ここまでのあらすじ：宇宙の気まぐれで得た富で宇宙船メリス号を購入した地球人船長ラナウェイは、カーデシア人のウィムレクを操縦士に、ズィンディ爬虫類族のアグルを警備員に、アンドリア人のエナイを整備士として雇い、最初の目的地である貿易ステーションに向かっていた。
Previously on Runaway★Trek: The human captain Runaway, who just bought the spaceship Marisu after acquiring a vast fortune by a whim of the universe, hired a Cardassian Wimlk as pilot, a Xindi-Reptilian A'gr as guard, and an Andorian Enai as mechanic, and were heading for their first destination, a trading station.
エナイを迎えてから三日後、メリス号は最初の目的地である貿易ステーションに到着し、停泊料を支払ってビジター用の特等ポートにドッキングした。主要な惑星のないこのセクターでは最大級の規模を誇る交易拠点であり、利用者の数も連邦の駐留ステーションの比ではない。船長ラナウェイは三名のクルーたちに個別のお遣いと半日の自由時間を与え、危険がなく自室に収まる品なら何でも購入していいと言い渡した。
Three days after Enai joined them, the Marisu arrived at its first destination, a trading station, and docked at a premium visitor port after paying the mooring fee. It was the largest trading hub in this sector, which lacked any major planets, and its user traffic far exceeded that of any Federation outpost. Captain Runaway gave her three crew members individual tasks and half a day of free time, declaring that they could purchase anything they liked, provided it posed no danger and could fit inside their quarters.
無防備な船への防衛システムの導入について提案していたアグルは、貨物室の一部を改造する許可を船長から取り付けており、装備の選定と設置作業を請け負う業者を探しに向かった。ウィムレクは長距離の航行に必要なデータ類を、エナイは機械のメンテ用の道具類を入手した後、借金取りからの逃亡生活や奴隷船に捕獲されて失った各種日用品を物色していた。食料や医療関連の物資を仕入れたラナも賑やかな商業エリアを散策していたが、購入したのはホロデッキのプログラムやレプリケーターの拡張メニュー程度に限られた。
A'gr, who had proposed installing a defense system on the unprotected ship and secured permission from the captain to remodel a part of the cargo bay, selected the equipment and went to find a contractor for the outfitting work. Wimlk obtained long-range navigation data, while Enai got tools for machinery maintenance, each then hunted for various daily necessities they had lost during their days fleeing debt collectors or after being captured by a slave ship. Runa procured food and medical supplies, then walked around the bustling commercial area, but her purchases were limited to holodeck programs and replicator menu expansions.
鑑賞するタイプの美術品や工芸品にはすぐに飽きてしまうらしく、様々な惑星から集められた物珍しい商品にもさほど興味を示さない。そんなラナが街のはずれにさしかかった時、全身をケープで包んだ怪しい男が角の暗がりから声をかけてきた。「トリブル買わないか？ 癒し効果を増強させた特別なトリブルだ。繁殖抑制剤を打ってあるから、増えて手に負えなくなることもない」と、腕に提げていた大きな籠を掲げた――中にはこぶし大のカラフルな毛玉がひしめいていた。
She tended to get tired of decorative art or crafts quickly, showing little interest in the unusual merchandise gathered from various planets. As she reached the edge of the town, a suspicious man wrapped in a cape called out from a dark corner. "Want to buy a Tribble? A special one with enhanced soothing effects. It's been injected with a breeding suppressant, so it won't multiply out of control," he said, lifting the large basket on his arm—inside, fist-sized furballs of various colors were crowding together.
「あああ、可愛いー！」一目でその虜になったラナは籠に飛びついた。「無害で珍しい生き物だ。手もかからないし、船のペットには申し分ない。長い間絶滅したと思われていたが、どこかのステーションで大量発生したのが流れてきたんだ」と、商人が説明するのもそっちのけで、籠の毛玉を漁り始める。「白？ モカもいいな……マーブルっぽいのもいるね。黒いのもお洒落だし……あ、でもピンクも捨てがたい……迷っちゃうなあ……」両手にトリブルを抱えて嬉しいため息をつくラナに、呆れた声が「どれも同じだ」と指摘した。
"Ahhh, so adorable!" Runa, instantly smitten, lunged at the basket. "They're harmless, low-maintenance, and perfect as a ship's pet. Thought extinct for a long time, but there was an outbreak at some station and they've filtered down here," the merchant explained, though she ignored him to rummage through the furballs. "White? Mocha is cute... this marbled one too. Black is pretty... but I can't ignore the pink one... I can't decide..." she sighed happily, hands full of Tribbles, only for the exasperated voice said, "All the same."
