A few hours earlier, the relative peace and quiet of the engine room had been shattered by an attempt on Scotty's life. His usual safe haven had become a near-deadly war zone, with one of his best and brightest lieutenants leading the opposing faction. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem. Normally, he'd simply crush whatever opposition might arise, through sheer brute force if necessary. The trouble this time was that Lieutenant Grey was a woman, and while Scotty had no issue dealing death to the men she'd rallied to her cause, not only had Grey kept out of the way during the assassination attempt - Scotty simply could not kill a woman in cold blood, not unless it was absolutely necessary.
But Grey was a threat. Grey needed to be taken out. And rather than approach any of his own underlings - he knew all too well that it was entirely possible that Grey had spent time converting those faithful to him over to her cause - the moment he felt it safe to do so he slipped unnoticed out of the engine room and made his way up to Uhura's quarters. He hesitated a moment, outside her door.
She owed him. They were even, for him saving her from falling to certain death, but surely she owed him for the fact that he'd left her capture out of his mission report. Surely she owed him for the fact that he hadn't sent her to the agony booth. And if that didn't work he'd simply refuse to let her slice him up anymore. The corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile, as he stepped forward to alert the computer to his presence.
The computer alerted her to a presence outside her quarters, and she raised a curious eyebrow when she saw it was Scotty. That was certainly unexpected, as she was certain he'd been avoiding her since the away mission, no doubt either embarrassed by what he'd said or concerned that their supposed “alliance” was what kept putting them in danger. In any event, seeking her out was one thing, but doing so on her turf seemed like the sort of chance he wouldn't want to take. What was so important that he would risk coming here? Smiling to herself and setting down the glass of wine, she disabled a few of the safety protocols, but not all. It was doubtful that he was here to cause her harm after saving her life, but one could never be too careful. She turned off the rainstorm track but kept the lights dimmed. “Enter,” she called out, knowing the command would open the doors. She stayed comfortably perched on the couch, seeing no reason to act as if she found his presence threatening.
As the door slid open, the first thing he noticed was the low lighting, a sharp contrast with the brightly lit corridors of the rest of the ship. Hands clasped behind his back, he took a step inside and paused there as the door closed behind him. He let his eyes adjust to the light difference, silently regarding Uhura, his face expressionless. Rather than proceed any further, he stayed where he was, hands still clasped together behind his back. "You're doing well, I trust." His tone was coolly polite; this was to be a professional meeting, nothing more and nothing less.
She noted the formal pose and characteristically blank expression, and smiled sweetly at him. "I am. Thank you for your concern," she replied, picking up the wine and taking another long sip. "And yourself? You don't have to stand by the door you know. It's as safe anywhere else as it is there." This wasn't strictly speaking true, but that didn't really bother Uhura. Stretching for a moment, she uncurled and rose lithely to her feet, gliding a few steps closer but keeping her pose relaxed. "To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?"
He inclined his head slightly when she told him he didn't have to stand by the door, but made no move to step away. "I have a proposition tae make," he told her, standing his ground even as she rose from the couch. "You're aware, o' course, that given your actions on our last mission, I had every right tae send you tae the agony booth." His voice was still cool and even, with no trace of emotion. "You're also aware that I did not."
She raised an eyebrow when he said he had a proposition to make, though the next words brought a cold smile to her face. "I'm aware," she agreed, wondering if he was here to blackmail her into something. "As I assume you are aware of how it would look if you decided to amend your report after the fact." Of course, he could send her to the agony booth now anyway, but she didn't think he'd do it without a credible reason. Ignoring the possibility of blackmail and threats hanging in the air between them, she waved a hand and said, "Tell me about this proposition, Scotty."
"I'm not here tae threaten you with rewritin' my report o' what happened on that mission," he replied evenly. "I only wished tae remind you that while I could have had you punished for such a messy mistake, I did not." He paused a moment, before continuing. "Are you familiar with Lieutenant Grey?" If Uhura had been anyone else... Well, to start with, he wouldn't be standing here, asking for her help. But if he had been, he might have tried intimidation, but of course that wouldn't work with Uhura.
Ah, he just wanted to remind me, she thought, still watching him with a vaguely amused expression. It pleased her that he wasn't threatening her with something as ridiculous as re-writing a mission report to justify punishing her, but there was no way to be sure that he wouldn't resort to that if she refused his request. The real issue, however, was that he didn't seem to be offering a straight-up trade. He was implying that she owed him, and she conceded mentally that it was true, even if she wouldn't say it aloud.
