Ad Astra :: Star Trek Fanfiction Archive ^{Beam me up, Scotty.}

Reno’s legs are the only part of her currently visible as she works under a console. ‘Dammit. Looks as though someone didn’t put in the last self-sealing stem bolt. No wonder the thing came apart. Last time I let anyone from Archer engineering onto my ship without my personal vetting.'

‘Well, for want of a nail…’ Adira says, drifting off meaningfully. 

Reno scooches herself back out and stares at them. ‘What?’

‘Like, the saying. For want of a nail.’

‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘It’s a famous old Earth saying.’

‘Not any part of Earth I’ve been on.’

Adira looks perplexed. ‘I read it when I was familiarising myself with terminology from the past to make sure we would all understand each other when joining the crew. Language drift and all that.’

‘Well, I think you were misled, kiddo.’

‘But it said it was in common use!’

Still on the ground, Reno hits her tricom. ‘Stamets. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘for want of a nail’?

‘Um. I think so? Vaguely? What does this have to do with anything?’

‘Nothing. You’ve been extremely unhelpful.’ She cuts the connection and scowls. ‘I still think you’re both wrong.’