ステーションで思い思いの時間を過ごしたクルーたちは順に帰還し、先に戻っていたラナがエアロックで彼らを迎えた。最初に戻ったのはアグルで、「連邦の武器は強度や麻痺といった余計な機能が多い。選定に時間がかかった」と、数点の武器を差し出した。船内に武器を持ち込む時は、船長と警備員であるアグルに報告する約束になっていた。
After spending their time as they pleased at the station, the crew returned one by one, welcomed at the airlock by Runa, who had returned earlier. A'gr was the first back, presenting several weapons as he noted, "Federation weapons have too many redundant features like intensity controls and stun settings. Selection took time." By agreement, any weapons brought aboard had to be reported to the captain and the ship's guard A'gr.
後で作業員が船を訪問し、フェイザー照射機二基と小型の魚雷発射管の搭載作業を行うと伝えたアグルは、ラナが肩に乗せていたチャコールグレーの毛玉に気づいた。「なんだそれは？ 今夜のディナーか？」ラナは慌ててトリブルを背中に隠した。「これはトリブルっていう生き物なの。私のペットだから食べないで。あなたのおやつは自動育成ケージごと仕入れてそこの格納庫の奥に入ってるから、好きな時に食べに行ってね」
After informing the captain that technicians would visit later to install two phaser emitters and a small torpedo launcher, A'gr noticed the charcoal-gray furball on her shoulder. "What is that? Is it tonight's dinner?" Runa quickly hid the Tribble behind her back. "This is a creature called a Tribble. It's my pet, so don't eat it—I've stocked your snacks along with their automated breeding cage in the back of the cargo hold there, so go eat those whenever you want."
次に戻ったのはエナイで、肩から下げた大きなポシェットを開けて購入した品々を見せた――道具類の隙間から独特な形状の刃物を取り出す。「これ、中古だけど――ウシュアーン・トール。刃の形には地域差があって、僕の持ってたのとそっくりなのを見つけて買ったんだ。祖父たちにもらった愛用のやつは捕まった時に没収されたから……これでも研げば使えるだろう」と、触角を震わせながら話してから、氷断刀をじっと見つめるラナに「今、これで氷を削ってかき氷を作ろうって考えただろ？」と訊いた。
Enai returned next, opening a large pouch slung over his shoulder to show his purchases—pulling a uniquely shaped blade from among the tools. "I bought this used—an Ushaan-tor. The blade shape varies by region, and I found one just like mine. The cherished one my grandfathers gave me was taken when I was captured... it should be fine once sharpened," he said, his antennae quivering. Then, looking at Runa as she stared intently at the ice-mining blade, he asked, "You were just thinking about using this to shave ice for a snow cone, weren't you?"
「う、図星……アンドリアン・エールをかけて食べたら美味しいだろうなって思って」ラナはきまり悪そうに笑った。「子供の食べ物だけどね。体が温まるんだ……実はそのエールの上物も何本か仕入れたんだ。まとめて貨物室に転送したから、あとで寄り分けて貯蔵庫（パントリー）に運んでおこう。――船長は何か見つけた？」質問に答える代わりに、ラナは背中に隠していたトリブルを手渡した。
"Ugh, you caught me—I was just thinking how delicious it would be with some Andorian ale poured over it," Runa laughed sheepishly. "It's a kid's treat, though. It warms you up... Actually, I managed to get a few premium bottles. I beamed everything together to the cargo bay, so I'll sort and move them to the pantry later—did you find anything, Captain?" Instead of answering, she handed him the Tribble she had been hiding behind her back.
