Mission: Space Pirates
Apr 14, 2009 1:49:53 GMT
Post by Savot on Apr 14, 2009 1:49:53 GMT
Skurr listened gleefully as IQ demonstrated that the cloaking device had been successfully interwoven into the systems of Skurr's "Captain's Yacht". The pirate captain bowed his head in thanks to the reptilian Xindi engineer, "Masterful work IQ; you're a credit to your name."
The Xindi gave a half-disgusted look, "That's not my name."
Skurr waved off the comment with a smirk, "Eh, details, details." The appearance of the lovely Tysmur and the... lovely in his own way Alf... provided Skurr an escape from IQ's routine grumblings. Tys hefted the datapadd that contained the recorded schematics from the cloak that they could eventually use to build their own, while Alf hefted a disruptor rifle in case Skurr's plan didn't go as smoothly as possible.
IQ gathered his tools and made to leave the hangar, getting only 2 strides before wincing at the order he'd hoped he could dodge, "All right IQ grab your gear and let's get moving. We're gonna need that expertise of yours to patch the Nautilus up fast enough to avoid a Federation Impound."
The thought of getting caught didn't improve IQ's enthusiasm, "What makes you think Relk will even go for the exchange?"
As the grin formed on Skurr's face, the Xindi knew his fate was sealed, "You're right, I don't. If we get her back, I'll need your genius to fix her, and if we don't... I'll need your expertise to piece together my shattered spirits."
************************************
IQ looked forlornly out of the rear viewport towards the asteroid base just before the cloaked yacht entered warp to rendevous with the Nautilus' last known coordinates. Skurr; however, was pleased as punch at the sight that awaited them upon their arrival. For whatever reason, the only life readings aboard the Nautilus were those that accounted for Relk and his crew... so apparently Starfleet hadn't boarded her.
"Take us right under her belly, I want the transmission duration as brief as possible. That combined with our using the emergency channel wired between the yacht and the Nautilus should keep us undetected", the cloaked craft slowly moved into position, taking its time so as not to pop up on motion sensors, then the team gathered in the craft's cockpit.
Skurr looked amidst his team before speaking, "All right, let's run through everything once more as though some external audience were watching and needed a post-commercial recap."
Even Tysmur rolled her eyes, albeit with a smile, at Skurr's ridiculously playful manner under serious circumstances, "We've fully documented the workings of the cloak for our own use, so we can give Relk the actual device and let Starfleet chase him instead of us."
IQ then voiced his work, "And thanks to the emergency transmitter we placed within the cloak, they should have no trouble tracking him down even if he uses it."
Alf glanced over, "What if Relk finds the transmitter?"
IQ shook his head before the Lurian had even finished his question, "The odds are 20 to 1 against that even if he knew to look for it. The transmitter is the kind used in hostage situations, the hostages can signal for help without the signal being noticed by their captors, so as not to risk angering them and getting killed for their trouble. It waits until it detects a sensor echo originating at least 1000 kilometres away, and then synchronizes itself to that sensor pattern so only that scanning beam can detect it. Only then does it start transmitting."
Alf nodded both his understanding and an admittance of his being impressed by the Xindi's work. Skurr held a brief, smiling applause for IQ and despite himself the reptile couldn't help a shy blush at the compliments.
Skurr nodded firmly, "Now it's just up to me and my acting abilities." He ordered a channel opened to the Nautilus bridge, his face soon displayed on the Ferengi ship's viewscreen as Relk posed to gloat over his outwitting Skurr, but the Tellarite's triumph was slightly distilled by the fact that his newly seized vessel was mostly disabled at the moment and fairly easy prey once Starfleet got themselves situated.
Skurr put on an expression that was 1 part defiant stubborness, 2 parts admitting defeat, and started out looking just beneath the camera as though he had to work up the strength to meet the Tellarite's eye. His lips opened as though starting to speak, but his teeth held together seemingly reluctant to part, "Captain Relk. It's pretty clear to all present who's come out on top of this thing. I suppose I have to hand it to you... you beat me."
Skurr was known for his plotting and scheming, so now he spoke his next part hurriedly as though his desperation left him no time to think, "I just want the Nautilus back... Captain. You can have my yacht; I've got the stolen cloak hooked up to it right now. With a cloaked ship you could sneak up and seize a dozen ships more impressive and valuable than a Ferengi cruiser. I was gonna try the same thing to take the Nautilus back but... I don't wanna fight you Relk."
That was technically true; fighting risked loss of manpower on both sides and damage within the Nautilus, but Skurr let the Tellarite think it was reluctance to face Relk himself, let that notion stir up his pride a bit and cloud the thought process. There was no guarantee this would work, and that was just as well since Skurr almost always hated a sure thing. Where was the fun in knowing the outcome? So he waited, dejected on the outside, elated on the inside awaiting Relk's decision and his own countermove to whatever that decision would be...
