Operation Flirt!

[valaunbound]

If Vala's talents lay anywhere in particular, they lay in her seasoned ability to sniff out the seedy underbelly of a place. Before her time on Earth at the SGC medieval taverns just like this one, scattered across the galaxy, had been her life. Shady arms deals done under tables, intel exchanged at a price, secrets slipped over a tankard of ale or an inflated ego, even just plain old gossip could all be found right here, if you knew the right person to ask.

The ne'er do wells, the mercenaries, and more importantly the resistance, congregated at places like this. Stacy was so vastly populated, Vala was absolutely positive that they weren't all willing to fight someone else's war. She'd seen the recruitment drives already broadcast across the communications channel, all the new arrivals that were willing to sign up without so much as needing a shred of evidence before they were metaphorically saluting and pledging their naive and blind allegiance to the cause. If she wasn't so willing to risk her life for a war she knew very little about, then there were bound to be others.

The Drunken Dragon seemed, at first glance, the ideal place to start. Vala wanted to know how to buck the system, how to get hold of contraband, who to give a wide berth to, everything that the hierarchy didn't tell you. That was how you found out how a place really ticked. She might not have anything to barter with, but that could easily be fixed. She didn't have a reputation as one of the best thieves in the galaxy for nothing, and she always had her feminine wiles to fall back on. And even if she did say so herself, her feminine wiles were an incredibly attractive proposition.

Flagon of ale in hand Vala looked around for an empty table, surveying the faces of those already huddled tightly in conversation with a smile warm enough to appear alluring, whilst still not trying to appear overconfident. 'Time to lay on the charm, I guess,' she told herself.

Comments

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

For what it was worth, Zouichi looked like a twentysomething man of medium height, dressed almost entirely in black body armor. There was an odd, futuristic sort of pistol holstered at his side, along with at least one other close-combat weapon. Likely he had others tucked away somewhere on his person.

Zouichi waved a hand, dismissing the offer. Or not-offer. "Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but it's hard for me to get drunk. It'd just be a waste of money."

He smiled a little. "Perhaps they're trying to stave off a mutiny."

[valaunbound]

"Well it'd certainly be a waste of ale, but haven't we already covered the financial aspect?" She wasn't so much trying to trip him up, just saying it like it was. That was quintessentially Vala, though.

"Is mutiny likely?" Oh she was the picture of naivety, but asking it like that might lead to any clues about any dissenters in the ranks.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Oh, come on, Vala. The first rule of space mutiny is that you do not talk about space mutiny. Or was that Fight Club?

"I doubt it. And even if it was, I highly doubt they'd discuss it over a flagon of ale served at a tavern owned by a Council member."

[valaunbound]

"Council member." The disappointment in her voice wasn't very well concealed. "No you're probably right," she added quickly with a fake smile. Vala might think she's an expert in espionage, but even Ba'al had commented on how her standards had slipped since she'd been spending time with the Tau'ri.

"I expect they'd discuss it somewhere far more covert." If that didn't lead to him letting anything slip, then she'd change the subject.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi tried to imagine Vala squeezing Ildraniath for information... and couldn't help smiling a little at the thought. "Tell you what. If you'd like, you can catch me on patrol sometime this afternoon and we can discuss all the mutiny you'd like. It can get terribly dull otherwise. In the meantime, how do you like the Daligig's story?"

[valaunbound]

"I like it about as much as any other incredulous story that someone tries to force down my throat without offering any proof."

She has her reasons for not believing it all, more than just general distrust, and one of them is the presence of one Dr Daniel Jackson who's from her universe but ten years previous. So she knows that his universe, as it existed when he left, isn't destroyed.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Parallel universes, Vala!

"Well, if you're not willing to entertain the idea that we're all hooked up to a computer simulation somewhere, I can tell you that the Ohm are real. In that we have fought large, insectoid aliens of great number. As for the rest..." he shrugged.

"We're in a bit of a difficult position, since we can't really control the ship. It decides our destinations, and while it's possible to travel between universes by other means, the fact that family and friends are likely in the pods keeps most people here."

[valaunbound]

She's not considering that because that would make this Daniel not her Daniel. But Zouichi seemed sincere enough and not one of the idiots who weren't even questioning any of this, so she was happy to venture a little further.

"They may well be real, but are they guilty of anything?" He had a point though, those pods went on for miles. What if Sam or Mitchell were in there? Or worse - Adria. That thought alone was enough to make her question her vague plans for escape.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I've personally seen them attacking two separate worlds, seemingly without provocation -- the first one didn't even appear to be aware of their existence. It could be that they were goaded into action by some event we're unaware of, but at the very least, they've been involved in attacks and attempted attacks on civilians. Whatever their reasons may be, they can't claim total innocence here."

