Before the Crash
May. 23rd, 2024 01:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
just_hexBond had quite enjoyed his time on the station. He’d gotten to know the commander. The workings. The rhythm of life. He’d learned the comings and goings. What the protocols for a delegation of hostile ambassadors was versus what actually happened. What he couldn’t witness himself, he’d used his presence in Q branch to gain access to all the systems he could need.
He watched vids on repeat, watching. Waiting.
And in the mean time, he enjoyed Q. He romanced the droid, tested his limits, and enjoyed his body at every possible opportunity. It was a shame, what was to come. Q was doing so well here, and the station was so crowded. So many souls.
A shame, but never once had that stopped the Double-O.
The order came through in the night, waking him from a dreamless sleep. The tone was different from others and triggered something in Bond’s mind, demanding complusion and obedience. He sat up and stretched, then read the message.
Initiate Protocol 9
A simple statement that had Bond rise, dress, and arm himself. He slipped from his quarters and entered a Jeffries tube. The saboteur crawled through the guts of the station, setting charges at critical points. When the station failed, there would be time for evacuation.
By the time the station failed, they would be so deep into the quadrant that rescue could take time. Too much time. By the time the station failed, the only option may be the Omicron system. There may be a planet or moon close enough by then. By the time the station failed, Bond would have secured passage away, with Q, in a well appointed ship.
He wasn’t going down with the station. That wasn’t part of the protocol. He was going down on Q until the moment they needed to run.
* * *
Hex was oblivious when the agent emerged from the tube access near the med bay. People used them for all sorts of things. And since the agent was in a red shirt, Hex took no note. He was much more concerned with getting back to the nest he shared with Nyx. He’d secured a parcel from Risa, delicacies both sweet and tangy. He hoped Nyx was home, though he never really counted on it. The prince moved about as he pleased and Hex was honored every single time he was chosen.
The doors whooshed open and he held the box as he scanned the room for the prince.
“Nyx?” he called int the dim room.
He watched vids on repeat, watching. Waiting.
And in the mean time, he enjoyed Q. He romanced the droid, tested his limits, and enjoyed his body at every possible opportunity. It was a shame, what was to come. Q was doing so well here, and the station was so crowded. So many souls.
A shame, but never once had that stopped the Double-O.
The order came through in the night, waking him from a dreamless sleep. The tone was different from others and triggered something in Bond’s mind, demanding complusion and obedience. He sat up and stretched, then read the message.
Initiate Protocol 9
A simple statement that had Bond rise, dress, and arm himself. He slipped from his quarters and entered a Jeffries tube. The saboteur crawled through the guts of the station, setting charges at critical points. When the station failed, there would be time for evacuation.
By the time the station failed, they would be so deep into the quadrant that rescue could take time. Too much time. By the time the station failed, the only option may be the Omicron system. There may be a planet or moon close enough by then. By the time the station failed, Bond would have secured passage away, with Q, in a well appointed ship.
He wasn’t going down with the station. That wasn’t part of the protocol. He was going down on Q until the moment they needed to run.
* * *
Hex was oblivious when the agent emerged from the tube access near the med bay. People used them for all sorts of things. And since the agent was in a red shirt, Hex took no note. He was much more concerned with getting back to the nest he shared with Nyx. He’d secured a parcel from Risa, delicacies both sweet and tangy. He hoped Nyx was home, though he never really counted on it. The prince moved about as he pleased and Hex was honored every single time he was chosen.
The doors whooshed open and he held the box as he scanned the room for the prince.
“Nyx?” he called int the dim room.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-03 11:48 am (UTC)Q said nothing, but moved closer so Bond could repair his arm. He was always so focused and calm, but suddenly he felt as though he couldn't think at all. Everything was just white noise and static. He wanted to ask Bond to just shut him down for a while, just long enough to let his system calm down. The request was on the tip of his tongue- But then he saw something that sparked just the tiniest hint of hope inside him...
