Ens. Gnai - Is It That Obvious I've Never Taken A Drama Class?

[Lich]

((Port Side Observation Deck - Nova Gamma Borealis Cruise Ship))

The guide's lackluster attempt to calm the passengers failed, spectacularly. Someone threw a cocktail, another followed up with a bottle. Then another, and another. The guide dodged the projectiles, before giving up on any attempts at interaction and fleeing through another coded door to a different part of the ship.

Gnai: More likely surrender, given how quickly this ship dropped shields...

Dakora: This ship isn’t armed. There wasn’t much they could do. ::His eyes narrowed as he turned an idea over in his mind.:: We might be able to do something, though.

Gnai was not certain that it liked the sound of that.

Sadar: Like what!? I-I’m sorry to say, Sir, but we’re hardly, ehh… ‘Battle-ready’?

Savel: Our access will be limited for now, however, we may be able to convince a member of the crew to assist us.

Gnai: Is there... any way to contact the Artemis? Or is this ship completely alone here, at the mercy of whatever this New Idran Confederacy may be?

Whoever they may be. Gnai had certainly not heard a thing about them at the Academy. Were they some Dominion offshoot? They'd already dealt with the Dominion once before, or at least others on the ship had done so. Was this the universe making things even, and putting Gnai through the Dominion wringer as well? The mission was over, and things that happened in the mission should stay in the mission!

Dakora: It’s worth a shot. If we can slip into the employees-only areas below decks, we can avoid getting rounded up with all the other tourists at least. ::He shrugged.:: Then if we can make it to the Comm Room, we can try for help.

Savel: We may also wish to attempt to avoid the crew of this vessel if possible. Until we have gained some advantage in our situation.

Lt. Cmdr. Dakora and Ens. Savel both seemed far more prepared for anything regarding hostile boarding parties. Gnai was very comfortable keeping its slightly panicked thoughts to itself for the time being, and letting them sort out exactly what to do next.

Sadar: Sh-Shouldn’t we leave someone here to assist the other passengers, in case anything happens? ::notices how unruly the other passengers are:: On the other hand… Maybe not the right atmosphere for that.

Gnai followed quickly behind as Lt. Cmdr. Dakora motioned them forwards, cutting a path around the edges of the crowded civilians. There was an alcove with a similarly locked door to the one that the Bolian had disappeared behind, it seemed. Getting out of the mob helped with the tension, at least a little. Sure they were being boarded, and stranded in another quadrant from their ship, but at least they weren't dodging glassware.

Dakora: Luckily our Bolian friend thinks his code out loud as he enters it...

What fantastic luck indeed. Maybe fate was playing a little game with them, granting them a slight concession as it threw them for loop after loop. Lt. Cmdr. Dakora punched the code in, then waved the others into the room beyond.

Dakora: Everybody in!

Gnai: Aye, sir!

((Crew Decks - Nova Gamma Borealis))

Gnai was not gunning to be the first one through, certainly not. That was a recipe for getting shot, or bludgeoned over the dome with something large and heavy. Which was the job of a security officer, thank you very much. And that seemed to be just what Ens. Savel was keen to do as he pushed his way through the entryway first, taking point on their tactical retreat from the main areas.

Savel: I believe we will be safe in this part of the ship, for the moment. Though I do foresee the boarders attempting to quickly pacify the passengers on the observation decks.

With Ens. Savel's all-clear, Gnai followed behind him, grateful to get to a quieter part of the ship, even if it were only for a brief time as the boarders took her deck by deck. That's probably what they were doing. That seemed right.

Dakora: Yeah, we’ve bought ourselves some time, but not much. We need to try and get a message out if we can...

Sadar: Y-Yes Sir...

With the rest of its Artemis crewmates safe and sound in this new compartment with it, Gnai deflated with relief slightly as the door closed behind them and no one else tried to force their way in and join them. With the rowdiness of the others, it had had a small inkling at the back of its mind that one of them might just try that, if they had been spotted in their escape.

Gnai: What now? This seems safe only for the moment. They're bound to find their way in here soon enough...

Savel: If we do intend to seek out the communications room, we should attempt to locate more information about the ship’s layout. Wandering between decks in the hopes of discovering it by chance, even on a ship of this size, would be illogical.

Dakora: Agreed. Keep an eye out for signs or deck diagrams– anything that might help get us there.

Yes, that seemed prudent. There couldn't be too much behind the scenes though, could there? The massive observation decks cut into any available spaces on the rest of the ship, as it was clear to see in this corridor, where the walls were almost claustrophobically tight. No space was spared here for the passengers, and the crew of the vessel seemed to have to simply work around the inconvenience.

After a brief journey down a tight corridor, where Gnai had felt its suit bump and scrape against the bulkhead walls numerous times, they eventually came upon a small room, filled with clutter. There were large crates piled to the side, and on the other... what suspiciously looked to Gnai like the controls for a holodeck. 

ENG232: Replicators, Transporters, and Holodecks had been a very interesting class (even for something that was technically a core course), as its professor had taken great joy in demonstrating every piece of technology that he was discussing. Prof. Kroyu had been one of the oldest professors in the Engineering department, but he carried himself with such a joie de vivre that he seemed decades younger, especially as he lept around in holographic environments, or transported someone's lunch off their desk into his hands.

Sharing his excitement over the technology had seemingly been a great pedagogical tool, as Gnai stared at one of the consoles, confused as to why a ship with such small crew areas would waste space and energy with holograms. They couldn't be for the crew... there wasn't enough space in these "belowdecks" rooms to run holoprograms. And mounted... on the bulkhead? What? What were they doing with that?

