"It was far too bright." He had rarely spoken of it while there, intent on not revealing weaknesses to potential enemies. He had decided at that time she wasn't his enemy. Here in his own element, he didn't believe it would be a damaging revelation. They both had shared frustrations in that environment.

"If I can't ascertain what I wish to know from the bridge, we'll go to engineering next," he said. "I was able to get the viewscreen somewhat functional. I'm still showing only the two of us as life signs aboard this vessel. It's possible another ship has located us and has logged into the system remotely." If that were the case, he wasn't terribly worried. It would have to be either a Cardassian or Dominion ship, and that would mean they weren't stranded.