「わあ、きれいな毛皮だね。手触りもいいし――なめせば上質の手袋を作れるだろうな」と、優しく撫でながら感想を述べるエナイから、ラナは毛玉を奪い返した。「これはトリブルっていう生き物でペットとして買ったの。毛皮のために飼うんじゃないから！」「ペット？ ふうん、あの操縦士と警備員を飼い慣らして船を爬虫類館にするのかと思ってたけど、こういうのも趣味なんだ……船内の環境温度は十分高いから、毛皮なんて不要だろうしな」と、エナイは苛立ちをあらわに自室に引き上げた。
"Wow, what beautiful fur—it feels great to the touch, and it would make some high-quality gloves if tanned," Enai remarked, gently stroking the furball before Runa snatched it back. "This is a creature called a Tribble, and I bought it as a pet—not for its pelt!" "A pet? I thought you were taming that pilot and guard to turn this ship into a reptile house, but I guess you have tastes like this too... the ship is warm enough anyway, so you won't need fur, huh." Enai said, leaving for his quarters while visibly irritated.
エナイと入れ替わりに帰還したのはウィムで、フード付きのコートを脱ぐなり、「ん？ なんだその可愛いのは？」と、ラナが手にする毛玉に目を留めた。ラナは感動に目を潤ませて、「ウィム、これの名付け親になってー！」と縋りついた。「名付け親？ まあ、考えておくが……」
Wim returned just as Enai left, slipping off his hooded coat before his eyes caught the furball in her hands and asked, "Hm? What is that cute little thing?" Runa clung to him with teary eyes, pleading, "Wim, please be its godfather!" "A godfather? Well, I suppose I could think about it..."
ウィムが差し出したのは護身用の小型フェイザー二丁――近年の政治情勢の悪化から、民間人であろうとカーデシア人というだけで厄介事に巻き込まれる可能性が高いのだ。マキがステーションに出入りしているとの噂を耳にしたウィムは、この船に自分がいることを知られない方がいいと進言した。それなら改修工事の作業員が出入りする間は、自室に引きこもっていた方が安全だろうと話して、ラナはウィムにトリブルを預けることにした。「外では気が抜けないでしょうけど、せめて船ではトリブルでなごんで癒されてね。癒し効果が増強してあるらしいの」
Wim handed her two small phasers for self-defense—given the deteriorating political climate, even civilians stood a high chance of being dragged into trouble simply for being Cardassian. Having heard rumors that the Maquis were slipping in and out of the station, he advised that it would be best if no one knew he was aboard, so Runa agreed he should stay in his quarters while the refit workers were around, and decided to leave the Tribble in his care. "I know you can't let your guard down out there, but at least relax and find some comfort with the Tribble on the ship. I hear its soothing effect has been specially enhanced."
やがて業者の作業員たちが小型艇で到着し、アグルの監視の下、各種発射装置の設置作業を開始した。しかし非武装が前提の構造に適合させるための追加部品が必要となり、作業員たちは一旦作業を中断して引き上げることになった。アグルはシールドの増強調節も追加で手配したと船長に報告した。
Before long, the contractors arrived in a small craft and began installing the launcher units under A'gr's supervision. However, requiring extra parts to fit a hull never designed for weaponry, the workers had to suspend the job and leave. A'gr reported to the captain that he had also arranged for an additional adjustment to reinforce the shields.
作業を見物していたラナが上階へ戻る途中、トリブルを手にしたウィムが自室から現れた。「初めは半信半疑だったが、確かにこいつの出す音を聞いていると落ち着くな。思いのほか集中できたから、さっそく名前も考えておいた――命名、ニーダルレールフィーズサイチュルーチェだ」ラナは微笑んで毛玉を受け取った。「素敵な名前をもらったわね、二―」「略すな！ カーデシア語で『伝説の高貴な土地を覆う草原の草のような優しい毛並み』という意味の名だ。大事にしろよ」
As Runa was returning upstairs after watching the work, Wim stepped out of his room holding the Tribble. "I was skeptical at first, but the sound it makes is indeed soothing. I focused remarkably well, so I have already come up with a name. I hereby name it—Niedhlrelfietzsichrche." Runa smiled as she took the furball. "What a lovely name, Nie." "Don't shorten it! In Cardassian, it means 'gentle fur like grass covering legendary noble lands.' Treat it with care."
