Ensign Savel - Oh-ho-ho, It's Magic!
Savel
((Crew Decks - Nova Gamma Borealis))
The Bolian tour guide was still somewhat living up to his title. While they weren't getting a tour of some unexplored cluster of the Gamma Quadrant, they were getting quite the exclusive behind the scenes look at how the Nova Gamma Borealis operated.
The next stop on their tour was the comm room, which was pointed out to them by their guide. Of course, it had to be ruined by the appearance of yet another pirate. The scaly being came into view just before it noticed the tour group and raised its weapon in their direction. Talos must have noticed them at the same time because he immediately called out an order.
Dakora: Fire!
Immediately, Talos went running into the fray headfirst. There was no time at all for Savel to stop him or convince him to consider another plan. No that he had one at the moment for the Commander to take under advisement.
Dakora: HEY, SCALE BOY!
Not only was there a reckless charge into danger, the Artemis' XO also literally called attention to himself. If his intention was to become the pirate's priority target, it worked. A little too well.
The pirate pulled the trigger and sent a blast of energy in Talos' direction, barely missing a direct hit and searing across his shoulder. While it didn't knock down the Commander, it was enough to cause obvious pain and make his return volley essentially useless.
With his focus so centered on Talos, the pirate got a little careless and stepped out from behind his cover to try and get a better shot on target this time. That provided Savel with enough of a window to put an end to this brief firefight. With a pull of the trigger, Savel sent a blast of energy direction into the pirate's abdomen which caused him to crumble into a heap on the ground. Not quite as unceremoniously as the nerve pinch had done to his comrade, but still rather ungraceful.
Savel then approached the Commander to check on him.
Savel: Commander, how bad is your wound?
As Talos turned around he used his fingers to check the area around the now burned area of his shirt at the shoulder.
Dakora: I’m-uh, ::He checked his fingers, confirming there was no blood:: I’m good. Nice shooting.
Savel: Thank you, Commander. It is fortunate I am a better shooter than he was.
Dakora: Let’s go.
The two of them then hurried to catch up with the others in the comm room where Gila had directed the others to go. Knowing they were in danger and without any weapons of their own, the doctor had ushered the others to somewhere at least a bit safer than they were in the corridor.
Sadar: Ensign, how much longer until your distraction is triggered?
Gnai: One minute, sir. Give or take a few seconds.
Savel: That is not much time.
But how could they have planned for a firefight in the middle of their walk to the comms room?
Dakora: Holy strokes. It's almost showtime.
Sadar: I guess we’re in a hurry then…
Dakora: This just might work. Need to see if we can tap into the comm system and fake a hail from the Independence.
Lt. JG Sadar was the one to step up to the console and work her magic to get them access to the comms system.
Savel: We will also need to ensure the signal appears as if it is coming from the approximate position of the Independence, and not this vessel.
Sadar: Commander, we have access to communications.
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.
Gnai: ::haltingly:: Good luck sir.
Talos at least had the experience to act the part. They were lucky to have a senior officer along with them on the trip.
Savel: We must hope that their response is not to immediately resort to violence.
Sadar: Response
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. =/\=
The Defiant-class holoprojected ship was now on their screen, slowly moving in the direction of the pirate vessel. It looked convincing to Savel, even though he knew that the ship wasn't actually there. Hopefully that meant the pirates were just as gullible and would fall for their ruse.
The Commander's performance would help in selling their deception.
Gnai: ::looking at its chronometer:: Half-way through the program, sir.
Savel: Have we received any response from them yet?
Sadar: Response
It took a few more seconds but finally they would hear back from the pirate's vessel.
Pirate Vessel: We are the New Idran Confederacy, not pirates. We have a sovereign claim to this system and any vessels that trespass–
Dakora: =/\= Unknown Vessel, this is your final warning. Vacate the system now or be destroyed. =/\=
Talos signalled for the comms to be cut, which was probably the smartest play to make. It would give them the appearance that they weren't here to negotiate or mess around, and it also kept them from having to portray the bridge of the Independence.
Sadar: Response
Apparently the pirates took great offense in being hung up on. After the communication was cut, weapons fire streaked across their screen and went straight through the projection of the Independence.
Well, that wasn't good.
Gnai: Oh no. Oh no no no.
Savel: It is unlikely that they will believe the Independence is actually there now.
Once more the pirates fired and again it passed straight through the holographic ship. Then they heard the communications come back to life as they sent another message through.
Pirate Vessel: ::worried:: We refuse to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Federation, or Bajor. The wormhole doesn’t give you claim to our space in the Gamma Quadrant!
Savel: It seems they do not care whether we are Starfleet or not, we will have to think of something else.
Sadar/Dakora: Response
Then the Independence literally started to waver. With the time up on the holographic program, the edges of the image started to wobble. It looked a lot like what a ship does whenever a cloaking device was activated. Was this a part of the program or was that just a happy coincidence? Either way, it seemed to have quite the effect on the pirates. Which was clear since they had left their communications open while they reacted to what happened in front of them.
Pirate Vessel (Voice 1): ::stunned:: What? I thought the Federation didn’t have cloaking vessels?
Pirate Vessel (Voice 2): ::fainter:: They don’t!
Pirate Vessel (Voice 3): ::fainter still, far to the side:: Are you certain that this is the Federation? They could be lying just as-
Pirate Vessel (Voice 1): Shut it! We’re still broadcast– ::crackling comms end::
As soon as they realized they could still be heard, the communications cut back off.
Gnai: What’s going on?
Savel: I am... unsure.
Sadar/Dakora: Response
Both ships were just as confused as the other one, which at least meant the shooting had stopped for the moment.
Gnai: The timer has restarted, there are only a few minutes before the decoy ship warps in again!
Savel: Perhaps that could be to our benefit.
Sadar/Dakora: Response
If the pirates really thought that the Independence had cloaked, they now had some time to think of a way to enhance their deception before the holographic program resumed.
Gnai: Commander, they seem afraid of the fact that the ship appeared to have warped out. That the USS Independence is not what it claims to be. Could that be used to scare them off?
Dakora: Response
Savel: I would suggest that we capitalize on what appears to be a mixture of confusion on fear from the other vessel.
Sadar: Response
The pirates, or the NIC, or whoever they were, weren't just going to sit idly by and wait for a cloaked ship to attack them. Another communication came through and the captain could be heard once more.
Pirate Vessel: =/\= Perhaps we were too hasty in firing on your ship. We're not interested in making an enemy out of the Federation today. I think there's some room for conversation. One condition though, I won't negotiate with someone that I can't see. =/\=
Savel looked to the rest of the group, wanting to see their reaction to the sudden cooperation from the pirates.
Savel: I will admit I am hesitant to believe they are now ready to find a peaceful solution, but as long as their efforts are focused on what they believe to be a real Starfleet vessel we should be safe.
Sadar/Dakora/Gnai: Response
While they were discussing their next move, the captain of the other ship came back over.
Pirate Vessel: =/\= I will instruct my weapons officer to power down if you agree to talk. As a gesture of peace. In case you don't believe in my intentions. I look forward to hearing your response soon. Please. =/\=
The captain sounded eager, and nervous at the same time. Either they were attempting a ruse of their own or they were legitimately scared of what might happen to them if the Independence returned with a vengeance.
Savel: Our negotiations would need to be swift, so that we did not seem to disappear once more in the middle of our conversation.
Sadar/Dakora/Gnai: Response
TAG/TBC