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Who: Pavel Chekov
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: For the crew of the SS Wonderduck (and video for everyone else)
When: Now

[Chekov wishes he could be surprised or, at the very least, unsettled when he wakes up in a foreign place, but there's a point at which this sort of thing becomes a fairly routine--if always unpleasant--occurrence. Losing people is never easy, no matter the universe, no matter the number of times it happens.

But taking stock of the situation and establishing who is here has to come before mourning those who were left behind in MarinaNova. To that end, Chekov, somewhat familiarized with his new home and in clothes that are slightly more dignified than the pajamas that he initially woke up in on the Marsiva, begins a broadcast. Are you listening to this in Standard/English/Common? If so, enjoy the ridiculously thick Russian accent.]

This is Lieutenant Pavel Andreievich Chekov of the Federation starship Enterprise. If you have met me already or if you are affiliated with Starfleet, please respond to this message. [He smiles even though he's in no real mood to be cheerful.] I would also be happy with replies from you if we're strangers.

Thank you for your time.

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May I assume that you, as a warrior, will not be in the sunken city?

[The odds that she's from his universe--or any universe with Klingons--was small, but it was worth checking. She's from a warrior culture, it seems, and the name Khoros sounds similar enough to the Klingon homeworld Qo'noS.]

Ah. I hope that you will meet one someday... you would like them. [Or hate them. He found it difficult to differentiate between the two during the brief time he knew B'elanna.] Plumbers?

Not primarily. I am far more interested in what else this world has to offer. If we are to be here long, I may as well seek out a suitable trophy.

[To better turn the cargo hold of the Bishop into a veritable house of horrors, naturally. Not like she could fit hunting trophies of terrifying beasties in her own room- she can barely fit in her own room.

Her eyes narrow slightly at Chekov's assumption of just how well she'd get along with these Klingons, but she chooses not to comment on it. She tolerates people, she doesn't like them. Not until they give her a reason to, anyway.]

The Plumbers are a peacekeeping force. Each planet in the galaxy has added at least one member to their ranks. Even the Earthlings. As they have an obnoxious desire to involve themselves in all corners of the galaxy, they would be most likely to know of any Klingons.

A trophy that has many more teeth than the souvenirs available in the city, maybe.

[Actually, maybe he should stop making assumptions so she doesn't decide that it might be fun to smash him if they ever meet in person. He should probably not ask too many questions either. Not everyone appreciates inquisitiveness.]

That sounds nothing like Earth plumbers. Earth plumbers involve themselves in sinks and pipes, mostly.

Of course. What better reward than one you must fight for?

[Or, you know. Fight directly. She's not personally familiar with the Earth plumbers and how they differ from, well, Plumbers, but she certainly has reason to believe him. Most fugitives don't hide in sinks, after all. Even a Galvan would have difficulty making that work.]

My time on Earth was brief, so I will defer do your judgment.

[And she only threatened to destroy it once! ...her father threatened to destroy it the first time. And the third time was more of an implied threat. She knows humans well enough to know it is for the best to not share that information. A change of subject would probably be the best way to avoid doing so.]

While I am seeking glory, what do you intend to do? Humans have a reputation for their curiosity. I refuse to believe you would linger aboard your ship for long.

Metaphorical fighting does make rewards better, I agree, but in the case of physical fighting... I prefer rewards that allow me to leave a planet in one piece. It's different for a warrior, I imagine.

[Well. Different for anyone who could pick a fight with a carnivorous fish and not get eaten, probably.]

My curiosity will need to overcome a very strong aversion to going out in the water.

And that is why your species is so fragile!

[It's really not, but whatever]

I am not even sure this counts as water- I am certain I can't breathe underwater, and yet here, I can! And as I have not developed any gills, it is certainly different enough that it shouldn't count!

[BECAUSE LOOMA LOGIC]

Humans are less fragile than you might think.

[But he's still plenty fragile, so please don't take that as a challenge.]

It still looks like water, and my brain will still insist that the possibility of drowning exists.