Of course, Uhura never repaid her debts unless she thought it would benefit her. There was no reason she had to comply with his request. If it was something he could order her to do he would've done so already, but exchanging favors with someone as powerful as Scotty could have its uses. The name he spoke was familiar to her, and she nodded. "She's one of your more competent engineers." Though she's a little too ambitious for my tastes.
"Competent, aye," he allowed, the tiniest hint of distaste evident now in his expression. "But it seems that while the captain has been busy assignin' the two o' us on exceedingly dangerous missions, Grey has taken it intae her head that she is more worthy an' deservin' o' my rank an' station than I am." Once again, he paused, to allow the implications of that statement to sink in. And now... And now, to shade his request in such a way that it wouldn't seem as though it was killing Grey personally that he had any issue with. "You are, o' course, second tae none when it comes tae the use o' knives. Consider this a... a favor, in return for my assistance in retrievin' yours."
He allowed himself a hint of a smile then, and unclasped his hands, spreading them in front of him. "I know better than tae attempt intimidation with you, love. So - a favor, then, in exchange for a favor, an' maybe there will be more in the future. I would be most obliged if you would indulge me in this. Put Grey under your knives, an' learn the names o' the rest o' her followers. She need not be kept alive, once this information is obtained."
Ah, someone after his position. She listened to his request, expression almost thoughtful, raising a delicate eyebrow when he said he wanted her to torture information out of Grey and Grey need not be alive afterward. The thought sent a little thrill of anticipation through her, which she hid behind a careful mask of emotionless consideration. He noted their recent track record for away missions, and she wondered if he suspected that their supposed alliance was making the Captain or his Vulcan anxious. The same thing had crossed her mind. If that was the case, she might have to do something about it. He also mentioned that he'd helped her retrieve her knives, which made the corner of her mouth twitch slightly. If she were inclined to be grateful, this certainly would have earned her gratitude, but she was really only interest in doing what benefited her.
The idea of torture always appealed to her, and she had no problem dealing with someone like Grey, but there was still the odd fact that Scotty was here asking for her help. There had to be a reason. Of course, exchanging favors with Scotty could certainly have its uses, but it wasn't like her to enter into alliances that involved anything but concrete exchanges. She mulled the possibility over in her mind, leaning against the couch and regarding him coolly. “Why don't you just do it yourself? You know your way around a blade, Scotty, so why come here asking for my help? Unless you don't think you're up to the task?"
"I am not too proud tae admit that your skill is far superior to my own," he replied evenly, allowing himself the barest hint of a smile. There was, of course, also the pesky fact that he had never been comfortable with inflicting torture, or with killing women, but Uhura didn't need to know that. If pressed, he would do the job himself, but why choose that as his first option when he could utilize a much better tool? Not that he thought of Uhura as a tool, as he did most of his underlings. She was far too independent, far too concerned with gaining her own ends, to be a useful tool. Nevertheless, he was aware that he entertained her, and the two of them enjoyed their little games, and if he was getting a bit attached, well... He could break things off, could stop giving her such power over him, and yet... And yet, he could use her as an ally. She was powerful, and strong, and while he couldn't control her, if he could just direct her... And he was not so inflexible as to disallow a little bit of her directing him, if that was what it took to make a partnership work.
"If you're uninterested, I can always find someone else tae do the job," he continued, shifting his weight to one leg, raising a hand to study his fingernails, as if this conversation were of little importance and even less interest. "I came tae you first because you are, o' course, most suited tae it."
She continued to regard him with vague amusement as he flattered her skills and then acted as if he didn't need them. Was he really so averse to torture that he would come to her and ask for help? She knew there were few people who had her skill with the blade, but she imagined Scotty had been around long enough that he would manage just fine if he wanted to. But he doesn't want to. He wants me to do it instead. This was something so different than their usual games, and from the fact that they kept saving each other on away missions. This was an agreement of sorts, and not necessarily a one-time one, at that. It had possibilities, and Uhura was knew the importance of being far-sighed. Of course, it was also dangerous, and there was no way in hell she was going to allow herself to end up under Scotty's thumb. Or anyone else's for that matter.
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” she replied, sounding highly amused, “but I can scarcely believe you're actually here asking for my help, admitting the inferiority of your skills.” She grinned at him. “You've really made my day, Scotty, and for that I thank you. As for your little proposal, you know that I'm fond of torture, but I don't go out of my way for just anyone.” She gave him a long, considering look. “Provided you agree to a few... stipulations, I accept.”