「グレーの草なの？ クリーム色との間ですごく悩んだのだけど、ソファでうっかり上に腰掛けないように、この子にしたの。地味だけど艶もあって健康そうだったし……次はエナイに貸してこようかな。まだ神経抑制装置の後遺症が残ってるらしくて……ニーは寒いところ平気？」ラナがトリブルに話しかけながらエナイの船室に向かっても、ウィムはよほど機嫌が良いのか不満気な素振り一つ見せなかった。それどころか「買ってきた食材が新鮮なうちに料理でもするか……」などと、柄にもない計画を立てている。
"Is the grass gray? I had a hard time deciding between gray and cream, but I picked this one so I wouldn't accidentally sit on it when it's on the sofa. Plain, but glossy and healthy-looking, so... Maybe I'll lend Nie to Enai next. I heard he's still dealing with the aftereffects of the neural inhibitor... Are you okay with cold places, Nie?" Even as Runa headed toward Enai's quarters while talking to the Tribble, Wim didn't show any sign of displeasure, perhaps because he was in such a good mood. In fact, he was even planning something rather out of character, "Maybe I'll cook the ingredients I bought while they're still fresh..."
メリス号の船室は、船長の私室を一等室とすると二等室に当たる船室が二部屋あり、それぞれウィムとエナイに割り当てられていた。チャイムを鳴らしてドアが開くと、冷蔵庫並みの冷気がラナを迎えた。エナイはベッドに横になっていた――入手した品々の整理は途中らしく、室内に散らばったままだ。
On the Marisu, if the captain's quarters were first class, there were two second-class cabins, which were assigned to Wim and Enai. When she chimed and the door opened, cold air like a refrigerator greeted Runa. Enai was lying on his bed—his acquired items scattered around the room, as if he were only halfway through sorting them out.
「エナイ、疲れてるみたいだから、トリブルを貸しに来たの。氷点下以上なら寒くても大丈夫だと思う……ニーって名前をもらったばかりなの」と、ラナは毛玉を手渡した。「ああ、ありがとう――さっきはごめん。久しぶりに人混みに揉まれてイライラしてたんだ」エナイは横になったままトリブルを受け取った。気にしないでと答えて去りかけたラナは、デスクに無造作に置かれた数枚のタブレットに気づいた。
"Enai, you look tired, so I came to lend you the Tribble. I think it'll be fine with the cold as long as it's above freezing... It was just given the name Nie," Runa said, handing over the furball. "Ah, thank you—and sorry about earlier. I was just irritated after being in a crowd for the first time in a while." Enai accepted the Tribble while remaining in bed. Runa, who was about to leave after telling him not to worry about it, noticed a few PADDs left out on the desk.
専門書かと訊ねるラナに、エナイは苦笑して答えた。「まあな。宇宙船の機関工学の入門書だ。工場の機械は扱えたけど、ワープドライブなんて取説を読んだ程度では扱えないだろうし、定期メンテくらいはできるようにしたいからな。何しろ雇われてここにいるんだ、助けてもらった恩もあるし……」「ありがとう、本当に助かるわ……お大事に」そう言い残して、ラナは部屋を後にした。
When Runa asked if they were technical books, Enai gave a wry smile and replied. "Something like that. They're introductory texts on spaceship engineering—I can handle factory machinery, but operating a warp drive requires more than skimming a manual. I want to at least manage routine maintenance since I was hired here, and owe you for rescuing me." "Thank you, that really helps... Get well soon," Runa said, before leaving the room.
「名前をもらったんだって？ ニー、か……さっきは毛皮扱いしてごめんな」エナイは胸元に乗せたトリブルに語りかけた。「でも、すごく手触りがいいな。家ではペット禁止で――元夫が動物嫌いだったんだ。結婚生活の愚痴なんて聞きたくないかな……それとも聞いてくれる？」問いかけに応じるように、トリブルは微かな声で鳴き始めた。
"You got a name, huh? Nie, is it... Sorry for treating you like a piece of fur," Enai spoke to the Tribble on his chest. "But you really do feel amazing to touch. Pets were forbidden at home—my ex-husband hated animals. I guess you don't want to hear me venting about my marriage... or would you listen?" As if responding to his question, the Tribble began to purr softly.
「君は優しいな……あいつの家は代々シルクの製織工場を運営していて裕福だった。僕も元妻たちもその関係の家系に生まれ育った幼馴染だったんだ。僕の家は養蚕と製糸工場を継いできたけど、ずっと貧しい家柄で……恩着せがましかったんだよ、あいつ。一人足りないから仕方なく拾ってやったって見え透いた態度が。僕の親と、十二人の義理の親と、四十何人かの祖父母の前で婚姻の宣誓をしたのだって、今となっては馬鹿みたいだ……」
"You're so gentle... His family ran a silk weaving factory for generations and was wealthy. My ex-wives and I were all childhood friends, born and raised in families related to the business. My family inherited silkworm farming and silk spinning, but we were always poor... He was so condescending, with that transparent attitude like he only took me in because they were one person short. Even making our marriage vows in front of my parents, twelve in-laws, and forty-something grandparents... looking back, it all just seems ridiculous..."