[Yeah she'll just...give the screen a flat look and a moment of silence for a bit at that excuse, Chekov. Just long enough to make it clear how stupid she finds it. And then explicitly drive that point home.]

...that is easily the second most absurd thing I've heard since I was brought here.

[This isn't the first time that he's been on the receiving end of this particular expression. Granted, the experience is usually less intimidating.]

May I ask what the first most absurd thing was?

That I, like everyone else, was deliberately taken by the Atroma. As if that were in any way wise.

When I find a find them, they will learn the error of their ways. And they will be most fortunate if I do not force them to witness daddy's fleet turning all they cherish to ash and ruin before I put them out of my misery!

[...Looma.

For what good it may do, she at least thinks clearly enough to include a "reassuring" disclaimer at the end of all that. As well as, well, making the transition from "clearly enjoying thinking of planetary destruction" to "totally happy and not at all a warlord in the making" with alarming speed.]

Of course, none of you are in any danger- I really doubt any of us actually chose to take part in any of this. So it would not be right to force anyone to share in their guilt!

[In a strange way, Looma reminds him of Korra. They both have a very I-will-smash-things-after-outlining-my-plan-to-smash-things-but-don't-worry-I-won't-smash-you way to them, and since he was good friends with Korra, he doesn't find any of that as alarming as he probably should.

He's also not in the same room as her. That helps.]

I'm glad that you chose not to be as outraged by my absurd thing.

[He'd like to suggest that she consider keeping her threats against the Atroma quieter, but he suspects that would be more likely to annoy her than to encourage discretion.]

Although I can't condone the destruction of the Atroma and all that they cherish, thank you for sparing the rest of us. Being destroyed by your father's fleet is not how I would like to end this adventure.

[What she is ~~honored~~ scandalized you would ever think to thank her for such a thing!]

They have chosen to abduct a Tetramand Princess and stole my weapon! It is the least they deserve!

You are not responsible for such an insult! There is hardly any reason to thank me when none of you have done anything wrong!

[well at least that means she won't annihilate anyone without cause, right?]

I appreciate that you refuse to destroy indiscriminately. Sometimes, when beings with less self-control are angry, they will ruin everything in their path to reach the object of their anger.

Not that I thought you were like this! You seem very honorable.

[She'll shrug her shoulders at that particular assessment. Kind of guilty as charged, Chekov.]

It can happen. But I have been adjusting my usual approach. This is not the first time I have been taken to an unfamiliar place and forced to deal with so many humans.

[Or other weaker, assorted species.]

But be assured it will be very obvious if I reach such a point.

If it becomes obvious to me that you have reached such a point, I'll make an effort to stay away from you.

I'm sorry that you keep being brought to these places. It would be hard, I imagine, living where there are few... Tetramands? That's what your people call themselves?

"Few" would suggest there were ever more than just me. But longing to return home to father does not serve any purpose in these places. I am here until I find a way to leave- wanting to leave does not change that.

The only real difficulty is usually in the accommodations. At least whatever this place did made it possible to move around. Those responsible for my last abduction did nothing, and expected me to live in a home made for you humans.

[And there is a very pronounced size difference between humans and Tetramands, Chekov. She's on the small side and at her full height, and even then she's still half a Kirk taller than most of you.]

No others, then. [This makes him sad even if she isn't. Heck, he feels lonely and he's surrounded by others of his species.] You're right, of course. There is no sense in wanting after something without taking steps to get it.

That was thoughtful of the Atroma--more thoughtful than I might expect mysterious abductors with questionable taste in entertainment to be, generally.

It will take more than that small consideration for them to earn my trust.

I have not met these Atroma, but the last being responsible for placing me in this situation was a Pugnivore. A being who feeds on the conflict and misfortune of others.

I've seen nothing to suggest these Atroma are any different.

I would not suggest that we trust them.

Beings who feed on the conflict and misfortune of others... yes, that sounds like the other beings who have overseen the other prisons I know of. At least there's an element of consistency?

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