trans_9 | Operation Flirt!

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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 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."

"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.

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?"

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.

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."

"So it's not questioned if people find weapons in their lockers and are wandering around armed without so much as a second glance," Vala narrowed her eyes, because really his line of questioning made no sense to her.

"But for someone who arrives and on discovering they have no weapons decides to rectify that given that everyone else is wandering around with sawn off shotguns on their back," she gestured towards Ash, "they're automatically categorised as possible mutineers? Is that what you're saying? Because really, I'd just like a little protection, is that such an incredulous thing to expect?"

"It... was a joke." At least the last part. He'd actually been trying to defuse the tension a little. ...Which might have been hard to pick out, given his deadpan delivery.

Oh, well. Might as well just come out with the truth.

"Honestly, on this ship? It's not at all uncommon for people to tote weapons around. It isn't uncommon on my original world, either -- maybe where you're from, things are different. But even if I did suspect you of fomenting some kind of secret rebellion right out of the pods, I certainly wouldn't accuse you of it out in public. My question earlier was one of interest; I was curious about what sort of battle situations you might have encountered in the past, because there's a good chance we'll need anyone that can fire a gun in the future."

"Oh." Vala looked a little sheepish, which was not a look or emotion she was comfortable with. "Well.. well perhaps you need to work on your delivery then," she added quickly to compensate, "because frankly that was awful."

"And as far as firearms are concerned, I'm pretty much an expert." It just came far too naturally, the chance to polish her ego, her mouth ws working before her brain had chance to engage. "That goes for Earth weapons and most offworld weapons too. I'm also trained in hand-to-hand combat." If she'd just signed herself up for service then it hadn't hit her yet.

"...maybe?" Oh, there it is, now it's hit her.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." ~~Sob. Eva always got his jokes~~.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Well. Maybe you can help some of the other crew members, then. If you're interested, anyway -- I know there are a few people around who give lessons."

Operation Flirt!

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