no_exaggeration | ☁ | 006

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☁ | 006 | Video

Beaches aren't exactly entertaining without the amenities, Admiral. We should just put in a holodeck. [Which might just be B'Elanna's hideous new project. She sighs.]

All right, McCullen, let's get this over with. Time to put some calluses on your hands.

Has anyone found a stream, or river anywhere? What about wildlife?

[She's crouching as she talks, using a PADD to inspect some plants for edibility. Apparently it's not poisonous, but it doesn't look tasty. Muttered:] I almost miss Neelix.

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[...Lobster?]

Watch? Now there is a job I am suited for. [James looks for a tree to climb for a good vantage point.] I will keep the best watch.

[If he catches some. :D]

You keep watch down here, [and she can't believe someone can be this out of his element. Or sanity. One of the two.] in case the fire catches, or wild animals come along. That's when you wake me, if you didn't catch on.

[Normally he'd have a problem being told what to do, but vacation is the time to let others do everything. And since prison is a vacation, this is a vacation on a vacation, so it's a vacation squared! All he has to do is...watch the fire and keep a look out for giant irradiated ants.]

I suppose I can do that.

...I'll take the first watch. [She can feel the headache growing.] Right now, we're going to find a place to build a lean-to.

That doesn't sound very sturdy. [Wry glance.] I'm sure my engineers could come up with something much better.

[And now she's insulted.] I bet they could, and you know what, since I'm an engineer, I bet I could too - if we had more than trees and rocks to work with!

[That was the idea. His ideas, not the greatest. This is what James hires people to do.] Didn't they cover that at Engineer School? Or did you not pay attention on trees & rocks day?

[He's going to have a rough time without those hirees around. Especially because she is very, very close to decking him.] Take a look around, McCullen. Could you build a phaser from what we have on hand?

[Ugh. He needs to find someone to hire to deal with this bullshit.] That is what I pay other people to do.

And that is why you're completely useless on your own! So roll up your sleeves an keep an eye out for a good place to build a shelter. [If her hands are in fists, she doesn't notice.]

There is nothing here to be useful at! What bit of dirt and ground is better than another bit of dirt and ground for building something? It's all just dirt and ground!

[Oh yeah. The headache is rocking up to full throttle.] You're a smart guy, McCullen, try using your brain! We need someplace dry, someplace that an animal hasn't already made a home out of, and some place to build a lean to against.

[She's heading away from the beach, toward the closest bit of forest.] So hurry up!

[She's going towards the tree. Isn't that what James suggested? The trees? Science people make no sense, but he'll follow after her.] It's dry plenty of places. [So he'll just go and stand on a mostly dry place between some rocks and a tree.] This one even comes with a seat.

[Which he will emphasise by sitting on the very convenient rock.]

[Thud thud thud goes the headache.] Building a lean-to big enough to sit under kills the point, [she said, testy.] It's supposed to be small, with enough space to lay down. This still isn't a five star resort, if you haven't noticed. No seats in the lean-to.

[Smarmy as ever, standing.] If you wanted non-rocky ground, why didn't you just say that?

[She is pausing to pinch the bridge of her nose very hard, because the temptation to punch his lights out is very, very high.] New plan. You shut up and follow me.

And these are both fundamental to our survival? [Sass sass sass.]

Exactly. Because if you don't shut up and follow, I might kill you.

[Now there is some logic he can follow.] In that case, lead on.

[Finally. :| She lapses into silence and walks for a while, eventually stopping by a big tree with a lot of brush around.] This should do.

[James looks at the area critically, analysing it.] This bit of land next to trees is different from the other bits of land next to trees?

[She is rolling her eyes skyward.] The brush is good insulation, the tree positions will protect against most heavy winds, and most importantly of all, yes, because I said so.

It could use some stools. Perhaps some nice white panelling. [Director hands! That's how you visualise these things, you see. He's a visionary.]

[And pinching the bridge of her nose. Again.] Do you remember the shut up and follow part, McCullen?

It didn't seem to be an important part of the plan.

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