Ensign Savel - A Truly Terrible Tour
Savel
((Crew Decks - Nova Gamma Borealis))
In some ways, the exciting excursion offered by the Bolian's tour company had actually lived up to its marketing. They were certainly on a unique trip into the Gamma Quadrant, one that was highly unlikely to be comparable to any other.
There was still plenty of deception to be found, however, as Talos quickly pointed out to the guide.
Dakora: By the way, what is that?
Everyone’s head (or tank!) turned to look at all of the holographic equipment that lined the walls of the corridors.
Guide: We strive to offer the most authentic tours in the whole Quadrant, really we do! But… sometimes… say… a colorful celestial phenomenon is obscured by a poloron field for a few weeks a year ::He rocked his head from side to side.:: We may— occasionally— augment our guest's experience with that exterior holoprojector.
Sadar: Rule of Acquisition #239: Never be afraid to mislabel a product.
Savel: While not a “rule”, I tend to not act in a way that draws comparison to the Ferengi.
It was a good philosophy to live one's life by, as far as the Vulcan was concerned.
Dakora: You’re telling me that you’ve got a massive holo-projector jutting out the side of this ship?
Guide: Y-yes. B-but, as I said we only use it to augment our authentic experien-
Talos didn’t care to hear the rest of the explanation, instead turning his attention back over to the job at hand. Getting back home.
Dakora: Ensign Gnai, I need you. ::He waited for the exo-suited Ensign to approach and pointed to the projector.:: How are you at holo-programming?
Gila was working to get the supplies together to hopefully bind the unconscious pirate, rendering him a moot point for the rest of this trip. While she gathered the ingredients for restraints, Savel stood guard. There was no telling how long his trick would last on the unknown species. With any luck, they’d be back in Federation space by then.
Too bad it seemed like everyone forgot to pack their luck.
Gnai: Reasonably decent, sir. There was a class on it at the Academy…
Savel: We could use the projectors to create an illusion, or diversion, against the other pirates.
The Commander seemed one step ahead of the Ensign’s suggestion.
Dakora: Response
Gnai: Certainly, sir. One Luna-class projection coming up.
The unknown capabilities of the pirate made Savel weary to just leave him alone while they were still closeby. Even with the bindings and temporary unconsciousness. He kept his position of standing guard, ready to apply the technique again just in case it was needed. At least he’d know roughly how long the pirate would get knocked out if he had to do it a second time.
Sadar: If the NIC don’t do the reasonable thing and take off in the face of a Federation Starship, what do we do?
Savel: We may have to consider retaking the ship by force.
Of course that was the security officer’s suggestion.
Dakora: Response
Sadar: Ensign Gnai did find the pirate’s communicator?
Savel: I doubt they would be receptive to our attempts to speak with them.
But perhaps someone had a more creative idea on how to use it.
Dakora: Response
Gnai: Sir, it might take a prohibitively long time to make a recreation of the Artemis... But there’s another ship in here that could be used.
Their discussion had given Gnai some time to work its magic with the holoprojector, and even though their original plan for it wasn’t going to come to fruition, it had found another solution quickly.
Instead of the Artemis, the holoprojector would instead show the image of the Defiant approaching the Nova Gamma.
Sadar: ::brief pause:: This could work.
Savel: We will have to hope the sight of a heavily armed ship will be enough on its own to deter the pirates here.
Dakora: Response
Just then, the communicator that had been found squawked to life. A crackle of static prefaced a voice that was similar to the one that had come over the ship’s intercom system earlier. It was hard to tell if it was the exact same, however.
Communicator: =/\= Shazaak, come in. You’ve missed your check-in. Report now. =/\=
The message fizzled out and there was silence from the other end as they waited for some type of response. Luckily, it seemed to be an older design of communicator, requiring the user to push-to-talk. The rest of the group would be able to speak to one another without worrying about the other end of the line eavesdropping.
Savel: I imagine any attempts at a response would immediately clue-in the rest of the pirates of this one’s fate.
Dakora/Gnai/Sadar: Responses
More static signaled another incoming message to the pirate’s radio.
Communicator: =/\= I’m sending someone to your last position. He better not come back with news you let that oversized blueberry take you down. =/\=
An audible gasp sounded from the Bolian guide, and he immediately charged forward to try and get his hands on the communicator.
Guide: The nerve! Give me that! I’ll have that brute know this isn’t the first set of pirates I’ve faced down and he won’t be the last! In fact he’s not even the first of his kind that I–
Realizing what he was getting ready to fully reveal, he abruptly stopped his sentence. He even went as far to put a hand over his mouth to physically stop anything else from coming out.
Savel’s brow nearly shot off his forehead when it rose so quickly at the revelation.
Savel: You have dealt with these pirates before? Yet you have not only withheld this information from us but have continued to operate your tours in this sector?
Guide: Well n-not exactly. That’s not what I meant. I of course make it my business to know everything about any area of space I intend to sell a tour to. But– ::suddenly turning deviant:: But I won’t say anything else about it! I have to protect the integrity of my business, and I can’t do that going around giving up secrets!
The Vulcan was tempted to practice his nerve pinch for a second time today. It was a long time since he’d ever had to do that, but he kept himself from doing so. Instead he turned to the rest of his group.
Savel: Regardless of this information, our time here is limited before another pirate arrives. We must engage that holographic image and move if we do not want to risk another fight. ::to Talos:: Commander, I think it would be wise for the Bolian to remain with us. He is a valuable source of information. To both us and the pirates, it would seem.
Dakora/Gnai/Sadar: Response
TAG/TBC
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