Before Gnai could go up and inspect further, there was a clattering ahead that turned into footsteps, quickly approaching. Ens. Savel's head snapped to the noise, and Gnai looked to him, curious as to what their security officer might suggest.

Savel: It may be wise to find a place to hide. Whatever, or whoever, made that noise is currently headed towards us.

Gnai didn't need to be told twice. It was not looking forward to being accosted by the New Idran Confederacy, whoever that was.

Dakora: It might just be the crew battening down the hatches, but let’s not take chances. Find a hiding spot and hunker down.

Gnai had now been told twice.

Sadar: U-Understood Sir.

It assumed that rushing to settle its suit between crates functioned adequately as a response. With a bit of creative wedging, and Gnai flattening its body against the bottom of the tank, it hoped that it looked reasonably mechanical. Nothing to worry about. Just a little tank of water, perhaps cooling some part of the ship. Carry on.

Savel: Response

Guide: S-s-see? There's nothing down here! Just some basic tools and spare parts. Just like I said!

oO Basic tools? Holo-controls were just basic tools? Oo

NIC Pirate: Then why's there life signs detected down ‘ere?

That wasn't a good sign. If these boarders were using internal sensors to sweep for lifesigns, they'd need some way to disguise themselves from view. Or throw enough noise at the system to get lost. Perhaps rejoining the gaggle of civilians wouldn't be the worst idea. The Artemis would realize eventually, right?

Guide: I d-d-don’t know. I told you– other than the passengers– it's just me, the pilot and our engineer. And all of us were on the upper deck when you... well... arrived.

At that moment, a loud noise echoed throughout the maintenance bay. Gnai, from where it was nestled into a corner on the ground, had no sight of anything going on. Had the noise even been from them...?

NIC Pirate: Who’s there!?

Nope. Gnai was not going to say anything. It wasn't even going to move a centimeter.

Savel/Dakora: Response?

The Bolian let out a strangled yelp, as the NIC pirate presumably dragged him into line with a sidearm.

NIC Pirate: Surrender yourselves, nice and easy, or this blueberry gets it!

Savel/Dakora: Response

Seemingly out of nowhere, a large crash broke through the air as Lt. Jg. Sadar had apparently decided to throw caution - and her hiding place - to the wind. As much wind as there was in space. Well, actually... No, Gnai could ramble on about solar winds and space weather when it wasn't currently hiding from hostile invaders.

The clattering continued as her crate knocked over various others, which was frankly impressive to observe, given the obvious lack of intent. Well. It was impressive until one of the crates almost fell on top of Gnai, narrowly missing turning it from a tank of water into one very sad science officer. That was enough to make Gnai rocket up, servos that controlled its suit's legs activating in response to its shock, catching but the slightest air before it settled back to the ground.

Lt. Jg. Sadar and Gnai were clearly not members of the Bolian's crew, and he made his surprise well known as they both ended up in good view of the scene. As Gnai had surmised, their Bolian guide was pulled up by his lapels, straining to turn his head away from the nasty muzzle of whatever sort of energy weapon that was in the pirate's other hand. And Gnai had never seen whatever the pirate was. Something reptilian. Was this an Idran?

NIC Pirate: What in blazes-

Maybe this wasn't the worst thing in the world... by being so obviously clumsy, the chaos of Lt. Jg. Sadar's accident would have covered up pretty much any other sounds that were being made in the room. And their presence drew the pirate's eyes to them, and away from the sides. Gnai hoped, desperately, that the two others had some sort of plan to subdue him.

Gnai had been facing towards the pirate when it had rocketed up to its suit's feet, in perhaps a minor bit of bad luck. Openly wearing its Starfleet combadge and rank pip to vacation was perhaps also a tad bit of poor decision-making on Gnai's part. Trying not to draw attention, and to appear as just another civilian, Gnai's cross its suit's arms over the part of the chassis that was adorned with the badge and pip.

With all the acting sense that it could muster (not much), it tried the first thing that came into its head.

Gnai: ::to Gila:: ~ Please play along, Lieutenant? ~ ::loudly:: This tour is absolutely dreadful. The only decent exploration is behind the scenes!

This was so stupid. Why was it doing this. Please, Lt. Cmdr. Dakora. Ens. Savel. Someone. Anyone. Get it to stop talking.

Savel/Dakora/Sadar: Response

Such a harsh review seemed to stun the guide out of his panic, as did the redirection of the pirate's gun to Lt. Jg. Sadar.

Guide: ::incredulous:: What? We provide the biggest viewports of any ships taking the wormhole! We've spared absolutely no expense! ::muttering to himself:: Dreadful...

Gnai: Yes, dreadful. The wormhole? ::with as much derision as it can muster through monotonous speakers:: Derivative. This has seen... hundreds like it before.

Savel/Dakora/Sadar: Response?

The guide sputtered, finding a bit of courage in his rage at the customer's evident distaste for what he had planned to be a perfect trip. Planned to a T. Everything accounted for, even things that couldn't be counted for. But then these stupid pirates had to throw a spanner in the works...

Said pirate had had enough of the horrible acting, and enough of the Bolian that he still had by the collar. With a yell he tossed the Bolian to the ground, drawing a second weapon and aiming one at both visible officers. The Bolian wheezed, as the impact had forced the air from his lungars, stunning him at the pirate's feet briefly.

NIC Pirate: What, and I repeat myself, IN THE BLAZES is going on here?

Savel/Dakora/Sadar: Response

Tags/TBC :)

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Ensign Gnai

Science Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240102G11