“We’re being hailed by the Hohenzollern,” Trid announced from Ops.

“Put the Viscount on,” Sidda ordered, slipping into her game face. Made a lot easier by knowing Revin was aboard the Hysperian ship right now.

Republic was hanging in space, facing down the captured Darkblade, still pretending to be a Syndicate vessel, and the Hohenzollern. The soup of the proto-planetary disc rendered their shields completely useless, strained as they were with just protecting the ship from the elements.

The warm orange and pinks of the swirling maelstrom on the viewscreen immediately disappeared, replaced by the command deck of the Hohenzollern, for calling it a bridge did the massive space a disservice. Sidda had been expecting Viscount Crashanburn or Knight-Captain Calvacanti to be centre screen, ready to deliver terms and conditions, to be setting the table for the action part of Mac’s grand plan.

She was certainly not ready for MacIntyre himself to be sitting on the command throne, With Revin at his side. Revin, who was smiling widely as she offered a slight wave as the channel cleared up and both bridges came into view of one another.

Before she could even speak to ask questions, the woman to her right, occupying her normal seat, blurted out what she was about to say. “You’re okay!” Blake exclaimed. “What happened? What’s going on?”

“Small change of plan,” Mac answered. “Perfect opportunity came along to just jump the Viscount and his senior crew and court, so we did.”

“But the plan,” Sidda started, then stopped as Revin waved again. “Small change. Right.”

“Turns out my security chief can read lips and I hadn’t even considered that one of my crew has artificial eyes and apparently as apt at knife fighting.”

“You learn quickly in a kitchen full of Klingons.” Revin was so pleased with herself, having been instrumental in some capacity.

She’d be absolutely unbearable for days, if not weeks. Absolutely, adorably unbearable.

“Do we need to get a prize crew aboard?” Sidda asked. “The brig is already kind of full and we don’t stand a chance of holding their crew aboard Republic.”

“Won’t be necessary,” Mac answered. “Knight-Captain Calvacanti has given us his sword and his word that he’ll be returning Hohenzollern to Hysperia once we have safely recovered the Daystrom cloak. We’re taking the Viscount with us, however.”

At that another figure stepped into frame, the Knight-Captain himself, disarmed, but still carrying himself as he had the few times she’d seen him. “It is true Commander. I was merely upholding my oaths to the Viscount and will accept any punishment the Crown decides to hand out to me. But on this day Starfleet has bested me and my crew. We will offer no resistance and depart when Captain MacIntyre grants us our parole.”

“So, we’re all good, then?” Sidda asked.

“Engineers say they need about twenty more minutes to disconnect the cloaking device, then we’ll be good to go.”

Captain’s Log, Stardate 78955.8

Republic is returning to Kyban, having successfully investigated and resolved the matter of the new Last Pirate King in the region. Hopefully, this time, the title sticks and no one needs to chase after a pirate king in these parts again. Viscount Crashanburn of Hysperia had co-opted the title to build a pirate organization he was planning to use to help seize Hysperia in what I can only consider a foolhardy endeavour.

In the process, we have recovered two pieces of previously lost Daystrom Institute technology. I want it noted on the record that I protest the existence of the phase cloaking device we recovered most strenuously. This device should be, in my opinion, destroyed as per the terms of the Treaty of Algeron.

We have also recovered a rogue Genesis Device. Again, I protest the existence of the device. No one should have such destructive power at their hands, as evidenced by the likes of Nick Locarno.

With this matter resolved, we have been advised a special courier will meet us to take custody of the two devices we currently possess. I look forward to having them off my ship.

On a more positive note, I have decided to grant the crew extended leave once we arrive at Kyban. I think we could all do with some time off to relax.