[ It's worse than Alec thought. Pal has succumbed to a nigh-terminal case of brain exhaustion, rendering him insensible to clear and present danger. This calls for an intervention, and fortunately, Alec knows just the pair for the job. ]

Palamedes Encyclopedia Sextus.

[ The girl crouched on the bed hops off of it and plants her fists on her hips, feet planted firmly for optimal balance as she throws her shoulders back. Her body language and voice are a heady mixture of Ezri Dax and Camilla Hect, as interpreted by Regent, and translated through the mysterious and intimidating intruder. ]

This is no way to react to being menaced by an unknown hostile force. Where's your sense of self-preservation? Your pleas for mercy? Your quivering in your wizardly boots?

[ The girl snickers, an unmistakably Alec crumple of laughter, and then she tosses her head and flops to a seat on the bed. ]

He's all yours, Imp. It's hopeless. You might as well put him out of our misery.