ST:TTV312 | "Speeding"
Updated: Mar 18
Stardate 95049.5
The Valley Forge must uncover a saboteur in a space race who has caused a fatal incident to occur to one of the ships. However, many of the racers appear suspicious, and almost all have sufficient motivation to lessen the competition...
View Episode
Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ steps off the turbo lift and takes her station on the Helm. Keliaya@anncarise taps on the engineering station, idly monitoring the ship's systems as the Valley Forge cruises along between points of interest. Charlie@drcrippler steps out Charlie@drcrippler steps towards his console Charlie@drcrippler coughs politely Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ looks behind her, then back at the console. "Whoops. Wrong one." She closes out of the helm stuff and goes to her right. Eunha@turtles#8407 Stands next to Keelah "Hope you don't mind i'm your XO for today." Charlie@drcrippler: "Thank you Lieutenant," he says and sits Keelah@crystyll looks up with a quirked brow, "What's the worst that could happen?" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Lots of stuff." Keelah@crystyll chuckles Eunha@turtles#8407: "Lets hope we don't run into any hungry plants." Keelah@crystyll: "Hungry..." shakes her head, "Nevermind. I don't want to know!" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins. "Or space whales." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I've outflown space whales, they're fun! Eunha@turtles#8407: "Sulayman almost got eatten yesterday is all." Charlie@drcrippler seems rather subdued Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks to Keelah, "Cadet 1st class Mitsuki, reporting in sir!" smiles with her intro Keliaya@anncarise glances back, "What? How did that happen, an exploration mission?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: been a while since I was here.. Eunha@turtles#8407 Looks to Kelly "I didn't much description last night other than him panicing about nearly being eatten." Keelah@crystyll opens her mouth to reply to Eunha, thankfully diverting with a smile, "Welcome back cadet" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: do you not need any help with Conn? Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 notes the presence at the flight control station already Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ is punching in commands and such to load up her settings, then continues on the prescribed course. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 takes a bit of initiative, "I could assist the current flight operator perhaps sir." Keelah@crystyll: "aah, you won't have met yet our newest addition, of course. LT Finney, up for a helping hand?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ turns to look behind her, glancing at Rumiho. "Sure thing. Come on over, Cadet." She motions the cadet over. "I'll even let you take the chair!" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 snickers, "They kinda added the chair for me originally anyway, hehe." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ chuckles. "Hah, that was you?" She grins. "So I'm guessing you don't need me to tell you which one makes the ship turn and move, right?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 flexes her hands with a knuckle crack and taps a few controls, "Hmm... is anyone else seeing the nearby ship shaking apart at warp 4+? Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I'm a 4th year cadet sir, I'm not exactly brand new, hehe Keliaya@anncarise: "I see it too...its warp bubble is not looking in good shape." Charlie@drcrippler glances up Keelah@crystyll: "Report" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blinks, pulling up the navigational sensors. "Concur on the ship. In excess of Warp 4. Their warp field is unstable." Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly, do we have an ID?" Keliaya@anncarise shakes her head, "It's not equipped with a transponder, and the configuration doesn't match any known vessels..." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmphs. "At its current position, we can intercept in 4 minutes at max warp." Keliaya@anncarise: "All the technology is familiar though, isolinear circuitry, matter-antimatter reactor, typical shipbuilding materials." Keliaya@anncarise: "At this rate of deterioration it might not have four minutes. Its hull integrity is already reaching critical levels." Charlie@drcrippler sits in a bridge officer chair. Keelah@crystyll: "adjust course" she confirms, "Rivett, see if you can raise them" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Can we get engineering to pump out a few more horsepower out of the reactor?" Charlie@drcrippler: "On it Captain," he taps his screen and attempts to hail Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ resists the urge to alter course, watching Rumiho. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: that might just make the nacelles worse instead if what I've been told by some engine guys Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: is true Keliaya@anncarise: "Power balance is a delicate thing." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 slides a hand across the board as it tilts the ship to a new attitude and launches them forward to the other ship Keliaya@anncarise FX | The hail is answered! Charlie@drcrippler turns to Keelah. "I have them Captain," Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods in approval; she obviously does not need to babysit. She focuses her attention on the nav-sensors. Keliaya@anncarise | The viewscreen displays a cockpit not unlike a Federation runabout in aesthetic. A woman with a forehead marking clearly identifying her as Risian is seated beside a Bolian female. Keliaya@anncarise | Sparks are flying across their consoles and they tap desperately, looking very panicked. Keelah@crystyll: "Unidentified vessel, this is the Federation starship Valley Forge. We have detected instability in your warp field, recommend powering down immediately" Keliaya@anncarise | Bolian: "We're trying to! We can't deactivate the warp bubble; we've been sabotaged!" Keelah@crystyll: "Can you alter course to rendezvous with us?" Charlie@drcrippler attempts to ID the ship Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 subtlely redirects the ship to join a parallel course at their speed upon catching up Keliaya@anncarise | Risian: "Hull integrity at 20%! We would but we don't have control!" Charlie@drcrippler: "Could we tractor their ship to slow it down?" Keelah@crystyll: "Hold it together. We are 3 minutes away" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ looks back to the Captain. "Any chance we can get within their warp field and project ours?" Keliaya@anncarise: "With that hull integrity, we'll pull them apart." Keliaya@anncarise: "We could try to knock them out of warp with a graviton pulse, but they might not even survive the transition." Keliaya@anncarise | Bolian: "It's the sabotage, they've gone too far this time! We weren't even supposed to go to warp!" Keelah@crystyll: "We need to reach them first lieutenant. But maybe, if their field integrity is sufficient" Keliaya@anncarise: "That could work...maybe they could try to adjust the-" Keliaya@anncarise | The viewscreen feed abruptly cuts. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: hmm... I have a friend that told me he once heard of a way to bump warp fields so that you can leech energy off to gradually slow a ship instead of shocking it out.. but I've never done that.. Keelah@crystyll looks to Charlie Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods, then glances to Rumiho. "First time for everything. You can do it." She glances up at the view screen, still in the middle of running calculations. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 squints at her board, "I don't have a target for my course anymore.." Charlie@drcrippler checks if the fault was his end or their end Charlie@drcrippler: "They seem to have disappeared Captain," he observes astutely Keelah@crystyll: "Are you saying the ship is destroyed?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I got a pin in where they were.. will still head there to see if we can pick up the signal. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: My scope doesn't show them either, but I've a dead-reckoning course set in for the ship. Eunha@turtles#8407: "I can't sense them, they are likely dead." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ squints at the nav-charts. "Was there even an explosion or something...?" Charlie@drcrippler: "I am checking Captain," he does some scans Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Conirmed, apparent warp core breach at their location. Small." Charlie@drcrippler: ^ did some scans of the VF comms to make sure it wasn't them Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: at that rate of displacement the explosion might dump most of the energy into subspace I think... so we might not see the signs in real space? I don't really know if I got that right.. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: but debris should be dispersed right? Keelah@crystyll sits in the captain's chair. Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed. Bring us into visual range! Charlie@drcrippler sits back, content that the VF comms were not to blame Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 snaps the throttle control bar down as she slinks the ship out of warp, glancing selfishly at her exit window efficiency Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ notices Rumiho's glance. "That was a perfectly fine exit window, Cadet." She turns back to the nav charts. "Scanning wreckage and dispersal." Keliaya@anncarise FX | Visuals don't show anything for a moment, but the debris is likely too small to see without enhancing. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 mumbles, "I've done better.." Charlie@drcrippler enhances the scans Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Difficult to tell, but it appears the debris has been scattered in a radius around...half an AU. It's...Shuttle mist, for lack of a better term." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I guess it was quick at the very least... Keliaya@anncarise | The visuals pick up a few tiny pieces of debris. It's so dispersed it can only see one piece at a time when zoomed in. Charlie@drcrippler checks for any escape pods Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ slides the local nav charts over to Rumiho's side of the console, then brings up a long ranged chart. "Extrapolating course based on previous course and speed..." Charlie@drcrippler: "No escape pods, or lifeforms. They're dead Captain," Keliaya@anncarise: "You all heard them mention something about sabotage, right?" Keelah@crystyll: "Well, let's see if any of the mist is intact enough to yield more information at least" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 tracks some particles, "A lot of it is small, but it is moving fast.. we should make sure our deflector screens are tight.. some of these could puncture holes in the ship." Charlie@drcrippler tries to extrapolate the direction the ship came from Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "They came from the general direction of...NGC-37723. Close by, 9 minutes away at standard cruise." Keelah@crystyll: "Continue the search for the moment. If we are to be the bearers of bad news, I would like to know exactly what we are reporting on" Keelah@crystyll turns to Charlie, "What do we know about NGC-37723?" Charlie@drcrippler: "The system is a trinary star system, with a lot of orbital bodies on irregular orbits," Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods, then turns to Rumiho. "With a warp bubble disaster like this, we'll want to do SAR Pattern Gamma. Keeps us safe from any errant particles while covering the most ground." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: weird orbits are a mess for nav plots.. going to have to do trajectory changes on the fly.. Keliaya@anncarise looks to Rumi, "Think difficult piloting might've been what triggered this incident?" Charlie@drcrippler sends the system scans across to helm for them to use Keelah@crystyll continues with Charlie, "Any known populations or activity?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I don't see how that would have affecting warp systems really.. but I could be missing something? Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ swipes the scans from Charlie, putting it on her half of the console. "I doubt it's a piloting error. From the sounds of it, they had no control whatsoever." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm trying to determine what I can, but the debris is way too scattered to give any consistent information..." Charlie@drcrippler: "No populations in the system Captain. Nobody has tried to establish any sort of base here for fears of the eratic orbits. I recommend caution upon entry. We don't know where the gravitational hotspot Keelah@crystyll: "At this point Kelly, anything would be a start" Charlie@drcrippler: s are," Keliaya@anncarise: "There...are multiple signatures registering on long range sensors just outside that system..." Keliaya@anncarise: "From the looks of it, one larger vessel and more smaller crafts like the one that was just destroyed." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms. "Computer, Open Jane's Starships. Search for small craft, matter/anti-matter warp core, runabout to shuttle size." Charlie@drcrippler [Kazra] does something and tries to scan the system to plot the gravity areas for the helm Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ frowns. "Nothing. Expand to pleasurecraft, yachts and small freighters, with a max warp of...4.5." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well. Let us satisfy the search here first. We'll contact the lead ship once we are done and moving to their position" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra succeeds and helm gets a plot of the gravity areas! Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ shakes her head and closes Jane's. "No known match to any craft matching size and warp limitations." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'd say it was an unknown civilization we're dealing with, but we saw them and they were recognized species." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: probably low end local designs.. they don't get catalogued on major industry reports like that Keliaya@anncarise: "That's the most likely." Charlie@drcrippler attempts to check with the Intel catalogue Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods, then finishes the course adjustment calculations for transit to the system. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks down, "The debris search is done it seems. Keliaya@anncarise: "All I can find is that the composition of the wreckage matches the hull composition used in some Risian ship designs." Keliaya@anncarise: "But from what scans we got before it exploded, it isn't any Risian class we have on database." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ quirks an eyebrow. "Risa?" She does a quick search, to find out how far the ship is from Risa. Keelah@crystyll: "Very well. Adjust course to intercept the ships on the system's edge and open a channel" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blinks. "We're pretty close, considering, to Risa. And, wait. Wasn't one of the pilots a Risan?" Keliaya@anncarise: "She was, but apart from suggesting the ship might have Risian origins, it doesn't exactly tell us much..." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ shrugs. "More than we knew before." Charlie@drcrippler: "There was a Bolian on the ship too," Keliaya@anncarise: "Bolians are fairly widespread in the Beta Quadrant, and they certainly do visit Risa." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I'd say it was privately operated if I guessed Charlie@drcrippler: "The ship has accepted our hail. Patching them through," Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Most likely." She quiets as the hail is answered. Keliaya@anncarise | An opulent Ferengi lying back on an armchair appears on the viewscreen. Keelah@crystyll mentally eyerolls Keliaya@anncarise | Ferengi: "This is DaiMon Prictor. How may I help-" he leans forward, "Starfleet?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "This is neutral ground. And I haven't broken any Federation laws anyways! What do you want?" Charlie@drcrippler does a background check on the ship Keelah@crystyll: "Greetings Daimon. I am Captain Se'Lai on the Valley Forge. We were moving to assist a shuttle in distress. I believe you may be aware of it" Charlie@drcrippler fires the data he's got to Keelah Charlie@drcrippler: ((It's a heavily modified luxury liner, with weapons and defences. Known as a mobile casino, often hosts very disreputable but not illegal gatherings)) Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "The Suraya? Yeah, good ship. Went to warp in the middle of the race though, so it's disqualified. Tell 'em better luck next year." Charlie@drcrippler: "Race?" Eunha@turtles#8407 Frowns ever so slightly she can't read frenengi Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blinks, glancing up at the viewscreen. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 does a search and pulls up a digital flyer for a space race Keelah@crystyll: "I'm afraid that will not be possible. They did not survive the explosion which claimed the ship" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Yes, a race! I don't suppose you pointy-eared, fun-adverse people know what a race- wait, they're dead?" Keelah@crystyll purses her lips, "Yes. Furthermore, they testified to sabotage" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Aw, that's not good. The competition is...very fierce, you understand. We've had people sabotaging each other's ships before, or just trying other ways to cheat." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "But never any fatalities! Does that become murder now?" Keelah@crystyll: "We are obliged to follow up on what we know thus far in order to ascedetain just that. I trust - with your esteemed establishments reputation tied to this - that we can rely on your full cooperation? Keelah@crystyll: ..." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Everything we do here is peeerfectly legal, so I got nothing to hide. Plus, having people get killed in one of my races isn't good for business, so I suppose it's in our mutual benefit - Keliaya@anncarise: - to get to the bottom of this. Just try not to damage anything, okay? Or else your Starfleet's paying." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "We are not in the habit of breaking others' property, Daimon. But thank you for the advance clarifier. My team will beam over shortly" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Alright. Want me to gather the race participants for you?" Keelah@crystyll: "That would be most gracious of you, Daimon. Thank you" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "I'll call 'em to the main hall." Keliaya@anncarise | The DaiMon rises from his chair and the feed cuts. Keliaya@anncarise | T'Quila: "We've received transport coordinates, captain." Keelah@crystyll turns to Eunha, "Prep your team. I will continue reviewing comms log from here with Charlie. Maybe there's more detail in that which can still help" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ turns to the Captain. "Need any help with the analysis?" Keelah@crystyll: "I believe your expertise may prove useful" she nods Eunha@turtles#8407 Points to Murigen, Rumi and Kelly "A team." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 glances back, "Guess a quick trip is in order." Eunha@turtles#8407: "And if I spot someone on the way down too the transporter i'll pick them up." Eunha@turtles#8407 Goes to head off and then points at TQ "You're coming too." Keliaya@anncarise heads to the lift as well. Keliaya@anncarise FX | The team beams down in what looks like a casino lounge. Keliaya@anncarise: ((https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a8/71/90/a87190376b7cf77352ea58d560cec74f.jpg)) Eunha@turtles#8407: "On refelection I probably should've brought a little more muscel never can be too careful around ferengi." she says quietly to the group Keliaya@anncarise | DaiMon Prictor steps up, flanked by two Nausicaan bodyguards. Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Welcome to the Winds of Fortune. I've called all the race participants to this lounge." Keliaya@anncarise | He motions to one of the Nausicaans, who steps forward and hands everyone a datapad. Keliaya@anncarise: ((Datapad Contents: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pf1K-eoq-m0TO_lzxzE4GQa_r9KMa5UviHjGqI7fBGk/edit?usp=sharing)) Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ takes the datapad and reads it. Keelah@crystyll starts meticulously perusing the data on it Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "That's the race results. Has all the ships and their pilots on there." Eunha@turtles#8407: "Thank you." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: winning Pakleds? Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Could be anyone really, people bet on these ships and have a lot to lose. But all previous cases of sabotage we've caught were usually due to competition among them." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor smiles a sharp toothy grin, "These big fellas are more resourceful than they make you think." Keliaya@anncarise | The two massive Pakleds are not difficult to spot in the lounge and appear to be enjoying a drink at the bar. The rest of them are interspersed across the lounge. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmphs. "Well, at least we've got names to the dead." Keelah@crystyll: "It would be interesting to see what the odds were against each team in this race" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Well I'll tell you the Pakleds don't usually win. The Trills and Klingons were both pretty tight with the Suraya last time." Keelah@crystyll quirks a brow, "Indeed?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Yeah. But Son'a, Orions, Letheans...they're not usually known for honestly either." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ chuckles softly. "I'm shocked. Truly. I am." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 scratches her head Eunha@turtles#8407: "It's not a very honurable thing to do a klingon sabotuage someone." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances up at the Ferengi. "Are these races Impulse or Warp?" Keelah@crystyll keeps reading her datapad. moving on to the (presumably) icluded ship details Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Impulse. Warp is strictly prohibited." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blinks. "Well. That's..interesting. Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Point of the race is to navigate this system. Wouldn't take long if it was at warp." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: warp isn't good for racing Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: hard to change direction Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances back down at the datapad. "And the victims were going in excess of Warp 4." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "And they went way off the course too." Keelah@crystyll: "I believe they stated the warp speed as being the nature of the sabotage, alongside a claim that they had lost helm control" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hrmphs. "If you were gonna sabotage a race, I don't think I'd list 'put them at warp speed' somewhere near the bottom." Keliaya@anncarise: "But someone must've had quite a grudge. Putting them to warp for an instant would've disqualified them already." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "And what sort of requirements are there to enter a ship?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "It can't be too big, can't have more than two crew and it's got to be legal. So no illegally salvaged components or stolen vessels." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "If you meet these requirements you're good to fly. Most of our racers use custom-made or heavily modified ships though. Standard designs don't tend to stand a chance." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "It's as much of 'who can build a good ship' as 'who can fly it well.'" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms. "Right. So they can have warp engines, they just can't use them. Do you have records on the specifics of their ship?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "I've got our examinations of it. Should be linked on the datapad." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances down. "Ah yes, right. There it is." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Anything else you need to know?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ scratches her head. "I'm not well versed in civillian transports, but I assume it's relatively difficult to force a ship to go to warp without the pilots of the ship knowing until it's too late." Keliaya@anncarise: "With sufficient computer knowledge...they could hide the signs from the readouts until it's too late." Keliaya@anncarise: "That, or find a way to take control of the ship away from the pilots entirely, so even if they did realize, they wouldn't be able to do anything about it." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Right, but how good is the encryption? Were the command codes well encrypted?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "This is a racing ship. It's not meant for anything except racing. They're not military like Starfleet shuttles." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods, looking up at the Ferengi, "Sure, but why wouldn't they have an encryption protocol for their command codes? Especially to prevent something like this from happening?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Probably got some security to prevent things like this from happening, but it's not like a secure vault of latinum or something." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "A few of the racers might be able to crack it themselves, let alone encryption experts." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 glances at her handheld datapad, and looks to Eunha, "Permission to return sir, I'm likely not the best help here, but I can still help on ship." Keliaya@anncarise looks to Eunha as she's ranking officer on the team. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmm. "So it's probably not someone they trusted. Possible, but not likely." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "I'm not accusing them of anything, but Qurezmic and Maltavul are Letheans. They can read minds." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor taps his own forehead proudly, "Not mine, but Risians and Bolians aren't impervious." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ shrugs. "Right, but I presume the victims knew this as well." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Everyone knows Letheans can read minds, yeah." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: So they might have taken precautions. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Or, at least...Should have taken precautions." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Well, /someone/ here sabotaged them. They came in that ship, did a few test flights and it was fine. Didn't go boom until the race, and they haven't been elsewhere since they arrived." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Huh. Why off them during the race? I mean, I could probably jury rig a warp core 'accident' to occur during one of the test flights..." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Could've done a whole number of things. Could've spiked their drinks so they couldn't fly. Didn't need to /kill/ them. Beats me what they were thinking, but it's bad for business." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods at the Ferengi. "I definitely agree. Seems like an awful lot of trouble to go just kill your competition." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Exactly! It's never happened before!" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms, shaking her head. "This is gonna take some research, I think." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Anyways, feel free to go anywhere you need to on the ship. Gotta ask permission to board the racers' ships though. They're not my property." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Oh, and if you decide to use any of our amenities like replicators or the bar, the usual charge applies." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances up. "Are you sure about that?" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Fine. 50% discount, but only if you keep your investigation quiet and don't make too much of a noise." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "65%" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "60. But if I hear a single rumour of murder around the ship it's going to be 60% extra fees from that point on." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins. "Deal." She smiels, then turns to Eunha. "Uh. With your permission, sir." Eunha@turtles#8407: "By all means lieutenant." she smiles Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "I'll leave you to it, then. Just comm the bridge if you got any more questions." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blushes and nods, turning back to the Ferengi. "I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this." Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Please do. And remember, don't start a panic on my ship!" Keliaya@anncarise | He turns and sets off with his bodyguards. Keliaya@anncarise | Last time on Star Trek: Through the Valley… Keliaya@anncarise | Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 "Hmm... is anyone else seeing the nearby ship shaking apart at warp 4+?” Keliaya@anncarise | Keliaya@anncarise, "It's not equipped with a transponder, and the configuration doesn't match any known vessels..." Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "Adjust course. Rivett, see if you can raise them" Keliaya@anncarise | Bolian Pilot: "We can't deactivate the warp bubble; we've been sabotaged!" Keliaya@anncarise | Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 squints at her board, "I don't have a target for my course anymore..." Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "Are you saying the ship is destroyed?" Keliaya@anncarise | Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "It appears the debris has been scattered in a radius around...half an AU. It's...Shuttle mist, for lack of a better term." Keliaya@anncarise | Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "They came from the general direction of...NGC-37723. Close by, 9 minutes away at standard cruise." Keliaya@anncarise | Keliaya@anncarise: "There...are multiple signatures registering on long range sensors just outside that system..." Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "Very well. Adjust course to intercept the ships on the system's edge and open a channel" Keliaya@anncarise | Ferengi: "This is DaiMon Prictor. How may I help-" he leans forward, "Starfleet?" Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "I am Captain Se'Lai of the Valley Forge. We were moving to assist a shuttle in distress. I believe you may be aware of it" Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "The Suraya? Yeah, good ship. Went to warp in the middle of the race though, so it's disqualified. Tell 'em better luck next year." Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "I'm afraid that will not be possible. They did not survive the explosion which claimed the ship" Keliaya@anncarise | Keelah@crystyll: "We are obliged to follow up on what we know thus far.” Keliaya@anncarise | Prictor: "Everything we do here is peerfectly legal, so I got nothing to hide. Plus, having people get killed in one of my races isn't good for business, so I suppose it's in our mutual benefit.” Keliaya@anncarise | And now the conclusion… Keliaya@anncarise | The USS Opportunity arrives at the site of the FMS Winds of Fortune, a large luxury ship that essentially functions as a mobile casino. Keliaya@anncarise | The team stands in the lobby of what appears like a casino lounge ((Something like: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a8/71/90/a87190376b7cf77352ea58d560cec74f.jpg)) Keliaya@anncarise | The DaiMon has provided everyone with a list containing the race results, including the ships that participated and their pilots. Keliaya@anncarise: (( PADD Data: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pf1K-eoq-m0TO_lzxzE4GQa_r9KMa5UviHjGqI7fBGk/edit?usp=sharing )) Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 Captain Naln had arrived alone, prefering to keep his crew on standby for anything fishy. You could never be too sure with Ferengi, after all. He'd make his way through the Valley Forge to her -- Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 captain, offering her a deep, traditional bow. "Captain Se'Lai. I'm Captain Naln of the Opportunity. What's the situation?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl would've walked up to the officers nodding to the group. "Greetings, Commander Everett. I was assigned to the valley force and to the away team it seems. Can I get a brief of the situation?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 was no doubt briefed quickly by the captain, joining the away team as quickly as he could. It might help to have a commanding officer around, if for nothing else than show. Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 bows. Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, the situation's...complicated, to say the least. Quick rundown..." Jenni@crystyll: looksw to the new faces, "It is something of a mystery!" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ folds her arms behind her back, listening. Keliaya@anncarise: "We found a shuttle that flew at their warp limit and tore itself apart, turns out it was involved in a race hosted on board this Ferengi ship." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl can see the Commander's expression was less then pleasent. "Ferengi-... Great.." Keliaya@anncarise: "However, this race is sublight and they weren't supposed to go to warp. We managed to hail them, and they claimed they were sabotaged before they exploded." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 likewise took a moment to rub at his forehead, with an exasperated sigh. "My thoughts exactly." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ shrugs. "I kinda enjoy working with Ferengi, myself," she says to Edra. "You always know their motivations." Keliaya@anncarise: "The Ferengi's cooperating with us at the moment, but he says sabotage isn't uncommon in these kinds of races he holds." Keliaya@anncarise: "Just hasn't resulted in casualties before." Jenni@crystyll: "The other compitors are gathered in the next room to aid our inuiry" Keliaya@anncarise hands Edra and Josh the PADDs with competitor information on it. Keliaya@anncarise: "They're the most likely to be responsible at the moment. Directly or indirectly." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "What is the legality of these races? Best to know how much weight we hold here." he said, taking the PADD before quickly skimming the information. Jenni@crystyll: "Though it's assuming still if there was indeed sabotage, that they weree responsible and not someone gambling on the outcome" Keliaya@anncarise: "Completely legal. This system isn't Federation space, it's completely neutral territory, and so they don't need any special permits or anything." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Hmm.. Sabotage huh? Right, honestly given this is Fergengi we're dealing with and a race. I'd say try to follow the PD as best we can. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ smiles. "They seem to be perfectly legal. Or, well, not illegal, anyways." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 chuckled, scratching at the side of his head with a thoughtful expression. "Well, so much for going at this from a lawman's perspective. Guess we adjust our angle." Keliaya@anncarise: "At least, Silvestrie's run the DaiMon's ship through our database and he's got a clean record in the Federation at least." Jenni@crystyll: "He's currently motivavated by the fact that this incident could be bad for his business, and so we are 'doing him a favor' by independently investigating" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm not security, so questioning the suspects and navigating legal intricacies isn't my expertise. But I'll do what I can to analyze these racing shuttle records and supplement you with information." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl nods a few times shrugging. " favor? Typical Fergengi behavior.." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded to the Commander's explanation. "Understood. Should we divide and conquer, or stick together?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ eyes the Ferengi, but talks to Edra and Josh. "And we're very grateful for the assistance provided, aren't we?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh, apparently we still have to pay for the drinks though. Got a bit of a discount thanks to Lieutenant Finney's negitiating, but he's not going to give them away fro free." Keliaya@anncarise: "So...try not to indulge too much in the local luxuries while we're here." Jenni@crystyll shrugs, "Captain Keelah's words not mine. Most of these aliens are still all the same to me. I'm just here because I know small craft" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl looked at Jenni for a moment. "Engineering I'm guessing?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ folds her arms. "If I get to choose, I'd like to interview the various Ferengi and other gamblers involved." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "That's a good call too." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: greed. Keliaya@anncarise: "Let's go and see who there is to talk to." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: [agreed*) Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "After you, Commander." Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, pointing to the patch on her arm, "I'm a pilot actually on secondment to Starfleet" Jenni@crystyll: ((Jenni's patch: https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.enjin.com/161311/FEPD%20copy.png )) Keliaya@anncarise FX | The main lobby brims with activity. Some of the racers, such as the Pakleds and Klingons, are easily spotted for how much they stand out, while others may require some scanning to locate. Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Klingons.. Fantastic-.. Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Any bets on them saying we insulted their honor? Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances over to Josh. "And I thought *I* was racist..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 decided to make his way towards the Klingons, arms folded loose behind his back. Klingons were antagonistic, but they might respect Naln for his rank, if nothing else. "I guess we'll see, hm?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Let's not openly accuse them of sabotage..." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl nods following Captain Nain. Keliaya@anncarise | The two Klingon sisters spot the Federation group walking towards them and turn, both crossing their arms in identical fashion. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ follows Captian Nain as well. Jenni@crystyll tags along at the back for the moment Keliaya@anncarise | Ch’Athi: "Well well well. What have we here?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded to the pair in greeting, keeping his posture loose and relaxed. He seemed comfortable with dealing with Klingons, "I'm Captain Naln, here aiding the investigation. And you two are...?" Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "Don't usually see your types around this ship. But hey, if you want to wind down like the rest of us, who am I to judge?" Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "I am Milar. And this is my sister, Ch'Athi." Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "Investigation? Into what? This system's neutral ground." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods, matching the Klingon's posture. "One of the racers got ripped apart while at warp. Just thought we'd check around." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl rolls his eyes knowing that was going to be asked, but let's the Captain handle this of course. Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded to Muirgen's statement, "We wanted to know if you saw anything--or anyone--suspicious." Jenni@crystyll checks her PADD, looking at the specs of their ship and predicted finish position Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "If you ask me, got to be those Son'a. Never trust those planetless yIntagh." Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "Or the Pakleds. You think they got to first place honestly?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms. "This wasn't their first race, right? I can't remember if I asked that already or not..." Jenni@crystyll: "If these Son'a cheated they did not do it very well as they came behind you still" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl raised a eyebrow and asked. "The Pakleds..? If I may, they have a history of this?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 chuckled, canting his weight to one side as he sized up the sisters, "You'd be surprised. Pakled -try- to look unassuming." Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "The Pakleds? Nah, but they don't usually win. Usually come closer to last..." Jenni@crystyll: "huh..." Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "Well, we're some of the best pilots in Klingon space. No cheating Son'a is going to come above us!" Keliaya@anncarise: "And cheating Pakleds?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi looks to Edra, "Like he said. These big fellas are cleverer than they look." Jenni@crystyll starts looking for anything odd in the Pakled ship specs instead Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 quickly flicked his gaze to the PADD, a cheeky grin forming on his face. "So the Packled cheated, but how did the Trill manage to best you two, hm?" Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "Their copilot's one of those with the slugs inside. Got several lifetimes of experience. Doesn't count as cheating officially, but it sure ain't fair." Jenni@crystyll notes some discrepancies between the specs on file and scans taken from the VF Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "Didn't he fly with Starfleet in a past life? Think he did." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms, staring down at the PADD. "So. How good do you folks normally do?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl would study the PADD in deth this time around, also studying the engineering scans of the shuttle the peklads pilot'd. Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "Second, third or fourth is our usual. Suraya's usually too good to beat." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Troubling. It was the Suraya that was destroyed." Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "The Son'a beat them a few years back. When Ash was still in the seat. Haven't been doing so well since their ship got sabotaged though." Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "It was the Suraya? Curse these p'taQs! She was a good ship!" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: Did you have any disagreements with the Suraya? Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl looks at the group before excusing himself to check on something with the valley forge, tapping his comm badge. "One moment." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: ((pretend that's in quotes)) Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "No. We would love to beat them in the race, of course, but we respected them." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Good competition." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "It would be against Klingon honor to, winning in such a terrible way." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <c> Everett to the valley forge. Jenni@crystyll: <C: Keelah> Go ahead Commander Keliaya@anncarise | Ch'Athi: "Exactly. We would never stoop to such lengths for victory." Keliaya@anncarise FX | A humanoid female with no distinguishing racial features seem to be observing the Starfleet team from the bar area of the lounge... Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <C> Captain, can you lookinto Federation records for a race named the Peklads? It's relating to the investigation. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Are the Pakleds normally up near the top?" Keliaya@anncarise | Milar: "No. Very unusual." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 glanced around, checking to make sure none of the other teams had decided to scarper off while they investigated. Spotting the strange woman watching them, Naln started to approach, "Excuse me a > Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "And the Trill?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "moment. You can handle these two, right Lieutenant?" Jenni@crystyll: <C> The archives will be rather suibstantial there, Commander. Is there something specific you need? Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods at Edra. "I believe so, captain." Keliaya@anncarise | Milar laughs, "Ha! You bunch will never be able to handle us two. But lucky for you we're allies with the Federation now." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 turned back to the two sisters, giving his best jovial, suave captain smile as he continued towards the bar. "Oh I think you two would be surprised the women we can handle." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <C> Yes, I would like to know if they have a history of sabotaging races. From the account of two klingon sisters. It seems they may have a history of this.. Keliaya@anncarise FX | Edra is waylaid by a roughly dressed male with heavily wrinkled skin characteristic of the Son'a. Jenni@crystyll: <C> Acknowledged. Ensign Rivett will investigate and keep you apprised Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 allowed himself to be brought to a halt, giving the Son'a a rather nonplussed look. "Is something the matter?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <C> Ackiwledged Captain, Everett out. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms. "So the results of this race were...slightly abnormal, then?" Keliaya@anncarise | Gan’u: "You. Starfleet. What do you want?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl tapped his comm badge once he finished speaking to the Captain, returning to the group afterwards. Jenni@crystyll: "And I may know why" she shows Muirgen the data showing discrepancies in the Pakled ship specs Keliaya@anncarise glances to the others, "Pakleds are just across the room if you want to pay them a visit." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 let yet anothed smile creep back on his features, as it seemed to be his resting expression. He nodded to the bar, coyly near to the mystery woman, "Can't an officer buy a drink these days?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ looks over the data. "Oooh." Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "The bar is big." Keliaya@anncarise thumbs two large, stoutly built humanoids drinking around a table. Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl nods to Jenni and the Lieutenant. "I have the valley forge loking into the Pakled's history, the Ensign's going to keep me updated." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Is that spot taken?" Jenni@crystyll: "It looks clear that they cheated to win, though that would make their sabotaging the othe ship rather moot..." Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "Yes. It's mine." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ blinks. "Wait, the Suraya cheated?" Jenni@crystyll: "I mean, why sabotage one ship when you've already cheated to give your own an unfair advantage"] Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, "No, look. That's the Pakled's ship" Keliaya@anncarise glances to Jenni's results as well. Keliaya@anncarise: "Is that..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 folded his arms behind his back, grasping either wrist loosely, "And that means that the woman is your...?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl looks at Jenni dumbstruck. "So, that's clear evidence then, correct?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Ahh, right. Sorry, all those ships look the same." Jenni@crystyll: "Evidence they cheated. Not that they sabotaged the Suraya" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ snatches the PADD from Jenni. "Wait. This is wrong. Something's wrong here." Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "Ward." Jenni@crystyll: "Oh...?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Lieutnant? Keliaya@anncarise glances from the PADD to Muir, "You see it too?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded to what the Son'a had told him. He gestured to his ward, "Would you mind if I asked her a few questions about the race?" Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "You can ask me." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins slightly. "So, the Suraya had Fed tech on their ship, right? But that's fine, cause they bought it themselves. The rules clearly state no contestants can use illegally salvaged equipment." >> Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "It's fine, Gan'u." Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "We cannot trust these oathbreakers." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: >>She points at the relevant data on the screen. "But the Pakleds did. See? That's a Fed engine, I'm sure of it. Those harmonics practically *scream* 'I'm a fed ship!'" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "And the last time we went into open conflict with them we lost one of our greatest leaders." Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u: "I do not like this." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "I can handle him. It's just a talk. We're not making any deals." Jenni@crystyll: "Either way, what they're actually running and what's filed their specs are not the same, so they cheated. Nothing to say they sabotaged the Suraya still though" Jenni@crystyll: "Either way, what they're actually running and what's filed their specs are not the same, so they cheated. Nothing to say they sabotaged the Suraya still though" Keliaya@anncarise | Gan'u steps away begrudingly and stands on the other side of the woman. Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Like you said...cheating by boosting their own ship and sabotaging someone else's is quite a lot..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Doesn't mean they didn't do it, but..." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins. "Yes, but...I think we can use this to our advantage." She looks around for the Ferengi that brought them in, waving him over if she sees him. Keliaya@anncarise | The DaiMon is not here, but one of the Ferengi attendants step over to the group. Keliaya@anncarise | Attendant: "Is there something I can help you with?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Can you get the DaiMon over here? We've found something." Keliaya@anncarise | Attendant: "On comms, or physically?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Physically, if possible. Comms would be fine otherwise." Keliaya@anncarise | Attendant: "Comms would be faster. I can patch you through immediately." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ steps back to the wall, hoping no one else is around. She motions the others of the group to join her. Jenni@crystyll: "Is it wise to show our hand when still investigating the sabotage? Perhaps we should hold onto this for the moment while questioning the Pakled team?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ smiles at the attendant. "Thanks. We'll need to get in contact with him shortly." Jenni@crystyll follows Muir Keliaya@anncarise steps over to the wall as well. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ says, under her breath. "I'm just winging it here, but...We've got evidence the Pakled's cheated. I think we can use this to have the Pakleds confess to sabotage, if they did it." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Agreed, *He said, following Muir.* I should check in with the forge with what the Ensign found. Jenni@crystyll: "Then let's find and question them first. If the Ferengi organiser hits them for cherating they'll be on the defensive" Keliaya@anncarise: "Good thinking." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ hmms, nodding. "That's probably a better idea than what I had." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl taps his comm badge. Jenni@crystyll: "We can use what we know to... pursuade them to cooperate if needed" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Good thinking." Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <C> Everett to valley forge, Ensign. You have anything for me? Keliaya@anncarise peers at the other side of the lounge, "Looks like they're still around that table. Probably celebrating their victory..." Jenni@crystyll: <C: Charlie> Nothing decisive, Commander. Though we do classify the species with a cautionary flag in dealing with them as they have a history of deception Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances over to Josh on the comms. "Better or worse than spoo....uh, Cardassians?" Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Acknowledged Ensign, believe the Lieutenant besides me have a plan. We'll take that into account. Jenni@crystyll looks around for the Pakleds Keliaya@anncarise: "Well they're supposed to have very poorly developed communication skills, which they use to their advantage to trick people." Keliaya@anncarise | The massive Pakleds are not difficult to spot as they sit around a table drinking. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "Any common insults to watch out for?" Keliaya@anncarise: ((For visual reference: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Pakled)) Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: <C> Thanks for looking into the Pakled's, Everett out. Keliaya@anncarise: "I haven't encountered many before...spent even less time socializing with them." Jenni@crystyll: "Perhaps then, my genuine lack of knowledge here could be useful. Want me to take point?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Just...don't use any big words, I suppose." Keliaya@anncarise: "That might be a good idea," she nods to Jenni. Josh T. Ryker@jwp1fsl: Nothing in starfleet history for them cheating. Jenni@crystyll nods, unclipping her combadge and bounding over to the Pakled's Jenni@crystyll: "OHMYGOD OHMYGOD! You. Guyss. ROCK!" Keliaya@anncarise sticks behind and keeps an eye on Jenni and the Pakleds. Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ does the same with her combadge, and follows them as well, slightly behind Keli. Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Oathbreakers?" he paused, gesturing down to his badge. "If you mean the Federation, my planet has only been a part of it for a few years." Keliaya@anncarise | The Pakleds look up from their drinks. Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Thanks." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "We won. Winning is not easy." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "We work very hard." Jenni@crystyll: "I made soooo much on that last race! Your ship is just... epic!" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "My apologies, then. My people does not have a good view of the Federation. Bad history, you see." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "It is very good. We work very hard." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 smiled to the woman, seeming to all but ignore her burly bodyguard. He nodded his head to her in greeting, "Then allow me to assist in mending our relationships. Mind if I buy you a drink?" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "No thank you. You wear their uniform, so forgive me if I'm skeptical." Jenni@crystyll: "I bet! You know... I'm kinda saving to ener myself next season. Got a neat little sublighter all lined up now thanks to you!" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Understandable. My parents can't stand Starfleet either, honestly," he said with a light, airy chuckle. Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Why did you join?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "My people would have been destroyed if it wasn't for the Federation. I'm a Bajoran." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Really? That is very nice." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "But beating us will not be easy." Jenni@crystyll: "Right! I've been trying to learn from from the /best/. Like you guys!" Jenni@crystyll: "Oh, I don't hope to win though. Not to start at least. Need practice first,. Hard work, right!" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "The world we sought to make home /was/ taken away by Federation treachery." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "Yes. Work very hard." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "And make sure you have good ship." Jenni@crystyll: "See nowe, that's where I can't figure it..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 took a moment to study the woman, and her swarthy compatriot. "Son'a, and the business with Captain Picard, correct? I'm sorry things went the way they did, but the Captain had his reasons." Jenni@crystyll: "I looked at your ship and can't see how you got that speed from those engines..." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "We are very smart. And we work very hard." Jenni@crystyll: "Very lucky too, right" Jenni@crystyll: "Y'know, what with the hot favourites being disqualified and all" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Yes. Fortunately with the help of some friends, we've found ways around the limitations...inadvertantly forced on us by your captain." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins, stepping back behind the wall to contain a giggle. Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Doesn't make me any more comfortable knowing that in a few decades I'll end up looking like Gan'u. But what's done is done." Keliaya@anncarise smirks as well. Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 went to the bar, close enough to continue discussing matters with the woman, but respecting the distance her guardian was keeping between them. He'd order a Deka tea. "Do you mind if I change the- Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "subject, miss...?" Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Uh. Yes. Luck is always good." Jenni@crystyll sighs despondently, "See, I got /noooo/ luck" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "I'd prefer if you got to the point. Why are your people here and interrogating all the racers?" Jenni@crystyll: "That ship I said I got, see... it's kinda missing it's impulse reactor" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 kept his face completely straight and his voice remarkably dry. His usual bouncy tone and smile were gone. "Because two of your fellow racers were killed today." Jenni@crystyll: "Why I need to save winnings, right!" Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "Impulse reactors not hard to find. Many lying around." Jenni@crystyll: "Oh but this was no simple reactor!" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "And you want to figure out who did it." Jenni@crystyll: "A Federation issue overcharged GE mk-IIx!" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 took a long drink of his tea. It was steaming hot, but he seemed to not register the heat. "Correct. We've reason to suspect that they were sabotaged. They went to warp, couldn't drop the field." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "Not cheap. But maybe find some in Alpha Quadrant." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Lot lying around after Federation ships go boom in fights." Jenni@crystyll: "Hence the savings!" she laughs, "Worth it though; 0-100k kph in 1.3secs!" Jenni@crystyll: "Which... huh, that's exactly what you got from an Exi mk.I which is capped at 75 on spec..." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Sounds like a software hack. Manual overloading can be overridden, or worst-case scenario have the core ejected. Software locks you out completely." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Computers aren't my specialty, nor Gan'u's." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "You want one of my other sisters for that." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Interesting. I've worked in ECM before, you know. Would your sister mind if we talked tech?" Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "That is true." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "She's not here. Our father sent me here to represent our people." Jenni@crystyll: "That is a lie. You have my engine!" she slams PADD on the table showing comparative scans Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Was part of your father's deal to keep an eye on any Federation officers? Or was that personal?" Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "We...do? We find engine, we take engine." Jenni@crystyll: "And you upgrade ship but noy specs so you cheat race!" Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "I wasn't expecting Federation officers here. But given what happened the last time my people worked with the Federation, it's only natural I treat you with suspicion." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Don't tell me you'd ignore it if a group of Cardassians walked in right now." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "We want to win." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded, setting aside the tea he'd been nursing, if only to keep up the appearance. "If that were the case, I'd be doing anything I could to make them leave. You can have us out of here quickly... Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "We win already. You can have engine. Just don't tell Prictor." Jenni@crystyll: "I'm sure the Daimon will understand that too..." she backs away like preparing to leave] Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "You just need to be willing to answer a few questions." Jenni@crystyll stops Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "Don't tell Prictor. You can have whole ship." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Let's get this over with then." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Were you familiar with the Suraya or her crew? Did they make any enemies?" Jenni@crystyll: "Better deal; tell me what happened to the Suraya, and I pretend I never found this" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ mutters to Keliaya. "That was better than my plan..." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Not that I know of. They were both likable people. But when it comes to races like this, there are many oathbreakers." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 made a motion with flickering eyes, as if to point towards the Klingon sisters, "Some were quick to put your team at the top of the suspect list." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "Sedentary peoples often have a mistrust of nomadic populations such as my own. They think we're not to be trusted because we can take things and run." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "But I come from an honest group. And my father is an honest Son'a." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "We didn't take from Suraya. We don't steal from other race ships. Too obvious." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Hm. But you did mention the software lockout. Anyone here that has a background in computers? Racers don't seem the... most thoughtful types." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "I see Suraya going to warp. Suraya tried to cheat race too." Jenni@crystyll: "No, you are far too smart for that. Smart enough even to sabotage their ship so eliminate your closest competion too I'd wager..." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "The Trill. Tonas Zan. He was a programmer in a past life." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "And what can you tell me of the Pakled? They were also high up on the Klingons' list." Keliaya@anncarise | Woman: "They're slimes, but they're too stupid to work with intricate code." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Interesting," he paused, reaching out to take his tea back into one gloved hand, bowing his head to the woman, "Thank you for your help. Prophets guide you." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "We already win with fast ship. We don't touch other ships." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "But I see person at Suraya night before race. Small person. Not Pakled. Not Klingon." Jenni@crystyll leans in, "Go on..." Keliaya@anncarise | The woman nods back and turns to the other Son'a. Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Didn't see who. Just small." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 offered the other Son'a a bow as well, before he made his way back to the other two unoccupied officers. He pretended to be talking sports, or something, smiling. "I learned something recently." Keliaya@anncarise | Dihkupgal: "Definitely not Pakled. We don't touch other ships." Jenni@crystyll: "How do you know it wasn't just one of their team?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Where are the Trill racers?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Trill...going to have to scan for them...look too similar to other humanoids." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ shrugs, shaking her head. "Not sure, haven't seen them." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded, already drawing his tricorder and setting the sensor to scan for Trill symbiotic lifesigns, in particular. "Keep an eye on the Son'a, just in case. They can be prickly." Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Team was on other side of bay." Keliaya@anncarise nods. Keliaya@anncarise FX | Scans detect the Trill sitting at one of the tables as well. Jenni@crystyll: "So what did this small person look like? Small like me, or bigger like a male?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 made sure to hide the tricorder before continuing into the lounge. Having worked with Trill on the Opportunity and the Sasau, he quickly picked out the notable skin markings, approaching. Keliaya@anncarise | Koglonig: "Small like you. But not the two females on team." Keliaya@anncarise FX | A Trill male and a Trill female sit around the table, eating a meal and chatting quietly. Jenni@crystyll smiles, pocketing the PADD, "Thank you. Good luck in future races" she rejoins the others Keliaya@anncarise | The male spots Edra approaching and stands. Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "Hello there, captain. What brings Starfleet to this establishment?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ keeps an eye on the Son'a, wathing their movements. Jenni@crystyll: "I take it you heard all of that?" she asks clipping her delta back Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 smiles politely, gesturing to an empty seat next to the two, "The Valley Forge had some minor engine problems. My crew are assisting, but while they do that, why not relax, hm?" Keliaya@anncarise glances to Jenni, "That we did. The Opportunity's captain has gone to investigate the two Trill." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "I did. Nice work!" Keliaya@anncarise: "The Trill woman, Mara Jor, is one of those that fit the Pakled's description. As does the woman by the bar." Jenni@crystyll: "Thanks!" she beams, "Trill? That's the team who came second right" Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas smiles, "We're glad to have you here, then. Would you like to join us?" Keliaya@anncarise nods. "They are." Jenni@crystyll: "So would have won if not for the Pakled's cheating" Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Tonas, I thought it was dinner for just us? After coming in second?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ: "So they're probably annoyed with the Pakled. When's the next race?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 took the seat, setting his tea on the table, "Ah, thank you. I hope I'm not imposing," he said, "Oh, second? Congratuations!" Keliaya@anncarise: "That's true...which gives them more than enough motive to sabotage the Suraya..." Jenni@crystyll: "Probably longer away than we can spare to wait" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 sits in a Lounge chair. Jenni@crystyll: "Does the Captain have further reason to suspect this Trill?" Keliaya@anncarise Tonas: "Thank you! And Mara, it's been a while since I've spoken with anyone from Starfleet." Keliaya@anncarise: "He didn't specify, but he did say he learned something, so he must have a reason..." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara sighs, "If you insist. Is he an old collegue?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "A while? Have you worked with Starfleet before, Tonas--was it?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grins. "So his conversation should turn out very interesting..." Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas smiles: "Yes, that's me. Zan, the symbiont, flew with Starfleet back during the Dominion War. That was two hosts ago, of course, but the sense of brotherhood and purpose never truly - Jenni@crystyll: "Motive, means and eye witness. It does look favourable that we have identified the responsible party if his evidence pans out then" Keliaya@anncarise - leaves you, does it?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Should we lend the captain a hand, or not scare the Trill by approaching with too many people at once?" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 was good at showing enthusiasm for things, if nothing else. He leaned forward, hands on his knees like an expectant child waiting on a story, "Really? Well, my thanks for your past service, on -- Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "behalf of all of Bajor. What was your post, if you mind me asking?" Jenni@crystyll: "I'd say not approach unless requested, but that's just me" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ nods. "Wasn't really planning on it." Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "Fifth fleet, Peregrine fighter attached to the USS Venture." Jenni@crystyll moves to lean casually against the opposite wall just to have line of sight in case thet are needed Jenni@crystyll: "Then it's up to the Captain now" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nodded, "Explains why you turned to racing, then. Fighter experience would come in handy. And how did you two meet?" he asked, eyes glancing towards the woman. Keliaya@anncarise | The male Trill is not particularly tall, but not small either. The female definitely fits the Pakled's profile though... Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "Back on Trill. We met when we were doing the tests for Joining. She didn't pass unfortunately, but we got to know each other and grew close." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Just two points away. Can you believe it? I was /that/ close." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "Seems like a bit of a leap though, going from Trill to flying ships in Ferengi races. What made you decide to make the switch?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ glances over to Jenni, mouthing "Motive..." to her. Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "We both liked flying. Well...Tonas suddenly developed a love for it after joining," she chuckles. Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "We had friends, and they introduced us to this race." Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "I could go back to Starfleet, but I'm a new person and I'd need to go through all the training and everything again..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 chuckled at the little joining quip. "Always good to do something you love, though. Are you his copilot? Engineer?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ mimes picking something off of her shoulder, looking at it, and eating it. Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "Plus, we usually like to mix things up with our different hosts, anyways." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Oh, he's the copilot, usually. He's got a lot of experience with the technical side of things." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Me, I just leech off him for that, and he can't manage systems if all his effort goes into flying." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Can you believe the two Pakleds beat us though? Out of everyone...the /Pakleds/." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "I know, right? Who'd have thought..." he trailed off before he switched the subject, inching closer to his goal. "I heard there was trouble with another ship, though. The Suraya?" Jenni@crystyll nods discretely in response Keliaya@anncarise | Mara glances to her plate, then back to Tonas. Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "The Risian ship? I thought I saw it warp on sensors..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "It did, apparently. One of the Ferengi was complaining about all the latinum they lost in them when the Suraya tore itself to pieces mid-warp." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara gasps, "They...were destroyed?" Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "That's terrible. I've heard of sabotage but never murder..." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 nods, a somber look crossing his features. "They couldn't drop the warp field, and racing ships don't have the SIF fields to sustain high warp." Keliaya@anncarise | Mara: "Oh no..." Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "They were good racers. And good people..." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ grimaces, turning around in frustration. She mouths, "Betazed! Need Betazed!" to Jenni. Jenni@crystyll reads Mara's face like a picture and smirks lightly, "No need..." she mouths back Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "It's strange, too. I served aboard the Sasau, when the Iconians destroyed her. We were attacked mid-warp, but even when the warp core overloaded, we were still able to manually override it." Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ quirks an eyebrow, but continues to listen. Keliaya@anncarise | Tonas: "Must be a viral attack. Sabotage from the computer systems. Is the computer core intact? Zan has experience with coding and I can take a look for you." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 frowned, shaking his head. "What's left of the Suraya and her crew are... little more than dust." Jenni@crystyll | Mara: "No that's not right, it shouldn't..." she trails off, gaze drifting to Tonas Jenni@crystyll | Tonas stares back, "Mara... what did you do...?" Muirgen@BobSagetYYZ leans against the pillar opposite Jenni, carefully listening in. Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 set aside his tea. He stood up, straight, as imposing as he could manage, with one hand resting close to his phaser pouch, "Yes, I think we both would like to know." Jenni@crystyll | Mara clasps a hand to her mouth clearly in shock as she stands and turns away in shame from Tonas' gaze Jenni@crystyll | Mara: "Nobody was supposed to get hurt..." she looks back to Tonas, "I just wanted a win. For us... for you" Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "So you attempted to copy Tonas's work to force them to warp, disqualifying them. But you don't have his technical accumen..." Jenni@crystyll | Mara nods ashamedly, head hanging low Jenni@crystyll | Tonas sighs, "Mara..." shaking his head Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 glances between the pair. He frowns, a part of his own heart breaking at the whole tragedy. He hid it behind a professional air, stepping towards Mara, "You'll have to come with me, Mara." Jenni@crystyll | Mara nods and slinks over to the Captain's side Edra Naln@TheNewHero117 clicks his combadge, "Opportunity, two to beam to the Valley Forge. Transport us directly to the brig." Edra Naln@TheNewHero117: "I'm... sorry, Tonas." Jenni@crystyll looks to Muigen, "I believe now would be a good time to call in that contact with the Ferengi organizer" Jenni@crystyll FX | Edra and Mara disappear in a field of sparkles
View AAR
SUBMITTED: Stardate 95049.5 FILED BY: CAPT K Se'Lai SECURITY: Level 1 - Open
LOCATION: NGC-37723
MISSION: Investigate destruction of independent small craft under claims of sabotage.
OUTCOME: Saboteur apprehended and transferred to local authority.
KEY PERSONNEL:
CAPT Naln (USS Opportunity) CAPT Se'Lai CMDR Ryker LCDR Keliaya LCDR Eunbi FLT Baelai LTJG Finney ENS Rivett CDT Mitsuki
NARRATIVE: During our scheduled sector patrol, sensors detected a ship travelling nearby with anomalous readings showing a degrading instability in their warp field. Moving to intercept we were too distant to reach them before their field would collapse and so opened communications to warn them. The occupants were understandably aware but appeared unable to control the reaction. They stated that they had lost all engine and navigation control, citing sabotage shortly before the field collapsed.
We continued to their last known coordinates and found the ship's debris to be scattered over a large area consistent with what we witnessed. Further scans allowed us to trace their warp trail back to the nearby star system; NGC-37723, where long range sensors detected multiple vessels holding on the system's edge. Concluding all we could from the wreckage we moved to investigate the congregation of vessels, and made contact with the lead ship upon arrival to be greeted by a Daimon Prictor who proceeded to explain that his independent gambling house was hosting a regular sublight race event; to which we quickly confirmed the destroyed ship belonged to. Following a brief explanation of events, the Daimon was perfectly accommodating to our investigation; recognizing that the grave implications could be bad for business if unresolved, and so a small team was dispatched to the casino ship in order to conduct a more thorough investigation.
Upon arrival, our team was promptly joined by Captain Naln as the Opportunity arrived on scene shortly behind us, and they were presented with race and competitor information from the Daimon. The investigation ensued and ultimately found that a member of the Trill team - Mara - was indeed responsible for the sabotage owing to stiff competition from the destroyed ship's team. This was backed up with witness accounts attained from the Pakled team and further testimony from the Son'a; culminating in a confession of action though not intent as the stated goal was to only disqualify them from the competition, not destroy the ship or kill the team. The reason for the end result was later verified as an error of inexperience with coding of the programme override used to trigger the destroyed ship's warp drive.
RECOMMENDATION: The responsible saboteur has been taken into custody and transferred to the local authorities. Daimon Prictor expressed his sincere gratitude for the assistance rendered through the offer to provide marginally discounted passes to the next race event, which were politely declined. Given that our investigation also revealed evidence of cheating, I encouraged the Daimon to review his pre-race safety checks; that further incidents may be avoided. A final note of commendation in particular for Captain Naln and Flight Lieutenant Baelai; both demonstrating exceptional skill in handling a potentially delicate criminal investigation whilst maintaining the highest of Starfleet standards in their conduct.
ATTACHMENT: