Trouble

[crais]

I have been on the lookout for enemy vessals ever since our journey began. It had not occured to me that Centauri would find a less direct way to strike, although given what I have been told of their ways I should not be surprised. One of the main engines blowing out while in hyperspace could not be a coincidence

Comments

[xena_princess]

*comes into the flight deck, her expression grim*

I've sent Gabrielle down to our cabin, Captain. I don't like this at all. Is there anything you want me to do, other than find the saboteur?

Re:

[crais]

I've sent Gabrielle down to our cabin, Captain. I don't like this at all. Is there anything you want me to do, other than find the saboteur?

Not unless you know something about fixing engines, which seems doubtful. Looking at the ship's schematics, I think it most likely that the saboteur is hiding in the ventilation ducts. comradecally sensibly pointed out that he (or she - this human language lacks gender neutral pronouns) may have a supply of food and water, if he did poison ours.

Speaking of which, I have done as londo_mollari suggested, and sampled the water with no apparent ill effects. Hopefully this is an indication that it's now safe to drink, rather than a quirk of Sebacean physiology.

When you find our intruder, don't kill him. I will force him give us any useful information he has before he is dealt with.

Re:

[xena_princess]

*smiles grimly* Believe me, Captain, I won't be killing him....until we're finished. I believe I could probably teach you a trick or two about making people very eager to speak. Do you have one of those....what did the Ambassador call them....comlink devices? I can keep you posted as I work through the ship.

Re:

[crais]

Believe me, Captain, I won't be killing him....until we're finished. I believe I could probably teach you a trick or two about making people very eager to speak.

Perhaps we should exchange techniques.

Do you have one of those....what did the Ambassador call them....comlink devices? I can keep you posted as I work through the ship.

That seems wise.

comradecally has suggested that he might try to attack another target - another engine, perhaps the main computer - should I finish repairing this one. It is something to bear in mind if we are to lure him into the open.

Be careful what you say on the comms - I think he may have had at least some access codes for the ship, so they may not be secure.

Great Maker!

[londo_mollari]

These news are very disturbing, Captain. I can't talk about this on an open channel, but given that I received another worrying communication today, I decided to take certain steps.

I also alerted a friend of mine,

Re: Great Maker!

[crais]

I also alerted a friend of mine, whose crew boasts of some expertise (technological and other) in these kind of situations, so you might at least get some advice.

I think the engine repairs have gone well so far -although I won't know until I switch it back on. I have considerable experience with conducting repairs under pressure myself.

Regretfully, I have to say "most", not all; the local guilds here pride themselves on inventing new ones every month or so. Your antidote dates from two months ago.

I've used the antidote as you suggested, and the water I drank has not killed me yet. I hope that this is not merely due to the nature of the poison, or my Sebacean physiology.

Re: Great Maker!

[comradecally]

If I might make another suggestion, Captain Crais, guard your systems well, but let at least one system appear vulnerable. I would expect a second sabotage attempt as soon as it becomes obvious the repairs are nearing completion, and it's to your advantage to let the saboteur feel safe enough to try, provided they are not actually so safe they succeed.

an update

[londo_mollari]

It appears that Vila is in the company of an old aquaintance of yours. A very excitable fellow, but perhaps you can establish a communication, since the two of you know each other.

Re: an update

[crais]

It appears that Vila is in the company of an old aquaintance of yours. A very excitable fellow, but perhaps you can establish a communication, since the two of you know each other.

The last time I was in trouble in Stark's vicinity, his solution involved putting me in handcuffs. This was only moderately infuriating until the pulse fire started.

Still, if he has tech in his company, I will accept any help i can get.

Re: an update

[londo_mollari]

Handcuffs? While people were firing at you? *raises eyebrow* And here I thought G'kar was irrational when we were trapped in a lift together...

Working with one's enemies, former or present, can be a necessity of life, Captain. Being somewhat limited in my abilities to help right now, I can only with you the best of luck with this one.

