"I know, that's sort of the problem. I'm certain he's onto me. Winning over Chekov might be just the thing, though. That should be much easier."

He will infiltrate- er, befriend this crew, one way or another.

"The wards? Oh, anything." He sips his tea, still sleepy but perking up now that Jim's here. "Your basic ward is a general sort of shield. Best at deflecting or absorbing malign energies, though, more than physical attacks. Take quite a bit of effort, either way. Stratos is better with them than I am. I use another kind to- in ritual circles. For protection.