エナイがニーに苦労話を聞かせている間、キッチンではウィムがステーションで仕入れてきた多彩な果実をナイフでカットし、こちらも新品の大鍋に放り込んでいた。「あなたが料理できるなんて意外ね」と、物珍しげに作業を眺めていたラナがカウンター越しに言った。「そうか？ 魚もさばけるぞ。祖父が釣り好きだったんだ。料理は母に教わった……このレシピもな」
While Enai told Nie his hard-luck stories, Wim was in the kitchen, chopping up various fruits he had bought at the station and tossing them into a brand-new large pot. "I'm surprised you can cook," Runa said over the counter, watching him work with mild curiosity. "Really? I can fillet fish, too. My grandfather loved fishing, and my mother taught me how to cook... including this recipe."
ラナが料理名を訊ねると、ウィムはカーデシア語で答え、翻訳機は「熟したパイ」と伝えた。「地球人の味覚にも合うだろう。楽しみにしていろ」下ごしらえが完了する頃、エナイがトリブルを連れてダイニングエリアを訪れた。「船長、二―を貸してくれて助かった――疲れが取れて楽になったよ。それの出す音を触角でも感じ取れるんだ。最高に癒されるから、また借りられると嬉しいな」
When Runa asked what he was making, Wim answered in Cardassian, which the universal translator rendered as "ripe pie". "It should suit a Human palate, too. Look forward to it." By the time the prep work was done, Enai walked into the dining area with the Tribble. "Captain, thanks for lending me Nie—I feel so refreshed. I can even feel his purring through my antennae. It's so soothing, I'd love to borrow him again if I may."
そこへ船のコンピューターが来客を知らせた――シールドの調節業者が到着したのだ。ウィムは鍋を弱火にかけてから、ラナが預けていったトリブルを連れて自室に引きあげた。椅子に深く腰掛けて、「エナイの部屋にいたそうだが、寒くはないか？」と、デスクの上に乗せたニーに話しかけた。
Just then, the ship's computer announced a visitor—the shield technician had arrived. Wim turned the pot down to a simmer, then took the Tribble from Runa and retired to his room. Sinking deep into his chair, he placed Nie on the desk and spoke to it. "I heard you were in Enai's room... You're not cold, are you?"
「私は寒くて仕方がない。いつも機関室で暖を取っていたが、あのアンテナ野郎が働いていたらそうもいかないな……ホロデッキはトカゲ野郎のサウナになっているし、鉢合わせるのも気まずい。――あいつ、船長には冷徹そうな態度で接しているが、むっつりスケベだぞ絶対」ウィムは足を組んで姿勢を崩した。「船長は地球人で、記憶力に関してはあまり優れていない。だからおまえの名前も憶えられないんだ。せめて私くらいは、おまえを本名で呼んでやろう――ニーダルレールフィーズサイチュルーチェ」
"I can't stand this cold. I usually warm up in the engine room, but I can't do that while that antenna guy is working... The holodeck is currently that lizard guy's sauna, and running into him would be awkward―he acts detached around the captain, but he's definitely a closet pervert." Wim crossed his legs and relaxed. "The captain is Human, so her memory isn't very good. That's why she can't remember your name. The least I can do is call you by your full name—Niedhlrelfietzsichrche."
にわかに鳴き始めたトリブルをウィムは満足気に見つめた。「おまえも嬉しいか。その音はどの器官から出しているんだ？ 懐かしい感じがする――幼い頃に聴いたような。両親と行ったキャンプの夜に聞いた虫たちの音に似ているな。星空が綺麗だったのをよく憶えている。家族に勘当されたせいで、今では苗字も名乗れないが……昔から父とは折り合いが悪くてな、母も私ではなく父の肩を持っていた。だから追い出された時は、むしろ清々したよ」ウィムは手を伸ばして毛玉を撫で始めた。「おまえにも親がいたのか？」
Wim looked at the tribble with satisfaction as it suddenly began to purr. "You're happy, huh? What organ produces that sound? It feels nostalgic—like something from my childhood. It sounds like the chirping of insects on a night I went camping with my parents. I remember the starry sky so clearly. Since I was disowned, I can't even use my family name anymore... I never got along with my father, and my mother always took his side. So when they kicked me out, it was actually a relief." Wim reached out and began to stroke the furball. "Did you have parents, too?"