Nyx had felt like something was wrong all day, and then the shaking had started, and the loud sounds... Hex telling him they needed to get to a pod... Messy, loud, awful. Bad times, bad sounds. They'd been leaving Hex's when things started to make sense to him, and the weight of what was happening set in. And yet, for once in his selfish little life, he found himself thinking of someone else for once. The second blast had damaged something in the system, and doors were hanging wide open down the hall as he and Hex hurried along with what little they could carry, but as they ran past the quartermaster's residence, Nyx slowed to a stop as he spotted the droid's pet inside. Without pausing to think about it, Nyx scooped the little creature up, hissing at it when it tried to swat him away. The terrified cat was still in his arms as he made his way over to the android and held it out at arms length.
"It does not like me," he informed Q as the android took it with his good arm.
Q looked stunned, cradling the cat against his chest. "She doesn't like most people," he apologized, still a bit dumbfounded.
"We have that in common," Nyx said, turning to leave before Q could thank him.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-03 07:32 pm (UTC)He held out his hand for Nyx to hold him and comfort him. He could see all the survivors, shaken and scared. He felt a bit of a twat for wanting to go again. It had been a thrill.
"He's growing tamer," Bond noted as he watched the pair move away.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-03 09:22 pm (UTC)"Notably," Q agreed, gently putting the cat down. She purred and lingered at his feet, reluctant to wander.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 12:10 am (UTC)Bond moved closer, his hand gentle on the Quartermaster.
"I need to start gathering survivors," he said gently. "We need to all stay together."
It was clear no one was going to wander off, but they were all too spread out.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 12:26 am (UTC)"Will you fix my arm first?" Q asked quietly, looking down at his cat, then back at Bond. "I'm not much use like this, and I'm sure Tanner could use an extra hand."
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 01:12 am (UTC)"I can," he nodded.
He could, and did. Quickly, with no time for Q to think or worry. Bond simply took hold of him and it was done.
"...Sorry," he apologized. "I found it's best if it's fast."
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 01:55 am (UTC)Q made a small, soft sound of pain, then nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly, picking up his cat again. "I'm going to speak with Tanner about setting up shelter. We have some pop up shelters and tents, all the pods should. We'll start assembling and laying out the temporary settlement. Come find me later?" he requested.
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 02:35 am (UTC)"Of course," Bond promised quietly.
He moved to go, then was drawn back to kiss him tenderly.
"Be strong,” he whispered, then stole another kiss. Lingering. ”Doesn't seem such a bad place to crash...”
Re: Bond and Q
Date: 2024-06-04 02:15 pm (UTC)Q wanted the kiss to linger longer, holding on just a bit tighter, but eventually letting go and nodding. As James walked away, Q tried not to headcount or search for anyone in the small crowd. He wasn't ready to start wondering who hadn't made it. Hasn't ready to start feeling that pain.
He and tanner spent some time sketching out a layout, before setting to work setting up the shelters. People would have to share, but the miniature homes self-assembled in minutes, and between Q branch and a few volunteers, they had a settlement constructed just as night came. This planet had a long lunar cycle, meaning daylight was sparse, but Q believed it was enough that they could begin setting up a small farm in the morning using the supplies in the pods. There were enough supplies to keep them fed for the first month, and in the morning some people planned to go foraging while another team went exploring. Things were bleak, but not hopeless.
Q had already switched himself into solar mode, hopeful that he could rely on the brief hours of daylight to charge his battery during the day. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do. Now, as the sun set, he made his way back to the small home he'd claimed as his own, carrying a small tin of fish to feed Nova. As he neared his home, he eyed a small gathering by a makeshift firepit, he wondered what Bond was doing.
Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 01:06 am (UTC)"You're a hero for that, yeah?" he said warmly. "You saved a life, reunited friends. A hero."
His hold around Nyx's narrow shoulders was solid and sure. Where he could see everyone shaken and upset, he was buzzing. His heart was pounding and he was flush with excitement.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 01:33 am (UTC)"It's a small creature, it couldn't escape alone," he muttered, not wanting to admit he'd done something nice. "The android loves it, I have seen them. I thought he might not have time to save it."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 01:48 am (UTC)"You are kind, Nyx. The kindest person I know," he smiled.
