((Sensor Hub, Resistance Camp))
Richards paced back and forth while the group worked. With his hands still bound, he wasn’t much help with the teardown. Not that he wanted to be anyways. His goal was to be as useless as possible and as annoying as possible.
M-Richards: You missed a piece.
He continued to point out even the smallest little detail as he paced behind the Klingon and Trill. He had used the tactic many times before, wearing away at his target’s resolve until they finally break. The simplest plan getting into someone's head within an unfamiliar environment was to slowly chip away at their walls. One strike at a time until something gave way.
Veers: I’ll do it my way thank you very much.
The dirt crunched under Richards’ boots as he continued to pace. He caught the changes in the Klingon as his words did their work. He had trained for years to see and interpret the different physical and emotional reactions that were caused by his provocations. And he was getting results.
M-Richards: You would certainly think that doing such a trivial thing as disassembling a sensor array wouldn’t take so long.
Veers: I’m going to assume that whatever his name was, Drew, or something, wants it done right, not quick. And last i checked a communications system and a sensor array spliced together from old starship parts isn’t exactly trivial.
Richards spun on his heel to begin another pass behind the two, looking at their work as he slowly moved by.
M-Richards: ::Sucking air through his teeth:: I wouldn’t do that.
Sparks flew from the area that the Trill was working, bringing a smile to the Interrogator’s face.
Veers: Does that mask of yours have a mute button or something?
Resistance Fighter: Enough. You’re not being helpful.
M-Richards: ::Sarcastically:: Oh? I feel like I’m being very helpful.
Veers: Can someone please shut him up.
The Klingon glared towards Richards. It seemed his goal was within reach.
Iko: I’d love to.
The Trill had begun to hum, either as a method to attempt and drown out the Interrogator, or out of frustration and concentration. Richards chuckled, pleased at his results.
Veers: Bec, could you put some muscle on this bolt, it seems to be seized.
Richards turned again, reaching the end of his pacing path.
Veers: Appreciated.
M-Richards: Teamwork. How beautiful and quaint.
Iko: ::To Cara:: I’ll be right back.
The Klingon moved into Richards’ path, stopping him in his tracks.
Iko: You wanna be helpful?
She grabbed him by his shoulders, shoving him towards the console. He had to quickly adjust his footing to avoid falling directly into the equipment.
M-Richards: ::Chuckling:: Oh, you know, I would but…::Holding up bound hands:: I’m a little tied up.
Veers: Response
Iko: I’m FINE!
Richards turned back to look at the Klingon. The rage was apparent on her face.
Veers: Response
M-Richards: I do believe that one of our friendly escorts said it best. If you are fine, you are fine to keep going. ::Twirling a hand in the air:: Or something to that effect.
Iko: ::To M-Richards:: Do you even expect me to be capable of helping? I’m a Klingon. Better: A Klingon-Human mutant, who can’t find a brain small enough to fit behind half-arsed forehead ridges.
There it was. The break. A smile grew across the Interrogator’s face.
Veers: Response
M-Richards: ::Placing bound hands against his chest, sarcastically:: And how does that make you feel?
Iko: And you, you are a coward who hides behind a stupid mask and shows up to join whatever group happens to be in power because that’s safer.
Richards let his hands fall in front of him, his smile never fading. He knew they couldn’t see behind the mask and wanted them to believe she had just struck a nerve.
M-Richards: You would think that, wouldn’t you.
Richards slowly walked around the Klingon and back onto his pacing path.
M-Richards: United Federation of Planets. Starfleet. Federation Diplomatic Corps. You all hide behind masks in your own universe. ::Turning to look back at Iko:: The Terran Empire had a fairly extensive database on your people. Before it was all destroyed with the fall.
Iko/Veers: Response
M-Richards: You call me a coward, but those who rely on Diplomacy are the cowards. Power is what matters. Negotiation is weakness.
He continued to pace, watching the two as he did so.
M-Richards: I don’t need this mask. It has become apparent with our little “Chat” here that all I need are words.
Iko/Veers: Response
M-Richards: You hide behind the people who lead you. Their…protocols. Their morals. The Mother Eternal, as well as all others who have risen to power, have relied on pure tactics. Relentless and vicious assaults on those who came before them.
Resistance Fighter: I said that’s enough.
Iko/Veers: Response
M-Richards: ::Gesturing towards the rebels:: These are cowards. Hiding. Plotting. Never actually taking action…::Chuckling:: No wonder they are so few. So weak.
Richards twisted his wrists against the restraints as he had his back turned towards the others during his pacing. There was a faint *pop* as he slid one of his hands from his restraints, followed by another faint *pop* as he fixed what he had done to slip free.
M-Richards: It’s no wonder the Betazoid Empire will strike them all down. There is a reason that the Mother…is Eternal.
Iko/Veers: Response
He turned around to face the others again, very obviously moving his hands behind his back so they could see he was no longer restrained. One of the rebels raised his rifle and leveled it at the Interrogator, making him laugh.
M-Richards: Go ahead. ::Holding hands up:: Add fuel to the fire of this war. ::His tone suddenly dark:: I welcome it.
Iko/Veers: Response
TAGS/TBC…
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Initiate Nathaniel Richards
Betazoid Imperial Interrogator
United House of Betazed
A239905NR1