「私の父は軍人なんだ。高官ではないが、私の故郷では最高の肩書だ。当然、私も同じ道を歩むことを期待されていた。でも後悔はしていない――両親の反対を押し切って操縦士になったことは。私は子供の頃からの夢を叶えたし、船長という肩書も誇りに思っていた……だからこそ、あの事故は悪夢のようだったよ」ウィムはデスクに頬杖をついた。「シャトルの操縦士に抜擢されて以来、無事故で通してきた私が操縦を誤るわけがない――たとえイオンストームの中であろうとな。巡洋艦の操縦士の方がどうかしていたんだ」
"My father is a military officer. He isn't high-ranking, but on my homeworld, that's the finest title. Naturally, I was expected to follow the same path. But I have no regrets about becoming a pilot against my parents' wishes. I fulfilled my childhood dream, and I was proud of being a captain... Which is why that accident was a nightmare." Wim rested his cheek on his hand. "Since being selected as a shuttle pilot, I had a spotless record. There's no way I made a piloting error—even in an ion storm. The cruiser pilot was the one out of his mind."
「しかし軍部を前に、私の主張など何の影響力もなかった。起訴されなかったのは奇跡とはいえ、その後の転落は悲劇としか言いようがない……」ウィムはニーを取り上げて身に寄せた。「そうかそうか、慰めてくれるのか、ニーダルレールフィーズサイチュルーチェ……」
"But against the military, my claims held zero weight. It was a miracle I wasn't prosecuted, but my downfall after that was nothing short of a tragedy..." Wim picked up Nie and pulled it close. "I see, so you're comforting me, Niedhlrelfietzsichrche..."
シールドの強化調整は無事に完了したものの、武器の設置については追加部品の手配が遅れており、作業の再開は明日になるとの連絡があった。ウィムの料理は丸一日煮込まなければならないらしく、第二デッキには始終甘酸っぱい香りが漂っていた。夜、クルーたちはダイニングエリアに集合し、各々レプリケートした食事の皿を囲んだ。
Although the shield reinforcement was completed without issue, word came from the contractors that weapon installation was delayed due to missing parts, pushing the rest of the work to tomorrow. Wim's cooking apparently required a full day of simmering, leaving a sweet and sour aroma wafting through Deck 2 all day long. That evening, the crew gathered in the dining area, each with a plate of replicated food.
クルーに加わったばかりのニーは、テーブルの片隅でラナがちぎって与えたパンをもぐもぐやっていた。「本当は食べた分だけ増えちゃうから厳禁らしいのだけど、ニーは抑制剤の効果で増えないから、餌をあげてもいいんだって。すぐに大きくなって、一抱えくらいのサイズになるわ」とラナが説明した。アグルは早々に自分の皿を平らげ、貨物室で作業の進行状況をチェックしてくると言い残してターボリフトに消えた。
Nie, who had just joined the crew, sat at the corner of the table, nibbling on a piece of bread Runa had torn off for it. "Normally it's strictly forbidden because they multiply by as much as they eat, but since Nie won't multiply thanks to the suppressant, it's fine to feed it. It'll grow pretty quickly into something about armful-sized," Runa explained. A'gr finished his plate early and disappeared into the turbolift, saying he would check on the progress in the cargo bay.
生温かいスープを食べていたエナイが手を止めて切り出した。「今夜ニーをまた借りたいんだ。この頃よく悪夢を見て目を覚ますから、ニーを傍に置かせてもらえれば安眠できるだろう」そこへウィムが口を挟んだ。「奇遇だな。私もそう申し出ようと思っていた――副船長の私に優先権があるのではないか？」
Enai stopped eating his lukewarm soup and spoke up. "I'd like to borrow Nie again tonight. I've been waking up from nightmares lately, so having Nie by my side should help me sleep soundly." At that, Wim cut in, "What a coincidence. I was about to ask the same thing—as first mate, shouldn't I have priority?"
