Grand Nagus Tain

[Mark]

You'd think these ships would be illegal inside Federation space. I mean, what's to stop the Daimon of a Ferengi Marauder from rampant piracy of nearly any ship when the opportunity presents itself. I mean, you have these "Pirate" ships more heavily armed than MOST of the standing fleet. They could grab an Excelsior or Miranda with ease...........not to mention a Norway, Steamrunner, and so forth.

[Mikey]

You'd think these ships would be illegal inside Federation space. I mean, what's to stop the Daimon of a Ferengi Marauder from rampant piracy of nearly any ship when the opportunity presents itself. I mean, you have these "Pirate" ships more heavily armed than MOST of the standing fleet. They could grab an Excelsior or Miranda with ease...........not to mention a Norway, Steamrunner, and so forth.

#1 - The UFP is all about keeping up a non-restrictive and minimlally-regulatory appearance.

#2 - Who said they weren't?

[Mark]

True..........but yet we see Marauders in Fed space

[Mikey]

I've seen people drive on the sidewalk, too, but that doesn't mean it's legal.

[Mark]

It's NOT?????

Uh, I'll keep that in mind.


But seriously folks............A Marauder is even illegally cruising around in Fed Space. It sees a convoy of giveashits being escorted by a Miranda, or even two. What kind of deterrent would those ships pose? If I was the Damon, I'd capture THEM too, and start my own little pirate armada.

[Deepcrush]

What if that SF captain feels he and his crew must die to protect thos ships and rams you? A rather high risk dont you think?

[Sionnach Glic]

Or they simply turn around and warp out, after the Mirandas go down buying time for them to escape.
Hell, the captain's could just scuttle their ships to prevent you taking them intact.
And even if you do, there's the question of crewing them.

[Captain Seafort]

But seriously folks............A Marauder is even illegally cruising around in Fed Space. It sees a convoy of giveashits being escorted by a Miranda, or even two. What kind of deterrent would those ships pose? If I was the Damon, I'd capture THEM too, and start my own little pirate armada.

The Miranda wouldn't be a deterrent because its a Miranda, it would be a deterrent because its a Starfleet ship - attacking a warship is a far bigger deal than attacking a random coastal trader (or equivalent)

[Tyyr]

The first few ships like that are a relative freebie but by doing that you'll never be welcome again in Fed space even if you get away with it. That's a lot of lost business opportunity lost. You also just made yourself a big huge dangerous target and while you might outgun a Miranda, you don't outgun the Nebula and two Akiras they're sending to show you the Federation's displeasure with such an act.

[Sionnach Glic]

You've also ensured that you cannot show yourself or your ship within any Federation system, as military forces would be dispatched against you.

Going around comitting random acts of piracy is a really dumb idea.

[Mark]

Assuming for a moment that you don't simply jam all subspace communications while committing said crime. Or disguising your vessel (hell, it's Starfleet! Just paint a new name on the hull.) Some quick strikes and boarding parties, and nobody would be getting away.

And how would the Federation know WHO to come after? There are after all HUNDREDS of Ferengi ships out there.

[Granitehewer]

indeed could even modify the d'kora's weapons to give a different signature surely...

[Mikey]

The fear of the Miranda escorts wouldn't be the motivating deterrent factor - it would be fear of reprisal by the UFP in general. Let's say you have a Fletcher-class destroyer, and encounter a USN PT boat, or tender, or what have you. You could easily take out that individual target; but do you really want to do so and have the whole of the USN after your ass?

[Granitehewer]

my ass could take it......damn you kfc bargain buckets!

[Deepcrush]

Been, ummm, working that fench have you...