The Expanse is a horror show. Talas stares out the viewscreen of the Kumari at the ever shifting space in awestruck disgust. She is a fool to have come here in pursuit of that pretty human of her own volition, but she doesn't trust any other member of the Guard not to simply kill Hernandez and her crew to complete the mission.

“Talas,” Shran says, hesitation in his voice. She turns her piercing stare on her second in command, a slight but tough thaan she'd known for many years. Her previous second, Tarah, had betrayed her orders during the incident at Weytahn, and she'd gladly replaced her with Shran.

He was the only member of the Guard who had never doubted her simply because of her non-military family. She fought for every bit of respect that she now has from her crew, and it places her on a self-made pedestal she can never fall from. They met when Shran came to her defense against several children of high ranking Guardsmen when they were in training together. While Talas was perfectly capable of holding her own, she appreciated the gesture and he has been a trusted confidant ever since.

“You're sure they're still out there?”

Talas sets her jaw. “Hernandez won't be so easily brought down, Shran. She's out there.”

He nods. They have an implicit understanding of each other and he knows she believes it. She has to. She's in love.

--

“A tractor beam, sir,” T’Pol informs Erika.

“I guess we owe someone a thank you,” Erika smiles. It's the first kindness they've been offered by someone unknown since entering the Expanse, which doesn't bode well for her plans of a peaceful resolution to this whole ordeal. Yet someone has shown them mercy, now, so perhaps there is hope.

The viewscreen clicks to communications and the face of their savior appears. “Well, well, Captain,” Talas says, pinning Erika with a smouldering look. “Seems we have the pleasure of each other’s company yet again.”

--

“There are easier ways to get a girl’s attention than catching her in a tractor beam, Commander.”

Talas loves the way Hernandez finds humor in any situation. It's a trait rare in Andorians. We’re too serious as a species, Talas thinks. “It would be hard to catch your attention if you died, Captain.”

“Oh, we had it under control! Travis was preparing some moves that would have knocked your socks off.”

“I do not doubt the skills of your pilot, but aid seemed to be the most logical solution.”

“‘Logical?’ You turning into a Vulcan, Talas?” She gasps in mock insult, and they both descend into comfortable laughter.

Talas takes the opportunity to put a hand on her shoulder. If she hadn't seen Hernandez’s strength up close, she wouldn't believe it. She's so small, Talas towering over her, and humans don't have the natural power of Andorians. But she fought Tarah hand to hand and won, and that was a worthy feat. “Would you like to share a drink with me, Captain?”

--

There is something about the alien commander that Erika finds enticing. Having only met her a few times, she can't quite say what it is that draws her in. However, her military status forces Erika to hold her at a distance. She's never much liked violence, that's why she applied to command a ship of exploration. Every day she's forced by the admirals to have Macos aboard is another day that she's unable to feel at ease, wishing they would have trusted in her diplomatic skills.

Next to her on the couch, Talas takes another sip of her Andorian ale. A masterful work of craftsmanship, she had assured Erika as she poured it, from the finest manufacturer on the planet. “What’s on your mind, Hernandez?”

“May I ask you a personal question, Talas?”

“Please do.”

“Why the Guard?” Talas bristles a little, but Erika needs to know. “You seem more open to negotiation and peace than any other Andorian I’ve met, so why join the military?”

Talas doesn't answer, doesn't even move for several long moments. She seems to be weighing her options. Erika hopes she chooses the truth.

“I fight for the liberation of my people from Vulcan,” she says at last. “As long as we remain oppressed, mistreated, I have to fight. But if we can be free- truly free, mind you, not double crossed by Vulcan lies-” she spits the word lies from her teeth, then cuts herself off. She shakes her head slowly. “The ‘grand military traditions’ of Andor are built on distrust and fear. I don't wish to buy into that. If we can be free without picking up arms, we will be better off.” She turns her eyes to Erika, her stare burning as it always does, but there is a nervous energy to the tension in her antennae and her grip on her glass. “I ask that this doesn't leave the room. Not all of my crew would understand.”

“Of course,” Erika says. “Thank you for trusting me.” Knowing that Talas doesn't think of war as a problem solver puts her mind to rest, and she relaxes.

“Gladly. With only Shran to talk to, I often feel my bottled up thoughts will spring free unbidden and destroy me.” Shran, Erika recalls, is her second in command. They did have a way with each other that hinted at something deeper.

“Is Shran-” She means to ask if Shran is her husband, but remembers that Andorians have a more complicated system of relations than humans do. Unsure how to word it, she just gives Talas a meaningful look and raises her eyebrows in question.

Talas bursts into uncontrollable laughter. “Shran? My bondmate?” After few deep breaths, she calms herself. “No, I have no interest in thaan as partners. He is a good friend, with a similar outlook on the future, nothing more than that.” She chuckles again before turning to face Erika, a seductive smile gracing her elegant face. “And how about you, Captain Hernandez? Who has the honor of your affections?”

Talas knows she's playing with fire, flirting so blatantly with Hernandez, especially given the covert nature of her mission. If she were to realize what she intends to do, it would complicate things. But then, Talas has never been one to allow archaic notions of duty to police her actions. The mission is miles away, and the woman she wants is right in front of her.

“There was someone back on Earth I used to believe I would fall for,” the Captain starts. Her voice is uncertain, and a little sad. Talas feels a protectiveness work its way into her tense shoulders. Who would dare turn down such a woman? “But it never worked out, and it would be unprofessional to pursue anyone aboard Enterprise. So I've been single a long time.”

Talas nods in quiet understanding, but her heart is pounding behind the cool facade. “The life of command is often a lonely one.”