LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Confidence Is Key
Travis
((Crew Decks - Nova Gamma Borealis))
As they approached a T-intersection in the narrow walkway, the Bolian guide pointed to a door on the right, which seemed to be the comm room.
Any sense of relief at their arrival was immediately negated by the appearance of another of the scaly-pirates from the left branch,
At first, his eyes narrowed on their Bolian Guide, then as he noticed the rest of them the muzzle of his weapon began to rise.
Dakora: Fire!
As he spoke, his body went into a sort of auto-pilot. In the space of a heartbeat or two, his mind understood that his crewmates were in an unfavorable arrangement often referred to as a fatal-funnel. The pirate had the angle to pour fire on them from the relative cover of the corner and they had nowhere to go but deeper into danger or back down the long corridor from whence they came.
thump-thump
Absent any better options, he surged forward, bringing his stolen pirate phase pistol to bear, and shouting, hoping to monopolize the attacker’s attention so that the others could get to safety.
Dakora: HEY, SCALE BOY!
The plan worked, a little too well. Suddenly confronted by a large, loud threat, the enthusiastic but untrained pirate began shifting his aimpoint toward Talos, pulling the trigger just a fraction of a second too early.
thump-thump
The stream of red-hot phased energy leaped from the muzzle of the weapon and seared across the meat of Talos' right deltoid.
Immediately, Talos felt the searing pain lance across his shoulder and tried to shrink away from it, but there was nowhere to go. Time seemed to slow down as he saw the tiny, micro-muscle movements in the pirate’s hand that would soon guide the weapon onto Talos’ center-of-mass.
That would be bad.
thump-thump
Wincing as his spasming arm sent his own shot harmlessly into the deck plate, Talos felt the searing beam slide across his shoulder until…
Thump-thump
A stream of stun energy jumped out from somewhere behind Talos and struck the reptilian foe somewhere around the center of his abdomen. In an instant, the attacker slumped to the floor and Talos recoiled back a few steps, clutching at the ragged scorch mark gouged out of the right shoulder of his black henley shirt.
Savel: Response
Gritting his teeth, Talos turned to Savel who had saved his butt, yet again. His fingers probed the new cauterized divot that had been carved out of the muscle of his right shoulder, but finding the damage to be painful, but non-life-threatening.
Dakora: I’m-uh, ::He checked his fingers, confirming there was no blood:: I’m good. Nice shooting.
Savel: Response
Dakora: Let’s go.
((OOC: I’m assuming Talos and Savel are a few steps behind Gila, Gnai and Blueberry so they might not have heard some of the exchange. Reference Gila’s sim for the full conversation.))
Catching up with the others in the comm room, Talos and Savel slipped in just as the doors closed behind the others.
Despite the throbbing pain in his arm, Talos felt a surge of pride as he realized that it had been Gila that had shepherded the others to safety and even now, she was in control of the situation.
Despite all of her reservations, she was turning into a damn fine Lieutenant.
Sadar: Ensign, how much longer until your distraction is triggered?
Gnai/Savel: Response
Dakora: Holy strokes. It's almost showtime.
Sadar: I guess we’re in a hurry then…
Nodding, Talos surveyed the gear in the room with them. It seemed standard enough.
The plan could still work.
Dakora: This just might work. Need to see if we can tap into the comm system and fake a hail from the Independence.
Gnai/Savel: Response
Producing his comm badge from his pocket, Talos pressed its universal adherence mesh backing onto his shirt and stared nervously at the small monitor which showed a feed from outside the ship.
Sadar: Commander, we have access to communications.
He took a deep breath. The next few moments would make or break the whole plan.
Dakora: Outstanding. Now I just have to convince them that I'm a Starfleet Command Officer who is ready to kick their ass if they don't leave. Get ready to route the hail through my badge.
Since at least half of that was true, he hoped it would make his lie that much more convincing.
Savel/Gnai: Response
Despite the pain that radiated from his injured arm, he managed to stand up straight. Letting his chest rise slightly as he did everything he could to project confidence.
After all, confidence was the key to any good con.
Sadar/Gnai: Response
As they watched the stunningly convincing holographic representation of the Defiant-Class ship drop out of warp on the tiny little monitor, Talos nodded to Gila and tapped his badge.
He felt the muscles in his jaw tighten as he donned his most commanding voice.
Dakora: =/\= Unknown vessel, this is Commander Talos Dakora of the Starship USS Independence. You are in violation of Gamma-Bajoran Anti-Piracy Accords. Vacate this system immediately or you will be fired upon. =/\=
Talos watched on the little monitor as second after agonizing second ticked by. On the screen the little warship glided closer at a cautious pace.
Sadar/Gnai: Response
Savel: Response
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his comm came to life.
Pirate Vessel: We are the New Idran Confederacy, not pirates. We have a sovereign claim to this system and any vessels that trespass–
Talos stepped on the pirate’s transmission, nodding to Gila as she worked the magic behind the scenes.
This was it. The moment of truth.
Dakora: =/\= Unknown Vessel, this is your final warning. Vacate the system now or be destroyed. =/\=
He didn't expect another response. In fact, he hoped there wouldn't be one.
Quickly, he made the “cut the comm” motion and closed his eyes for a moment, wincing internally, waiting for a report from one of the others.
Either, the ship would beat a retreat, or the hastily prepared holo-animation would loop and their jig would be up.
Gila’s voice was the first to cut through the silence. He hoped she had good news.
Sadar: Response
Gnai/Savel: Response
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0