Re: an update

[crais]

Handcuffs? While people were firing at you? *raises eyebrow* And here I thought G'kar was irrational when we were trapped in a lift together...

Stark is not known for his rationality.

Working with one's enemies, former or present, can be a necessity of life, Captain. Being somewhat limited in my abilities to help right now, I can only with you the best of luck with this one.

I have never trusted to luck, as all of mine seems to be bad. But thank you.

[banik]

Hello! londo_mollari said you needed help! What do you need?

[comradecally]

Forgive me for interrupting. I've been observing some of the discussion. It occurs to me that poison is very unlikely to be a problem facing your ship, Captain Crais. From your description, your ship is isolated in hyperspace, making an escape near impossible for your saboteur. Therefore, if the food or water supply has been tampered with, you can conclude that your saboteur is either suicidal, which is rarely the case, but would make things difficult for you if true, or has a private supply, which could allow you to trace the problem and the saboteur. You know your enemy better than I, but if you are concerned about poison, you do not believe a mere delay of your ship and passengers is sufficient for them. Logically, then, attack is almost certain. I suggest you concentrate on the defense of your ship, perhaps even taking a higher priority than repairs.

I also suggest that you make your saboteur... nervous.

[banik]

[grins] She's very smart!

[crais]

You know your enemy better than I, but if you are concerned about poison, you do not believe a mere delay of your ship and passengers is sufficient for them. Logically, then, attack is almost certain. I suggest you concentrate on the defense of your ship, perhaps even taking a higher priority than repairs.

I have the sensors set in such a way that they should alert me to any approach, and the engine repairs are almost complete.

Something tells me that this has been far too easy.

I also suggest that you make your saboteur... nervous.

xena_princess is currently pursuing him. From what I have heard of her exploits, that would make most people nervous.

If I might make another suggestion, Captain Crais, guard your systems well, but let at least one system appear vulnerable. I would expect a second sabotage attempt as soon as it becomes obvious the repairs are nearing completion, and it's to your advantage to let the saboteur feel safe enough to try, provided they are not actually so safe they succeed.An excellent suggestion. You clearly have

[vila_restal]

Hello, Captain Crais. Not sure how much help I'll be; I'm good at fixing things, but I usually do it in person. Do you have any good technicians on board? And a forcefield in case you have to work on any parts exposed to vacuum? Means you don't have to lumber around in a spacesuit with huge gauntlets that make it hard to pick up delicate little tools.

[crais]

Communications have been difficult of late, as I've been concentrating on engine repair, but I have made note of your advice.

Not sure how much help I'll be; I'm good at fixing things, but I usually do it in person. Do you have any good technicians on board?

I was not trained as a tech, but I have considerable experience in repairing ships. The technology of the last vessal I travelled aboard was vastly different from this, unfortunately.

And a forcefield in case you have to work on any parts exposed to vacuum? Means you don't have to lumber around in a spacesuit with huge gauntlets that make it hard to pick up delicate little tools.The sabotage was committed internally, so hopefully that will not prove necessary. I have never seen such technology, although I have heard rumours of its existance, and I'm not sure the Centauri have it either

[vila_restal]

No no no, don't do that! If you put a comms monitor near the panel so I can see it, I can talk you through it. This is what I specialise in.

You'll need a small laser probe, a cutter, and a circuit detector, plus of course you'll have to get the panel open.

[crais]

If you put a comms monitor near the panel so I can see it, I can talk you through it. This is what I specialise in.

I would ask what Stark is doing with a woman who knows so much about sabotage and a man who specialises in opening things that are locked, but then, he is technically an escaped criminal himself. As am I, for that matter.

You'll need a small laser probe, a cutter, and a circuit detector, plus of course you'll have to get the panel open.

I've managed to gather the necessary tools, although I'm not sure the laser is fine enough to do the job with any finesse.

Can you see the panel from there?