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[tactical_alert]

Reed. Leave a message.

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[tactical_alert]

Were you ever a scout? Because I have more badges than Captain Archer, and I'm rather proud of that fact.

[He's about to say something else, something that he instantly recognizes is morose, even if it fits his gallows humour, and bites it back with a swallow of whiskey.]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He almost snorts at that. Him? A scout? Mal couldn't be serious. ]}

Ah, no, I was never a scout, though sometimes I was invited to go along to some of their events by some of my friends when they were in it.

I always knew you were an overachiever at heart, Mal.

[tactical_alert]

Nothing wrong with that. [He says it with a sniff.] In fact I'd say it's worked out rather well for me.

[universal_charm]

Were they on your resume when you applied for Star Fleet?

[tactical_alert]

Now you're just making fun. There's nothing wrong with being an eagle scout; I learned quite a bit as a child. Believe me, I'm not always such a scout.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Okay, there's a laugh, because yes, he is making fun, but it's good natured, really Mal. Did you really expect him not to poke a little fun at that? Just a little. Especially when you seemed so proud... ]}

Oh I'm sure. I don't think the Scouts taught you how to pose quite like that for photos.

_{[ There is definitely a smirk now Malcolm. ]}

[tactical_alert]

No, no, that's all natural skill. [He'll return that smirk. Two can play!]

[universal_charm]

That's it gone undiscovered all this time is really a true shame. Or are you the poster boy for Star Fleet back home and haven't told me? Did you grace the walls of all those hopeful dreamers in the dorms?

[tactical_alert]

Now there's an image, me in something tight and next to nothing luring all the youth to come join up. Clearly I chose the wrong track.

[universal_charm]

Clearly you did. I mean, if you had been on the recruitment posters, I would have joined in a heartbeat.

_{[ He even snapped his fingers for emphasis. ]}

Maybe in one of the jump suits? Unzipping?

_{[ He mimed the motion, and he would be lying if he didn't admit that he thought the jump suits were sexy. He always felt good when he put one on. ]}

[tactical_alert]

Mm, really? Maybe I should've worn my uniform out. Now I'll know for next time. [He laughs with a shake of his head. York thought it was sexy, too. Uniform fetishes, honestly.]

[universal_charm]

Careful, I like a man in uniform.

_{[ He grins at him and winks, snagging another bite of the appetizer they'd ordered and swiping the card for another game, having lost to Malcolm this round. ]}

It's one of my weaknesses.

[tactical_alert]

Hey now, you have your own food, eat it. Or I'll decide you don't get to ogle me in a jumpsuit. What a shame that would be.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He manages to work his face into one of mock horror and dread, even a little bit aghast. ]}

Now that is just cruel. I didn't take you for a cruel man, Mr. Reed.

[tactical_alert]

I bet you didn't take me for a supermodel, either. I'm full of surprises.

[universal_charm]

Touche.

_{[ He dipped his head in acknowledgement before he came around to the end of the table and broke the next set of balls. ]}

Hopefully we both stick around to discover a few more.

[tactical_alert]

I don't plan on being anywhere else.

Unless someone figures out a way to send us all back. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He looked down briefly at his arm where his tattoo of Earth's galactic coordinates was, still deep and dark from being so fresh. Only a week or so old now. ]}

Might have to get creative on that end, but I think it can be done.

[tactical_alert]

In time, maybe. We don't understand anything about how they get us here.

[universal_charm]

True, and I doubt Bifrons would give up that if we just ask nicely.

But even if we can't figure out how to get back to our times, maybe we could figure out how to get back to Earth. Or something. Off this planet, at least.

[tactical_alert]

Earth would be very different from what we know. If these people could leave a zombie wasteland, wouldn't they?

[universal_charm]

Who knows? Maybe Bifrons is holding that info back too. I mean, they have the ability to take us from other worlds and times. That seems a whole lot harder than space-travel don't you think?

[tactical_alert]

We can't really know anything right now. Which is a damn shame. But we'll figure something out.

[universal_charm]

Yeah, we will.

_{[ A pause, as he considered something. It had been tumbling about since Victor made that announcement about the air lock... ]}

I've been thinking that maybe some answers lay outside the Dome. Who knows what's hidden out there, forgotten because they've been trapped in here for so long?

[tactical_alert]

It's a possibility. [He leans on his stick, looking at the table but not seeing it.] It's no joke out there. And I think most people in this dome who've never been there might not realize it. This dome is all well and good, but none of it changes the fact of what's out there. That there are those who actually live out there...I don't know what that means.