"There's survival dwellings in the pods. I should help set them up. You've got a good eye, look round and tell me the best spots, yeah?" Hex said then, knowing better than most of the survivors how critical shelter was.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 01:57 am (UTC)Nyx nodded, wandering off a bit, but never too far. He watched as the little homes went up one by one, lingering in a spot he thought would be best. Shady, central, but not too close to the middle of the area they seemed to have chosen.
"We should live here," he said as Hex approached. "I will fetch our things and bring them over."
They hadn't had time to pack much, but Nyx was reluctant to abandon the few things he now owned.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 02:19 am (UTC)"I like this spot best," he nodded in agreement.
He sorted the pod then left it to Nyx. He'd grabbed his holiday ruck, but if Nyx had picked up anything else, he hadn't seen. He could grab it once he was finished.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-05 02:27 am (UTC)The pods weren't big, just enough for the bed they came with and some personal items. It would do though.
Grabbing his bag, Nyx let the pod finish building itself before dragging it to the bed and starting to pull things out, starting with his blanket. Little bits tumbled out next, his shiny little gifts from the gala, then some small items he'd bought once he started making money, including a nice looking set of pyjamas.
Last he pulled out things he had pinched, like a pair of scissors from medical, a fork from Robin's bar, and a pile of embroidered napkins from the gala. ...Treasures and plunder.
He took his time making the bed, then tucked his treasures back into his bag and shoved it all into the closet. This wasn't as nice as the station, but it would do he decided, before going to find Hex again.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-06 09:30 pm (UTC)When Nyx came looking, he'd broken out all available aid kits and was fixing up every bruise and bump and offering comfort and solace. Perhaps it was good he wasn't upset in the least- well, not about the adventure of it all. He pushed away the tragedy of it for some time later. Right now he needed to fix scrapes and bumps and frightened hearts. And he had the ability to do so since his own emotions were positive. He could offer genuine comfort.
This vessel had all been from the lower decks, mostly young ensigns maintenance and environment. To Hex they all seemed so young.
He was busy wrapping up a wrist, offering soft, reassuring words as he did, when he caught motion and looked, smiling when he saw Nyx.
"Had to help out, yeah?" he shrugged sheepishly.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 12:53 am (UTC)"I understand," Nyx said quietly, watching Hex work. "This is your job. You are good at it. You heal."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 12:58 am (UTC)"I do," he nodded.
He gave the ensign a pat and told him to find a pod, then looked around.
"I like it, yeah? My people are skilled healers of the mind and the heart, but healing the body is..."
He took a breath, searching for thr right words. He finally gave up.
"...I'm sorry I didn't help with our nest," he said instead, reaching for his ruck.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 01:03 am (UTC)"That's okay, you fix people, I build nests," Nyx decided. "Can you come rest? There is food. It is dry in bags, and I do not know how to make it. I can not read your language."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 01:07 am (UTC)"I'll make food and we can rest together," he promised.
He smiled at the sight of their pod and turned it on Nyx.
"I bet we have the nicest one because of you," he told him.
Then he set about making a meal out of the rations.
"I bet there's not many of us here who know how to survive," he mentioned casually. "Off the land, I mean. All those ensigns don't know life without a replicator."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 01:33 am (UTC)"I know how. I used to hunt," Nyx replied, watching Hex and making note of how he prepared the food. "I know how to fish also. I know plenty."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 01:51 am (UTC)"You may have the opportunity to help everyone," he said.
"We're all going to have to work together. The reality of all this is it could be...quite some time before rescue comes. We're going to needs hunters. Teachers. Leaders."
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 01:56 am (UTC)"That all sounds like work," Nyx sighed. "Why can't we just live in bed and gather nuts to share when we must eat?"
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 02:03 am (UTC)Hex chuckled warmly and pulled Nyx close.
"You'll have to teach us all how to be that free and peaceful," he smiled.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
Date: 2024-06-07 02:14 am (UTC)"I will consider it," Nyx said, though the idea held little appeal to him. His ears twitched as another dwelling was assembled nearby.
"You seem less upset than the others," he noted.
Re: Nyx/Hex II
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