"I would expect nothing less," he replied, inclining his head again, distributing his weight evenly between both legs once more as he tucked his hands behind his back. "Should I find you stipulations acceptable, I assume we have a deal, then. If I were the sort tae be inclined to gratitude, I'd thank you," he continued, looking for all the world as if her obvious amusement had no effect on him. Most likely it didn't. "What are these stipulations you have in mind?"
"You can thank me by agreeing to my conditions. I want at least 10 minutes alone with Grey at a time of my choosing. If Ensign Cooper is involved, I need him kept alive and in his position for the next week. If Ensign Matters is involved, you needn't concern yourself with her, as she'll be dead in the near future anyway. Since this is your little project, you can provide me with a secure location, though I'll of course bring my own tools. I'll need at most a few hours. And..." She stared at him for a long moment, trying to decide if she wanted to ask anything else of him. There were a few requests she could make, but for now this would do. "Stop avoiding me. It hurts my feelings."
Her list of requirements was by and large simple enough. He wasn't currently interested in Cooper and Matters, and he already had a location in mind for this little favor he'd asked of Uhura. At her last 'request', however, he raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Why love," he replied, "I didn't know you cared." He paused then, before raising a hand to his mouth, tapping a finger against his lips. "Mm. As I recall, the last time you thought I was avoidin' you, you cornered me. A pity, really, that you seem tae have not had the time tae do that again."
She hadn't wanted to ask anything unreasonable, because if he refused she'd lose face, and besides, then they'd be making a trade in this moment and not dealing with the possibility of a continuing exchange of favors. His response made her grin. "Oh but of course I do, Scotty, and it really is a pity, but I have other things to attend to besides you. I would've gotten around to it eventually." She pointedly stretched her knife hand. "So this mean we have a deal, yes?"
But Grey was a threat. Grey needed to be taken out. And rather than approach any of his own underlings - he knew all too well that it was entirely possible that Grey had spent time converting those faithful to him over to her cause - the moment he felt it safe to do so he slipped unnoticed out of the engine room and made his way up to Uhura's quarters. He hesitated a moment, outside her door.
She owed him. They were even, for him saving her from falling to certain death, but surely she owed him for the fact that he'd left her capture out of his mission report. Surely she owed him for the fact that he hadn't sent her to the agony booth. And if that didn't work he'd simply refuse to let her slice him up anymore. The corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile, as he stepped forward to alert the computer to his presence.
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Of course, Uhura never repaid her debts unless she thought it would benefit her. There was no reason she had to comply with his request. If it was something he could order her to do he would've done so already, but exchanging favors with someone as powerful as Scotty could have its uses. The name he spoke was familiar to her, and she nodded. "She's one of your more competent engineers." Though she's a little too ambitious for my tastes.
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He allowed himself a hint of a smile then, and unclasped his hands, spreading them in front of him. "I know better than tae attempt intimidation with you, love. So - a favor, then, in exchange for a favor, an' maybe there will be more in the future. I would be most obliged if you would indulge me in this. Put Grey under your knives, an' learn the names o' the rest o' her followers. She need not be kept alive, once this information is obtained."
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The idea of torture always appealed to her, and she had no problem dealing with someone like Grey, but there was still the odd fact that Scotty was here asking for her help. There had to be a reason. Of course, exchanging favors with Scotty could certainly have its uses, but it wasn't like her to enter into alliances that involved anything but concrete exchanges. She mulled the possibility over in her mind, leaning against the couch and regarding him coolly. “Why don't you just do it yourself? You know your way around a blade, Scotty, so why come here asking for my help? Unless you don't think you're up to the task?"
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"If you're uninterested, I can always find someone else tae do the job," he continued, shifting his weight to one leg, raising a hand to study his fingernails, as if this conversation were of little importance and even less interest. "I came tae you first because you are, o' course, most suited tae it."
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“Flattery will get you nowhere,” she replied, sounding highly amused, “but I can scarcely believe you're actually here asking for my help, admitting the inferiority of your skills.” She grinned at him. “You've really made my day, Scotty, and for that I thank you. As for your little proposal, you know that I'm fond of torture, but I don't go out of my way for just anyone.” She gave him a long, considering look. “Provided you agree to a few... stipulations, I accept.”
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