April 2007 - Post Selection

ON : Too Much The Gentleman

Day: 1 Time: 13.14 Scene: DM Bridge Science Station

Angus leaned across his console and touched the screen briefly. +"Chief! I'm happy ta tell ye that tha wee probe has successfully launched and is now on its way. There were nae any unforeseen problems, ye ken." He explained as he kept his eyes firmly on the data being sent back by the class IX probe. "Its warp engines are responding as expected. The transponder was acting up fer a wee while prior ta launching, but we've managed ta rectify this wi'oot any difficulty, Chief."+ He said in an attempt at showing that he was right on top of his work.

"Well done, Angus! If we allow for the fact that the DM has had to reduce its speed while we dealt with that Ferengi ship, the probe will have more than compensated initially through its own speed, meaning that it should begin sending back full telemetry in less than six hours." Gol'Khar replied, pleased that things were going as expected. "More importantly, I want you to let me know when you have the first substantial images of the alien vessel. The Captain will need to assess the situation before we achieve first contact, which will hopefully happen before those on the vessel realise that we're approaching them." He explained at length.

+"Trust me, I'll nae let ye doon, Chief."+ Angus said cheerfully.

Gol'Khar acknowledged his Scottish friend and returned to his own work. Ever since the Ferengi Marauder had been sighted following the Dark Matter, Gol'Khar had maintained his long range scans of this vessel. As far as he was concerned, the Ferengi was not to be trusted. There was no reason for the Ferengi captain to deny that he was following, yet he did! Whatever was in store for the DM's crew, they didn't need to be shadowed by a race bent upon personal acquisition and gain. Further, Gol'Khar could well imagine that if the Ferengi captain was to keep on following the DM, it may well jeopardize the mission, or possibly place everyone on board in danger for their lives.

Looking at the sensor readings, it was obvious that the Ferengi ship had begun to take a new course heading. But a closer scrutiny showed that the course wasn't that far away from the original heading, perhaps by as little as four by one degrees. This would still identify the Ferengi ship as following the DM, albeit indirectly. Gol'Khar didn't like it at all and showed his displeasure with a few choice growling sounds that came from deep in his throat. Captain Persson couldn't help but hear this from where he sat.

"Lieutenant Gol'Khar! Something appears to be bothering you. Would you care to share this with me?" The Captain enquired as he glanced back towards the scientist.

"Begging your pardon, Sir. But it seems that the Ferengi captain has a desire to get himself involved in something that doesn't concern him." Gol'Khar replied as his features began to darken with his mood.

"Would you care to offer an explanation?" Persson asked him.

"Yes, Sir! The Ferengi ship is on a course than could well bring it into close proximity with our own, given their current course heading." He replied as he continued monitoring the long range scans.

"Very well, Lt. Keep me advised if they look as though they may try to interfere with what we're attempting to do." He ordered the scientist shortly before he turned to gaze at the forward viewscreen again.

Gol'Khar sighed as he kept a close eye upon the Ferengi ship. He could feel his blood beginning to course wildly through his veins, much like he had felt a hundred times before, but on those occasions he was close to going into battle with an enemy. For a moment, his thoughts returned to the fact that he was a Starfleet officer. 'Too bad!' He thought to himself, because if he had still been serving on a Klingon vessel, the Ferengi captain would be fleeing in the opposite direction right now.

After brief consideration, or was it merely wishful thinking? Gol'Khar had momentarily thought of sending the M'RTlag probe down on the Ferengi captain's ears. 'Now,' he thought while a huge grin began to form on his lips. 'this would put the fear of the Grand Nagus right where it counted.' Sadly, he knew for certain that Captain Persson, was too much the gentleman, that he would even consider allowing Gol'Khar, or anyone else for that matter, to carry out such an irresponsible action.

This thought rattled around inside his head so much that it began to ache. After all, he postulated, what if the Ferengi encroached too far into the DMs business? Would the Captain not be forced to take appropriate action to countermand whatever the Ferengi seemed hell bent upon doing? This possibility made Gol'Khar feel a whole lot better inside. He still had a grin etched into his face as he continued monitoring the Ferengi ship, while at the same time, he kept a close eye on the alien vessel coming towards them.

OFF :

Lieutenant Gol'Khar
CSciO
USS Dark Matter