[BACKSIM] Ensign Savel - Performance of a Lifetime
Savel
((Crew Decks - Nova Gamma Borealis))
So far, their ruse with the holographic vessel was working in their favor. Even though the pirates had fired on the fake ship, they only thought that it had survived the blow due to an advanced cloaking device installed. It was good that their bluff wasn't called too, because they were out of cards to play if it failed.
All it had done for now, however, was stall the pirates. This at least gave them an opportunity to brainstorm about their next move.
Sadar: Ideally, we want them to realize that a cloaked Starfleet vessel can do far more damage than this cruiser is worth. ::considers:: If we can use these controls to move the arrival point for the Independence to their aft side, make it seem like we’ve circled behind them undetected?
Talos seemed on board with the idea and looked to Gnai to see if it could make that happen.
Gnai: Yes, that’s possible to do! They seem easily spooked, this could work…
Dakora: If you were a meat-headed pirate, what would make you turn-tail and run?
Savel: Anyone would be wise to retreat if they feel any battle would result in a sure defeat.
They just had to figure out how to get that point across to the pirates without them actually having the means to defeat them.
Sadar: I was thinking, in the spirit of horror stories… ::embarrassed shuffling:: An, uhh, ‘Boo’-scenario?
Gnai: This never really got into horror stories at the Academy…
Dakora: Right. Yeah. ::He snapped.:: Like a jump scare. It would make them think that we are in control of the situation.
Savel: A combination of fear and lack of control may be enough motivation to cause them to flee from the system.
The doctor then gave them an update on just how pressing things were for them now.
Sadar: Independence coming back online in 5, Sir.
Gnai: And in the correct ::pause:: “boo” position.
The clock was ticking. Soon they'd find out just how well their hastily put together plan was going to work. Or not.
Dakora: Get ready to open the hail on my signal.
The small comms room felt even more crowded as all of them gathered in the same spot to watch the viewscreen that gave them an idea of what was going on outside. The image of the Independence came onto the screen, this time positioned behind the pirate's vessel. It looked poised for battle, with its cannons and torpedo launchers ready and waiting to take advantage of the first wrong move.
Dakora: Great work, all of you. Now it’s my turn.
Savel: Good luck, Commander.
While the Vulcan didn't believe in luck, he had gotten into the habit of wishing the Dakora family luck in their endeavours to save the team and the mission.
Sadar: Response
Pirate Vessel: =/\= Federation vessel - USS Independence, right? Thank you for reappearing, and you’ll note that we’ve powered down our weapons systems, as promised! ::pause, light chatter in the background:: Are you ready to negotiate? =/\=
Dakora:=/\=Pirate Vessel, this is Commander Dakora of the USS Independence. There will be no negotiations. You may beam your people off the Nove Gamma Borealis and vacate this system immediately, or you will be fired upon. You have one minute to comply.=/\=
A simple demand, but with a time limit that was hopefully going to be strictly followed. If the pirates delayed much longer it was unlikely they would fall for yet another "cloaking" trick.
Savel: It should appear, to them, that they would have no choice but to comply with our demands.
Sadar/Gnai: Response
Pirate Vessel: =/\= You just want us to beam up our people and leave…? That’s it? =/\=
There was a slight hesitation from the pirate captain. Was that really all the mighty Starfleet wanted them to do? They attack and board a touring ship with Starfleet officers on board and the only retribution was that they had to go home?
He had a right to be suspicious of that.
Dakora: =/\= Vacate this system immediately, or you will be fired upon. ::Summoning a hardness to his voice that would’ve made MacKenzie proud, he continued.:: You now have 45 seconds to comply.=/\=
Savel: And counting...
The longer the pirate's waited to make a decision the closer they got to being discovered as frauds.
Sadar: Response
Pirate Vessel: =/\= ::puzzled:: Why do you care so much about this system? ::pause, muffled yelling about the speaker being an idiot and playing with fire:: I mean, yes, we’ll vacate it. We’ll leave! ::beat:: But what’s so special about it? =/\=
Dakora:=/\= 30 Seconds. ::He turned to Savel.:: Ensign Savel, prepare a full spread of torpedoes. =/\=
Savel raised his brow in response to the Commander's order. Of all the ones to choose from he picked the Vulcan to lie. It was a myth that they couldn't, of course, but he still found the choice to be curious.
Seeing as how their chances at surviving this encounter may come down to whether or not those pirates actually believed Savel was arming a spread of torpedoes, he dug deep down to pull out what little acting skill that he had.
His voice was not as level as those around him would be used to. The inflection he gave would have almost certainly given away he was lying to anyone that put him up to any scrutiny, but that was the best he could do.
Savel: Aye, Commander. I am arming our full functioning torpedoes.
Nailed that performance. If he weren't a different Vulcan, he might have even smiled afterwards.
Gnai/Sadar: response
Due in no small part to the masterclass in thespianism that was just put on in the NGB comm room, the pirate vessel started to pull away from the projection of the Independence. It's speed gradually increased until still it streaked off once it jumped out into warp.
A sense of relief washed over the room, even causing Savel to loosen his posture just a touch. The most he'd been relaxed since this whole vacation started.
Dakora: Mister Blueberry, please take us home. ::He laughed mirthlessly.:: I’d hate to have to knock another star off of my review of your tour service…
Savel was definitely going to make a note in his personal logs about this one. No way was he going on any tours with this group again.
End Scene for Savel