Zouichi paused. "And in case you were thinking of asking, we know even less about our allies than we do the Ohm. I personally don't trust them, and I'm not sure anyone else does, either."

[valaunbound]

"Oh well that's a relief." And it really was, there wasn't anything about these mysterious Daliwotsits that she trusted. "I was worried for a while, I was on my own."

"There was something I wanted to ask though. What's with the only certain people are armed deal? I'd have thought they'd have at least equipped me with a Zat."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I can honestly say that you're not. They threatened us, too, so it's not like they've been making many friends."

Zouichi tilted his head slightly at the unfamiliar word. "I think many of the people here simply carry around the weapons they found in their lockers when they woke up. However, you should be able to pick up something from the Armory if you like. Worried someone'll start shooting?"

[valaunbound]

"Well in my experience, most people don't carry guns as fashion accessories. So maybe, just a little," Vala said, laying on the irony heavily,

"Hang on, did you just say they threatened us?"

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"True. But on this ship, they generally don't shoot at other people." Of course, exceptions were sometimes made, but they were pretty rare.

Zouichi nodded. "I wasn't there personally, but apparently they were rather eager to point out that the brawn they brought in to back them up could take anyone on the ship. And that they had about a million followers from his same species ready to stomp us into the dirt if we resisted. Friendly, huh?"

[valaunbound]

"Not the best way to build morale or get people on your side, no." Okay, so that, that pissed her off. If she'd been dubious before about their intent, she was even more so now.

"Sorry, I don't think I caught your name?" He'd said enough for her to trust him, they were obviously reading from the same page, so he was okay in her mind. "I'm Vala," she smiled slightly.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Kanoe Zouichi. Just Zouichi is fine. And pleased to meet you. I'd offer you a handshake, but it's kind of awkward sitting down."

If Zouichi looked annoyed at the thought of the Daligig, it was only because he was. "Yes, but since we're all doing everything they want anyway, no need to tell us why we're doing it, right? Though you'd think they could take it easy on the posturing."

[valaunbound]

"Always thought handshakes are a bit odd to be honest, anyway. Don't see the point." It was only really a custom on Earth, and seeing as that was still all relatively new to her, some things just didn't sit right. The few times she'd seen General Landry shake hands with an offworld visitor, she always thought it looked awkward.

"So we're damned if we do and damned if we don't, basically." Her tongue settled in her cheek defiantly.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I'm not a big fan of them myself, but a lot of people here seem to like them."

Zouichi gave her a little tilt of the head, as if to ask, what did you expect? "Basically. Enjoying your stay here yet?"

[valaunbound]

"Oh immensely," Vala gave him a very obviously fake smile of sheer sarcasm. "Let's put it this way, I'll be making that trip to the Armory sooner rather than later."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I hope no one's threatened you? Or attempted to attack you?" Because that would be a problem.

[valaunbound]

"Not at all, but I'd rather be prepared." Even if they had Vala wouldn't report it, she has issues with command structures, she'd much rather sort it out herself. There also remained the fact that someone had definitely attacked Daniel.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi frowned. "Well. I am part of Security. I can't promise that I always agree with the decisions that are made around here but... if anyone ever does attack you, please let me or someone in the department know. There are a lot of people on the ship, and we can't watch everyone. But I don't like the idea of people feeling unsafe from other crew members."

[valaunbound]

"Just knowing that I have someone like you to fall back on Zouichi, is reassuring." Vala gave him one of her best girly grateful smiles, and to be honest with herself it wasn't entirely a lie. He seemed like the sort of guy she would want to have on her side. In a crisis situation, he seemed like the type who'd pull through.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Okay, that was laying it on a little thick, Vala. But he did mean what he said.

"So, seeing as how you're so interested in procuring a firearm, I guess that means you've had to use them once or twice in the past?"

[valaunbound]

It's a talent of hers, or rather it's a very transparent but mocking way of saying thanks but no thanks.

"Well not really but I think I can figure out which button fires easily enough." Which was a complete lie and her use of the word 'button' very deliberate. She wondered if he'd ask the same question of a muscle-bound six foot man though.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

He shook his head. "Not what I meant. If someone comes into a tavern interested in mutiny and firearms, they're probably used to situations in which they need to use those firearms. Possibly for mutiny."