transwarped | IC CONTACT

[Because clearly the only possible thing Kirk could be asking about is the state of the ship...]

We're still in one piece, captain. The girl may be a touch behind the times- apparently-

[There is only the smallest amount of defensiveness in that statement. Stupid pirates having a nicer ship than him, the nerve.]

But nothing that can't be improved upon by the right engineer. And crew, o'course. There's a few modifications that'll have us running at higher efficiency. That is- I, ah, dinnea suppose we ever chance upon some raw materials in our little jaunt into the unknown, sir?

Not as much as you'd like. In my time up here we've only stopped at two stations, and the only other outside contact we had after that was the pirate fiasco.

Now there's a shame. Certain we could lurch uncertainly through space at near twice our current rate with a touch of ingenuity. Aye. Suppose I'll have to weigh the risks and benefits of taking up praying to the buachailleen runnin' the lockers.

I'll cross my fingers for you. I can't say I've had much luck with them, I think the most interesting thing I ever got from them was a model of the Enterprise.