「困ったわね、ニーは一匹しかいないし。今から新しい子を買いに行っても、あの商人を見つけられるとは限らないし……でも順番からすれば、次はエナイの番よね。朝になったらウィムと交代ね」と、ラナは命じた。「それにしてもニーったら、いつの間にクルーたちとそんなに仲良くなったの？ そんなに癒されるのなら、船のカウンセラーに任命しようかしら」
"That's a problem, since there's only one Nie. Even if we tried to buy a new one, there's no guarantee we'd find that merchant again... but going by turns, it's Enai's next. You can swap with Wim when morning comes," Runa ordered. "Still, when did Nie get so close with everyone anyway? If it's that comforting, maybe I should make it the ship's counselor."
食後、ニーを抱えて自室に戻ったエナイは、レプリケーターに氷入りのグラスを注文し、そこへ購入したばかりのアンドリアン・エールの澄んだ青色を注いだ。「ニーは雪は好き？ 僕は好きだ。雪の匂いがしない場所になんて、住みたくないと思っていたのにな……」トリブルとグラスを手に、エナイは窓際のソファに腰を下ろした。「アンドリアには氷の多い地方と雪の多い地方があるんだ。高所は寒くて、地下に降りるほど温かい。僕は地表に近い雪の多い所に住んでいた……そこで雪蚕を飼っていたんだ」
After the meal, Enai returned to his room holding Nie, ordered a glass with ice from the replicator, and poured the clear blue of freshly bought Andorian ale into it. "Do you like snow, Nie? I do. I never thought I'd live in a place that doesn't smell like snow..." With the Tribble and glass in hand, Enai sat on the sofa by the window. "On Andoria, there are regions of ice and regions of snow. High altitudes are cold, and it gets warmer the deeper underground you go. I lived near the surface in a snowy area... I raised snow-silkworms there."
酒で喉を潤し、膝に乗せたトリブルを撫でながら、エナイは話を続けた。「アンドリアの蚕は君よりもずっと大きくて、頭には小さな触角がはえてる……放牧すると、やわらかい雪に潜ったり出たりして可愛いんだ。そうやって雪の下の地衣類を食べて育つ。食べて遊ぶのに飽きる頃、温かい蔟（まぶし）に潜り込んで大きな繭（まゆ）を作る。そして中で眠り始めたら……その先は内緒にしておこうか。どうして君には触角がないんだろうな……」ふとエナイはテーブルに目を留め、鈍い光沢を放つ氷断刀を手に取った。
Moistening his throat with the ale, Enai kept stroking the Tribble on his lap and continued. "Andorian silkworms are much bigger than you, with tiny antennae on their heads... When let out to graze, they dive in and out of the soft snow—it's quite cute. They grow by eating the lichen under the snow, and once they've had their fill of eating and playing, they crawl into warm frames to spin large cocoons. And once they fall asleep inside... well, let's keep what happens next a secret. I wonder why you don't have antennae..." His eyes landed on the table, and he picked up the dull-gleaming ice-mining blade.
「大丈夫だ、研いでないから……僕たちは物心ついた頃から、これの使い方を学ぶ――氷の割り方から決闘の方法まで、一生をかけて鍛練する相棒みたいなものだ。だから僕のが二度と帰ってこないと思うと本当に惜しい……。代わりにこれを見つけたけど、研ぎ石を探してくるのを忘れたんだ。岩から切り出した本物が欲しくて……」ウシュアーン・トールと飲み干したグラスを脇に置いてニーを取り上げると、毛玉は震えるように鳴き始めた。「その音いいね、触角に沁みるよ……眠くなってきた」
"Don't worry, it's not sharpened... We learn to use these for as long as we can remember—from breaking ice to dueling, it's like a companion you spend a lifetime training with. So knowing mine is never coming back... it really hurts. I found this one instead, but I forgot to look for a whetstone. I wanted a real one carved from the rock..." Setting the Ushaan-tor and empty glass aside, he picked up Nie, and the furball began to purr with a gentle tremor. "I like that sound. It seeps into my antennae... I'm getting sleepy."
エナイは酔いが回って青みの増した頬にニーを寄せた。「繭の中にいる雪蚕はこんな気持ちなんだろう……君がいれば、雪がなくても暮らしていけそうだ……」そしてソファに身を横たえると、間もなく眠りに落ちた。
Feeling the alcohol take hold, Enai pressed Nie against his cheek, which was deepening to a richer blue. "I wonder if this is how a snow-silkworm feels inside its cocoon... With you around, I think I could live without the snow..." And laying down on the sofa, he soon drifted off to sleep.
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