May 2007 - Post Selection

ON: New Focus

Day: 2, Time: 10.25, Scene: DM Bridge

With the incoming projectile and now the Ferengi getting bolder, the Dark Matter suddenly had two immediate problems to deal with, and it showed on the faces of the bridge crew, Lt. Tyvek calmly noted. Regarding the new development with the Ferengi, it was not so much a deep concern as it was irritation. The expression several bridge crew had, when Lt. Gol'Khar had announced the Ferengi ship was making a move, was more of an "Oh come on now" than an "Oh, no" .

"Sir, the Ferengi seem to be ignoring us." Ens. Travis (npc) spoke up.

"Helm, intercept the Ferengi. put us between them and the alien ship. Block their path." Captain Persson instructed, noting on sensors the Ferengi ship was still at impulse. Maybe they could still do this without firing a shot. Tyvek respected the Captain's thinking on this matter. Descending into combat would do no good here.

As the DM's path intersected with the Ferengi ship's, Lars ordered the ship to come to a full stop. The Ferengi ship silently screeched to a halt a short distance away. Unfortunately, they decided to show more tenacity than was typical for Ferengi, as sensor indicated they were powering up warp engines. If they jumped to warp, they would collide with the DM. destroying both ships. Since there was no way the Ferengi would get themselves killed, nobody flinched at this game of chicken, and sure enough, the marauder's engines powered down.

There was a brief moment of silence from the Ferengi before the comm station beeped.

"The Ferengi are hailing." Travis stated with a certain smugness.

"Captain, I would recommend some disclosure with them." Tyvek advised. "If they know there is a chance of triggering an attack on themselves by proceeding, they may be more inclined to back off than if they believe we are holding them back for our own agenda."

Capt. Persson gave a nod of acknowledgement as the image of a seething Drak (npc) appeared on screen.

+"What business do you have interfering with us Hew-mon?" Drak snapped. "We have the proper permits to trade and conduct business in this region. You have no right to..."+

"Daemon Drak, in case your sensors haven't detected it, there is an armed projectile heading toward our vessel. We have indications that it was triggered as part of an autonomic defence system from the alien ship. We wished to avoid yourselves from being attacked as well." Persson told the Ferengi captain.

+"Then perhaps they do no like you."+ Drak replied, giving a big toothy grin. +"But they have contacted us, and they are willing do deal with us."+

"Is that so?" Tyvek spoke up, quizzically, not certain if he should believe Drak.

+"Yes! They contacted us in several languages actually, to make sure we could understand them. One of them was and old Dopterian dialect, which we translated to discover their peaceful intentions." Drak beamed, before adding. +"Now leave us alone! We promise to share their information with you for a...reasonable price..."+

Tyvek noted that it seemed consistent with the way the alien craft had communicated. Drawing on his knowledge of the Rules of Acquisition, he appealed to Drak not to advance closer to the vessel. "Daemon, does Rule 12 not state 'Look before you leap, a dead man makes no profit'?' Therefore, would it not be wise to delay action until you are certain..."

+"Rule 23: Nothing is more important than your health.....except for your money."+ Drak snapped back before the channel was closed.

"Sir, the Ferengi have just jumped to warp towards the SaiJad II, and when we made our move towards the Ferengi, the missile changed its heading to continue intercept, and increased its speed. It will reach us in 7.47 minutes!" Ens. Flanders (npc) reported.

"The MR'Tlag probe has adjusted its own course and continued to intercept the alien weapon, it has begun to interface, but no progress yet in disarming it..." Gol'Khar noted

A klaxon went off at the tactical station, causing almost everyone to turn sharply and face Flanders. "Sir the weapon has changed course....it's on an intercept course with the Ferengi vessel!"

Tyvek remained calm as always, but he knew what was a stake here. If the Ferengi got themselves destroyed, then the entire sector would be gone. If nothing else the Dark Matter, Drak's ship, and SaiJad II all had a threat in common now. It was the type of thing that could bring individuals together for a greater good. Perhaps that would happen here.

If they survived.

OFF:

Lieutenant Tyvek
Ship's Counsellor
USS Dark Matter