Calliope, pilot of the starship Lysandra, turned to a console and pressed the voice activation button. "Computer, turn off monitoring in this room until we exit it."
The ship's computer beeped its compliance, and Iridia turned to face Calliope. "Okay, Calli, what's this all about?"
Calliope scratched her cheek, nervously. "Well... okay. So. I've been... kind of dating the ship's computer."
Iridia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know. I hear you screaming her name every time one of the ship's remotes enters your room. You're not exactly subtle."
Calliope blushed. "D-don't give me that! Remember the incident with the ambassador?"
"I thought we had agreed not to bring that up again." Iridia glared, averting her gaze and crossing her arms.
"Well, now we're even, I guess," mumbled Calliope. "Anyway! I need your help."
Iridia looked warily at her. "With what, exactly?"
"Brainstorming." Calliope clapped her hands together. "So. It turns out that Lysandra's kind of a sub-"
"I don't want to know that. Why are you telling me that? Why should I even be in this room?"
"Wait! I'll- I'll give you my printer rations for a week." Iridia raised her hand to the door controls. "A month!"
Iridia hesitated, finger poised over the button, then sighed in defeat. "Okay. The ship I service and maintain, professionally, is a sub. So what."
"So, she likes to be... restrained, sometimes. Tied up."
Iridia's head made a thunk noise as it hit the bulkhead. "Of course. You know, I'm sure you could have looked up 'shibari' on the GalNet."
Calliope wrung her hands together. "Shi-what now?" Iridia turned to her, glowering, and she hurriedly put her hands up. "Doesn't matter! Ropes and stuff might work on the remotes, but those aren't really her. She wants something more... suited. To her. Uh. Size."
Iridia blinked at her. "You want to tie up... a starship?"
"I thought you might have some ideas!"
Iridia was already muttering to herself. "Engines are like locomotion... but a computer lockout to manual isn't the same as a physical restraint. Maybe manual assist with a kind of old-style steering wheel lock? Would need to restrain the remotes, too. Some sort of covering for the sensors, like a blindfold? And then there's the aesthetics of restraints on the main body..."
Calliope inched closer as Iridia trailed off, her hand on her chin. "So, you'll help?" She said, hopefully.
"Huh?" Iridia looked up. "Oh. Well, it's certainly a fascinating problem-"
"Great!" Calliope grabbed her hand and shook it vigorously. "I really owe you one for this. Remember not to talk about it or write about it where she can hear you, she wants this to be a surprise! I gotta get going to my duty shift, we'll talk later. Thanks a million!"
Before Iridia could respond, Calliope was out the door, and the computer chimed again. "Monitoring restored," it said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Engineer Iridia."
Iridia looked worriedly at the nearby console. "What have I gotten myself into?" she muttered.
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