can I? And I'd rather be trapped with those who have knowledge than fools.

You are always free to transfer to another ship if you prefer, or if things here become unmanageable for whatever reason.

[She's considered that on and off, although she hasn't committed yet.]

I'd rather we all felt comfortable, of course, and that it weren't necessary, but understand that you have the freedom.

Oh, it's hardly that bad. I'm certain I'll manage.

[She just wanted to make him aware, so she lets it go, turning back towards the stars but watching him from the corner of her eye.]

What's your background like, Garak?

As I said: I'm a tailor by trade. I had a shop on a space station in the alpha quadrant-- if that means anything to you. And originally, I'm from a planet called Cardassia.

[He tips his head.]

And you? Military, yes, but that can mean oh so many things.

I'm afraid it doesn't mean much to me. Before I arrived here, I'd never been off my planet... in fact, leaving home in this way would have been completely impossible. The last thing on anyone's minds.

[She grins a little. More like an absent showing of teeth.]

As for me, I'm a scout. But I expect my experience in the military isn't quite like what you're envisioning.

Do tell.

To understand our military setup, you need to understand the situation humans at home are in. That is to say, we live within the walls to protect us from the titans, giant humanoids outside that stalk and devour humans whenever they can.

[AND SUDDENLY]

And oh, there is so much I could tell you about titans! They're just so precious, once glimpse of their dreamy gentle smiles and they'll capture your heart forever! Titans vary from about 3-meter types to the biggest we've seen, sixty-meter types! Their innards are hot! So incredibly, unbelievably hot! If a human survives the grinding teeth, they'll undoubtedly be boiled to death in the stomach!

Titans don't eat due to hunger, no. We know this because when a titan fills its stomach, it won't stop eating and go away - instead it vomits out what it's consumed! Piles of humans to a one, men, women and children, haha!

[RLLY GETTING INTO HSI FACE HERE]

[WOW BACK UP THERE FRIEND

That being said, he is somewhat charmed. It's somewhat sociopathic, her sheer joy at these predators, but he can't deny the appeal of someone intelligent enough to research them. No wonder she's a scout, if she's so passionate; it must be a dream, to have initial access to them.]

Have you found what does drive them, then? They sound like no animal I've heard of.

Haha! That's the question of the hour. I'd just love to find that out.

[She actually steps in closer to him, grabs for his shoulder and just clasps it - impressive grip strength, but not manhandling him otherwise. She leans towards him in a conspiratorial kind of way.]

I'd ask them if I could. Sadly I've never successfully had a dialogue with a titan - but oh, you wouldn't believe how hard a live specimen is to get hold of! You have to catch them outside the walls and bring them in alive somehow - or they have to come in, and you catch them and keep them while they're in. And no one wants titans inside the walls! Hahaha! [Her grin twists just slightly, straightens itself out.] And you wouldn't believe how tough they are to kill. Titans regenerate, you see. Cut off a hand? They'll grow it back! Puncture their eye? It'll grow again just like a peach! Of course you can slow 'em down by hitting vulnerable points, the hamstrings, the Achilles tendon, et cetera. They have biology that's analogous to a human's. But there's only one place on the body where you know you'll kill 'em... and that's the nape.

And why is that?

[It's not information he'll ever really need to use, but Garak finds himself fascinated nonetheless.]

Or is it that once you hit the spine, you weaken them?

That's another good question. [And though she might have her theories... she is not ready to share them yet.] Hit the spine anywhere else, it's nothing doing! They'll regenerate and get right back up! No, the nape is the sweet spot.

[She smiles.]

Tell me more about you, Garak.

Mm, what a broad question.

[He smiles over at her, baring his teeth in as friendly a fashion as possible.]

And what is it you want to know? I'm a Cardassian, to begin with-- a rather triumphant species, frankly.

Tell me more about that. [Rrrright for the money.] Triumphant how? What do you do? What kind of environment do you come from? Are you a carnivore? An herbivore?

[He laughs-- a real laugh, cheerful and amused.]

An omnivore. Our home planet is a desert environment-- frankly, I find this station rather cold, though I shan't subject you all to what I prefer; it's nearly intolerable for humans. I myself am a tailor.

Yes, so you've said. But what about your history, now? Of your species? And your early interactions with humans? What were those like? And speaking of those interactions - what are they like today?

Mm, now, now. That's hardly a fair exchange, is it?

[He tips his head.]

Our interactions with humans now . . . humans are part of an intergalactic union called the Federation. Several species are in it. Our relationship with them is amicable-- they don't tend to approve our rather . . . patriotic spirit and clear-cut methods.

Now. Tell me something of your world? We can go back and forth.

If you want to know something about my world, ask a clear-cut question - as I've been doing for you.

How large is your population?

[She laughs.]

About a million of us left these days. Give or take some... spare change.

What kind of patriotic spirit have you got to make humans feel so uneasy? Clear-cut methods?

[Both ridges raise; that's . . . not very many at all. He thinks back to Earth's history, but he already knows that he hasn't heard of Titans. And while it's quite possible this woman is from a time so far back that a population of a million wasn't strange, he somehow doubts it.]

Humans, and the Federation in particular, has a rather . . . optimistic view on life. That there's always a way to be the hero and save everyone. Cardassians are rather more pragmatic. Consequentially, we have several planets under our control.

[She throws back her head and laughs regardless of what he's thinking.]

Oh, you sound like you'd fit right in at home! I've known some very pragmatic humans!

Do you! My favorite kind of human, frankly, although I find the optimism amusing.

Are they your favorite? How perturbing...

[And in a snap she's pulling herself under wraps again. No matter what anyone thinks of her, Hange's control of herself is very strong.]

Welcome to the Red Fish, Garak. I hope we'll be productive for each other. I wouldn't mind being friends, but I insist that at very least we are professional with each other.

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