Lekaari

The pirate gangs of the Lekaari Expanse are a loose collection of bandits, outlaws and soldiers-of-fortune who make their way through theft, piracy and mercenary work throughout the large Lekaari Expanse and the surrounding regions. Although originally formed from just one species, the Lekaari, the pirate gangs have since grown and diversified, and representatives from all species and cultures can be found amongst its ranks.

On a recent exploration mission to the Lekaari Expanse, the USS *Silverfin* discovered that there were no signs of any settlement or anything of what was known of the Lekaari and their civilization.

There are reports that the Lekaari now reside in the Zenas Expanse.

# Biology

Lekaari are hairless humanoids with pale scaled skin, black eyes and ridges which run vertically down the centre of their face.

# History

The Lekaari were once a prosperous and moderately peaceful civilization flourishing in a resource-rich sector of the dwarf galaxy - the Lekaari Expanse. Thanks to strong trade routes and abundant resources, they were among the most advanced peoples in the galaxy, peaking at a level approximately equivalent to the Federation in the 2300-2350 period. However, this was not enough to protect them from their own hubris. An ambitious sector governor organized an expedition to disable and capture one of the smaller Nua ships, hoping to utilize its technology to advance both his standing and the abilities of the Republic as a whole.

This action brought the attentions of Guardian, the largest Nua construct, whose purpose is to defend the others. Guardian speared through Republic space, sweeping aside whole fleets, heading for Lekaar where the captured vessel had been moored. In desperation, the Navy turned its guns on the princeling's prize, hoping to silence its distress signal, but its death served only to send Guardian into a rage worthy of the ancient deties. Their home system was utterly destroyed, and what colonies were not similarly annihilated were overwhelmed by the sheer weight of refugees and collapsed. The remaining Lekaari took to their ships, becoming nomadic in their flight.

Decades later, after efficiently stripping the Expanse of most of its resources, Nua withdrew. What was left of the Lekaari drifted back into their former homes to find them empty husks. Desperate, and with their neighbours long since tired of supporting their refugees, some turned to piracy, attacking the tradelanes. Their success inspired others to do the same. Today, the remaining Lekaari have a hard, survivalist outlook, and hold no qualms about taking advantage of or attacking others if it would prove beneficial to them.

# Culture

## Disposition

Lekaari pirates are unscrupulous and opportunistic. They will strike at any target they deem to be vulnerable or valuable, and have a particular interest in capturing ships, as they have no means to build their own. By the same token, if they think that they can make a profit by helping instead of hindering, they will do so, offering their services to any who care to hire them. Lekaari pirate gangs will not only raid trade lanes, but if paid well, protect them from the predations of other aggressive cultures - or other pirate gangs. Some cultures hire whole Lekaari squadrons to bolster their own spacefleets in the face of hostile outsiders. The reactions from gang to gang, and even individual to individual, vary widely.

## Internal Politics

The pirate gangs of the Lekaari expanse are only loosely affiliated with each other much of the time, each operating from their own base hidden within asteroid fields or dead planetoids. At times, they even come into conflict over contracts or booty. However, even amongst this anarchy there is a form of order. There is one station, one large facility, in the Expanse which is officially neutral. It offers the largest facilities and widest variety of services to all the pirate gangs, and any non-gangs who dare to visit. It also serves as the meeting point for the Council - representatives from each pirate gang, from largest to smallest, democratically elected by the ship captains and sent to argue and debate over how to divide up what little resources they have, how to allocate repairs, and how to handle different species. Although all their decisions are merely guidelines, they do provide direction for the many species and gangs which inhabit the Expanse.

# Technology

## Ships and Combat

Their ships are a mixture of many cultures, as they have integrated into their various fleets many vessels captured over the years. Some are quite old, but have been well maintained. No matter their culture of origin, all Lekaari ships are fitted with the best weapons available - the ones the Lekaari themselves developed centuries ago.

The Lekaari have not advanced their technology more than incrementally since the destruction of their world and culture. They are armed with particle beams and antimatter warheads, and their vessels are protected by armour plating and energy shields. However, the yield and power of their systems is significantly behind that of the Federation, by as much as 75 years of progress or more. Pirate vessels cannot threaten any Starfleet vessels that they do not outmass by a ratio of 3:1 or more - either singly, i.e. a large cruiser against a Nova-class, or in groups, i.e. three small destroyers against that Nova-class. However, if they do attain those numbers, they have a significant chance of overwhelming the vessel and raiding it for technology and supplies.

## Resources

The Lekaari pirate gangs control very little resources, as the Nua stripped the Expanse of almost all usable materials centuries ago. All of what they have, they must take from others, or be given in exchange for their services.

# Known Encounters

* **Stardate 91363.7** (4 October 2413): The USS *Gettysburg* and *Caspian* encounter a force of raiders assaulting a civilian vessel and facility while attempting to make first contact with the Dronagzi. The raiders are successfully repelled, earning the gratitude of the Dronagzi government. [AAR]
* **Stardate 91380.29** (10 October 2413): The USS *Jackson, Colorado, Interceptor, Paradox* and *Isaac Newton* are ambushed by raiders while their formation is dispersed for surveying the Stocks Cloud. The USS *Interceptor* sustains significant damage before the remainder of the flotilla musters to drive off the raiders. [AAR]
* **Stardate 91381.34** (11 October 2413): The USS *Sisko, Discovery,* and RRW *Inceptris* come to the aid of a Dronagzi orbital refinery under attack by raiders. After a brief skirmish, the raiders are driven off and prisoners taken. [AAR]
* **Stardate 91381.94** (11 October 2413): Captain Wright interrogates prisoners for information on their organization and species before they are released. [Report]
* **Stardate 91402.01** (18 October 2413): A Lekaari pirate gang launches a surprise attack on the Dronagzi homeworld in hopes of seizing the Federation delegation there, likely to hold for ransom. A rapid response force arrives in time to assist the Dronagzi in pushing back the attack and securing the hostages. [AAR]
* **Stardate 91442.9** (2 November 2413): Commander Hawke and the *Monsoon* encounter a heavily damaged Lekaari vessel. Although they initially claim to be the victims of pirates, a Mzai cruiser and Yeth warship soon arrive and assert otherwise. An attempt by the Lekaari to leave a data limpet inside the *Monsoon* is foiled, and their weapons are slagged before they are left for the Mzai and Yeth to chase. [AAR]
* **Stardate 91448.97** (4 November 2413): The USS *Harpe* encounters a Lekaari vessel accompanied by two damaged Nacaya freighters. Despite initial misconceptions, the Lekaari turns out to be the freighter's escort, and the small convoy is being harassed by Yeth Fifth Guard units intent on securing Lekaari weapons technology. With assistance from the *Harpe*, the freighters and Lekaari escape the resulting ambush and safely arrive at their destination. [AAR]