Help Always Comes with a Price Tag

As usual, Milla "heard" everything that Paul Thunder (the former lieutenant of Starfleet and full-time Arcadian) was thinking.  It might have bothered some people.  But, then again... Milla was far from "some people".

Completely disregarding the sigh that bordered on frustration, Milla blew a kiss... and the pair returned to the quarters that they had started in.  Ti Klec Cerina Ringo still stood in the same position she had been in when they had left.  She hadn't moved at all... not a single micrometer.  Milla walked over to a chair by a far wall, daintily taking a seat.  Once she had herself properly situated, she turned her attention back to Paul.

"Oh, don't worry... time isn't just stopped here.  For the time being, I've paused the attack on your precious little Arcadia.  Their defenses have held for now."  She paused for a moment, inspecting her fingernails.  She must have found nothing wrong, for after a brief check, she continued.  "And you yourself have the power to stop the attack."

She noted the expression on Paul's face.  Holding up a hand, she said, "Fear not... I have not granted you any Q abilities.  Heaven forbid I transform you into another race traitor like me.  Besides... the Q wouldn't allow it, anyway.  No... when I say you yourself have the power to stop the attack... it's in a different form."  She nodded in the direction of the still-frozen Cerina.  "All you have to do... is accept her offer for medical aid.  It's that simple.  Go to the Bartokian doctor... take whatever medicine Bartokians give someone in your condition... make your little boo-boo all better... and the attack on Arcadia stops."  She snapped her fingers, not actually making it happen... but for the classic "instant effect".  "Just like that."

Standing, she walked around Paul in a slow circle.  "One man's principles for the life of a planet.  The decision is yours."  With the blowing of a kiss, Milla vanished in a flash of light.

Cerina turned towards Paul.  She nodded towards him.  "I trust you found out what you were looking for."  It seemed as if she had no idea what had just happened.  She was picking up their conversation from where it left off in the first place.

Something seemed different about Lieutenant Thunder.  Cerina couldn't quite put a finger on it... but something had happened.  She doubted it was good... the expression on his face showed quite the contrary.  Cerina caught herself asking what was wrong.  Would he tell her?  She didn't know... and she figured the situation was awkward enough without her forcing conversation upon him.