The Xindi gave a half-disgusted look, "That's not my name."
Skurr waved off the comment with a smirk, "Eh, details, details." The appearance of the lovely Tysmur and the... lovely in his own way Alf... provided Skurr an escape from IQ's routine grumblings. Tys hefted the datapadd that contained the recorded schematics from the cloak that they could eventually use to build their own, while Alf hefted a disruptor rifle in case Skurr's plan didn't go as smoothly as possible.
IQ gathered his tools and made to leave the hangar, getting only 2 strides before wincing at the order he'd hoped he could dodge, "All right IQ grab your gear and let's get moving. We're gonna need that expertise of yours to patch the Nautilus up fast enough to avoid a Federation Impound."
The thought of getting caught didn't improve IQ's enthusiasm, "What makes you think Relk will even go for the exchange?"
As the grin formed on Skurr's face, the Xindi knew his fate was sealed, "You're right, I don't. If we get her back, I'll need your genius to fix her, and if we don't... I'll need your expertise to piece together my shattered spirits."
************************************
IQ looked forlornly out of the rear viewport towards the asteroid base just before the cloaked yacht entered warp to rendevous with the Nautilus' last known coordinates. Skurr; however, was pleased as punch at the sight that awaited them upon their arrival. For whatever reason, the only life readings aboard the Nautilus were those that accounted for Relk and his crew... so apparently Starfleet hadn't boarded her.
"Take us right under her belly, I want the transmission duration as brief as possible. That combined with our using the emergency channel wired between the yacht and the Nautilus should keep us undetected", the cloaked craft slowly moved into position, taking its time so as not to pop up on motion sensors, then the team gathered in the craft's cockpit.
Skurr looked amidst his team before speaking, "All right, let's run through everything once more as though some external audience were watching and needed a post-commercial recap."
Even Tysmur rolled her eyes, albeit with a smile, at Skurr's ridiculously playful manner under serious circumstances, "We've fully documented the workings of the cloak for our own use, so we can give Relk the actual device and let Starfleet chase him instead of us."
IQ then voiced his work, "And thanks to the emergency transmitter we placed within the cloak, they should have no trouble tracking him down even if he uses it."
Alf glanced over, "What if Relk finds the transmitter?"
IQ shook his head before the Lurian had even finished his question, "The odds are 20 to 1 against that even if he knew to look for it. The transmitter is the kind used in hostage situations, the hostages can signal for help without the signal being noticed by their captors, so as not to risk angering them and getting killed for their trouble. It waits until it detects a sensor echo originating at least 1000 kilometres away, and then synchronizes itself to that sensor pattern so only that scanning beam can detect it. Only then does it start transmitting."
Alf nodded both his understanding and an admittance of his being impressed by the Xindi's work. Skurr held a brief, smiling applause for IQ and despite himself the reptile couldn't help a shy blush at the compliments.
Skurr nodded firmly, "Now it's just up to me and my acting abilities." He ordered a channel opened to the Nautilus bridge, his face soon displayed on the Ferengi ship's viewscreen as Relk posed to gloat over his outwitting Skurr, but the Tellarite's triumph was slightly distilled by the fact that his newly seized vessel was mostly disabled at the moment and fairly easy prey once Starfleet got themselves situated.
Skurr put on an expression that was 1 part defiant stubborness, 2 parts admitting defeat, and started out looking just beneath the camera as though he had to work up the strength to meet the Tellarite's eye. His lips opened as though starting to speak, but his teeth held together seemingly reluctant to part, "Captain Relk. It's pretty clear to all present who's come out on top of this thing. I suppose I have to hand it to you... you beat me."
Skurr was known for his plotting and scheming, so now he spoke his next part hurriedly as though his desperation left him no time to think, "I just want the Nautilus back... Captain. You can have my yacht; I've got the stolen cloak hooked up to it right now. With a cloaked ship you could sneak up and seize a dozen ships more impressive and valuable than a Ferengi cruiser. I was gonna try the same thing to take the Nautilus back but... I don't wanna fight you Relk."
That was technically true; fighting risked loss of manpower on both sides and damage within the Nautilus, but Skurr let the Tellarite think it was reluctance to face Relk himself, let that notion stir up his pride a bit and cloud the thought process. There was no guarantee this would work, and that was just as well since Skurr almost always hated a sure thing. Where was the fun in knowing the outcome? So he waited, dejected on the outside, elated on the inside awaiting Relk's decision and his own countermove to whatever that decision would be...