Chapter IIa: Absolute Disaster

Laser Feeling: Looking at Darcy, you catch her eyes move over to you for a second and narrow slightly. She obviously still doesnt like you, but knowing her, she won't endanger the mission just to spite you. If she finds a way to undermine your authority without endangering any lives, however, she would most likely take it.
You don't see any reason to suspect more nefarious reasons for her behavior.

"I think we can hammer out the tactics without you, Doctor," Cass tells Marbo. Looking at Archer and Tulak, she says, "Unless you have any more questions for Dr. Zlam?"

"Our science officer will contact you. Please send her your files, Doctor.", the captain says. "But you may leave. Now the rest of us. What's the step by step plan to get these gas dispensers installed without being noticed?"

Captain Tulak nods. "The idea could work. A problem I see is that we don't know when and where they will reset their trap. If they are experimenting on captured crewmen, I am not sure if we can wait for them to reveal themselves again."
"And if they raise their shields, that will present a great danger to our teams on the hulls.", adds the Antarctica's chief of security, Lt. Comm. Waters. "The electromagnetic energy of the shields would probably kill anyone operating on the ship's hull - unless we manage to insulate them perfectly."

"Then how about we turn their own tactics against them?", interjects Darcy suddenly. "Instead of waiting for them to present themselves, we pretend the Antarctica is damaged and in need of help. They know the trick but they might not be able to resist the bait."

The captain looks at Moira with a slightly confused expression for just a short moment before regaining her composure. "For a second there I thought my translator was malfunctioning. I'm not sure I understood everything you just said, Lieutenant Commander, but you seem confident you can get it to work. Get together with my Engineering Chief asap and get it ready. But make certain that we can bring my ship back to full working condition immediately if required." After a short pause, she adds: "My apologies if what I said was offensive."
Then she turns towards Cass again: "Commander, I won't be able to coordinate much with you from the Antarctica without alarming the pirates. My ship and the lives of everyone on it will be in your hands." She hesitates for just a second. "If you don't feel up to the task, I can take over command of the Potential for the duration of this mission."

Cass gives the slightest of smiles. "Thank you, Captain, but I feel confident in my ability to lead my crew."