The Phantom's Lair

Posted on Sunday, 28 June 2020 - 3:28pm by Captain Barret Stillwater & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Location: D'Kora class Marauder

{ON}

By the time T’Lanna had been transferred to the pirate ship she was fully awake from the small dose of sedative she’d been given during her capture. She had been unceremoniously pushed into a holding cell and left alone, no doubt so the pirates could make good their escape before gloating over the treasures they’d gained. She stood looking around the small cell, it wasn’t up to federation standard but it was clean enough. She sat down on the hard bed mulling over in her head what was likely to happen next.

A gangly haired Nausicaan walked into the room and was armed with a Ferengi disruptor. She had softer features for a Nausicaan, but still had the tusks. She was as groomed and well kept as as Klingon and proceeded to tap away at a panel that soon lowered the force field. "You are coming with me to the Bridge" she said gesturing with her disruptor for T'Lanna to come out.

"The boss wants to examine his Borg merchandise before we harvest it from you" she said with a grunt. "One last look before your parts get brought to Bjayzl for appraisal."

T’Lanna put up no fight as she walked out of the cell. “Does your boss kill children?” She looked at the other woman. “It’s not just me in this body, I’m pregnant.”

It was not as though she cared all that much, but Gaenor reached out to feel the woman's gut. "Your do not look all that pregnant. Must be recent? If so, I doubt there would be much care. The Doctor will remove your implants and anything of use, the rest will be discarded" she stated as she walked with the woman. "We took your phaser and communications badge" said the Nausicaan. "I'm surprised the Federation still allowed your kind to roam around, Starfleet officer?"

T’Lanna recoiled at the woman’s touch “I’m Attaché to the Vulcan Ambassador” T’Lanna lied, “The Federation aren’t willing to risk a diplomatic incident with Vulcan so they let me serve.”

"Your friends were certainly well trained and armed" she said with a scoff. She was not necessarily buying the story though it was plausible. "I used to serve in the Klingon Defense Force. That was some impressive skills they had in a shoot out. Shame that they could not protect the attaché" added Geanor as she nudged the woman into a turbolift. "Bridge," she called out. "I am just responsible for transporting the merchandise, but I suspect you are worth a lot even if it is just for your parts."

“Lucky me!” T’Lanna stood silent trying to keep an air of Vulcan calm about her. She was glad she still had the emergency transceiver and the emergency transport device Soral had given her.

"Lucky indeed" replied the Nausicaan. The lift came to a stop and the doors opened up out onto a D'Kora class Bridge with some modifications. It was more militant looking than a normal Ferengi vessel of the class. A Ferengi male sat in the command chair. Various stations were crewed by Nausicaan and Breen, with an occasional Ferengi. The two women walked over to the Ferengi in the command seat.

He turned his seat around and glared at Vali. "It was Vulcan," he said cocking his head and pursing his lips. "I would have preferred something nicer, but oh well. Beggers cannot be choosers. I am sure she will bring us some profit. Her parts alone must be worth a few dozen bars of latinum for the right buyer."

T’Lanna raised her eyebrows in typical Vulcan fashion. “Is that all? Am I not worth more than just a few dozen bars of Latinum? I’m not just Vulcan I’m half Betazoid, I could come in useful when you’re dealing with transactions. Your own little lie detector.” She gazed around the bridge. “I also possess some of the prior knowledge I had when I was Borg, just think what use that could be to you.” She was stalling for time but whether it would work was anyone’s guess.

The Ferengi flared his nostrils. "In a decade or so ago my dear, that would have been a bargain worth haggling over," he said shaking his head. "The Romulans have the 'artifact' and information from the Borg can be acquired with latinum or other means" he added.

One of the Nausican's interrupted the conversation. "Federation starship is gaining on us!"

A groan came from the Ferengi who looked at the Borg. "Nasty fee-male. Your master apparently is not giving you up easily" he commented "Increase speed!" he barked to someone on his crew.

"We're going as fast as we can. We must make a run for the Briar Patch. That Federation vessel is small, nothing more than a heavily armed patrol ship. We can survive the patch. They cannot. We will hold out there until reinforcements arrive, and then we can attack the Federation vessel and add it to our collection" another greedy Ferengi said.

"Proceed to the Briar Patch then!" shouted the Ferengi Commander.

T’Lanna could only stand and watch in hopes that the Standing Bear would catch up before they got to the briar patch.

Only a few minutes since the last report and the command to head to the patch did another report come his way. "The Federation vessel is gaining! They are overtaking us!" shouted the Nausicaan. Tusks were flaring at the Merian class starship that appeared on the viewscreen practically on the aft the D'Kora class Marauder. "They are charging weapons" announced the Nausicaan who already had shields raised.

The D'Kora vessel shook violently. Several close range phaser blasts critically wounded the marauder. "Shields down to 20%" and then another series of blasts. "Shields are buckling!"

Remembering her emergency transponder T’Lanna craftily removed it from herself and reached across to the Ferengi Captain. She was close enough to be able to get it on him, that done she quickly activated it and waited for the Standing Bear to pick up the signal.

{OFF:}