Cdr Miranda Hawthorne

MISSION BRIEF: The Romulan cruise has unlocked ahead of us, and now we find ourselves at an impasse. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Rhan K'hal: :: still at Sci2, thinking this could be going better, but then it could always be worse too, so will just take what he can get :: Cptn Swain: Stand by weapons. Helm, bring us about. Hunter Matheson: ::he is at helm (I think), entering evasive maneuvers and escape vectors, just in case:: Hunter Matheson: Coming about, aye. Tandaris Admiran: Romulan Commander> ::awaiting a response to his comms:: Hunter Matheson: Attack position, Captain? Maryse Dubois: ::In Sickbay. She went to a console to get an update.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::On the bridge, Miranda sat in her chair, waiting pensively.:: William Chocox: ::still working on his project in Engineering:: Hakran K'hal: :: quietly signals his brother next to him to go back to doing his own job - he's got the sciencey bits taken care of now that they've flushed the Romulan out of cloak :: Cptn Swain: ::Considers:: No... keep us in a defense posture. If our people are on that vessel, then I'd rather not blow them up. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> Have you located the prisoners yet? Hunter Matheson: Aye, Captain, Defense posture. Cptn Swain: Open a channel. Rhan K'hal: :: pokes a colored rounded rectangle :: Open, sir. Indaura Ryssan: What is happening Doctor? :: to Dubois :: Hunter Matheson: ::takes the ship into defense position and holds, his fingers poised for other maneuvers::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: (( Atos, since you're security, take the TAC station on the bridge. )) Maryse Dubois: It looks like we are in a standoff with Romulans. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> Next time, a "no" would suffice. Save your qualifiers for politicians. ::to another bridge officer:: Cut power to the transporters. Now that we've decloaked they may try to leave the ship that way. Hakran K'hal: :: running life sign scans to look for a Harper, but in the intergalactically approved polite way - for now :: Cptn Swain: +Romulan ship+ This is Captain Asher Swain of the USS Excalibur. Romulan vessel, you are in direct violation of the Neutral Zone treaty. Atos Ch'kivar: ::seated at the tactical station on the bridge:: William Chocox: Where is that part? Would he have it in his office? Indaura Ryssan: Romulans... great. Rhan K'hal: :: has transporter room 1 standing by, otherwise concentrating on making sure the comm stays stable with the solar interference causing havoc locally :: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ How do you humans put it? Ah yes. Oh, "goodie." Much better to be in direct violation of something than indirect, wouldn't you say. I would hate to live up to the stereotype. Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs.:: Indeed. I'm sure they probably have our people too. Hopefully both sides can come to an agreement. Hakran K'hal: :: quirks an ear at the comment :: William Chocox: ::decides to chance going into Admiran's office:: It's probably in some random pile of parts. Rhan K'hal: :: quirks an ear at the comment ::\ Indaura Ryssan: Perhaps we can offer them something Rhan K'hal: :: also frowns, as he's supposed to be the sarcastic quip type in this neighborhood :: Hunter Matheson: ::blink::: Cptn Swain: ::Lifts a brow:: +Romulans+ Lower your shields and submit to a full scan of your vessel and we will escort you back to the Neutral Zone. Atos Ch'kivar: ::double checks that all systems are ready:: Rhan K'hal: :: expects a no :: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> That's not going to happen. You are interfering with a lawful salvage operation, USS Excalibur. Hakran K'hal: :: makes sure all active sensors are ready in the unlikely event of a yes :: William Chocox: ::starts searching around the office:: Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ ::Coughs:: You want to run that by me again. Rhan K'hal: :: is not a space lawyer, but is pretty sure the salvage clause doesn't include armed Romulan vessels crossing the neutral zone into Federation territory :: Cptn Swain: ::Makes a motion to mute the outgoing comm:: Rhan K'hal: :: mutes :: Muted, sir. Cptn Swain: I assume he's trying to delay for some reason. Indaura Ryssan: Perhaps they have some injured Rhan K'hal: :: double checks on that clause just to be sure :: Hunter Matheson: ::wonders what they're salvaging, since there's nothing there::: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ Come now, Captain Swain. We are both intelligent enough to have risen in the ranks. Let's not play games. ::as he continues to play games:: I know you know about the Romulan installation below the surface of this planet. Cptn Swain: Miranda, Tandaris see if you can find a way to disrupt their shields. Hakran K'hal: From what I can tell using passive scanning techniques, they are scrambling around a bit in there, Captain. Though I can't get resolution on all areas of the ship. Hunter Matheson: ::at least, nothing registering at helm that, if they hit, will do damage::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She grunted.:: You don't ask for much, do you? Cptn Swain: I try not to, I'll keep our friend talking. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ That installation was not authorized by our government, I assure you. Five days ago, we detected it and investigated. We are now in the process of removing it or were, before you interrupted us. Rhan K'hal: :: rolls eyes :: Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ I am. Hunter Matheson: ::check, check... nothing in the area... not even small things floating::: Rhan K'hal: :: unmutes comm :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ I've got your next assignment for you, and I need it, stat. Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ Well then, now that your installation has been removed, you can lower your shields and prepare to be scanned. William Chocox: +Hawthorne+ ::crash as he stands up too quickly next to a pile of parts:: Um...yes? Hakran K'hal: :: continues to map the echoes, and makes note most specifically of the holes as areas to be first in line to hit with an active scan once he has the authority to use them :: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ No. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ We need a way to disrupt the Romulan shields. Sending you scans now. William Chocox: Ok ma'am. Give me one moment. Maryse Dubois: ::Looks to Indaura.:: This may not go well. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She looked back to the TAC station.:: Ch... Ch'kivar, wasn't it? William Chocox: ::leaves the office and heads back to his console, hoping he doesn't knock over any more parts:: Indaura Ryssan: Extra preparations? Trama? Atos Ch'kivar: ::turns in chair to Cdr Hawthorne:: Yes, ma'am. Ch'kivar. Maryse Dubois: ::Shakes head.:: It shouldn't get that far, I hope, but keep everyone on their toes for now. Rhan K'hal: :: texts down to sickbay with an urgent beep :: May require your assistance in picking out N'Dak's lifesign out of a haystack of other Romulan lifesigns - patching the bio-scanner feed down to you. If you match it, mark it. Rhan K'hal: :: continues :: "Though with passive scanning only at the moment they probably are about as easy to distinguish as one jello mold from another." William Chocox: +Hawthorne+ You said you needed what now? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Ch'kivar, keep an eye on long range sensors. We may need backup. I need to know where are closest ships are. Maryse Dubois: ::Checks her message, and replies an acknowledgement. Checks the feed.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ We need a way to disrupt the Romulan shields so we can transport out our crewmen. Atos Ch'kivar: ::nods and swivels back around:: Hakran K'hal: :: with the assistance of the ailing star, is getting much more detailed passive scan data than he would normally get through the EM spectrum, as well as gravitic oscillations and slight subspace variations - of course all this data is freely available to Chocox :: William Chocox: +Hawthorne+ Ok... ::looks at the project he was working on:: I'm about a third of the way there I think, just need to take a detour. Atos Ch'kivar: ::checks long range sensors for nearby vessels:: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ I'm finding this conversation delightful, really, I am. However, time is pressing, for both of us, I’m sure. If there is nothing else, Captain Swain, we will be on our way and back across the Neutral Zone before you know it. William Chocox: ::gets back to work, using any data he needs:: Rhan K'hal: :: pops away from Sci2 and over to the multifunction console opposite the first officer's chair :: Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ If you attempt to leave the system before we have had a chance to scan your vessel, to assure that no illicit information or materials from our expedition, I will be force to interdict you. Hakran K'hal: :: considers a moment :: Tandaris Admiran: ::paying attention to Hawthorne conversing with Chocox but assumes Chocox will connect all the dots and do what needs to be done without his interference:: Indaura Ryssan: It's the waiting.. Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ I am sure you're also aware that we considerably outgun you. William Chocox: +Hawthorne+ Is Commander Admiran with you? Hunter Matheson: ::oookay.... checks probably retreat courses, and plots pursuit courses to match::: Hunter Matheson: ::and paints the Romulan vessel while he's at it::: Cptn Swain: ::Off mic:: Launch fighters. Have them stay in defensive positions. I want them to know I am serious. Hakran K'hal: +Swain+ :: via text :: "I can aim a graviton beam at the star, I believe that will cause some relatively severe gravitic oscillations through the sector... that will make going to warp quite unwise." Maryse Dubois: ::Going through the sensor information, hoping to catch the slightest hint.:: Keep them talking... ::Talking quietly to herself.:: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ And will you lower *your* shields and submit to a scan of your vessel, to assure that you have not taken any information or materials from our expedition? Hunter Matheson: ::chokecough at that::: Hunter Matheson: ::then continues working::: Cptn Swain: +Romulan+ No, because that's now how this works. You're on my side of the neutral zone. Cptn Swain: ::Notices the text, but shakes his head -- typing back 'that means for us too':: Hakran K'hal: :: slight nod, continues with his work with the sensors :: William Chocox: +Admiran+ Sir, do you happen to know where I can find a neutron heavy flux capacitor down here? Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ Perhaps you could tell us what, exactly, you might be scanning for, and we could just have a look around here for you. Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ I think you know exactly what I am looking for, Commander. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> ::has, all this time, been gesturing and whispering into the ear of a subordinate, as if plotting something:: Rhan K'hal: :: from his new position, passes along the fighter launch and parameters to Cdr d'Aubigne :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> Excalibur's fighter squadron launches, taking up defensive positions on either side of the Excalibur. Maryse Dubois: ::Turns to Indaura.:: You have sickbay. It'll be best if I were on the bridge for this task. ::Gets up from the console and exits.:: Hakran K'hal: :: after all this time, is starting to get a pretty good feel for the Romulan shields, starts making notes for William's benefit of particularly juicy areas to target with whatever the heck he comes up with :: Hunter Matheson: ::he notes the positions of the squadron, with an eye to maneuver in tandem if needed::: William Chocox: +Admiran+ Sir, did you get my last message? Maryse Dubois: ::Short TL ride later, she enters the bridge and grabs an unused console. Bringing up the bio scanner, she resumes her search.:: Atos Ch'kivar: ::over his shoulder:: I'm pick up a few ships - the USS Polaris, Expedient, and Aurania. The Aurania is closest, but would still take an hour to reach at max warp. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ I think I put it under E for "emergencies" William Chocox: Thank you sir. William Chocox: ::runs over and starts looking for it:: William Chocox: +Admiran+* Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ Now that you mention it, we did come across something rather odd in our investigation. ::notices the fighter launch but does not react visibly:: We found two people, apparently stranded on the planet, and so we rescued them. Atos Ch'kivar: ::adds on:: All fighters are ready in position. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded at Atos information.:: Send a message to them, subspace band, quietly. Inform them of the situation. William Chocox: Ok...we have this...and then...just put this together... ::is putting parts together:: Cptn Swain: +Romulans+ ::Frowns:: Return them to us, and I will, in the interest of fostering amity, allow you to return to the Neutral Zone without additional scans. Rhan K'hal: :: hearing the comm to Tandaris, makes a note to assign a yeoman to Tandaris - someone else down there needs to learn his filing system :: William Chocox: +Hawthorne & Admiran+ I have...something... Tandaris Admiran: ((Yeomans are under "Y")) Maryse Dubois: ::Thinks she may have something for a moment, but there was too much interference.:: William Chocox: +Hawthorne & Admiran+ And it's probably only going to work once. Tandaris Admiran: ((For "yummy")) Atos Ch'kivar: ::sends general subspace message to all fighters regarding the current situation:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ Well, it's that or nothing. Keep it readied. Hakran K'hal: :: swivels one ear to listen to Swain, the other to listen to the incoming from Will to the Cdrs :: Rhan K'hal: :: swivels one ear to listen to Swain, the other to listen to the incoming from Will to the Cdrs :: William Chocox: +Hawthorne+ Aye ma'am. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ Believe me, Captain, I would like nothing more. Unfortunately, they did us both a disservice and rudely tried to escape. As a result, I had to confine them. So you see ::thin smile:: it's not quite as simple as releasing them to you. Rhan K'hal: :: thinking of the Romulan Commander "I wish I could claw the smug off his face." :: Maryse Dubois: ::Looks to Rhan.:: What is our Assistant Engineer up to this time? William Chocox: +Hawthorne & Admiran+ One last thing, I'd recommend bracing when it's used, I'm not entirely sure what it'll do to us. Rhan K'hal: Probably something that's going to leave scorch marks. :: hears Will over the comm, makes a "see?" gesture :: Hunter Matheson: ::oh... great::: Cptn Swain: +Romulan+ I wonder why they thought they needed to escape, Commander? Perhaps if you lowered your shields, we would be able to scan and transport them over. Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: That's reassuring. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She threw a glance back at Tandaris and just shook her head.:: Trained him well, did you? Tandaris Admiran: ::looks at them all:: It's almost as if what you're asking us to do isn't what the equipment is designed for Rhan K'hal: :: readies the general "brace for impact" alert, looks at Miranda and nods :: Atos Ch'kivar: ::looks over shoulder to Hawthorne:: The fighters are readied. Should we request assistance from the Aurania? Tandaris Admiran: Show me a standard-issue Starfleet shield-disabler and I'll requisition it. Hunter Matheson: ::swivels toward the Cdr:: Commander Admiran, sir. Anything I should know about before we do this? Tandaris Admiran: ((Swain, did you see my PM?)) Hakran K'hal: :: figures he might not have all the time he'd like with scanning with this "soution" of Chocox's, so targets his scan points carefully and dials the active sensor level up to "probably will feel a slight tickle" intensity :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Hunter:: Probably, but I don't know what that would be. Cptn Swain: ::Makes a motion to mute the outgoing signal:: Hakran K'hal: :: now waits :: Hunter Matheson: ::deep breath into a slow exhale::: Aye, sir. Rhan K'hal: :: mutes :: Muted, sir. Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> ::also mutes his comm:: What do you mean "a minor firefight"? What makes it "minor"? Cptn Swain: I assume you have a plan? ::glances over to the engineers:: Hunter Matheson: ::turns back to the console::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded to Ch'kivar.:: Yes, inform them. Better now than later. If we don't need them, we can send another message. Tandaris Admiran: Before you requested that we disable their shields, Captain, I asked Chocox to find a way to disable their cloak. He has since adapted that device to their shields, since the systems are related. Cptn Swain: How efficient. Tandaris Admiran: Given the power requirements, the device will probably overload after the first use. It won't damage us, but we won't get a second chance. Hunter Matheson: ::okay, so that gives him a little understanding of what might happen...and he hopes it doesn't::: Cptn Swain: Then it had better work. Tandaris Admiran: And the Romulans will be able to work around it fairly quickly. I'd say we'll have thirty, maybe forty seconds if they're slow. Atos Ch'kivar: ::sends message to USS Aurania for immediate assistance:: They should be on their way momentarily, Captain. Cptn Swain: I'll give them one last chance to comply, then do it. I want a transport lock on our people and out before then. Hunter Matheson: ::mental note... 30 to 40 seconds::: Cptn Swain: ::Nods to tactical:: Good. Maryse Dubois: Plenty of time... ::Stand by on the bio scanners.:: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> ::still muted:: Well, herd them towards the cargo bay. ::turns to another officer:: Is the device ready? What do you mean, "overload"? Hunter Matheson: ::Ch'kivar:: Sending you entered escape vectors to relay to the fighters, sir. Hunter Matheson: :::sends alpha through kilo::: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> Then it had better work. On my signal. William Chocox: +Hawthorne & Admiran+ So...do you want me to fire this device or is Tac doing it? Cptn Swain: ::Motions to unmute the comm:: +Romulan+ Commander, I have additional ships on the way. I would just assume not involve them and allow you to return to your space without further incident. I will say again, lower your shields and allow us to scan for our crewman -- or return them to us unharmed. Rhan K'hal: :: re-activates, then hovers one finger of the mute button and another over the brace alert button :: Hakran K'hal: :: finger hovering over the initiate active scan button :: Maryse Dubois: Something tells me Mr. Chocox really wants to activate it. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ Standby to activate on the Captain's order. Atos Ch'kivar: ::Hunter:: Rogers that ::forwards escape vectors on to the fighters:: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> +Excalibur+ Captain, I cannot presently return them to you, and you know that I cannot lower this ship's shields. Cptn Swain: +Romulan+ Well then, we seem to be at an impasse. Cptn Swain: ::Nods to Miranda:: Tandaris Admiran: RomCom> ::cuts comm:: Activate! Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Chocox+ Activate! Hunter Matheson: ::hands poised::: Rhan K'hal: +ALL HANDS+ :: BRACE ALERT, ABBREVIATED :: William Chocox: ::presses the big button:: Indaura Ryssan: :: braces :: Hakran K'hal: :: braces, eyes fixed to the screen waiting to see the Romulan shields go down :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> A bright red pulse streaks out from the Excalibur's deflector dish towards the Romulan vessel, hitting it with a brilliant effect, and also causing a minor fireworks show in the engineering room. William Chocox: ::ducks:: Tandaris Admiran: ACTION> A bright BLUE pulse streaks out from the Romulan ship in all directions. Excalibur sensors detect that the Romulan shields go down. That's the last thing they detect, as whatever the Romulans did interacts with the solar radiation to render all sensors useless. Hakran K'hal: :: initiates the full power, targeted, multi-frequency, multi-particle active scan, but... :: WHAT THE HELL?! Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: Excalibur remains in orbit of Irassa IV. We believe a Romulan ship is nearby in orbit and we also believe that our missing crew members are aboard. Engineering has rigged a makeshift tachyon pulse to try and reveal them. Aboard the ship, Harper and Issaha are trying to effect an escape. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM William Chocox: +Admiran+ How's it looking Commander? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ We're about to find out. William Chocox: +Admiran+ Ok. Tandaris Admiran: Tachyon pulse ready to fire on your command, Captain. It won't pinpoint the Romulan vessel but will reveal if the vessel is within 500,000 km. Hakran K'hal: :: on the bridge at the primary science station, ready to hunt Romulans :: Cptn Swain: ::nods:: Do it. Indaura Ryssan: :: Where she is suppose to be :: Cptn Swain: @Ndak> ::Following Harper,pushing his way through the forcefield, which was, as Harper indicated, extremely uncomfortable:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: at the secondary science station, concentrating on looking for the life-signs of their missing crew should anything pop up; transporter controls at the ready :: Cptn Swain: Go to Red Alert. I don't want to fight them, but we should be ready. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ While we're waiting, why don't you go into the secure database and take a peek at the "tachyon cloakbuster (idea)" file. I was never able to figure out a way to stop the feedback surge from overloading the main deflector and destroying the ship … Charlie Harper: @::outside the forcefield, shakes hands and arms, feeling like a permanent case of pins-and-needles has set in:: Maryse Dubois: ::Steps out from her office, and into main sickbay.:: William Chocox: +Admiran+ Always wanted to make more booms. I'll be right on it. ::starts looking for that file:: Hakran K'hal: Tactical Anon> :: goes to red alert :: Cptn Swain: @Ndak> ::wiggles loose:: That was... unpleasant. Maryse Dubois: ::Looks up as the red alert goes off.:: They must have found the Romulans, or are about to. Charlie Harper: @I did say so. Now what? Cptn Swain: ACTION> The tachyon burst speeds out from the Excalibur, since we've got heck-a CGI budget for this episode for no real reason and towards the area where we believe the Romulans are located. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> Fair. ::Rubbing his arms:: There should be a ht'ejj on this deck. William Chocox: ((Next episode is a bottle episode.)) Hakran K'hal: :: watching the burst spread out, ready to pounce (figuratively) on anything that pops up on the display :: William Chocox: Alright, so I need...is he sure about that? William Chocox: ::is squinting at the file:: Cptn Swain: (( Give me a number everyone 1-20 )) Hakran K'hal: (( 4 )) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> (( 7 )) Tandaris Admiran: ((16)) William Chocox: ((8)) Indaura Ryssan: (19) Cptn Swain: ACTION> The tachyon pulse lights up the sensors like a Christmas tree, and briefly reveals the outline of a Romulan light cruiser, but only briefly. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> ::Looks around:: This way. William Chocox: ::is taken aback a bit:: Do we even have that part? Indaura Ryssan: :: to Dubois :: Romulans... Hakran K'hal: :: does his figurative pouncing and lights up the area where the ship was with a full active sensor sweep, sparing not a single type of particle and wave :: Cptn Swain: Stand by all phasers. K'hal put me on an open channel. Rhan K'hal: :: watches the scan results come in, tries to find a [whatever species Charlie is] and life-signs matching N'Dak :: Rhan K'hal: :: boops a button :: Channel open, sir. Hakran K'hal: Tac> :: readies phasers :: On standby, Captain. Tandaris Admiran: ::paying attention to the scan results, pondering if there is anything else they can do to give themselves an edge:; Cptn Swain: +Romulan+ Romulan vessel. This is Captain Asher Swain of the USS Excalibur, you are in direct violation of the Neutral Zone Treaty. Drop your cloak and identify yourself. Hakran K'hal: :: contemplates the Romulan singularity power system, wonders if he can tweak a graviton scan to detect enough of the gravity waves that must slip through containment - plays with that idea while the rest of the scans continue :: Cptn Swain: @Ndak> Let's hope we do na run into anyio. Cptn Swain: ACTION> Comm's static. Rhan K'hal: No reply, Captain. Charlie Harper: @ ::follows, watching Issaha carefully:: William Chocox: Alright, so I found that part...now how do I avoid feedback? Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Hopefully we'll get our missing crewmen back in one piece, but if not, lets get things in order. Hakran K'hal: :: tweak, observe; tweak, observe; tweak, observe :: Cptn Swain: +Romulan+ Commander it's no use trying to pretend you're not out there... Indaura Ryssan: :: To Dubois, nods :: Cptn Swain: ::Tandaris:: Target another tachyon burst. Cptn Swain: @Ndak>::stops at a corner:: Damn. Tandaris Admiran: Acknowledged. ::targets a burst in the direction where they observed a possible ship:: Ready. Charlie Harper: @What is it? Hakran K'hal: :: pauses in his graviton theory testing so he can monitor the tachyon burst again :: Cptn Swain: @Ndak> The transporter room, it has a security seal on the door. Cptn Swain: Fire Indaura Ryssan: :: Checking supplies in medical :: Tandaris Admiran: ::fires the burst:: Charlie Harper: @ Paranoid lot, you people. William Chocox: Alright, if I route it around...hold on...Ensign! ::shouts at a random ensign:: Cptn Swain: @NDak> I mean, we are known for it. Hakran K'hal: :: watches the burst spread out again :: Tandaris Admiran: ACTION> The tachyon pulse outlines a Romulan cruiser approximately 30,000 km off the port bow. William Chocox: ::makes a mock-up of what would be producing the feedback and hands it to the ensign:: Hold this and step back a bit. William Chocox: Rando Ensign> Sir? Tandaris Admiran: ACTION> ...and another, about 20,000 km off the starboard bow. And another one, about 10,000 km away from there. Indaura Ryssan: Have you ever operated on a Romulan Doctor Dubois? Hakran K'hal: Oh that's not good... Rhan K'hal: :: ears flatten :: William Chocox: Don't worry, it won't explode...most likely. Now come along, do keep up. William Chocox: Rando Ensign> ::takes a step back:: Hakran K'hal: Captain, we seem to have 3 ships out there... or we're getting echoes. I'd lean toward the former. William Chocox: ::activates it from his console:: Tandaris Admiran: Three ships?? What kind of expedition is this? Cptn Swain: ::Frowns:: The n'Ina, the p'Inta and the s'Anta Maria? Cptn Swain: @Ndak> Ideas? Rhan K'hal: :: snorts :: William Chocox: ((::walks out at that pun::)) Hakran K'hal: :: rotates an ear, ruffles his whiskers :: Tandaris Admiran: Even if they are echoes, we have no way of knowing which one is the real one. William Chocox: Rando Ensign> Sir? William Chocox: Perfect! William Chocox: ::takes it back from him:: Thank you for your help. Cptn Swain: We have a ship full of sophisticated survey equipment, Commander. Tandaris Admiran: @Romulan Commander> The prisoners have what? Dispatch a full security team to that sector, now. Maryse Dubois: Operated, no. But I am familiar with their physiology. Cptn Swain: Surely you and one or both of the K'hal's can mad science us up something./ Hakran K'hal: We did get the upgrades for this mission to look at the star. Tandaris Admiran: Of course, the star. Indaura Ryssan: I took a course Tandaris Admiran: The magnetic flux from the star should be interacting with the Romulan ships' hulls, even when cloaked. Indaura Ryssan: Felt like an extension of Vulcan, of course. Tandaris Admiran: If we could map the gradient of that flux in our immediate vicinity... Maryse Dubois: Well they are very similar. Tandaris Admiran: @ACTION> Alarms begin to sound in the general area of N'Dak and Harper. Charlie Harper: @ You could't hack it? Your family's some high muckety-mucks, right? Don't you know codes? Hakran K'hal: And look for where the cloak is subtly modifying what should be a relatively even gradient. Charlie Harper: @ Oh.... that's not good. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> This is a Tal'Shiar vessel. I am a Galae officer, and not exactly on their list of friends. ::Looks up:: Great. Hakran K'hal: :: swivels back to his console, pulls up the various sensor settings :: A little bit less of you, a little bit more of you, none of you at all, and a good double helping of you. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> We need to move. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> There should be another transporter on another deck. It might not have the same security. Rhan K'hal: :: dedicates a good portion of processing power from the science labs' equipment for his brother :: Charlie Harper: @ Lead on, then. Hakran K'hal: Okay... engaging modified scan now. Cptn Swain: @Ndak> ::Nods, and heads towards what he thinks should be a turbolift:: Hakran K'hal: :: watches the screen as it maps the flux gradient layer by layer :: Cptn Swain: (( TWO MINUTE WARNING ))] Tandaris Admiran: @Romulan Commander> Bring us around to the far side of the planet. If we can put it between us and them, we can jump to warp and get far enough away before they pursue. Rhan K'hal: Captain, shall I prepare a high-power, directional hail ping to hit them with if we can see them? Tandaris Admiran: ACTION> Scan reveals exactly one anomaly, 20,000 km off the starboard bow and moving away. Hakran K'hal: Aha, you're an oddly ship-sized ripple, aren't you? Cptn Swain: ::Nods to Rhan:: Rhan K'hal: :: sets it up quickly, has always had this one in his arsenal :: Ready. Rhan K'hal: :: rings their doorbell - HARD :: Rhan K'hal: Hail ping away. Cptn Swain: (( That sounds exceedingly dirty Rhan )) Maryse Dubois: ((haha)) Tandaris Admiran: @Romulan Commander> They've what? ::makes the noise he makes when someone is going to be executed for failing their duty once they return home:: Very well. Bring us around. Defensive posture. Drop cloak. Rhan K'hal: (( makes for an interesting read of the chat log I guess )) Cptn Swain: @Ndak> ::Feels the ship turn:: They' Cptn Swain: ve dropped cloak. Hakran K'hal: Tac> Romulan ship decloaking. Cptn Swain: ..and... Tandaris Admiran: @Romulan Commander> +Excalibur+ Starfleet vessel. We need to talk. Cptn Swain: That's an understatement. Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: The crew has returned mostly unharmed from the surface, however we are still missing Arrain N'Dak and Science Officer Harper. We believe they may have been captured by whomever had the clandestine base on the surface. Science had previously detected an intermittent sensor anomaly in orbit but we have no further confirmation shipside. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: ::On the bridge, hovering over the tactical console:: William Chocox: ::In engineering:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Miranda stepped onto the bridge and moved to join Swain.:: Captain. Cptn Swain: Commander. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Looks to Harper:: So if you have any bright ideas. Maryse Dubois: ::Relaxing in her office for the moment.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::on the bridge, still dusty and away-team-weary, listening in:: Charlie Harper: #Generally in these situations, I believe escape is advised. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::nods:: Ie. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: You have the latest updates? Our team is still missing. We discovered the lab below the surface belonging to the Romulans. We could have gathered more intelligence, but the lab was... ::She threw Tandaris a glance.:: ....inadvertently destroyed. Cptn Swain: ::Nods:: Cptn Swain: ::Pointing to the tactical readout:: This was the last location we detected the anomalous readings. We've been tracking it since we launched our probes. Charlie Harper: #So the first step is getting out of the brig. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Ie. Once we're out of here, I think I should be able to get us out. Tandaris Admiran: "Anomalous readings" Tandaris Admiran: Are we thinking cloaked Romulan ship? Indaura Ryssan: :: With the others :: William Chocox: ::is looking over his console:: Cptn Swain: I am now. Cptn Swain: With all the bizarre radiation from the star, our sensor readings have been all over the place. Charlie Harper: #Ok, well, getting us out of here is the problem, then. Anything in your pockets? ::pats own uniform down:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Scanning with her medicorder :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Has to be. ::Miranda moved to one of the consoles, checking the sensor readings.:: We could find no sign of our crew on the planet. I'm betting they were transported to their ship. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She frowned.:: And our Romulan guest was with those that are missing. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Suspicious.:: Cptn Swain: ::He caught the tone, but decided to let it padd:: Cptn Swain: pass* Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Pats down his own pockets:: No not... wait.. will this help? Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Tosses him a power cell for his Romulan tricorder:: Cptn Swain: I agree, that seems the most likely explanation. But I am afraid to make any aggressive moves towards them. Cptn Swain: Options, suggestions? Charlie Harper: #::turns power cell over thoughtfully:: Maybe. ::pats down pockets again:: With a wire, or a strip of metal.... ::turns up a padd stylus, slightly chewed:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: If you aren't in favor of aggression, then diplomacy is the only option. We should hail them. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: It would be better if we could hone in their exact location. ::Throwing Tandaris a pointed look.:: Cptn Swain: ::Nods, looks to Tandaris:: Tandaris Admiran: on it Tandaris Admiran: ::moves over to the engineering station:: +Chocox+ Admiran to Chocox, are you back in engineering yet? William Chocox: +Admiran+ Aye. Cptn Swain: Have d'Aubugine ready to launch as well. If they try to run, fighters can help us pin them in. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Great. New challenge for you. Totally hypothetical, but say we wanted to track a cloaked Romulan vessel in this system. Given the extra challenges of the solar radiation, any suggestions? Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::watches carefully, also monitoring the door:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Checking her medical supplies :: William Chocox: +Admiran+ You could pick an easier task, but in the absence of that I'm going to say that we'd need a way to isolate the various types of radiation in the sensor data and try to look for tachyons. Charlie Harper: #::pries the clip off the end of the stylus:: Well, it's shorter than I'd like, but let's see here... ::goes over to examine the forcefield emitters:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded and sent a message to the fighter commander and crew, ordering them to prepare for launch.:: Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Great. Get on that isolation protocol immediately. Cptn Swain: ::Takes the command chair again:: William Chocox: +Admiran+ That...uh...was just what we would need to do, not what I can...you know what? Nevermind. Aye sir. William Chocox: ::starts trying to figure out how the hell to do that:: Tandaris Admiran: ::begins setting up a tachyon scan grid:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> Do they teach all Starfleet science officers how to rig explosives using a stylus and a batter pack? Cptn Swain: ::Miranda:: I wonder why they haven't left orbit. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Their lab indicated they were studying the same weather patterns that we'd recorded. Speculation is that they're looking for a way to weaponize it. Charlie Harper: #Logical outgrowth of understanding conductance patterns. ::gives him a sort of abstracted look:: You mean you don't know how? Charlie Harper: #Anyway, it's not so much an explosive as a disruption... ::prods along the wall:: ... assuming one can find a spot that's not quite sealed flush... Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::In very innocent sounding voice:: Na, na qu'ii-e William Chocox: (m) Maybe I could do this...? William Chocox: ::fiddles around with his console:: Cptn Swain: ::Makes a non-committal noise:: Perhaps hoping we'll move off on our own, leaving them alone. Charlie Harper: #:::gives him a brief, suspicious squint, then goes back to poking the edges of the field:: This might do. Cptn Swain: ::Tandaris:: How much longer? William Chocox: ::is still fiddling:: Tandaris Admiran: I can give you a general region at this point, but we can't pinpoint them yet Charlie Harper: #::reaches over head somewhat awkwardly to slip the stylus clip into the emitter, which spits a spark::Ouch. ::shakes out hand:: Ok... definitely shorter than I'd like, but here goes. Cptn Swain: It will have to be good enough. Cptn Swain: Miranda, take over tactical. I want to be able to make the sweat a little. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Give us what you've got. William Chocox: Ok... William Chocox: ::sends it up to the Bridge:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Aye, Captain. ::She moved to the TAC console to pull up the sensor readings and engage the tactical systems.:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::briefly extols the elements for luck:: Charlie Harper: #::carefully tries to balance the battery into place::: Charlie Harper: # By the way ... did I mention this is going to be unpleasant? Cptn Swain: #NDak> N-n-o? Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: OK, we have a tachyon scanner pulse that will narrow you down to about 50,000 km Charlie Harper: # Yeah. See, it doesn't -- ow, stop sparking you stubborn piece of -- doesn't so much *drop* the field as *weaken* it, hopefully enough to push through. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Sighs:: Lovely. Cptn Swain: (( TWO MINUTE WARNING )) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Good enough. ::She altered the TAC console to include the tachyon scanner and activated it, sending out several pulses in the general location where they'd seen the 'anomaly'.:: Charlie Harper: #If you have a better idea... ::gives up on finesse, jams battery into place, collecting a serious zap from the cranky emitter in the process, but the field begins shimmering:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> Nope. Cptn Swain: ...and... Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0716.2017 The crew has returned mostly unharmed from the surface, however we are still missing Arrain N'Dak and Science Officer Harper. We believe they may have been captured by whomever had the clandestine base on the surface. Science had previously detected an intermittent sensor anomaly in orbit but we have no further confirmation shipside.

MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur team has stumbled on something most unusual -- a working lab below the obelisk and off from the collapsed section of the transport network that appears to have some local technology as well as Romulan computers, though it appears to have been hastily abandoned. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Hmm. :: bends over one of the Romulan consoles, uses his tricorder to translate what's showing :: William Chocox: This is unusual... Cptn Swain: ACTION> Most of the information on the Romulan console is encrypted, however they do appear to have been monitoring both solar rotations similar to what the Excalibur had been doing as well as weather patterns on the surface. There also appears to be some sort of interfacing with the native systems. Maryse Dubois: ::Standing behind Rhan.:: Seems like every time we move forward we just run into more and more questions... Hunter Matheson: ::brushing the dust off his uniform, stomps his feet, coughs, then looks around:: Hakran K'hal: :: frowns :: Either way I look at it, this isn't good, considering they're nowhere to be found. Either N'Dak knew about this place and was on this mission for means that weren't shared with us, or he just happened to stumble across the top of ruins containing other Romulans. Tandaris Admiran: ::reads the Romulan consoles without much difficulty:: Lots of encryption. William Chocox: Could this be some kind of spy facility? Or do they just not want others to see what they have? Tandaris Admiran: ::Hakran:: You're starting to sound nearly as paranoid as a Romulan. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nods at Maryse :: Many, many questions. Looks like a lot of meteorological and heliological data, which is not my specialty. The encryption however, is. :: looks to Miranda :: Commander? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::In the Romulan lab, Miranda tried her comm badge.:: +Excalibur+ Hawthorne to Excalibur. Are you receiving? Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Looks to Harper:: So. Tandaris Admiran: We don't actually know that the Romulans were here. This could just be someone with their tech. Hakran K'hal: And the Romulans hand out their technology like Halloween candy, do they? Charlie Harper: # So. Don't suppose you know the secret way out? Tandaris Admiran: I have about seven different black market suppliers for my Romulan technology. Indaura Ryssan: :: with the group :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The comm single fizzles, as there is apparently a dampening field in effect being generated in the lab. Tandaris Admiran: Granted ... ::kicks one of the consoles:: ... it doesn't tend to be so new. William Chocox: You would have black market suppliers. Hakran K'hal: :: quirks an ear :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded at Rhan.:: If you can decrypt it, go ahead. We need to find their communications array. Or a means to disable their dampening field. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> On it. :: flexes his fingers, gets to work :: Maryse Dubois: ::Looking around.:: You know it could simply be something similar to what anthropologists in the Federation set up to study pre-warp civilizations. Tandaris Admiran: ::looking around the perimeter of the lab, paying close attention to the walls and corners:: Tandaris Admiran: If this is a Romulan installation, Doctor, I'm afraid the purpose is easy to guess. Hakran K'hal: :: sniffs, wanders over and finds a cup with a bit of liquid remaining in it - sniffs it :: Some sort of tea, and since the liquid hasn't evaporated off, it hasn't been too terribly long since someone has been here. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Shrugs:: Assuming it is a Romulan brig cell. few mechanics are built with access from inside. I suppose that's standard for au brigs as well, ie? Charlie Harper: # I don't really spend much time around them. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Chocox, see if you can find their communications panel. We need to get back in contact with Excalibur. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: mutters to himself as he usually does when he's working on something tricky :: William Chocox: Aye ma'am. Tandaris Admiran: This cavern is definitely artificial. I can't tell if the planet's inhabitants carved it out and the Romulans, or whoever, just set up shop here, or if it's specially constructed. William Chocox: ::starts looking around:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> Same actually. Other than the time I sort of accidentally almost killed my Commanding officer while being mind controlled by a giant squid... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She looked around with the others, scanning with her tricorder.:: If they're here, they're here for a reason. Romulans aren't known for their exploratory missions. What they do, they do to further the influence of their Empire. Cptn Swain: #NDak> My brother... he is much more familiar with, well, both sides of the door I suppose. Tandaris Admiran: They wanted to discover how this planet's people broke their sun. Tandaris Admiran: So they can replicate it, on demand, in other people's suns. Hakran K'hal: Cheery thought. Charlie Harper: # ::beat:: I think I won't ask. At what point do we generally get contact from... whomever's holding us? William Chocox: That's not a scary thought. Indaura Ryssan: (( on the road, limited talk)) Cptn Swain: #NDak>Good question. ::tries to stand up, but is a bit wobbly:: Tandaris Admiran: See, the thing you have to realize ::has scanned one of the consoles with his tricorder and now reaches down and removes an access panel:: is that blowing up a star is very easy. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: thinks he has a handle on the encryption type, has seen it before in simulations, and so pushes the big red button on his padd to try to crack it :: William Chocox: ::scans and opens what he thinks is the comms panel:: I think I have it. Tandaris Admiran: I mean, I've done it ... ::starts counting on his fingers:: a few times. ::reaches under neath the console and starts pulling out data storage rods:: William Chocox: And they say I'm explosive happy. Hakran K'hal: :: quirks the other ear :: Hunter Matheson: ::Admiran:: So, just out of curiosity, how does that work? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Joins Chocox, squatting to have a look inside the unit.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::Hunter:: Plenty of ways. I like the "iron sunrise" method. The last time we did it I think I used an isotropic implosive. Trilithium is useful too. Hunter Matheson: ::generally staying out of the way:: Hakran K'hal: Blowing them up is :: finger quotes :: "easy," but making one terminally ill is another thing altogether. Hunter Matheson: Good to know. Cptn Swain: (( Rhan give me a number between 1-20 )) Maryse Dubois: Let’s not contemplate ways to blow up the sun please. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> (( 18 )) Tandaris Admiran: ::rummaging around the console, starts re-arranging the rods:: Exactly, newer K'hal. The problem is that all those methods are rather unsubtle. Tandaris Admiran: If the Romulans can replicate what happened to this sun, they could introduce instabilities that appear to be normal, or at least, can't be traced back to them. They could weaken systems rather than destroying them. It's pernicious. Ah. ::finishes his surgery:: William Chocox: Do I want to know what you're "ahing" about? Tandaris Admiran: ::Rhan:: Older K'hal, have you decrypted the systems yet? Hakran K'hal: :: Will :: Either something good will happen or there will be an explosion, if the Commander's reputation has any meaning. Cptn Swain: ACTION> Power seems to flicker across the entire laboratory and the monitors switch to a bright, chartreuse warning. Because not everyone needs to have blaring red alerts right? Hunter Matheson: ::walking around, out of the way, checking out the rest of the area::: Tandaris Admiran: I'll take that as a no. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Hmph. That'd be a no. Cptn Swain: ACTION> A moment later the entire group feels the grip of a transporter. Charlie Harper: ::watches NDak quietly from the other side of the cell:: William Chocox: Green? At that point you're just picking that to keep up with the aesthetic. Cptn Swain: (( Everyone, give me a number 1-20 )) Tandaris Admiran: Oh, good, at least that part w…”::dematerializes:: William Chocox: (( 8 )) Tandaris Admiran: ((14)) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> They've shored that encrypt... oh hell :: shimmery feeling starts :: Hunter Matheson: 7 Hakran K'hal: (( 2 )) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: (( 18 )) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> (( 11 )) Hunter Matheson: What... the... hell.... :::stock still, staring::: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The dice like you all apparently and you rematerialize on the surface near Commander Augustin and company outside the Obelisk. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: looks around, sighs :: Tandaris Admiran: I recognized that console as a transporter control unit. It appears I did successfully bypass its command matrix to trigger an emergency evacuation. Hakran K'hal: :: blinks at Augustin :: Fancy meeting you here. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Makes his way to the door, but before he can get there it slides open:: Tandaris Admiran: However, because we hadn't decrypted the system, it also triggered the base's self-destruct. Tandaris Admiran: My bad. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Still in her crouched position, Miranda almost fell forward, but caught herself and rose.:: Admiran! ::Turning to glare at him.:: Give a person some warning! Cptn Swain: ACTION> A large rumble shakes the ground beneath them and the Obelisk disappears leaving only ruins. It was, apparently, a very good hologram. Maryse Dubois: ::Looks around.:: Everyone in one piece? William Chocox: Well then. Cptn Swain: #Jhael> Jolan tru, Arrain... ::glances to Harper:: and to au. William Chocox: I think we can communicate again. Tandaris Admiran: ::winces at Miranda:: Warning. Right. I knew I forgot something. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Physically, yes. Mentally, Doctor? I don't know if that's possible anymore. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: I thought you were supposed to remind me about those. Charlie Harper: ::glances between them:: Friend of yours? Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Blinks:: Hakran K'hal: :: Augustin :: Secret chamber, Romulan technology, emergency transport, self-destruct mechanisms. You know, the usual, sir. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Blinks:: Him? Na. I do na know him. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Excalibur+ Hawthorne to Excalibur. Are you receiving? ::Still glaring at Tandaris.:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> Have I... you know never mind. Maryse Dubois: ::Looking up at the open air.:: Well we appear to be back topside, but that doesn't mean we're safe. ::Thinking back to their fun in the rain.:: We may want some shelter just in case we get rained on. Cptn Swain: $+Miranda+ Swain here... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She breathed a sigh of relief.:: +Swain+ Thank goodness. We have developments, Captain. ::Fills him in with a summary of everything they'd been through / learned thus far.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: Maryse :: I was trying to forget about that, at least long enough to enjoy the potential near death experiences we've had since then. Hakran K'hal: :: rolls his eyes at his brother, more to keep from glaring at Tandaris along with Miranda than anything :: William Chocox: Must've forgotten. Cptn Swain: # +Miranda+ I am sending a shuttle down to pick you all up now. it should arrive by the time we've finished talking.. There is still the matter of the missing crewmembers, but if the Romulan base was abandoned my hunch is they are no longer there. We're also detecting another storm system developing to your northeast, so I don't think it would be prudent for you to stay. Hakran K'hal: :: overhears, scans off in that direction :: You know Rhan, I think I agree with you now. I hate this planet. Cptn Swain: #Jhael> ::smirks, leaning against the doorway rather lazily:: Well, we will get to be good friends soon, assuming my superiors back at ch'Rihan do na wish au dead. Our work here is done for h'nah, and we will be leaving soon. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nods :: I'm seldom wrong about these things. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: trots off to mark the landing spot for the shuttle :: Cptn Swain: #Jhael> ::glances to Harper:: Au, Lloann'na, au are lucky to have been found with him. Otherwise au would have simply been... what is au word... vaporized? Cptn Swain: ACTION> The shuttlecraft begins approach to land. Hakran K'hal: :: Miranda :: Since we had to leave almost all of the artifacts behind, science will need everyone's tricorders after we get to the ship to at least collate all the scanned data :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Swain+ The Romulans must have gone recently. Are you detecting any activity around the planet? Transporter activity? Shuttles? We still have a team missing from the planet's surface. Charlie Harper: # And what work would that be, exactly? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: trots back to the others so he doesn't get landed on - naturally :: Cptn Swain: @+Hawthorn+ There is an unusual sensor anomaly we've detected intermittently. Cptn Swain: #Jhael> ::Considers for a moment:: Well since au will never be able to tell au little Lloann'na friends, why na tell au.... Indaura Ryssan: :: Walks with Dubois :: This planet Maryse Dubois: ::Watching the shuttle approach. Nods to Indaura.:: I can't wait to get off of it. Cptn Swain: #Kaled> Idiot. ::Smacks Jhael upside the head:: Do au know who his little friend here is? He lied to us. He is na some Random Arrain sent along by HQ to monitor the situation. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded to Hakran.:: Agreed. You're in charge of collecting those when we get back. ::She gestured to the shuttle.:: Everyone on board and back to Excalibur. Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Sighs deeply, glancing to Harper:: William Chocox: ::climbs onto the ship:: William Chocox: Well no one can say this was uneventful. Maryse Dubois: ::Gets onto the shuttle when it lands.:: Hunter Matheson: ::takes up the rear:: Hakran K'hal: :: nods, gets into the shuttle :: William Chocox: I feel like the crew could go to Risa and have something go wrong. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Making sure everyone gets aboard:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Takes her seat, dropping her bag at her feet, and leans back with a sigh.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: Will :: I imagine you're right... if the Excalibur hasn't already been banned from the system for past offenses. Hunter Matheson: ::straps in:: Cptn Swain: #Jhael> Ow... what... who is he and how... Charlie Harper: # ::looks back at NDak:: Do you know what their problem is? Cptn Swain: #NDak> I may or may not have told them under questioning before they brought me back in here that I was just a Tal'Shiar operative sent to make sure the Lloann'na did na get too close to whatever their project was... Hakran K'hal: :: calls up to the ship to have someone from his department standing by in the shuttlebay with an empty case or three ready with the little tricorder cutouts in the foam :: Charlie Harper: # ... Well planned, that. Cptn Swain: #Kaled> It almost worked too. But I tested au DNA, *Erei'Riov* Issaha N'Dak. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: leans back with his paws behind his head, glances over to Maryse :: So, how was your day? Cptn Swain: #Jhael> Galae? Those fvadt! Cptn Swain: #Jhael> Wait did au say N'Dak? *That* N'Dak? Cptn Swain: #Kaled> Na. This is the little brother. H'nah, leave them. Colonel t'Haen has na yet decided what to do with them, but since the base has been compromised we must leave orbit soon. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The shuttle arrives back on Excalibur in only a few minutes. They touch down without incident and the doors open. Science and security are waiting to take back their equipment. Medical is there to tend to the wounded. Cptn Swain: +Miranda+ As soon as you can get up here, report to the bridge. Hakran K'hal: :: pops out of the shuttle, deposits his tricorder and starts yakking with the lead archaeologist, his best astrophysicist, and the meteorologist :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Swain+ On my way. William Chocox: ::hands over his tricorder:: Hunter Matheson: ::rolls out, hands stuff, heads to the showers:::: Cptn Swain: TWO MINUTE WARNIN William Chocox: Where do you want me Commander Admiran? Cptn Swain: #Jhael> ::spits towards Issaha:: Veruul! ::is dragged out of the room by Kaled, leaving Harper and N'Dak alone again:: Maryse Dubois: ::Steps off the shuttle.:: Ah, a nice sterile ship. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: glances down at the state of his encounter suit :: I think I'll change back into a uni before I join you, Commander. I still have... unpleasant things adhering to me, covered with a centimeter of dust. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: Do you need to be checked over by medical? Cptn Swain: #NDak> Well, that was awkward. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Miranda disembarked and handed her tricorder to the scientists. She also left the satchel she'd been carrying that had some of the packaged items they'd found in storage. She waved off medical, having nothing but small scrapes and cuts from crawling through rock. Though she was dusty and her uniform sported a few tears, she headed straight to the bridge.:: William Chocox: Nah, I was underground the entire time. Indaura Ryssan: :: Steps off :: Indaura Ryssan: My kingdom for a sonic shower.. Tandaris Admiran: Then get changed and report to engineering. William Chocox: Aye sir. Cptn Swain: ...and... William Chocox: ::walks off to do just that. Tandaris Admiran: ::follows Miranda to the bridge:: Hakran K'hal: :: with the collections being taken care of, makes directly for the lab :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Holds the lift for Tandaris, still glaring.:: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0709.2017 The Excalibur team has stumbled on something most unusual -- a working lab below the obelisk and off from the collapsed section of the transport network that appears to have some local technology as well as Romulan computers, though it appears to have been hastily abandoned.

MISSION BRIEF: Death and destruction? Maybe! On their way to link up with Commander Augustin's search party, the AT has become trapped in the ancient transportation system deep below the surface, and directly above the unusual obelisk. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hunter Matheson: ::poking into the emergency supplies:: Tandaris Admiran: We should get out of here Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She joined the engineers.:: Can we open the doors manually? Indaura Ryssan: :: Still looking for a way out :: Tandaris Admiran: Yes, that's not a problem Hunter Matheson: ::accumulating supplies, looking for tools, digging into panels but there isn't much::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: after setting his modded padd in a convenient location, uplinks his tricorder to it and begins scanning outside of the car, creating a small holographic projection of their situation to help the engineers see what's what :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Matheson, did we bring any of the safety gear with us? We're going to need masks with all the dust out there. Visibility is low. Hunter Matheson: ::turns:: No, ma'am. But there's some in these compartments. ::flicks the light:: Hakran K'hal: :: sees what his brother is up to, adds the map info they'd collected into the holographic projection and color-codes areas of risk :: Hunter Matheson: ::hands her an unopened kit::: I'm guessing there's something in here. Hunter Matheson: ::opens one:: A few tools, masks, and... looks like some kind of rebreather. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Medical supplies. ::Opening one and removes the mask:: Not exactly rated for fine particulates, but something is better than nothing. Tandaris Admiran: ::grabs a mask as well:: Tandaris Admiran: We aren't too far from the surface, fortunately Hunter Matheson: ::Cdr:: If nothing else, a strip of uniform will serve as a mask, ma'am. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> There we go... damned dense rock, not getting through as far as I'd like. I hate standard trics. :: tilts head, looking at the holo :: Well, at least we can have an idea of what rocks not to touch. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Alright, everyone grab what they can and let's go. K'hal... K'hals... can you find us a way through or over the rubble with that map of yours? Hakran K'hal: :: both simultaneously :: Yes. Hunter Matheson: ::moves forward, having exhausted the contents of the lockers:: Indaura Ryssan: :: With the group :: Hunter Matheson: ::or moves toward the group, whatever::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: hands Hakran the tricorder and takes the padd himself :: We'll need to move some rock, then be careful in others spots, but I think we can manage it. We've all got hard heads, anyway. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Alright, which way? ::Points to one of the many entrances. There's even an emergency exit on the roof.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> This one. :: leads over to the back right door that has a good size boulder blocking the top 1/3 :: Duck under, crawl to the right 3 meters. Hunter Matheson: :::takes the rear guard, loaded with whatever he found::: Tandaris Admiran: ::following:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Whoever is the best at very careful manual labor will need to clear some loose rock, straight ahead, about half a meter's worth from the top after coming out from the big boulder. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Don't both of you have natural tools for digging? ::Looking between the cats with amusement.:: Hakran K'hal: :: sighs, hands the tricorder over to Tandy and takes the lead :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> I am your tour guide. Since I've done so well with that today already. Hunter Matheson: ::from behind:: I'm pretty good at that, ma'am. ::cdr:: Hunter Matheson: Haven't been lost in an avalanche yet. And if I go, you're not losing much. Indaura Ryssan: :: With the group :: Tandaris Admiran: ::following, using the tricorder to scan for more instabilities:: Hakran K'hal: :: crawls underneath the boulder going through the door, then shuffles on his paws and knees until he gets out from under it :: Okay, loose rocks. :: carefully begins removing them off the top layers and piling them up in under an overhang that none of them could get into anyway :: Hunter Matheson: ::Hands off the gear and begins *carefully* moving boulders::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: sneezes, tries to tie the primate-style mask over his feline muzzle in some way that won't just fall off :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Slips on her mask and follows the Khal in the lead, squeezing through the worst areas and cursing that extra slice of cake she'd had that had gone straight to her hips.:: Hunter Matheson: ::gloves on, mask on, dig...dig...dig:::: Hunter Matheson: (good one, commander) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Okay, good enough. Now climb up onto the pile and feel around until you get to the tunnel wall. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Hunter's excessive digging causes a mini rock-slide that showers them all with bouncing pebbles, small rocks, and dust. Hunter Matheson: Hey... semi-fresh breeze coming from up here. ::points:: Tandaris Admiran: ::looks in the direction Matheson indicates:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Careful! :: sneezes the mask right off :: Dammit. Hakran K'hal: :: looks back at Hunter :: Think careful archaeology excavation, not prairie dog needing a new home. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Stops, covers her head, and waits for the slide to end. Then continues on, searching for the wall that Rhan had indicated.:: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The team eventually claws their way to the tunnel wall, but instead find an unexpected opening that was not on the maps and appears to be relatively new. Beyond there appears to be artificial lights. Hunter Matheson: ::K'hal:: Yes, sir. ::working carefully toward the fresher air::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Covered in dust :: Indaura Ryssan: :: spits :: Hakran K'hal: :: blink blinkety-blink-blinken :: That wasn't on the map. Or the scan. Hunter Matheson: ::stops, looks:::: huh.. Hakran K'hal: :: crawls down from the rubble onto the slightly pebble-covered floor in this new notch :: Hunter Matheson: (are the lights on?) Tandaris Admiran: Tricorder shows this tunnel continues for about 100 m. Cptn Swain: (( How else would you, notice them )) Tandaris Admiran: There's lights at the end. Can't discern anything else Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Stumbles over a rock and takes the last few staggering steps into the newly discovered tunnel.:: Uhh... this also looks different in design to the other tunnels and structure beneath the ruins. Hunter Matheson: (flashlights that we have?) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> What is with this planet, it's like it's populated by moles. Hunter Matheson: ::checking the stability of the rest of the rock pile::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: turns to check that everyone gets through to the 'safety' of the new tunnel :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Turning her flashlight off, she started forward to the lighting ahead, keeping one hand on the wall of the tunnel.:: This place looks structurally sound, as well. Newer engineering. Hakran K'hal: :: since he gave his tricorder away, uses his natural senses as he walks with Miranda at the fore :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Crawling or however she is making it with the others :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The new tunnel brings them to a working laboratory where there appears to be a number of consoles and equipment. Some of it very clearly belongs to the species that once inhabited this planet, while others appear to be very modern in design and technology. Tandaris Admiran: ::follows the tunnel:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: gives a hand to Indaura and cardboard Maryse to get them over the last hump of rubble :: Indaura Ryssan: Thank you... :: takes the hand :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: sneezes again after cardboard Will stirs up dust coming in at the end :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: What in the... ::Pauses inside of the doorway, staring at the lab.:: Hakran K'hal: Bit of a hodge-podge, isn't it? Cptn Swain: (( Gimme a number erryone between 1-20 )) Hakran K'hal: :: looks around at the assorted tech :: Indaura Ryssan: (3) Hakran K'hal: (( 4 )) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> (( 5 )) Hunter Matheson: 7 Hunter Matheson: ::exits last::: Tandaris Admiran: ((8)) Cptn Swain: (( OH thank god. That was going to be an awkward action if all of you failed the perception roll. )) Cptn Swain: ACTION> Tandaris notices the script and UI on the newer consoles looks like whatever the Romulan version windows is. Tandaris Admiran: Uh-oh Tandaris Admiran: These consoles look like they're Romulan in origin Cptn Swain: (( SEE IT'S NOT ALWAYS EVIL WHEN I ASK FOR A DICE ROLL )) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: too busy tucking away his precious padd to have gotten far enough to look :: Hakran K'hal: (( I've got to check out on time here tonight, mum's having issues with her oxygen )) Cptn Swain: << TWO MINUTE WARNING >> Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Romulan? ::blinks.:: I suppose we know why our team went missing... Cptn Swain: ...and... Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0702.2017 Death and destruction? Maybe! On their way to link up with Commander Augustin's search party, the AT has become trapped in the ancient transportation system deep below the surface, and directly above the unusual obelisk.

MISSION BRIEF: When we last saw our intrepid heroes, the medical team had hooked up with the rest of the ruins teams meaning we have TWO CATS in one room. Also the team found an protohologram left by one of the inhabitants that confirmed our working theory that something had gone wrong with the planet and it's star to cause their eventual extinction, though it did not elaborate on their plan to "change their destiny." Elsewhere, Arrain N'Dak and Ensign Harper have gone missing at the site of a large obelisk. Captain Swain has ordered most personnel to return to the Excalibur to avoid further incidents with the unpredictable weather, flora and fauna. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Maryse Dubois: @ ::Had just met up with the others.:: William Chocox: @ Hey doc. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: With Dubois :: Tandaris Admiran: @ So, we just found a depressing hologram. Hunter Matheson: (He said they were ordered to, so that's a futuristic order. Gotcha) Indaura Ryssan: @ Hologram? Hakran K'hal: :: consternated by how N'Dak and Harper's disappearance :: Maryse Dubois: @ Glad to see everyone. ::Sighs:: So...We've learned that things tend to melt in the rain here. Especially vehicles... Charlie Harper: ::kinda consternated too what with being not where intended:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She blinked at Maryse.:: Rain? Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Blinks awake, a faint, coppery taste in his mouth:: Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Scanning the others for medical issues :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Acid rain? Tandaris Admiran: @ Ah, yes. Acid rain. Slightly better than basic rain. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: Tandaris :: You wouldn't think it better if it burned a hole in YOUR arm. William Chocox: @ I prefer my rain neutral. Tandaris Admiran: @ I remember one time we went to a planet with strontium hydroxide rain. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Where uh, where are we? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ah, it would explain some of the items that Matheson found in the storage room. Neutralizing agents. Indaura Ryssan: @ Highly acidic. Cptn Swain: #Augustine> ::Frowning:: No luck with the link up? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Are all of you alright? Were you injured? Cptn Swain: #June> ::shakes her head:: Still nothing but traces, but also this obelisk... sensors are having trouble penetrating it. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> Well, other than the security officer that was eaten, nothing serious. Cptn Swain: #Augustin> Could it be the interference you mentioned? Maryse Dubois: @ We are fine, save for Rhan's burn. And of course our escort. Tandaris Admiran: @ ...eaten? Cptn Swain: #June> ::frowning, her nose wrinkled:: Doesn't seem like it. Maryse Dubois: @ Nasty cats with scales. very resistant against phasers. Wouldn't recommend running into one. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda frowned.:: We lost one of the crew? ::She pressed her fingers to her temple.:: The Captain has ordered a planet-wide evacuation because of the turbulent weather and hostile wildlife. William Chocox: @ ::to Tandy:: Masticated, consumed, ingested, I've got more. Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: I need to stop feeding you crosswords. Indaura Ryssan: @ Cancelled my vacation plans here. Tandaris Admiran: @ This away mission is proving less scenic than first advertised. Tandaris Admiran: @ Commander, we've recorded all the data we can onto our tricorders. Aside from gathering any physical artifacts you want to take back to Excalibur, we're good here. Charlie Harper: # ;:tugs at bound wrists:: At a guess, somewhere unpleasant with equally unpleasant people. This is not supposed to happen to science officers; you must be bad luck. Cptn Swain: #NDak> This is like the fourth straight mission I've had something like this happen to me. Hakran K'hal: @ :: wanders a few steps away for a quieter environment :: +Augustin+ Hakran to Commander Augustin. Charlie Harper: #This is the kind of thing you should warn your mission partners about. Cptn Swain: #Augustin> +Khal+ Augustin here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Then we should leave while we are able. One of our teams is currently missing, as well. I hope they didn't come across any predators. William Chocox: @ Oh jeez. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Would you still have came with me? Also why is my lip bleeding. Hakran K'hal: @ +Augustin+ Any luck? Hunter Matheson: @ ::standing by, listening:: Cptn Swain: #Augustin> +Khal+ None yet. It's like they just vanished. No sign of struggle. Charlie Harper: # Decidedly not. And you have a bruise on your jaw. Looks sort of fist-like. Hunter Matheson: @ ::idly picking dust and dirt off his uniform::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Let's go. Take what you can carry and let's get out to transporter range. Hakran K'hal: @ +Augustin+ Very well, we're likely finished up here, I'd expect we'll move off your way soon to assist. William Chocox: @ Aye ma'am. ::starts gathering some things:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::gathers other manuals he's found and whatever else seems important::: Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Sighs:: The last thing I remember was being at the obelisk and finding something... then nothing. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Folds up her tricorder, checks her small bag :: Maryse Dubois: @ Hopefully it isn't going to rain... Charlie Harper: # The last thing I remember was the weather getting worse. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Maybe we're both dead and having a shared afterlife experience? Indaura Ryssan: @ I am ready. Hunter Matheson: @ ::grabs a ruck he found in the corner and stuffs it full of stuff::: Hunter Matheson: @ Ready. William Chocox: @ What do we do about the missing team? Tandaris Admiran: @ We could load up one of these transport pods and take it to the nearest surface station. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She looked at Tandaris.:: Do they travel underground? Maryse Dubois: @ I hope everyone is ready for a nice relaxing time in decon, cause that's where we are headed once we get back. ::Already had her stuff on her and was starting to head back.:: Tandaris Admiran: @ Yes, it's like those tunnel transit networks your Earth used before transporters. Subpaths? Charlie Harper: #::gives him the kind of 'are you kidding me' look perfected at lecture halls:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::mutters something about not caring because that means he can ditch his dirty utilities::: Hakran K'hal: @ SubWAYs, Commander. And they still do use them on many Federation worlds. Hunter Matheson: @ ::and maybe...just maybe... get a shower:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::shrugs:: It was just an idea. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Hmm... so... these walls don't look uh, well they don't look like anything else on the surface. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: has no idea what any of this stuff is, so just grabs a random box :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Lead the way. Let's go. ::Shouldering a pack full of the alien rations and other items for Excalibur science teams to study.:: Charlie Harper: #::looks around the room curiously:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Starts up the stairs that spiral upwards to the tunnels.:: William Chocox: @::walks with Hawthorne:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::falls in, making his way up the stairs, ruck secure and loaded::: Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Glances at Dubois :: Hakran K'hal: @ :: with his small bag containing only a few things of interest, meanders over to join the others on the climb :: Maryse Dubois: @ ::Following the others since they seem more familiar with the area.:: Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> Great, we climbed all the way down here just to come right back up. :: clomps up the stairs :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She grinned back at Rhan.:: No, you climbed down, so you could climb up with your arms full of stuff. Like a pack-mule, but feline. Charlie Harper: #You're right; the architecture is completely different. This looks.... machined. Hunter Matheson: @ ::small cough:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> If I didn't know better it looks an awful lot like a holding area in a Romulan br'tehh. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: grunts :: Tandaris Admiran: @::helps carry items to the surface:: Cptn Swain: #Augustin> +Excalibur+ Augustin to Excalibur Indaura Ryssan: @ :: With the group :: Maryse Dubois: @ ::Looking to Rhan.:: If your arm is still bothering you, you can get someone else to carry that. William Chocox: @::whistles "The Noble Duke of York":: Charlie Harper: #::gives him the 'kidding me' look again, but this time with a lot less confidence behind it:: Cptn Swain: $Ops> +Augustin+ Go ahead Commander. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The team makes the way through the ruin tunnels to the underground transports without incident. Cptn Swain: #Augustin> +Ops+ Can you double check to make sure Arrain NDak and Ensign Harper didn't return to the Excalibur? Cptn Swain: $Ops> ::after a moment:: +Augustin+ Confirmed. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: Maryse :: Nah, just stings a bit still, but it'd do that if I was lying on a pack of pillows. :: gratefully stows the box onto the transport, however - is not the manual labor type :: Cptn Swain: #NDak> Not that I... not that I have spent a lot of time in the br'tehh... but it does have that feel. Especially the flooring. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda put her supplies at the end of one of the transports and sank down into a seat.:: How do these things operate? Are they solar powered? William Chocox: @::sets his items down:: I can't remember off hand. Charlie Harper: #... Mother said take the lecturer position, but no, I said Starfleet... see the galaxy... one brig at a time... Maryse Dubois: @ ::Sets her kit down and has a seat.:: Hakran K'hal: @ I think you have to click your heels three times and say "there's no place like station 3B, there's no place like station 3B, there's no place like station 3B." Hunter Matheson: @ ::drops his ruck, secures it, and straps in:: Cptn Swain: #Augustin> ::Was really hoping they'd just been missed:: +Ops+ Tell security I want a level 2 sweep of all decks. perhaps the weather fried their comm badges. Tandaris Admiran: @ We interface one of these tablet devices. ::demonstrates:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: not regularly as sarcastic as his brother, but can drop one occasionally :: Tandaris Admiran: The power appears to be inductive in nature. Cptn Swain: $Ops> +Aug+ Understood sir, Excalibur out. Hunter Matheson: @ ::coughs:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> My mother wanted me to do the same. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: looks over at Hunter :: Coming down with something, Gunny? Tandaris Admiran: @ The nearest surface station is about 2 km from our original beam-down coordinates. Hunter Matheson: @ ::looks up:: Think it's the dust down there. Got a catch in my throat. ::squeaks it out::: Tandaris Admiran: @ The weather appears quiescent for the moment. Hunter Matheson: @ ::shrug:: I'm fine. Just need to get outta here. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Looks around :: Hakran K'hal: @ So long as we don't linger too long in one spot. Charlie Harper: #Do Romulans do lawyers? Hostage negotiations? ... access to the head? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ So long as we can get to the surface where they can lock on to our signals, we'll be good. Base camp is broken down by now. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: Hunter :: You say so, but I'm sure one of the doctors will be scanning you with extra enthusiasm anyway. Cptn Swain: #NDak> Depends on how charitable we're feeling. Though if this *is* a Romulan br'tehh I am going to be very confused what it's doing here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Admiran, does your interface show you the maps of the tunnels? Are there any stations in the vicinity of the obelisk that the teams are currently investigating? Hunter Matheson: @ ::snort:: Probably so, Sir. Got no problem with that so long as it's on Excal. Hunter Matheson: @ ::cough:: Tandaris Admiran: @ Let's see... yes, there's one practically underneath the obelisk. Cptn Swain: #NDak> I mean why would a Romulan brig be on this planet? We have never graced it with our presence as far as I could tell looking over the records before we embarked. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Alright, take us there. We can link up with Augustin's team and see if they require any assistance before we beam back to the ship. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: settles onto one of the sideways-facing benches alongside Hakran :: Tandaris Admiran: @ Understood. ::directs the transport to that station:: ETA is 4 minutes. Hunter Matheson: @ ::rests back against the bulkhead::: Charlie Harper: #Doesn't a brig sort of imply a ship? Cptn Swain: #NDak> Ie, though what would a Rihan ship being doing here, rhae au side of the neutral zone? Hakran K'hal: @ :: both K'hals stretch out identically next to each other to rest through the ride; the only difference between them is their uniforms and Hakran's longer and pointier chin fluff :: William Chocox: @::leans back:: Charlie Harper: #That is the question. Maryse Dubois: @ ::Smiles at the two brothers, before glancing around at everyone else, watching them relax for now.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ACTION> The transports gets underway, heading toward the obelisk station. Halfway there, collision alarms sound and the transport comes to a grinding halt, tossing about the unprepared. A huge pile of boulders blocks the tunnel in front of them. William Chocox: @ Was that there before? Hunter Matheson: @ ::jerked against his straps:: What the... Tandaris Admiran: @ There was no sign of it on the system map. Cptn Swain: #NDak> I just don't know what about this planet would be interesting to my people. William Chocox: @ I doubt they put rockslides on the map. Maryse Dubois: @ ::Holds onto a pole, keeping her from going anywhere.:: Well that's not good. Hakran K'hal: @ :: both K'hals slide forward on their bench seat until Hakran collides with a divider and Rhan smooshes into him :: Charlie Harper: #::glances thoughtfully at NDak, then looks away:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda had to grab onto her seat to keep from spilling into the floor. She stood and walked to the front of the transport to have a look.:: It looks recent... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ There's still dust in the air. ::Frowning again.:: Cptn Swain: #NDak> ::Sighs:: Let alone interesting enough to send a clandestine mission here crossing the neutral zone. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: picks himself off his brother, stands and straightens his uniform :: I hate this planet. William Chocox: @::joins her:: Huh...you thinking that it wasn't an accident? Hakran K'hal: @ :: also collects himself, but scans the rubble pile :: Good news, I don't see any bodies in or under it. Cptn Swain: (( You know Rhan, I hear they're selling time shares in the city. )) Maryse Dubois: @ ::Smiles at Rhan.:: You and everyone else. ::Stands, looking around.:: Everyone ok? Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks out the window:: Probably why I'm coughing. Want me to take a look? Hunter Matheson: @ ::thumbs up to the doc::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> As if in response to Rhan's comment, the ground began to rumble and the transport started to shake. Large chunks of the ceiling tunnel began to fall, hitting the transport hard. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Gets out her tricorder, scans :: Tandaris Admiran: @ This is probably not the best place to be. Indaura Ryssan: @ Ah! Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> Back it up! William Chocox: @ Back it the hell up! Tandaris Admiran: @::finds the tablet, which was jostled and knocked from his hands, and holds it up:: Uh-oh. Tandaris Admiran: @::pokes at the tablet desperately, but it is non-functional:: Cptn Swain: #Augustin> ::feels a small tremor, and lifts a brow:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::watching the transport's hull, hoping it doesn't collapse::: Hunter Matheson: @ Don't recall anything about tectonic activity in those logs I found. Hakran K'hal: @ :: still keeping his head, at least until something tries to cave it in - scans for anything useful that would get them out of this :: Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> We do call them "ruins" for a reason, Gunny. William Chocox: @ Do we have another tablet Commander? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> The small tremor turned into an earthquake and the tunnel began to collapse around them. William Chocox: @ Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. Cptn Swain: #Augustin> ::looks to June as the earth beneath them begun to shake slightly:: Maryse Dubois: @ ::Finds herself unwillingly back in her seat for a moment.:: Cptn Swain: #June> ::Frowns:: Localized tremor below the surface. Looks like maybe in some underground tunnelways? Everything appears normal here. Hunter Matheson: @ Take cover under the seat if you fit. Tandaris Admiran: @::Ryssan:: Can you scan for a service exit? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda held on to her seat, eyes wide.:: Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Turns her tricorder :: Doing so... Hunter Matheson: @ Looks like the transport's integrity is intact. Could be built for this. Cptn Swain: #June> I am fascinated by this obelisk though. Arrain N'Dak was spot on. It's definitely of later construction and none of these glyphs make coherent sentences or messages once you pull them out of the database and run them with one built with the rest of the lexicon we built so far. Maryse Dubois: @ :;Clutching her medkit so she doesn't lose it.:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: matter of factly, looking at the rubble piling up outside the transport :: I think it might be too late for that. Cptn Swain: #Augustin> ::trying to not let his eyes glaze over:: Yes, but what does that even mean... in lay terms? Hunter Matheson: @ ::Rahn:: Yeah, ruins. Right. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> The tunnel collapsed completely around them, burying the transport, but the transport itself didn't crumple. The power went out, leaving them in darkness. The rumbling stopped and then it was very, very quiet. Cptn Swain: #June> It could mean someone else built this obelisk, survivors perhaps? It's hard to say really. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: scanning :: There's something in a back corner, but it's rather small. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: having given his light to Maryse, can't help much about illumination :: William Chocox: @ ::turns on a light on his tricorder:: Hakran K'hal: @ +Augustin+ K'hal to Augustin, do you copy? Maryse Dubois: @ ::Turns on the wrist lamp she was previously given.:: Sound off. William Chocox: @ I'm here. Cptn Swain: (( Give me a number 1-20 )) William Chocox: (( 8 )) Hakran K'hal: ((3)) Maryse Dubois: ((12)) Hunter Matheson: @ So, I'm guessing this was a common occurrence, since the transport is intact. William Chocox: @ Or they just knew how to make something. Hunter Matheson: (7) Tandaris Admiran: ((19)) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda took a breath.:: Everyone alright? Cptn Swain: ACTION> Static comes back on the comm badge. Hunter Matheson: @ ::checking the hull:: I'm good, Commander. Tandaris Admiran: @ I'm alive. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> Annoyed, but fine. Hunter Matheson: @ ::fascinated with its construction:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: harrumphs :: Not getting a signal through, and Commander Augustin should be practically right above us. Hunter Matheson: @ ::walks along the inside, looking for compartments;:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::tapping on the walls until he comes to a hollow sound, then stops::: Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> +Anyone+ K'hal to Augustin, K'hal to Excalibur, does anyone read me? Cptn Swain: TWO MINUTE WARNING Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: What do you think? We could rig up something to allow the combadge to use the transport's hull as a giant antenna and boost the signal that way. Cptn Swain: ACTION> Static. Hunter Matheson: @ ::runs his fingers around that area, presses, and a door opens:: Huh... William Chocox: @ Maybe...might still run into the same problem. Maryse Dubois: @ ::Shining her light first on everyone just to be sure, then shines it on the transport itself. She looked at the structural points, making sure nothing was about to give.:: Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Still scanning :: I hope there are no more quakes Hunter Matheson: @ ::feels around, pulls out a bunch of stuff:: This must have happened pretty regularly. Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> I just use the comms, Commander. Your call on how to make one better. Hunter Matheson: @ Hey, Doc. Got a light over here? Maryse Dubois: @ ::Shines it in Hunter's direction.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda turned on her handlight to give the others more illumination, standing shakily to have a look through the windows.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks the stuff out:: Looks like emergency supplies. I'm going to say this was a regular occurrence. Hakran K'hal: @ Good news, we are getting a bit of air flow even through the rubble, so we shouldn't have to worry about asphyxiation... right away. Tandaris Admiran: @::rummages around and locates an engineering kit:: Here. ::tosses it to Chocox:: Pull out some conductive filament and use it to connect the combadge's transceiver to the transport superstructure. William Chocox: @::catches it and gets to work:: Aye sir. Hunter Matheson: @ But not sure what kind. ::hands it out, then pulls out more stuff::: Indaura Ryssan: @ :: yells :: Is anyone hurt?! Tandaris Admiran: @::Hunter:: Any sign of a battery or emergency generator? Hunter Matheson: @ This could be one. ::hands it over::: Hakran K'hal: @Rhan> :: decides to go look at the random box he grabbed from the room to see if there's anything helpful in there :: Cptn Swain: .and... Hunter Matheson: @ ::stuff and more stuff::: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0625.2017 When we last saw our intrepid heroes, the medical team had hooked up with the rest of the ruins teams meaning we have TWO CATS in one room. Also the team found an protohologram left by one of the inhabitants that confirmed our working theory that something had gone wrong with the planet and its star to cause their eventual extinction, though it did not elaborate on their plan to "change their destiny." Elsewhere, Arrain N'Dak and Ensign Harper have gone missing at the site of a large obelisk. Captain Swain has ordered most personnel to return to the Excalibur to avoid further incidents with the unpredictable weather, flora and fauna.

MISSION BRIEF: The survey of Irassa IV has taken an unusual turn. Weather patterns have become increasingly erratic and dangerous, causing Excalibur crew to scramble for shelter. Other teams continue to investigate an unusual facility located below the surface of a ruined city. Another team, examining an unusual obelisk at the heart of the city has failed to report in and are, apparently, missing. In orbit, Excalibur has continued to monitor the situation as well as note a number of unusual -- highly improbable -- changes in the Irassan star. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Tandaris Admiran: @::aghast at the weather data they have found, which is bad news as all get out:: Maryse Dubois: # ::Waiting out the storm under the rock shelter with Rhan and Indaira. Once it cleared out they were going to make for the ruins.:: Cptn Swain: $Augustin>::At the Obelisk site, having his security team begin a search of the area.:: Cptn Swain: ^+Miranda+ Swain to Hawthorne. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ +Swain+ Hawthorne here. Go ahead. Indaura Ryssan: # We may need to find something to protect us. :: Looking around her :: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: takes stock of his parts and pieces after driving through hell :: Okay, I think other than the new arm hole I'm okay. How are you two? Hunter Matheson: @ ::still on the floor, scanning the log they found::: Maryse Dubois: # ::Checks herself once more to be sure.:: I'm fine. Cptn Swain: ^ +Miranda+ We've been monitoring the situation up here, but I want a report from the ground. Hakran K'hal: @ While this is a fascinating planet to study... I'm rather starting to think it should've been an unmanned survey. Hunter Matheson: @ ::scan... scan... scan...scan....scan...scan::: Indaura Ryssan: # I'm fine for the moment. :: huffs :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::stops, then flips through the rest of the log::: Huh... Hunter Matheson: @ ::flips a few pages back:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: nods, begins scanning the weather :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::stands up, back crack, then rounds the pile of boxes to find Cdr Hawthorne::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ +Swain+ We've had reports from the surface that the weather has turned nasty. Unpredictable storms and acid rain. Down here, in storage, we've uncovered hazard suits, rations, and other substances that may have been used to neutralize acids. Hunter Matheson: @ ::but she's talking to the boss, so he tries to unravel the puzzle::: Hakran K'hal: @ :: Tandaris :: Commander, as an engineer, can you think of any way this weather could be generated without the use of satellites? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> The storm moves on and the rain stops, leaving the medical team safe -- for now. They're already within the ruins. The entrance to the underground survey is only a few meters from their current location. Cptn Swain: ^ +Hawthorne+ Understood. Until we can be sure any outside crews are safe, I am going order them to return to Excalibur as soon as possible. You and the ruins teams can continue working for now. Indaura Ryssan: # Aren't we close to something right now? Tandaris Admiran: @::K'hal:: The evidence we have so far seems to suggest the sun's unusual activity is at least the ultimate cause of the weather patterns. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Clearing up. If the map Hakran sent along is any good, I believe we can get to the underground system around that corner. :: points :: Tandaris Admiran: @ We could perform geomagnetic analyses of the planet back on Excalibur to see if the sun is causing other planetary instabilities, like a core dynamo imbalance Indaura Ryssan: # We could have been protected this entire time? :: gets up :: Hakran K'hal: @ Solar activity certainly can have that effect, but the... targeted nature of it, as well as some of the unusual aspects that one wouldn't normally see on a bog standard class M shouldn't be possible without some direction. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Well, we do have to travel about 5 meters under partially open sky to get there, so speaking for myself, I like this bit of fallen wall while acid rain is falling. Indaura Ryssan: # :: Looks for the entrance :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::next to Hawthorne with the log, listening to the convo while he waits:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: also rises, skirts around the still dripping part of the overhang :: Tandaris Admiran: @ What would be the purpose of creating such chaotic weather patterns? Maryse Dubois: # ::Nods.:: Let's get moving, but take it slow. Hunter Matheson: @ ::flipping through the log again, checking a few things::: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Checks her holstered tricorder :: Aye Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ +Swain+ Very good, Captain. I think that best, as well. The medical team should be at our location in just a few minutes. They'd made it to cover in the ruins before they could be seriously injured. Hakran K'hal: @ I can't imagine anyone doing it on purpose, but mistakes are certainly known to happen. Especially when you start tinkering with something as complex as weather and climate on a planetary scale. Cptn Swain: ^ +Miranda+ Understood. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She gestured to Hunter.:: What did you find? Tandaris Admiran: @ I find it hard to believe that this species was capable of such things given their ::glances at the data tape:: primitive technology. Hunter Matheson: @ Well, Commander, it looks like the log was written by several people for several reasons... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> I'd avoid slow in that puddle though. :: indicates a round, sizzling bit of liquid between them and the entryway :: Maryse Dubois: # :;Gets up and begins to follow Rhan, careful where she stepped.:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Takes the rear :: Hunter Matheson: @ The beginning is like a daily journal. It looks like dates, ::shows her the top of each page... Cptn Swain: $Augustin> ::Frowns looking at the tricorder scans as one of his assistant security officers returns:: Nothing? Hunter Matheson: @ Then the writing changes, and the dates are sporadic, then suddenly it turns into a lot of what looks like formulas. Indaura Ryssan: # Water is very acidic... wonder how this ecology works. Tandaris Admiran: @ Maybe, though, whatever they were trying to do to fix the naturally-occurring problem made it worse, somehow. Hunter Matheson: @ ::flips to the back: : From here on, it's stuff like chemistry, but I'm not a scientist. Cptn Swain: $Jordan> ::Nods:: Nothing. Just some residual traces that they *were* here, but nothing else. No sign of struggle. Hakran K'hal: @ :: nods :: Obviously I'll keep an open mind as to that Commander, but the planetary scientists on my team are finding this mind-boggling so I'd like to keep a very very open mind. Indaura Ryssan: # :: Follows Rhan and Dubois :: Hunter Matheson: @ And it's like that until the end of the book, but it ends suddenly. About a dozen pages blank, and the last one stops in mid-sentence. Maryse Dubois: # I'm beginning to understand why the plants and animals are hostile. Tandaris Admiran: @ The launch site we investigated suggested they at least got something into the upper atmosphere. Hunter Matheson: (blank) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Takes a look at the log, squinting at the formulas.:: We should run those through the computer and see if it makes any sense of it. It certainly looked like they were making preparations for the worst. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: comes to the entryway, carefully shoves aside some debris so they can go down :: Indaura Ryssan: (was thinking, Don't worry Hunter, you'll think of something...) Cptn Swain: ACTION> Tandaris notices a data storage device he'd missed before sitting on top of one of the consoles. Hakran K'hal: @ :: grunts, moves off to do some more checking in with his people :: Tandaris Admiran: @ Oh look, a data storage device I missed before sitting on top of one of the consoles ::slow and dramatic pointing:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Scans, the tricorder chirping :: Hunter Matheson: @ (I guess there's always hope..) Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: flicks on his wrist-light, shines it over the stairway :: Mind your steps. Indaura Ryssan: # Scanning the structure... Hakran K'hal: @ :: glance back toward Tandaris, flicks an ear and shakes his head, resumes his business :: Hunter Matheson: @ So, take it to Commander Admiran? Maryse Dubois: # ::Smiles as Rhan uses a light.:: It the light more for our convenience than yours? Indaura Ryssan: # The entrance at least appears stable. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Science would have a better time with it, I think. Give it over to K'hal. Indaura Ryssan: # :: Changing her tricorder to BIO :: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Of course. Hunter Matheson: @ Yes, ma'am. ::moves out, looking for K'hal::: Maryse Dubois: # ::Holds out her hand to him.:: I'll take it then. Hakran K'hal: @ :: peeks over his padd, looking very much the geek, as Hunter approaches :: Something new, Mr. Matheson? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Joins Tandy.:: What information have you gotten from the data tapes? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: unclasps the light from his wrist and hands it over to Maryse :: Always so self-sufficient. Hunter Matheson: @ yes, sir. A hand-written log that has formulas at the end. ::hands it over, the last few pages bookmarked::: Tandaris Admiran: @ More information on the behaviour of plant and wildlife, and logs of the weather showing a cyclic pattern. Guess which part of the cycle we're entering. Hakran K'hal: @ :: accepts, does a quick skim to try to get the gist before going back and looking it over in detail :: Indaura Ryssan: # I'm not getting much on the bio readings. Cptn Swain: $Augustin> Let's do another check, scan for anything out of the ordinary. ::Looks to the science geeks:: Anything you have found? Hunter Matheson: @ Also, by the writing, it was written by several people, dates at the beginning like an ordinary log, then hastily-written notes, and then the formulas. And they end suddenly. Hunter Matheson: @ Not exactly a good sign. Maryse Dubois: # ::Grins as she takes the light, strapping it to her wrist.:: You'll be able to react with better reflexes this way. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> I wouldn't worry about it, these kinds of tunnel systems can bounce tricorder readings around so much you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a pizza and a panda. Maryse Dubois: # ::Looks back to Indaura.:: You'll probably only come across the away teams at this point. Indaura Ryssan: # :: Nods :: I can only hope. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ The worst part? ::Glances to the storage bins.:: What about the launch? Anything records of them launching a rocket? Hakran K'hal: @ Normal activity, things go to hell, someone gets a bright idea, but time runs out. Cptn Swain: $Klien> ::shakes her head:: No, and that's the unusual thing. The Arrain believed that the construction material used for the Obelisk differed from the rest of ruins. As far as I can tell, he's right. But we're having trouble penetrating the obelisk to do a more detailed scan. It could also be why we can't find their biosignatures. Tandaris Admiran: @ We have visual confirmation they launched something from our visit to the launch site. The two tapes we viewed didn't have any data concerning that. Chocox and I have decoded and stored the remaining tapes in our tricorder memory; once we return to the ship we can analyze their contents further. Hakran K'hal: @ :: tries to figure out the formulas, again having to muddle with the translator's slow-pickup of symbology :: Cptn Swain: $Augustin> Could you link to Excalibur to do a better scan of the structure? Tandaris Admiran: @ ::points at the device on the console:: That looks like another device, maybe a holoprojector. I didn't notice it before. It might contain more illuminating information. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda moved to the device and lifted it, turning it about in her hands in search of some way to activate it.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: carefully makes his way down the remaining steps to the sub-level until he comes to a closed door :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Looks ahead :: Maryse Dubois: # ::Stops behind Rhan.:: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The lights in the room flickered out and a bright light strobes from the device. Hunter Matheson: @ ::blinkblinkblink::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: (( I hope it's the emperor giving us orders. )) Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: tugs uselessly on the door for a second :: Of course we'd get one of these. :: looks for an override :: Hakran K'hal: @ :: scowls :: How am I supposed to read when you people turn the place into a disco? Hunter Matheson: @ ::mutters:: And me without my Oakleys... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Miranda turned the device toward the nearest wall.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::still seeing spots::: Hakran K'hal: @ :: pupils narrow into pinpricks as he looks up to see what the hell is going on :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> After a second a pale blue figure appears in the darkness on the wall in the form of a vaguely humanoid in greyish white robes and sleek, pulled back hair. Indaura Ryssan: # :: Scans the door :: Hunter Matheson: @ (Help me, Obiwan....) Cptn Swain: Hologram> ::In a slightly distorted voice, but in something that the UT could easily make out:: Greetings. If you are hearing this message, then in all likelihood I, and the rest of my world, are dead. Hakran K'hal: @ :: nods :: Tandaris Admiran: @ Oh man, way to hit us with the bad news. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: notes a panel half-hidden behind a fallen block, drags it out of the way with much grunting :: Indaura Ryssan: # Found something? Hunter Matheson: @ (w) Damn... Cptn Swain: Hologram> This is last message of our civilization. Contained in this structure are records of all that once was or would ever be. We hope that you find them and that through them we may, in some way, continue on as memory. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: huff, puff :: I really need to work on my upper body strength. :: pries open the panel, turns a lever and gets rewarded with a nice click before the doors pop open far enough to be able to push them apart :: Maryse Dubois: # Good job. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: Indaura :: Try your bioscans now, hopefully you can pick up the other AT members now. Indaura Ryssan: # :: scans again :: Tandaris Admiran: @ In retrospect I wish we had pressed this button first. Hakran K'hal: @ :: Tandaris :: Quite. Indaura Ryssan: # I am getting something... lots of reflections Cptn Swain: Hologram> In the Fifth Year of the Elder Xaon our decline began. At first we did not know why it was happening. Many believed that the Gods had grown angry with us for our decadent lifestyles. Others, like myself, looked to science. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Between that and the map we should be able to stumble our way to them. Though if anyone brought bread-crumbs... Indaura Ryssan: # Their signals should get better the closer we get. Cptn Swain: Hologram> Eventually we discovered a truth for which no species is perhaps been ready to accept. Our star was dying. Cptn Swain: Hologram> Though we had developed theoretical models for space travel, the abilities were beyond our reach in the time we believed we had left. Instead, we began a project to change our destiny. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Once the med team passed through the outer doors, the way was lit by glow markers. They eventually passed through giant open doors and moved into a sparse room with a deep pit and stairs that led downward. Tricorders showed biosigns below, but they flickered intermittently. Maryse Dubois: # ::Turns the light off. She looks down.:: That looks fun... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: looks around :: Well, this feels like a good old-fashioned RPG. Any bets on the size of the rats? Tandaris Admiran: @ I'm afraid I know the ending. Maryse Dubois: # No thank you. Hakran K'hal: @ :: grunts :: Indaura Ryssan: # Not as much fun as my tricorder is having.. signals are flashing off and on Hunter Matheson: @ ::slumps against the wall::: Cptn Swain: Hologram> If you have found this message, then we have failed. Take this message and the history and culture of our people contained here and preserve them so that, even though we have faded from the light, that we live in on echoes and memory. Indaura Ryssan: # One meter... Cptn Swain: Hologram> ::flickers out:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She sighed softly and offered the device to Tandaris.:: Well... then... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Well, guess I should do this part... :: pulls out his phaser :: You get to be our augmented eyes, Dr. Ryssan. I'll use the old-fashioned ones. Cptn Swain: $Jordan> ::Nods:: Already working on it. Tandaris Admiran: @ I'll add this to the dead cultures collection. Maryse Dubois: # ::Goes ahead and takes her phaser out too.:: Hakran K'hal: @ Would still like to find some details on their project though. Indaura Ryssan: # I'll let the tricorder do the seeing. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ We should take as much of their data with us to preserve. ::She glanced back to the storage racks.:: We'll let the archeologists down here to take whatever they think they'll want to study. Perhaps another ship can come to collect the majority. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: slowly follows the radioactive yellow brick road down :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> The team in the sub-basement hears footsteps echoing down from the stairs above. Maryse Dubois: # ::Slowly follows.:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Sees the flickering signals :: Hakran K'hal: @ :: nods :: I'll call them in. Should we get the rest of the planetary teams back to the ship for now? Last I knew they're huddled in the shuttles at the base camp. Indaura Ryssan: # I am getting stronger signs now. Tandaris Admiran: @ Sounds like at least one of them are coming this way now. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: ears flicking this way and that :: Cptn Swain: $Augustin> And? Cptn Swain: $Jordan> Now... that's interesting. Cptn Swain: (( TWO MINUTE WARNING )) Cptn Swain: $Augustin> Interesting is never good coming from a scientist. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: proceeds further down :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Swain has already evacuated our base camp. ::Cocks her head to listen.:: That should be the medical team joining us. Indaura Ryssan: # It appears to be our people. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Starts up the spiral stairs to the control rooms above to meet the medical team.:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: nods :: Maryse Dubois: @ :;Sighs in relief.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: hears footsteps :: If that isn't Commander Hawthorne's deliberate steps, I'm a howler monkey. Indaura Ryssan: # That's some genetic engineering then... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: calls down :: That you, Commander? Cptn Swain: ....and..... Indaura Ryssan: # :: Exhales :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Tops the stairs, looking at the medical team with concern in her eyes.:: Everyone okay? Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0618.2017 The survey of Irassa IV has taken an unusual turn. Weather patterns have become increasingly erratic and dangerous, causing Excalibur crew to scramble for shelter. Other teams continue to investigate an unusual facility located below the surface of a ruined city. Another team, examining an unusual obelisk at the heart of the city has failed to report in and are, apparently, missing. In orbit, Excalibur has continued to monitor the situation as well as note a number of unusual -- highly improbable -- changes in the Irassan star.

MISSION BRIEFING: Our medical team is in peril. While exploring the Irassa IV's flora and fauna, they were attacked by a hunting group of scaled cat-like predators and lost one of their security crewmen. A sudden storm appeared, bringing perilous acid rain. Can they reach the safety of the ruins before the acid eats through their vehicle? Below the planet's surface, the crew has discovered a large storage area. Most of what it contains seems to be survival gear, but there are also several dozen crates of data tapes (presumably on the strange weather system). On the surface, the Science team has discovered a strange obelisk in the center of the ruined city that appears to newer in construction -- though the purpose of the structure currently remains a mystery. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hunter Matheson: @ ::still working on deciphering the writing on the boxes, having figured out two: HAZMAT and medical::: Cptn Swain: % ::Having been called to the bridge as the weather systems began developing:: Maryse Dubois: # ::In the vehicle, hoping it can hold out.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: trying to avoid alien cows while driving through a tornado as very corrosive acid rain falls is NOT part of his general job description, but so far is doing his best to avoid the ATV becoming Dorothy's house and/or a butcher shop :: William Chocox: @::looks over the boxes:: Hunter Matheson: @ Okay.. this one translates as food supplies, probably freeze dried? Hunter Matheson: @ Um... "promitheies trofimon" - looks like Greek, not Latin. Indaura Ryssan: # :: With Dr Dubois :: Hunter Matheson: @ Yeah.. this one... this... and this... Tandaris Admiran: @::working with Will to get the tape player they think they've found hooked up to the equipment:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: yells :: I don't care for the weather... Hunter Matheson: @ UT is finally getting a grip on the symbols. Weird that it's Greek, though. ::Muttering to himself, aka thinking out loud::: Hakran K'hal: @ :: frowning over the alien weather map :: +Excal+ K'hal to Excalibur. Are you reading the storm cell at -110.235° by 38.581°? Cptn Swain: ACTION> Hakaran gets a message from the science team he dispatched to meet up with NDak and Harper. Neither Harper or N'Dak appear to be at the obelisk site. William Chocox: @ I think this cord goes in that port. Maryse Dubois: # I think we can all agree on that. ::Leaning close to Rhan, so she isn't yelling. She hopes some of his hearing is returning.:: Any luck on finding some shelter? Hakran K'hal: @ :: gets the message, mumblegrumblemutter :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::turns the corner to the next row::: Cptn Swain: %Ops> +Khal+ Affirmative, but its moving fast. Indaura Ryssan: :: Scanning the area :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Stampeding mammals jostle the ATV as they rush past, tossing the vehicle about even more, but then they were gone and the ATV was out in the open. Though running at top speed, they were driving into the wind. Hunter Matheson: @ ::marked the others so they can be read::: So... this is ... Tandaris Admiran: @ I think you're right. Plug it in. ::grabs one of the tapes and shoves it into the tape reader:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::looks up, then at the translator, then up again::: Hakran K'hal: @ +Excal+ Are you getting any other readings to explain how the hell that popped up out of nowhere? And do you perchance have a reading on the location of Mr. N'Dak and Ms. Harper? Maryse Dubois: # ::Gripping the back of Rhan's seat for stability.:: William Chocox: @::plugs the cable in:: Indaura Ryssan: # I'm gonna fall of this damned thing... :: shakes :: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: after the jostling ::If we live through this I'm having a steak just for that! Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Moving to one of the other crates that Hunter identified, she cracked it open to have a look at the food supplies. She began to unpack them so they could get scans.:: Hunter Matheson: @ Salt water? Hunter Matheson: @ Uh... Commander. What would they do with salt water? William Chocox: @ Working? Cptn Swain: %::Leans over the ops panel and hits the comm button:: +Khal+ No. We're running scans now, but we don't have any theories up here yet. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: driving his tail off, practically chants the refrain: :: Almost there, almost there, almost there. Cptn Swain: % +Khal+ The weather is also causing a lot of interference. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Pops around the corner at Hunter's query.:: Salt water? I don't know. It's not needed for survival. Perhaps a filtration system? Indaura Ryssan: # Wish this was a hovering thing... Hunter Matheson: @ And ammonia? Tandaris Admiran: @ ::Chocox:: It looks like it has power. Now we have to find the play button. Hakran K'hal: @+Swain+ :: sigh :: We're recording the output on the system down here, hopefully comparing notes may tell us something. K'hal out. Hunter Matheson: @ And.. soda, as in baking soda. Maryse Dubois: # In these winds, that might not be a good idea. Hakran K'hal: @+N'Dak+ K'hal to N'Dak. Do you read? Cptn Swain: ACTION> Static William Chocox: @ It'd be great if there was a button with a play arrow on it. Hunter Matheson: @ ::walks around the corner to Hawthorne:: They're next to the medical supplies, but on the other side. Hakran K'hal: @ [redacted] Indaura Ryssan: # I suppose... where are we heading and how far? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ammonia? Hmmm... NH3 has several uses. Tandaris Admiran: @::just begins pressing buttons randomly:: Hakran K'hal: @ +Augustin+ K'hal to Commander Augustin. Cptn Swain: @Augustin> +Khal+ Go ahead. William Chocox: @ ::looks at the buttons to see if there's something obvious:: Hunter Matheson: @ Whatever it's used for comes in a spray, powder, and a bottle. ::Hawthorne:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> The team in the ATV sees the ruins up ahead. The windscreen begins to warp in one area, melting where the rain was hitting hardest. Hakran K'hal: @ +Aug+ I've just received word from the team that I sent to assist Arrain N'Dak and (rank) Harper that the two are nowhere to be found. They're not responding to comms, nor is the Excalibur able to find their comm bad signal. Maryse Dubois: # ::Watching the warping.:: Not good... Tandaris Admiran: @::keeps pressing buttons until the machine makes a "ffffzkgrt" noise and one of the monitors on the wall changes to display something that looks like a test signal:: Cptn Swain: @Augustin> Khal+ I see. Send me the coordinates. We'll get S&R up there ASAP. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Oh hell. You two use the blanket back there to cover up. I'll do what I can, the destination is in sight. Hakran K'hal: @ +Augustin+ Acknowledged, transmitting coordinates now. :: sends :: Indaura Ryssan: # That's strong acid... :: Gets under the blanket :: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: drives like a cat outta hell :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Could be cleaning agents. Could be for preservation purposes? Tandaris Admiran: @::watches as whatever is on the data tape spools into the active memory:: Hunter Matheson: @ Could be, ma'am. It's beyond my tech. Maryse Dubois: # ::Gets under the blanket, shielding her face.:: Hunter Matheson: @ In the teams we use 'em for acid burns. Hunter Matheson: @ But you'd have to get a hell of an acid burn to use this much. Hunter Matheson: @ Yes, ma'am. Salt will preserve. Not sure about ammonia. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Perhaps because of the planet's atmosphere. We don't know for sure unless we find something in those data tapes. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: swerving and drifting around bubbling boulders and small ditches, hating to think what's left of the wheels by this point - sees an overhang in the ruins and adjusts his heading for it :: Indaura Ryssan: # Is this a girl's night out? :: Hears the rumble of the vehicle :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::Nod:: Aye, Commander. In the meantime, I'll keep checking, translating, and recording. Tandaris Admiran: @ ah, here we go Hunter Matheson: @ ::sticks his head back around for a final thought:: Or I could be misreading all this, Commander. Hakran K'hal: @ :: with his attention returned to the matter in front of him, making some little sense of the symbology used on the alien weather display screens after running some of them through a molecular configuration comparison :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::moves on down the line::: William Chocox: @ Got it working? Indaura Ryssan: # We have to get out of this rain. Tandaris Admiran: @ Yes, it just took some time for the system to load the tape data into memory. Looks like this tape contains results of biosurveys. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: hastily shoves on some goggles as he notes the distortion in the windshield growing more pronounced :: Working on it, but this isn't exactly a six lane highway. William Chocox: @ Could be useful. We really need data on the weather though. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Acid rain begins to come through the ATV's viewscreen in small droplets. Maryse's blanket starts to smoke. Rhan is hit on the arm and it eats through his uniform and into his fur. Indaura gets a drop on the shoulder. Hunter Matheson: @ ::ignores the action::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> And then they're suddenly they're in the ruins, under cover, and safe. Indaura Ryssan: # Oh... that's not good Indaura Ryssan: # We've stopped,,, Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: hisses but keeps driving until he screeches to a halt underneath cover in the ruins :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::stops as his eyes catch something tucked between two boxes::: Tandaris Admiran: @::looks at the various tapes:: Maryse Dubois: # ::Quickly tosses her smoking blanket to the side.:: Anyone hurt? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: scrambles out of the driver's seat before any more of the leftover drops seep through the swiss-cheese windshield :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Just start making a list of everything you find. We can sort it out later. Hunter Matheson: @ ::takes a knee, checks it out, and wiggles it free::: William Chocox: @ We're going to have to load all of them aren't we? Tandaris Admiran: @::Hakran:: Come take a look at this. They surveyed the changes to the wildlife and plants as the weather destabilized. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: holds out his arm :: Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: I'm afraid so. Hunter Matheson: @ ::pages through:: Huh... William Chocox: @ Alright, I hand, you load? Maryse Dubois: # ::Gets out of the vehicle, she checks Rhan's arm.:: Ouch... Hakran K'hal: @ :: pads over, skims :: Interesting. Hunter Matheson: @ :::rounds the boxes to the other side and Hawthorne again:: Commander? Indaura Ryssan: @ The blanket has a hole in it Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: Sure, let's just look over this biosurvey data first. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Trying to translate the various items of food.:: Yes? Maryse Dubois: # ::Checks the vehicle, making sure the medkit is still intact. She pulls it out, using a couple of tools on his arm.:: William Chocox: @ Alright. Hunter Matheson: @ :::notes its fragility and closes it carefully, then looks around for Hawthorne::: Tandaris Admiran: @::Hakran:: If I'm reading these tables right, it looks like the animals' aggression correlates with EM activity driven by the sun's flare patterns. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: suffers in silence :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Yes? ::Repeats herself to get Matheson's attention.:: Hakran K'hal: @ They certainly adapted, didn't they? The question is why. Bioscience isn't my forte. Copy that if you would, Commander, and I'll forward it along to the ones that giggle about DNA sequencing. Maryse Dubois: # So, what's the plan? Hold out here till the storm goes away, then see if we can meet up with the ruins teams? Hunter Matheson: @ Oh... yes, ma'am. Found this tucked between two boxes on the other side. Looks like some kind of log. Tandaris Admiran: @ Copy it, of course. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ A written log book of what? Inventory? Tandaris Admiran: @ ::Chocox:: I am an idiot. Hunter Matheson: @ It's pretty fragile, though. No idea, ma'am. Indaura Ryssan: # Rhan, are you alright? Hunter Matheson: @ Could be inventory, but it looks like there are some characters strung together, like in a sentence. William Chocox: @ How so sir? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Sounds like a plan, Maryse. We sure as hell aren't going anything in that. :: points the the ATV - the wheels of which are half melted away and the remains are soggily slumping into the dirt :: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: nods to Indaura :: Just a flesh wound. Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: These data tapes use a very primitive storage format. Next tape we load in, set the tricorder to scan as the player reads and decodes the data. Hunter Matheson: @ Anyway, I logged it. Not sure what to do with it Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: Once the tricorder understands the protocol, we can scan and decipher all of the data tapes without using the player. William Chocox: @ Aye sir. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: by the flattened state of his ears, is in a bit more pain than he's showing otherwise :: Tandaris Admiran: @::uses the tricorder to get a copy of the biosurvey data, then ejects this tape and replaces it with another at random:: William Chocox: @::scans as that one loads:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> +Hawthorne+ K'hal to Commander Hawthorne. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Rhan+ Hawthorne here. Go ahead. Maryse Dubois: # ::Finishes cleaning his arm, and gently applying an ointment.:: Good thing there are some rations in the kit. I really don't want to try and dig through anything left in the buggy. Indaura Ryssan: # How does the plantlife survive? Could that be used? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> +Hawthorne+ Medical Team Alpha has barely managed to reach a place of relative safety. We're going to buckle down here until the storm fully subsides, then we'll try picking our way to your location on foot. Our ATV is goo. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @+Rhan+ Thank goodness. There are several ways down here through the tunnels. They should be clearly marked on your maps. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> +Hawthorne+ Acknowledged, Commander. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: smiles at Maryse :: Next time I take you for a road trip, I get to pick the planet first. Maryse Dubois: # ::Smiles.:: Deal. Tandaris Admiran: @::watches as the new data spools up:: Ah-hah, this one appears weather related. Hunter Matheson: @ ::returned to the other side and continues cataloging::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Back to Hunter.:: Scan it and see if it can be translated. Hunter Matheson: @ ::shouts back:: Yes, ma'am. William Chocox: @ That's good. Cptn Swain: @Augustin> ::Arrives at the Obelisk, where the science team is looking perplexed:: Maryse Dubois: # ::Finds a decent spot and sits down.:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: returns to the screens while the engineers do their best librarian impersonations :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::sits, removes his gloves, and carefully opens the book, hoping it doesn't fall apart::: Cptn Swain: 2 MINUTE WARNING Tandaris Admiran: @ No, it's bad. William Chocox: @ I thought we wanted weather data. Hunter Matheson: @ ::cross-legged on the floor, scans page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page after page....::: Tandaris Admiran: @ Yes, but look at the data. ::points at the tables and survey results:: Hakran K'hal: @Archeologist> :: notes Augustin's arrival while looking perplexed :: There's no sign of them. Like they were never even here. William Chocox: @ Ah, yes, that is suboptimal. Maryse Dubois: # ::Pops open the survival kit to see what kind of rations are inside.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: also settles down, looks over to Indaura :: Your first Excalibur mission going all right for you, Doctor? Tandaris Admiran: @ If I'm reading this right, there's a cyclical storm pattern, and we're in for a massive new storm very soon. Hakran K'hal: @ :: heard that, pads back over :: What? Hakran K'hal: @ :: resists the urge to yank it out of Tandy's hand :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Gets a ration bar out of her kit, undoes the wrapper and offers half to Dubois :: William Chocox: @ Ah [expletive redacted] Tandaris Admiran: @ The weather is loosely cyclical. And we're at the part of a cycle just before the strongest, most destructive storm. Maryse Dubois: # ::Takes the half.:: Thanks. Hakran K'hal: @ How destructive are we talking? Tandaris Admiran: @ According to this data, the animals will get more aggressive, the winds more frequent and faster, and then the rain starts. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Doing the same as Hunter, only with the food storage crates.:: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0611.2017 Our medical team is in peril. While exploring the Irassa IV's flora and fauna, they were attacked by a hunting group of scaled cat-like predators and lost one of their security crewmen. A sudden storm appeared, bringing perilous acid rain. Can they reach the safety of the ruins before the acid eats through their vehicle? Below the planet's surface, the crew has discovered a large storage area. Most of what it contains seems to be survival gear, but there are also several dozen crates of data tapes (presumably on the strange weather system). On the surface, the Science team has discovered a strange obelisk in the center of the ruined city that appears to newer in construction -- though the purpose of the structure currently remains a mystery.

MISSION BRIEF: Exploration of Irassa IV has already produced some interesting results. Medical has been dealing with a high number of adverse reactions among the crew to the planet's flora and fauna. They have been tasked with collecting samples to compare to previous scans that were taken decades earlier. While exploring, they have inadvertently crossed the path of several predators on the hunt. Other teams have explored a planetary launch site that was apparently used to fire probes toward the system's primary star. Weather on the planet's surface has also turned to be unpredictable, with several violet storm systems suddenly forming and dissipating without warning. Below the planet's surface, the crew has discovered a large storage area with intact crates, though they are currently unable to translate the markings. On the surface, the Science team has discovered a strange obelisk in the center of the ruined city that appears to newer in construction -- though the purpose of the structure currently remains a mystery. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Maryse Dubois: # ::Is staring down a rather large feline, her phaser drawn and set to heavy stun.:: Maryse Dubois: # ::She has a tree to her back.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: as the scan data comes up on his tricorder, remembers these beasties being generically profiled by one of the first exploration teams as likely nocturnal predators and not from a forested environment :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Had fallen, but putting her hand up :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Down in storage, she looked to Tandaris and Will.:: What did you find at the launch site? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: light-bulb moment, literally :: William Chocox: @ They launched a probe of some kind, and the weather is weird. Tandaris Admiran: @ No sign of whether the probe caused the current situation or was a failed attempt to fix it. William Chocox: @ Also true. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: with his own back to a tree, feverishly works to alter his phaser :: Come on come on come on Hunter Matheson: @ ::listening:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # ACTION> The scaled kitties had apparently forgotten their former prey in exchange for something easier. They spread out, looking to flank the team. Their scales stood up on edge, like raised hairs and they moved quietly, except for low growls. Maryse Dubois: # Good kitty... ::Keeps the phaser steady.:: Don't make me use this. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Weird weather, how? Tandaris Admiran: @ Sudden storm activity appearing, then dissipating just as fast. Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks out the crates, wondering if they should open them even if they can't read the markings::: William Chocox: @ One second it's strong enough to fling a cow, next it's gone. Indaura Ryssan: @ :: Slowly gets up :: Tandaris Admiran: @ We'd need Excalibur to perform more detailed analyses of the magnetosphere, but I'd guess that the sun's abnormal rotation is flinging more than your average amount of ions in the planet's direction. That and flare activity, well doesn't have to trillsplain. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: aims his phaser, shuts his eyes, and hopes his modifications, which instead of a stun blast is now the world's strongest flashlight, will deter the scaly felines as he fires :: Indaura Ryssan: # Every cat remain calm :: looking in eyes :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ That's very odd. Reports from previous surveys didn't mention strange weather. ::She turned to the storage crates.:: We need to get these open. Could be something to do with the weather system operation above. Hunter Matheson: @ :::trillsplain?::: Hunter Matheson: @ ::goes back to using the tric to decipher the code/lang::: Tandaris Admiran: @ ::regards the crates:: Have we tried using the magic word? William Chocox: @ What's Excalibur doing now? Hakran K'hal: @ :: blinks :: Well, watching it unfold live on the monitoring screens, I can definitely say they were very focused on good data. William Chocox: @ "Open says me" Hakran K'hal: @ Still studying the sun itself as far as I know, as of Captain Swain's last update from Astrometrics. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # ACTION> One of the cats launched itself at Indaura and was hit by Rhan's modified phaser beam. The light blinded it momentarily, causing it to stop mid-charge and change direction --t his time heading for Rhan. Hunter Matheson: @ ::looks at Admiran:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::serious:: There's a magic word, sir? Maryse Dubois: # ::Aims and fires at the feet of her cat, hoping to scare it off.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Well, that's better than nothing, but you're not the only kitty here fella. :: climbs the tree he'd been hugging, swinging out onto a branch and firing more directly at its eyes this time :: William Chocox: @ Hunter... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ I thought some good old-fashioned elbow grease would do the trick. ::She pulled one of the crates from the rack. While the locking mechanism was a mystery, there was a clear seam where the create would open.:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Rolls away :: Oof! Hunter Matheson: @ ::turns:: Sir? Hakran K'hal: @ :: cocks an ear, the Caitian equivalent to the Vulcan eyebrow raise :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # ACTION> Maryse's beam caused the cat to skitter and change direction. Instead of attacking Maryse, it charged a nearby security officer. The redshirt went down screaming as the cat ripped out his throat. Tandaris Admiran: @ ::uncharacteristic note of caution in his voice:: Are you sure that's a good idea? What if they're booby-trapped? Indaura Ryssan: # :: Gasped :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She looked at Tandaris in surprise and laughed.:: Really? You're the voice of reason now? Why don't you scan it and see. Maryse Dubois: # ::Fires on the cat once more. This time aiming square at it.:: Tandaris Admiran: @ Setting tricorder to "suspicion". ::begins scanning:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::steps back::: William Chocox: Who are you and what have you done with Commander Admiran? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> The cat after Rhan growled again as it was blinded. Eyes narrowed and ears flat, it reached Rhan's tree and started to climb, though was too heavy and had trouble moving more than a few feet up. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: winces as the security officer turns into lunch, but has his own to worry about still - watches the cat have trouble climbing :: Sorry fella, but my brains are just going to have to beat your brawn. :: reverts his modifications and fires on heavy stun at it :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Cat #3 was circling Indaura and crouched, ready to pounce. Cat# 2 was hit by Maryse's phaser, which bounced off its scales. It staggered to one side, but only seemed stunned, rather than truly injured. Growling, it went back to its meal, disemboweling the dead security officer. Hunter Matheson: (called away) Hakran K'hal: @ :: dryly :: It's really telling the kind of missions this ship gets assigned if opening boxes is considered a level 1 security hazard. Maryse Dubois: # Heavy stun doesn't seem to work well. You have permission to use higher settings. ::Taps, setting hers to kill.:: Tandaris Admiran: @ I'm not detecting anything. Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: OK, pony up the goods. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: notes stun and the scales don't seem to go well together, from his point of view anyway - then hears Maryse give the authorization to up setting and does so, firing again :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::She crossed her arms, waiting.:: Maryse Dubois: # ::Fires at the one stalking Indaura.:: William Chocox: @ ::opens it:: Hunter Matheson: (back) Indaura Ryssan: # ::gets her phaser:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: lets the engineers enjoy their unboxing, turns back to the monitoring screens to see where any potential "exotic" weather patterns are cropping up :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Fires a stun :: Tandaris Admiran: @::peers inside the crate, cautiously, not wanting to go all face-melty:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::watching, curious:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Rhan's stun didn't make a dent, though the cat did fall back to the ground. Setting phasers to kill, surprisingly didn't do much more. It hit the cats a bit harder and seemed to stun them a bit longer, but they shook off the attack. Their scales seemed to deflect most of the phaser attack. However, the multiple attacks, coming from different directions, did seem to make them pause. They retreated and regrouped, circling in preparation for another attack. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> During the attack, the wind had begun to whip through the trees as a sudden storm system formed in the distance. William Chocox: @ It's not the Ark of the Covenant Commander. Tandaris Admiran: @::Chocox:: The what? William Chocox: Ancient Earth reference. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> For the love of llamas, what are these things made of? Okay, trying something else. This'll probably hurt me just as bad as it hurts them. :: uses his padd to emit a very loud, piercing sound in the frequency range that large cats, including himself, shouldn't be too fond of :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Checks her weapon, charges it :: Maryse Dubois: # ::Takes the opportunity to get to the buggy. Hitting a button in center console which brought up a phaser turret from its resting place.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> Opening the crate without getting blasted with acid or face-melting ghosts, the team discovered that the one they'd cracked was full of survival gear. Hazard suits, gloves, breathers, etc. Tandaris Admiran: @ Ah. I'm just nervous, because one of my past hosts was on an archaeological expedition and other members of the team opened something they shouldn't have. It caused an exothermic reaction across 50% of their bodies. William Chocox: @ Oh damn. Hunter Matheson: @ ::steps waaaay back::: Maryse Dubois: # ::Standing up in the back of the vehicle, she manned the turret.:: Might want to get in. ::Looks up noting the wind picking up.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::then he sees the contents::: Huh... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> High-pitched noises didn't make the cats too happy. They covered their heads and pawed at their ears, snarling and growling, but not advancing. Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks the writing on the boxes, comparing it to the contents::: Hunter Matheson: @ ::slips it into the tric, set to UT::: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: with his ears covered and his padd still emitting the sound from it's holster on his hip, makes his way to the buggy :: Tandaris Admiran: @ So they were expanding their existing subterranean infrastructure. Preparing for the onset of a nuclear winter or similarly inhospitable environment. Tandaris Admiran: @ But they never finished. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> The storm neared the team and the wind was getting worse. Trees were whipping about dangerously. Those on the ground found themselves having to lean into the wind to keep their feet. Hakran K'hal: @ From what I've heard topside, every one of those things is pretty well needed as it currently stands. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Hmm... crack open another. Matheson, can you find one that has different markings? Hunter Matheson: @ ::then he moves to the other crates and compares the writing::: Indaura Ryssan: ## geets in Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: collapses into the ATV and scrambles to turn the bloody noise off before he faints :: Maryse Dubois: # Rhan...::Looking at the dead security.:: Grab his badge. We'll have to leave the rest... ::frowns.:: Hunter Matheson: @ Well, ma'am... a few words are similar, but the endings are different.... Hunter Matheson: @ So... three boxes are HAZMAT... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> What?! :: shouts :: Hunter Matheson: @ The next three here are different. : Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks them out:: I'm guessing different survival gear. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # ACTION> Though no longer blasted by the noise, the cats fled from the storm. The ATVS were now being pushed by the wind, which threatened to topple them. Maryse Dubois: # ::Points to her badge on her chest, then to the dead crewman.:: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Riding with them :: Ugh.... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Pull one down and let engineering have a crack at it. Maryse Dubois: # ::Sits down and straps in.:: Hunter Matheson: @ :: crowbar, shifts it, then gets a few sec to hand it down::: Hunter Matheson: @ ::plunk::: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: sees what Maryse is on about, but is more worried about the effects of the storm on the ATV - hops into the driver's seat and turns it into the wind :: Hunter Matheson: @ :::steps back::: Indaura Ryssan: # :: Frowns :: Not a great first contact... Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: shouts, because he can't hear himself or anything much else and because he assumes the storm is loud :: We'll have to leave him or we'll be joining him. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ACTION> The next crate contains a crap-ton of data tapes. Maryse Dubois: # ::Slips into the back seat, strapping in.:: ((Ignore my previous.)) Can we make it back to base in this? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: looks over the map, decides they're better off going to the ruins from here than back to the base camp, heads off carefully trying to keep the ATVs stable by tacking with the wind :: Indaura Ryssan: # :: looks at the storm :: Let's go William Chocox: @ Ooh, are those Betamax? Hunter Matheson: @ ::absently:: Huh... like they were preserving the contents of whatever system they were using. Tandaris Admiran: I'm not familiar with that protocol. Is it duotronic? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> And suddenly the storm is upon them. First came the hail. The ATV was rocked and buffeted dangerously by the wind. (Are these ATVs open air? I hope not.) Hunter Matheson: @ ::Chocox::: Betamax? Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: sees the mouths moving, guesses at the content, shouts :: Ruins are closer! Maryse Dubois: # :;Sitting behind Rhan, she reaches up and begins to rub his ears, trying to ease his pain.:: Maryse Dubois: ((The back part that I was previously in was, but I moved inside. )) William Chocox: @ Old data storage method. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: good thing he's not Ferengi, he'd drive them into the ditch with that :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ We need to convert one of these to see what it contains. ::She looked to Hunter.:: Any other crates with different markings? Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks:: Yes, ma'am. Tandaris Admiran: @ Right, if there are tapes, there must be a reader. Hakran K'hal: @ Looks like a major storm brewing up near the nearby forest. Hunter Matheson: @ ::walks down the line:: Looks like every three are.. .except this one. There's only one. And two of the next crates. Hakran K'hal: @ :: checks with base camp to see if there is anyone in that area :: Hunter Matheson: @ I'll scratch numbers into them. These first three will be 1, next three will be 2, and on down the line. Maryse Dubois: # ::Stops a moment to send a comm to home base alerting them to the storm and our detour. Then contacts the ruins team.:: +Miranda+ Commander, this is Dr. Dubois, can you read us? ::Lots of noise on her end from the storm.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::hears the alert, but still thinking there could be something in the boxes that will give a hint as to what the hell happened and what's going on topside::: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: bouncing around in the driver's seat as he tries like mad to keep them moving - lowers their ride height to keep as little air from getting underneath as possible, and well, if they get stuck in the mud they'll at least avoid doing a Dorothy :: Hakran K'hal: @ :: frowns, hearing Maryse's comm :: Well that answers my question. It really looks like Security Provided by The Weather the way it whips these things up around our people. Hunter Matheson: @ ::walking along, checking the wording and marking similar boxes::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> Hail beat down on the ATVs, but ceased after a few minutes. The rain started after, hissing against the ATV's external structure. Strangely, it seemed to be pitting the windshield, eating away at it. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ +Mayrse+ We can hear you, but barely. What's going on? Hunter Matheson: (raining acid - talk about air pollution) Tandaris Admiran: @ ::opens more boxes:: Here we go! Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: wonders why the wipers aren't doing a damn bit of good, then realizes what's happening :: Umm... this isn't good. Tandaris Admiran: @::digs out a device that looks like it could be a tape reader:: Let's see if we can hook this up to the monitors there, get it some power. Maryse Dubois: # +Miranda+ I'll fill in details when we arrive, but we are caught in a real nasty storm and are on our way to your location. ::Notices the windshield. Possible cursing heard.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::end of the line, he turns and begins deciphering as much as he can::: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> :: head whips around, trying to find the least little bit of something that could be considered shelter as the map shows them far too far away from the Ruins for his liking :: William Chocox: @ Sounds like a good plan Commander. Hakran K'hal: @ :: frowns over the screens, trying to figure out what this new symbology over the storm could indicate :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: TWO MINUTE WARNING Hunter Matheson: @ ::mutters:: Huh... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ::Looks to Hunter.:: What? Hunter Matheson: @ ::checks again, then looks up to tap the box:: This might be medical supplies. Hakran K'hal: @ Damnit, I hate arbitrary symbols. :: scratches head :: William Chocox: @ Hm Hunter Matheson: @ ::moves to the next:: This one, too. Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Hmm... I may have to just gun it and take our chances. If that gets through the windshield, I'd hate to think what it would do to us. Hunter Matheson: @ If I could remember Greek 101, I might be able to read it. Or maybe it was Latin. ::headscratch::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: #ACTION> A herd of animals suddenly stampeded in front of the ATVs, running in panic as they were being devoured by acidic rain. Indaura Ryssan: # :: nods :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: And... Maryse Dubois: # Apparently that... ::Noticing the animals.:: Hakran K'hal: #Rhan> Or not! :: does a nifty drift turn... growing up in Cali does have its benefits :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM

SD 0604.2017 Exploration of Irassa IV has already produced some interesting results. Medical has been dealing with a high number of adverse reactions among the crew to the planet's flora and fauna. They have been tasked with collecting samples to compare to previous scans that were taken decades earlier. While exploring, they have inadvertently crossed the path of several predators on the hunt. Other teams have explored a planetary launch site that was apparently used to fire probes toward the system's primary star. Weather on the planet's surface has also turned to be unpredictable, with several violet storm systems suddenly forming and dissipating without warning. Below the planet's surface, the crew has discovered a large storage area with intact crates, though they are currently unable to translate the markings. On the surface, the Science team has discovered a strange obelisk in the center of the ruined city that appears to newer in construction -- though the purpose of the structure currently remains a mystery.

(No sim 05/21/17) SD 0528.2017 Excalibur continues our survey of the Irassa system. The medical team has been tasked by Captain Swain with collecting and analyzing samples of the hostile fauna to compare to the previous surveys. Tandaris and Company are investigating a launch site. Commander Hawthorn's team is still at the control room area investigating a large storage room. Meanwhile our Romulan guest and a science team are continuing to examine an unusual obelisk in the center of the city that appears to be newer than the surrounding ruins.

SD 0514.2017 Excalibur continues its survey of Irassa IV. Tandaris, Boomer, and a collection of NPCS are going to head towards the launch site for what they believe to be a solar probe. Another team continues to explore a storage area, while the medical team continues to assist crew members. On the Excalibur, Swain is concerned about the apparent aggression by the native plants and animals, which he did not remember from the previous survey. In addition, his team has discovered that the star's rotation has, in defiance of known laws of physics, increased since the last survey.

(No sim 05/21/17) MISSION BRIEF: Excalibur continues our survey of the Irassa system. The medical team has been tasked by Captain Swain with collecting and analyzing samples of the hostile fauna to compare to the previous surveys. Tandaris and Company are investigating a launch site. Commander Hawthorn's team is still at the control room area investigating a large storage room. Meanwhile our Romulan guest and a science team are continuing to examine an unusual obelisk in the center of the city that appears to be newer than the surrounding ruins. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Indaura Ryssan: :: Cleaning and checking her equipment :: Tandaris Admiran: ::pacing around the launch site, trying to piece it all together:: Maryse Dubois: ::Standing by a buggy, ready to go.:: Tandaris Admiran: So they built a rocket, launched it at the sun. Tandaris Admiran: Did they do this to address the rotational frequency, or did they cause it? Indaura Ryssan: :: Packs it up, goes next to the doctor :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::listening, hopefully thinking::: Indaura Ryssan: :: to Dubois :: What a planet.. Cptn Swain: ACTION> The weather at the launch site is still picking up with the wind giving them all that good windswept look. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: hops in the driver's seat :: All aboard. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods:: indeed. ::Gets shotgun.:: I can't wait to get off it. Cptn Swain: Issaha> ::Harper:: Can you check this translation... I think I have a theory on why we're having such a hard time with the translation matrix. Indaura Ryssan: :: Takes a spot on the rear of the buggy :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Auric:: I'd like you to use your tricorder and walk the perimeter, see how extensive this site is. Let me know if you stumble across anything exciting. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::checks out the wind and wonders if there's a storm on the horizon::: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> Yes ,sir. Sir... Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Be sure to strap in, the planet's roads department is on their millennium off. Maryse Dubois: ::Buckles up.:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> Looking at the wind and how it's kicking stuff up, you think this could have been a weather launch site, like to stop the weather? Charlie Harper: I can give it a shot. ::starts comparing the writing to something on a padd:: What's the theory? Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::configures the tric for perimeter scan::: Charlie Harper: This.... is really ungrammatical. Cptn Swain: Issaha> Exactly. It's almost like it's jibberish. Indaura Ryssan: :: Straps in :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::moves out to gauge the perimeter::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Off we go then. :: carefully exits the base camp before opening on the throttle :: Hunter Matheson: ::listening to the chatter re: language::: Think it could be coded, ma'am? Cptn Swain: (( Harper and Issaha are on the surface away from all the other teams )) Hunter Matheson: ( I thought I was with them) Hunter Matheson: (Down in the dungeon place?) Maryse Dubois: ::Grabs the oh s**t handle as they take off and hit a couple bumps.:: Hunter Matheson: (you know, below ground?) Hakran K'hal: :: still inside the ruins with the bulk of the archaeologists, content at this point to administrate :: Cptn Swain: ((No, Harper and Issaha are still above ground in the ruins examining an obelisk )) Hunter Matheson: (copy) Tandaris Admiran: +Auric+ Correcting their weather might have been their aim, yes. ::steps up towards another abandoned railing, ducks underneath and picks up some twisted metal:: Maryse Dubois: ((I think you were with Miranda, Kal?)) Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> +TA+ Copy that. Found a perimeter marking. Recorded. Moving on. Hunter Matheson: (I'll just play auric) Cptn Swain: ACTION> At the launch site, clouds form over the nearby lake with rather surprising speed. Thunder rolls over the whole valley, including the city ruins itself, as the wind begins picking up with even greater intensity. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: in his best airline pilot's voice :: If you'll look to the left, you'll see lots of grass. You'll also see lots of grass to the right. And straight ahead. Tandaris Admiran: ::old man looks up and shakes his fist at the weather:: Maryse Dubois: And it probably all wants to eat us. Cptn Swain: Issaha> It's possible this is coded in some way... but again, this seems like it's some sort of you know, center piece. Cptn Swain: Issaha> I do na know about au lloann'na, but we don't put coded script on large monuments. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::next perimeter, mark, moves on::: Indaura Ryssan: This is a :: bump :: bit :: bump :: rough... Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> +TA+ Commander, I'm finding perimeter marks, like they must have had a large facility here. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> You'll get used to it... by the time we're there. :: is actually doing a bang-up job avoiding the worst of it, but off-roading is still off-roading :: Maryse Dubois: Well...Could be worse. ::Points in the distance to the right.:: We could be over there where that storm front is. Charlie Harper: ::opens mouth to say something, pauses:: ::thinks a moment:: ....well, not generally. unless one of these buildings was an intelligence agency, maybe. Or there was a contest. Or a prank. Or... ok, we humans are weird. Tandaris Admiran: +Auric+ yes, it looks like they abandoned the site or even disassembled it long after they used it. Cptn Swain: Issaha> ::Nods solemnly:: Ie. Tandaris Admiran: ::ducks under another recessed alcove to shield himself from the wind:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::notes the sky but keeps walking::: Cptn Swain: Issaha> Still... what do au think? It almost seems like this was just sort of scrawled haphazardly. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::slip, almost losing his balance::: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::taking a wider stance, he moves on:: Cptn Swain: (( Hunter and Tandy give me a number 1-10 )) Hakran K'hal: :: has a conversation with cardboard Miranda about the weather conditions and what to do about it :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> (8) Tandaris Admiran: ((3)) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: swings to the right and begins climbing a series of hills :: Charlie Harper: It's true it doesn't make much sense. :frowns at translation:: some parts seem to, almost like it was... inexpertly copied from other sources. Maybe an attempt to preserve something that used to be sacred? Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::ups his pace on the perimeter, aware of the building storm::: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The Thunder Rolls and the Lightening Strikes... but luckily for you two does not hit either of you. It does, however strike part of the launch pad, sending a roaring crack of thunder in every direction. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::wonder what kind of atmospheric garbage the universe is gonna fling at them::: Tandaris Admiran: +Auric+ OK, I think that's a signal for us to cut this exploration short. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: pulls to a stop on the crest of the tallest of the hills :: All righty, here we are on the edge of the area you indicated, Doc. See anything that strikes your fancy? Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::makes himself very small and moves away from all metal:: +TA+ Copy, Commander. RTB Maryse Dubois: ::Looks over the area.:: How about that treeline? ::Points.:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::turns off the tric, holsters it, and moves quickly toward the others::: Tandaris Admiran: ::heads back towards the transport pod:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Peers to the treeline :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::approaching the others::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Gotcha. :: sets off to the treeline :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Auric, others:: We'll take this back to the station we found, check in with the others. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::on approach::: Think this is really the reason for the padd, Commander. Storm's brewing a nasty. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::nod:: Aye, sir. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> Could be why they stayed underground for mostly everything. Tandaris Admiran: If that's the case, they didn't do a very good job Cptn Swain: ACTION> Never ask a question you don't want to have answered, IMO. Near the launch site on the lake, several cyclones begin forming as more thunder and lightning crackles across the area. Elsewhere on the planet reports begin filtering in of equally powerful storms forming out of near nowhere. Cptn Swain: Issaha> Possibly. Could also explain the later date of the obelisk's construction. Tandaris Admiran: ::instructs the transport pod to return to the station they left from:: Indaura Ryssan: I don't understand the weather here. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: crunches to a stop outside of the trees :: Okay, now we can search for Merry and Pippin... assuming they haven't blown away. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::bad feeling:: Almost like the storms are manufactured, sir. ::TA:: Cptn Swain: Issaha> Though... hmm Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: hops out of the ATV after making sure he set the parking brake :: Charlie Harper: If they'd lost the language and were doing it by rote... Does it seem a bit windy to you? ::peers toward the way out:: Cptn Swain: Issaha> +Hakaran+ N'Dak to K'hal. Hakran K'hal: :: frowns over the alien screens as Issaha calls :: +Issaha+ Go ahead. Cptn Swain: Issaha> ::Nods:: Ie, it does. Also the humidity has been steadily increasing in our area. Cptn Swain: Issaha> +Hakaran+ Would it be possible to send a team with isometric scanners to our site. The large obelisk appears to be much newer than the other areas, and I believe the script scrawled on it could be why the Excalibur's translation matrix has been struggling. As near as we can tell here, what's written is all jibberish. Tandaris Admiran: ::riding the pod back to the station:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::likewise:: Maryse Dubois: ((back sorry)) Tandaris Admiran: +Hawthorne, K'hal+ Admiran to Commander Hawthorne and Lt. K'hal. We're returning from the launch site. The weather has turned. Cptn Swain: ACTION> The furious storm near the launch site and over the lake dissipates quickly. Hakran K'hal: +Issaha+ Before I consider that, do you have a place to take cover up there? The weather is getting... interesting up there. Maryse Dubois: ::Hops out of the buggy, grabbing her kit.:: I don't think I need to mention to be careful. Hakran K'hal: +Tandy+ Acknowledged, Commander. Cptn Swain: Issaha> +Hak+ ::glances to Harper:: Ie, we appear to be sheltered. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nods :: Indaura Ryssan: This whole planet is careful.. Hakran K'hal: +Issaha+ OK, I'll send you some people with the scanners then. Hakran K'hal: :: checks to see who's where with what :: Tandaris Admiran: ::smiles as the pod arrives back at the station's terminal:: Maryse Dubois: ::Carefully approaches the treeline.:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::sigh of relief as they arrive:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Hunkers down as they approach :: How exciting.. Cptn Swain: ACTION> From the treeline bursts an entire herd of ungulate mammals running at full speed. Hakran K'hal: :: is glad to see he has the requisite people and equipment already in the ruins complex, diverts them to the obelisk site :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Yikes! :: hugs a tree to avoid getting trampled :: Maryse Dubois: ::Rolls out of their way to avoid being trampled.:: Look out! Tandaris Admiran: ::leaves the pod and heads back towards the control room that they found:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes for cover, tumbling partly down the hill :: Cptn Swain: Issaha> ::leans against the wall:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::follows TA::: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::has become very good at following::: Hakran K'hal: Sec Escort> :: tries to emulate a rock, hoping the ungulates will go around him :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Gets hit a few times by them :: Argh! Oh Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: thinking over the deafening sound of pounding hooves, that he doesn't want to find out what chased them out but may not be that lucky :: Indaura Ryssan: :: On the ground :: What are these things? Cptn Swain: ( Did you say Lucky?!? Give me a number 1-10 ) Hakran K'hal: (( 9 )) Maryse Dubois: ((::facepalm::)) Tandaris Admiran: ::enters the control room, sees that Hawthorne is elsewhere at the moment:: Maryse Dubois: ((all or just Rhan?)) Cptn Swain: (( oh, dear )) Hakran K'hal: :: motions to Tandy as he sees him enter the room :: Maryse Dubois: ((Or does it matter now? lol )) Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Welcome back! Hakran K'hal: I think that's my line, Commander. :: shoves a Starfleet padd at Tandy with the recording of the weather data from the launch site, from before they got there to after they left. :: What do you make of that? Cptn Swain: ACTION> From the treeline bursts several very large feline-looking creatures, though they have what appear to be scales on their hind-quarters and horns, for some reason -- the art department are weirdos -- in hot pursuit of the antelope looking creatures. They pause in their pursuit seeing the fallen Indaura. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: knew it :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Indaura is mostly motionless :: Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Well I think our Mr. Auric here went into the wrong department, because his theory is pretty robust, if a little speculative at the moment. Maryse Dubois: Hey! ::Yelling at the large cats.:: Leave her alone! ::Trying to get their attention. She readies her phaser at heavy stun.:: Cptn Swain: ACTION> One of the cat creatures pauses, turning towards Maryse. Cptn Swain: ...and... Indaura Ryssan: Ugh... :: her face bruised :: Don't hurt them. Hakran K'hal: Sec Escort> :: comes out of rock mode with phaser rifle at the ready :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: stops hugging the tree and scans the creatures :: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: Excalibur continues its survey of Irassa IV. Tandaris, Boomer, and a collection of NPCS are going to head towards the launch site for what they believe to be a solar probe. Another team continues to explore a storage area, while the medical team continues to assist crew members. On the Excalibur, Swain is concerned about the apparent aggression by the native plants and animals, which he did not remember from the previous survey. In addition, his team has discovered that the star's rotation has, in defiance of known laws of physics, increased since the last survey. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldie> ::with T&B::: Cptn Swain: @ ::Looking over the data from previous surveys with a stern look on his face:: +Maryse+ Excalibur to Medical Team 1. William Chocox: ::calls a tram car:: Tandaris Admiran: ::hops on the car as it arrives:: Tally ho! Maryse Dubois: ::Sitting outside the medical tent, taking a break. She was finishing up the contents of her lunch box.:: William Chocox: Allons-y! ::steps on:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Checking her supplies :: Tandaris Admiran: ::uses the tablet to direct the car towards the launch site:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> ::steps on:: William Chocox: Let's hope this doesn't wind up killing us. Tandaris Admiran: ETA is 12 minutes. That gives us enough time to put on the suits. ::grabs one of the encounter suits they brought aboard:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> ::eyes wide at the remark::: William Chocox: ::grabs another and puts it on:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> ::scrambles for one, slips it on:: Cptn Swain: (( *sprins wheel of possible death situations* oooo eaten by a planet is a double bonus! )) William Chocox: ((Oh joy.)) Cptn Swain: @ +Maryse+ Excalibur to Medical team Tandaris Admiran: ::now in the encounter suit, monitors their progress:: William Chocox: How much farther? Indaura Ryssan: :: Perks up :: Tandaris Admiran: About seventy kilometres. These cars move fast. William Chocox: Seems like it. Maryse Dubois: +Swain+ Yes Captain. ::Sets her box down.:: Cptn Swain: @ +Maryse+ I am looking at your report from the surface and comparing it to previous surveys. Tandaris Admiran: ::feels deceleration, and then hears the car stop:: We have arrived at our destination! Maryse Dubois: :;Stands up.:: +Swain+ Oh really? What are the results? William Chocox: Wunderbar Cptn Swain: @+Maryse+ I am concerned because in previous surveys the plant and animal life was much less... uh... aggressive. Tandaris Admiran: ::hops out of the car:: Let's see if we can find the launch mechanism or anything else of interest here. Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> ::out:: William Chocox: ::follows him:: I'm sure we'll find plenty. Maryse Dubois: +Swain+ I see. Is there a theory on the cause? Cptn Swain: @ +Maryse+ Not that I know of -- what do you think? Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> Doesn't look like they ever launched the thing. Tandaris Admiran: ::takes the ramp up from the transit car to the surface, where the launch pad is located:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Goldshirt> Unless they used another launch area. Hunter Matheson: (or not - thought we were on the surface) William Chocox: ::walks out onto the surface:: Hakran K'hal: (( hurray for ISP failure on a Sunday holiday :: muttergrumble :: )) Maryse Dubois: +Swain+ My best guess would be a shift in the ecological system, but I don't know what would cause it to change so rapidly. Cptn Swain: +Maryse+ Me either. Perhaps you and your staff can collect some additional data. Cptn Swain: +Maryse+ Excalibur out. William Chocox: ::looks around:: So, what are we looking for? Tandaris Admiran: Anything interesting. Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs as she steps back into the tent, looking at Indaura.:: Looks like we might get to go exploring. Cptn Swain: ACTION> The launch site is situated on a picturesque scene, overlooking the large lake. Tandaris Admiran: ::frowns a bit at the over-vegetated state of the launchpad and decrepit equipment:: Nice spot. Little aged. William Chocox: Well, if no one was around to keep up with it. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::begins to poke through the vegetation looking for a pad::: William Chocox: Careful. ::looks around:: Indaura Ryssan: We get to move? Finally. What are we looking for? Maryse Dubois: A cause for the aggressive plants and fauna. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::Cho:: Yes, sir. I figure there must be a pad attached to the launch frame somewhere in here. Maryse Dubois: I'll have replacements sent to cover for us here. Tandaris Admiran: ::tricorder open, seeing if he can locate traces of the types of elements used in rocket launches:: Maryse Dubois: ::Steps out of the tent again, looking for Rhan.:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::mutters::: Need a machete. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: standing around a pack of crates, perusing his padd :: Indaura Ryssan: We leaving now? Maryse Dubois: ::Spots him and approaches.:: Hey. Still willing to drive us around in one of the buggies? Tandaris Admiran: ::Auric:: I built an automatic machete once! Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::pulls his head out of the weeds::: Automatic, sir? William Chocox: We could burn it. Tandaris Admiran: Yes, it was controlled by an AI that learned from the terrain it encountered. Tandaris Admiran: ::frowns:: At least, that was the intention. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: smiles :: Something in particular you want to see? Tandaris Admiran: It went rogue and we had to nuke the planet from orbit. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric>::blank look:: Ohhh.... kay. Maryse Dubois: Perhaps. Captain wants us to investigate the cause of the sudden fauna and flora aggression. Something in the eco system set things off. William Chocox: Everything he says is true... William Chocox: Especially the lies. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::nod to Cho:: Burning works. Hakran K'hal: :: having remained back in the warren of tunnels, is working with the archaeologists to try to nail down the different writing systems they've discovered so there aren't so many blanks in their translations :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::glance from one to the other:: Oh... I get it. I'm the FNG. ::wan smile:: I'll keep that in mind. Tandaris Admiran: FNG? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Hmm. That doesn't exactly give us a big pin on the map to head toward. Any thoughts as to what we should be looking for so I can try to narrow down a destination? Hunter Matheson: Auric> The New Guy, sir. William Chocox: Effing New Guy. Maryse Dubois: Do you have a map? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: prods his padd for a moment before a holographic map pops up with the satellite overview as well as more specific information brought in by the other exploration teams :: Maryse Dubois: ::Calls Indaura over as well as she looks over the map.:: Tandaris Admiran: Ah-hah, I've got something. ::bends down, begins clearing a small area:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::steps over, waiting to help out:: William Chocox: ::heads over:: What do you have? Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes over :: A map...where are we heading? Maryse Dubois: ::Poking and prodding the map for a moment. She points to a couple regions.:: We should check these areas first. These are where the more frequent attacks occurred. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: while Maryse and Indaura peruse, opens one of the crates and pulls out 3 of the light encounter suits that he'd saved out, one of course being a Caitian specific build :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Got it. :: marks them down on his padd :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> Though it had been, a bright, sun shining day on the savannas near the city ruins and the launch port, the clouds have begun to gather quickly as has the wind. Maryse Dubois: We'll need a couple specialists and security. Have anyone in mind? Tandaris Admiran: ::exposes what looks like a discarded part of a rocket:: Looks like something from the first stage. Indaura Ryssan: I don't know the crew well enough yet Doctor, so I don't think anyone in particular is needed. William Chocox: Could be evidence they actually launched it. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods to Indaura.:: Make sure to bring along a fully stocked med kit. Maryse Dubois: ::Notes the wind has picked up a bit.:: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::grabs some vines, pulls them away to check the part out::: Indaura Ryssan: I'll finish packing the one I was working on. I think someone that can make quick guesswork of the environment would be helpful Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Lemme see who we have sitting around waiting for their rotation. :: checks through a list :: Good, have two biologists available, one from the green and growing school and another from the walking and stalking. And as for security, picking that is an exact science... eenie meenie mynie moe... Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: Make sure they have the proper gear, then we should be ready to go. ::Takes a suit Rhan had pulled out.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> And we have a winner, Ensign Bywater. Lemme go round 'em up. Indaura Ryssan: :: Packs and packs "" Tandaris Admiran: Or tried to launch Cptn Swain: ACTION> The wind begins really kicking up around the launch site and the lake is starting to get choppy. The clouds are beginning to roll in even faster now and in the distance rain begins to fall. Maryse Dubois: ::Starts putting the suit on, then checks her gear.:: Cptn Swain: TWO MINUTE WARNING Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: trots off to the makeshift lounge, gets the 3 of them moving with instructions before padding back to get into his own suit :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::Tandaris:: The rest of it should be somewhere around. Want me to check, sir? Tandaris Admiran: We'd need Excalibur to perform a LIDAR scan of the area to see if there's wreckage scattered about consistent with a rocket failure. Tandaris Admiran: ::Auric:: Yes please. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::nod:: I'll do close in::: Indaura Ryssan: I am ready Doctor. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Good. Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::takes the trajectory angle and moves in the direction::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Puts her kit on her back :: Hunter Matheson: Ens Auric> ::trying not to lose visual contact::: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur is continuing a survey of the Irassa system. Planetside, teams have encountered a number of less than friendly plants and animals, causing the medical team at base camp a few problems! Elsewhere in ruins of a large city, a team has been investigation an unusual complex attached to an underground transit network. On Excalibur itself, Swain and the stellar cartography nerds have located an unusual phenomena in the Irassan star which appears to violate the laws of phone stellar physics. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM William Chocox: ::is looking over the display:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Tending the sick, the tired, and the inflamed :: William Chocox: ((Huddled masses yearning to be free?)) Maryse Dubois: ::Helping a patient.:: Maryse Dubois: ((afk a minute)) Hunter Matheson: ::thinking about that rocket and why they would want it to go into the sun::: Indaura Ryssan: Ack! What is that.. an insect bite... :: looks closely :: It's rather...red. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::still with transportation teams, but his focus had been in working with his security forces to make sure they were better spread through the other teams to help reduce the number of incidents with animal attacks.:: Hunter Matheson: ::checking out the panel that looks like a defense grid::: Tandaris Admiran: ::reviewing the info on the panel, or at least as much as he can understand given the shaky translations:: Hakran K'hal: :: still looking over the now active displays :: William Chocox: This is fascinating. Indaura Ryssan: :: Hypos the patient :: This place is an inconvenient deathdrap.. Hunter Matheson: I guess this goes to the rocket, but why would they want an interstellar rocket if it's not capable of passengers? William Chocox: Probe? Hunter Matheson: ::thinking:: Maybe. Wonder what for. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, the rest of these seem to be atmospheric readings. Weather patterns, pressure systems, atmospheric composition... Hakran K'hal: Considering the data Captain Swain relayed about the sun's rotation speeding up, I wouldn't be surprised if they were rather interested in why... and what potential impacts it might have on the planet. Hakran K'hal: I for one am a bit worried about an increase in solar wind, which would certainly have an impact on atmospheric readings. Tandaris Admiran: ::gives Hunter a strange look:: Why would you want to visit the sun? It's kind of... inhospitable. Indaura Ryssan: :: Seeing a small, but steady line of patients :: Hunter Matheson: ::Tandaris:: I was thinking that, too. Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Agreed. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Maybe they were looking to change the sun's effects. Hunter Matheson: Unless they needed it for something, or were monitoring it, like he said. ::referring to Hakran:: William Chocox: You just go at night Commander. Duh. Maryse Dubois: ((ok back)) Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: Yes. Or maybe they messed it up in the first place. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: That's rude. You don't want to wake it up. Hunter Matheson: ::eyes Cho with that huh? look::: Hunter Matheson: ::then Tand::: William Chocox: They take your sense of humor at boot camp? Maryse Dubois: ::Gets the swelling down in her patient's arm. Sighs:: This is getting out of control. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: at the base camp, getting the scientific teams set up with a bit more protection against the planet's rude flora and fauna before they head out again after they enjoy their box lunches :: Hunter Matheson: No, sir. It's strictly business. Except.. well.. we did some stuff. ::half grin:: Indaura Ryssan: These are all mild cases doctor, but the frequency is... troubling. Hunter Matheson: Don't think you'd like to know about that. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: It sure is. William Chocox: What happens at camp stays there. Hakran K'hal: Is there any data /storage/ associated with this thing? Be easier to figure out the whats and whys if we could look at actual data. Hunter Matheson: It's.. .kind of raw... yes, sir. That, too. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: See if you can help K'hal out with finding the database, if there is one. Tandaris Admiran: ::staring intently at the map representing the transit system:: William Chocox: Aye sir. William Chocox: ::starts poking around:: Hakran K'hal: :: lets the engineer be engineery :: Hunter Matheson: ::lets the geeks be geeky::: Hunter Matheson: ::still checking the area visually to see what else they might discover or uncover:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::is flagged over by the arch teams:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nips back into the medical tent :: Cptn Swain: Goulet> We think we've found the primary control room for the transit network, we'd like to explore it a little more. Cptn Swain: Augustin> I'll have someone come secure this site, proceed. William Chocox: Hrm...that's not it... Maryse Dubois: ::Finally takes a seat as Rhan enters.:: William Chocox: ::pokes around a bit:: Cptn Swain: Goulet> ::Nods, being sure to update Hakran with the information:: Hakran K'hal: :: reads over the text update from Goulet, grunts, while William pokes around some more :: William Chocox: I might have something...why can't the translator understand this? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: So... storage. If I was storage, where would I be? ::She accessed one of the systems, trying to ferret out the language as she reached a main menu.:: The more you scan, the more it will understand, Chocox. Indaura Ryssan: :: Sees someone enter :: Tandaris Admiran: ::prodding the controls of the map, as if looking for something:: Maryse Dubois: ::Drinking from a water bottle, she smiles at the Ops Officer.:: What did you all have for lunch? I sort of missed it. Hunter Matheson: ::Hawthorne::: If it's a transit system, probably at either end of the line. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Good news, everyone except the teams in the ruins are back. Shouldn't be any more cases coming in for a while. Bad news, we don't have enough light encounter suits for everyone, so now I have to juggle the scientists. William Chocox: I know...that was more rhetorical. ::keeps poking where he thought he saw something. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Well that's a start I guess. Indaura Ryssan: They seem awfully heavy to juggle. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> There were meat and veggie options. I'm not exactly sure what the meat was, but it's one of those that Starfleet has found to be palatable to most carnivorous or omnivorous species. It surprisingly does NOT taste like chicken. There may be a box or two left hiding around out there. Hunter Matheson: ::moves out, checking the walls, the ceiling, the floor, thinking there has to be an arrow or something to the system somewhere::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: snorts at Indaura's comment :: William Chocox: But you'd think even if the physical storage was somewhere you'd have places to access it from. Hunter Matheson: Same here. Hakran K'hal: I'd certainly hope so. William Chocox: Outside of that location I mean. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Storage takes room. Even advanced storage systems need some sort of access point. ::She glanced up and around.:: What about beneath us? The floor? William Chocox: Maybe. Hunter Matheson: I was just thinking about that. ::begins to tap the floor::: Indaura Ryssan: It's a blend K'hal... Hunter Matheson: ::finds a pole of sorts and taps back and forth::: Hunter Matheson: Whoa... it's hollow here. Maryse Dubois: Certainly doesn't sound like 5 star catering, but I guess I'll make due. ::Smirks as she stands from the crate she was sitting on.:: I'm going to see what's left. Everyone left her just need to be under observation. ::Takes her water bottle as she makes her way to the tent's entrance.:: Hunter Matheson: ::taptaptap::: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The translation matrix has been improving as more teams in the ruins enter data scanned from various sites. Will sees what appears to be a storage drive with a number of files, though our computers can't clearly make out the format they're stored in. They do however have several hundred pages of text based logs and maps, including a map that appears to indicate a launch site for the missile near the large lake at the city's edge. Hunter Matheson: hm...::unsure now::: Indaura Ryssan: Doctor.. if you would please examine me? I have been in contact with a number of patients with dermatological issues. William Chocox: Whoa...eureka. Hakran K'hal: :: looks blandly at Hunter :: Would you like some sheet music to go with that? William Chocox: ::snaps for attention:: I've got a bunch of stuff here. Hunter Matheson: ::sideways glance:: Thanks, sir. I'm good. Hunter Matheson: ::looks to Cho::: Hakran K'hal: :: eyes cut to Will, takes the few steps over :: William Chocox: Logs and maps...plus some files, but the comp can't make out what format those are in right now...found the launch sight too. William Chocox: site* Maryse Dubois: ::Sets the bottle down.:: I guess I have time for one more patient. ::Steps over to Indaura, scanning her hands and arms.:: Hunter Matheson: ::wondering if he'll ever fit in, but shrugs and watches::: Indaura Ryssan: I should do your exam in turn. Hakran K'hal: :: looks over the map as he scans it with his tricorder to record it :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Hunter's tapping uncovers a loose floor panel. Pressing down activates the mechanism and it slides away to reveal spiral stairs. Hunter Matheson: ::two steps back::: Whoa... Hunter Matheson: Commander? This might be your storage, ma'am. Tandaris Admiran: ::turns to Chocox when he hears "launch site":: Ah. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: slips out to procure some lunch boxes for the overworked doctors :: Maryse Dubois: Looks like nothing out of sorts. Just use some sanitizer and then get some fresh air. Tandaris Admiran: I knew it had to be here somewhere. ::looks from the maps to the transit map:: Look, the site is at the terminus of one of the transit lines. Hunter Matheson: ::takes a light, shining it down the stairs::: William Chocox: That's good. Hunter Matheson: ::full of cobwebs, but it looks navigable:: William Chocox: How far do you think it is? Hunter Matheson: ::taps the stairs to be sure::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Scans Dubois :: You look a bit warm, but that's expected. Hakran K'hal: +N'Dak+ K'hal to N'Dak. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She moved over to take a look, shining her light downward.:: Nice. Fancy a look? Cptn Swain: Issaha> +KHal+ Go ahead Hunter Matheson: Sure do, ma'am. I'll take point. Tandaris Admiran: Judging from the scale... too far to walk. Maryse Dubois: That I can deal with. I'm stepping outside for a bit. :;Smiles as she picks her bottle back up and exits the tent. Once outside, she stretches and takes a deep breath.:: Hunter Matheson: ::attaches the light and steps down, watching for loose stairs or anything that might fall::: Hakran K'hal: +N'Dak+ I've got a present for you. :: transmits the map to him :: How are things going up there? Tandaris Admiran: And the overland route would take too long to detour around that escarpment... hmm. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: hands Maryse a box as she emerges :: William Chocox: Also apparently the flora and fauna are unfriendly. Cptn Swain: Issaha> +K'Hal+ We're exploring the obelisk, we appears to be of later construction than most of the rest of the city -- it's very unusual. Hunter Matheson: ::slowly descends::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Follows Dubois outside the tent :: Tandaris Admiran: All the better reason to use the transportation provided! Hunter Matheson: ::scanning, sweeping left to right as he goes::: William Chocox: Wait what? Hunter Matheson: ::looks pretty safe::: William Chocox: You're not suggesting one of the cars here are you? Tandaris Admiran: ::points to the tablet Chocox plugged in:: I bet we can take that and use it to call up one of those cars, now that everything is turned on, and direct it to the launch site. William Chocox: Who's to say they haven't deteriorated? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Follows Hunter, headed down to the lower level.:: You see a switch down below? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> +N'Dak+ We're finding some interesting things down here as well. Looks like the residents were just as interested in the sun as we are. There's a launch site which you can see on the map. Sounds like the engineers are going to try to hail the local transport and head that way. Tandaris Admiran: Everything else here seems to be in working order? Maryse Dubois: Hey, mystery meat. ::Grins as she takes the box.:: Thanks. Hakran K'hal: ^Hakran Tandaris Admiran: Don't be such a pessimist. Hunter Matheson: ::checks:: A story or two down. Indaura Ryssan: Can't say I'd want to live here.. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: hands a box to Indaura as well. Cptn Swain: Issaha> +K'hal+ Most interesting, after we complete our sweep of the area we might make our way there. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Keeps a hand on the rail as they descend.:: Hakran K'hal: +N'Dak+ Understood. Keep in touch. Hunter Matheson: ::finally reaches the switch and flips it::: William Chocox: Alright then. Do you want to hail it? Hunter Matheson: ::waits... and waits.... and waits::: Hunter Matheson: ::gives it a scan::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: grins :: You're welcome. Not exactly up to our usual lunch standards, but better than munching on the local grass. Which would probably try to strangle our intestines the way things are going with the plant life down here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The spiral staircase ends in another room full of racks of storage. Some of it is data storage, but there are other shelves as well, with rows of sealed crates -- all with the strange writing on them. Hunter Matheson: ::flips it back and forth, then it lights up::: Hunter Matheson: Well, Commander. There's a lot down here. Hunter Matheson: ::checks to see that she's okay::: Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: You do that, I'll let the others know where we're going. Maryse Dubois: ::Giggles as she opens the box. She took a seat, pulling out a bag of chips.:: Well at least it is in sandwich form. Less messy that way. Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Are you joining us or staying with these guys? Hakran K'hal: :: flips carefully through the text logs Will found, using the tricorder over each page to record and do a quick translate :: Hunter Matheson: ::then moves into the room::: Storage racks.... this looks like data... sealed crates with writing like we saw above, on the plates. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Steps up behind him, putting her light away.:: Yes, I can say that there is quite a bit. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Though, of what? Hunter Matheson: I mean, the writing is similar. Hunter Matheson: Good question. Hakran K'hal: I think I'll stay here. I think a launch pad will be more your guys' cup of tea than mine. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Data, obviously. Let's see if we can get an uplink going to Excalibur. The crates I'm more curious about. Cptn Swain: ACTION> To pay for the budget of this episode, the sever racks are very clearly Intel's latest brand with a wink-wink nod that only you, the viewer notice. William Chocox: ((Lol)) Hunter Matheson: (heh) Hakran K'hal: :: opts for the old-fashioned method and kneels down by the stairway hatch, shouts down :: Anything interesting down there? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She looked up at K'hal.:: Yea, come on down, if you want. Stairs are safe. Lots of goodies. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: We found the data storage, too. William Chocox: ((Now I'm imagining a CAT-5 cable up to Excalibur.)) William Chocox: Off to the launch site! Hakran K'hal: Excellent. :: looks back to Tandy and Will :: Grab one of the blue-shirts to go with you. And one of the yellow, otherwise Augustin will be grumpy. Hunter Matheson: ::checking the room for exits::: Hakran K'hal: :: neatly pounces into the hole and hops down the stairs :: William Chocox: Augustin's no fun. Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: Commander Hawthorne, Chocox and I are taking a few others to the launch site for the rocket. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Can be very fun, thank you:: Cptn Swain: TWO MINUTE WARNING Hunter Matheson: ::running his hand along the wall, looking for exits::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> K'hal catering does try to fit the meal to the situation. :: runs a paw through his mane :: It is nice here when the planet's not trying to kill you. Indaura Ryssan: I'd kill to be back home.. we have quite the bathtub, even by Denobulan standards.. Hakran K'hal: :: eagerly looks over the treasure trove - sure it wouldn't float Indiana Jones' boat, but to a real scientist a rack of servers is almost as good as a rack of... ribs :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Tandaris+ Good, be careful. If you're going outside, suits are required. The vegetation here is no joke. Cptn Swain: AND Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She tapped on one of the crates.:: Let's crack one of these open. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> I'm sure there's a spring somewhere around here. Assuming it isn't bubbling with sulfuric acid and flesh-eating bacteria, maybe you can take a dip before we leave. Hunter Matheson: ::pulling his knife, he begins to pry::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Maybe we can get a partial translation and figure out what they are. Hakran K'hal: Ah, the fun part. :: records it so the archaeologists don't get prissy :: Hunter Matheson: ::steps back as the top pops off::: Indaura Ryssan: :: sighs and takes a drink :: Hunter Matheson: ::and the dust flies::: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0507.2017 The Excalibur is continuing a survey of the Irassa system. Planetside, teams have encountered a number of less than friendly plants and animals, causing the medical team at base camp a few problems! Elsewhere in ruins of a large city, a team has been investigation an unusual complex attached to an underground transit network. On Excalibur itself, Swain and the stellar cartography nerds have located an unusual phenomena in the irassan star which appears to violate the laws of phone stellar physics.

MISSION BRIEF: The survey of Irassa IV continues! When we last left out intrepid heroes they were exploring what appears to be a control room below the surface of an abandoned city. Back at base camp, the Medical team continues to assist with various bumps in the exploratory processes as it were. On board Captain Swain and the nerd crew have started to get telemetry back from their solar probe. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Indaura Ryssan: Is it me or are the ailments getting a bit more severe at each iteration? Hunter Matheson: ::in the depths, still shining his light, looking for stuff::: Hunter Matheson: ::returns to the group:: Nothing more that I can find except construction scraps. Hakran K'hal: :: wandering around, looking for anything of interest :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Leaning against a wall while the archaeology team continues to work on mapping the extensive network of tunnels that appears to provide transportation for most of the city.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::looking for a way to turn the control room on:: Maryse Dubois: ::Keeping watch on a patient, making sure they are responding to treatment.:: Hunter Matheson: ::wanders toward Admir, wondering what was in the box::: Hunter Matheson: Help you with something, sir? Cptn Swain: @ ::Lifts a brow at the reading:: That's interesting. Cptn Swain: @Laki> Sir? William Chocox: It's a box. Tandaris Admiran: It's a toolbox. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: finishes having a conversation with one of the biologists that returned to the base camp with a number of samples :: Tandaris Admiran: I'm wondering if we can use anything in here to turn on any of this equipment. Hunter Matheson: Uh... ::headscratch:: Yes, sir. It's a box. William Chocox: We can just start testing. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Medical ACTION> More wounded trickle in. Plants were the first to strike, but the away team soon found animal and insect life -- and their fangs, stings, and bites. Cptn Swain: @ ::Wrinkles his nose, pointing to the telemetry:: The solar rotation has actually increased since our last readings. Hunter Matheson: (sounds like the jungles of asia) Cptn Swain: @Laki> Increased? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: The equipment in the other room was solar powered. ::Glancing at Tandy.:: They funneled sunlight from the surface. Indaura Ryssan: Bah... :: scans a bit mark on someone's arm :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: notes the continued trickle going toward the medical tent :: Cptn Swain: @Laki> Are you sure sir? Perhaps the original findings were incorrect? Maybe the probes didn't accurately measure the speed? Maryse Dubois: :;Sighs:: If this keeps up, I'm going to have to call more medical staff down... Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: Right. I wonder if there's a shaft or something in here that is just closed right now. Cptn Swain: @ Not likely. It's not exactly like it's hard to mess that up. William Chocox: Huh...should we start looking? Cptn Swain: @Laki> But Skumanich's law... Hunter Matheson: ::shines his light toward the ceiling::: Cptn Swain: @ I know. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> +Miranda+ Rhan K'hal to Commander Hawthorne. Hunter Matheson: ::minding his step, he walks around looking for a solar tube::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Pleased that they had communications this far underground:: +Rhan+ Hawthorne. Go ahead. Hunter Matheson: ::with not much success::: Cptn Swain: @Laki> ::walks over to the console:: Perhaps we should run a diagnostic on the probe, sir. That literally shouldn't be capable of happening. Cptn Swain: @ ::Nods:: I am more than aware. Maryse Dubois: ::When she gets the plant victims stabilized she works on an insect bite, scanning for toxins.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> +Miranda+ Commander, this planet is proving to have a bite worse than its bark. By my count we've had nearly 1/3 of the teams return with reactions and injuries already. Our current exploration strategy isn't working working very well, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Dubois will have to call down more personnel. Tandaris Admiran: Maybe they collected sunlight and stored it in batteries before running it down here. Tandaris Admiran: ::pokes and prods randomly at some of the switches and buttons:: William Chocox: ::presses some buttons as well:: Hunter Matheson: ::moves into the unfinished areas, the spaces between what looks like the bearing structure::: Indaura Ryssan: Keeping up with these injuries is straining our medicine supply.. Hakran K'hal: :: returns back through the tunnels to where the archaeologists and Augustin are based out of :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Glances up at the Caitan approaching:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Rhan+ Issue a warning to all remaining team members on the surface. With the harshness of the environment, it is no wonder. Hakran K'hal: :: Augustin :: How bad are we straining your people in this maze? Indaura Ryssan: Ugh, my skin is crawling.. must be the moisture or something... :: hypos someone's arm :: Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Indeed. I had a little extra sent down initially, since I didn't know what we were dealing with. But I didn't anticipate going through this much so quickly. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> +Miranda+ Will do, Commander. I'm also going to recommend the light encounter suits for any teams heading back out. Cptn Swain: Augustin> Not too badly. The remote mapping is making it easier. Hunter Matheson: ::turns into a small area that has holes in the walls similar to control panels, but nothing's in them::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> Though having so many teams poking around a city this size is, well, it could be easier if we just kept you in a small area but that's a goldshirt mentality mind you. Hakran K'hal: :: nods :: That's the problem with this being a survey mission, we have to find out as much as we can so the large archaeological teams can know which places to go in the follow-ups. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Rhan+ Yes, that will be best. Also, no group should go out without at least one medic present. Ask Dr. Dubois to issue additional first aid supplies to the exploration teams. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> +Miranda+ Understood, Commander. I'll make it happen. William Chocox: Hm...nothing here so far. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: heads back over to the medical tent :: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: heads purposefully toward Maryse :: Indaura Ryssan: Can you find out how much longer we are to be on this planet? Cptn Swain: ACTION> Several the panels appear to show what could possibly be a map of the solar system. The different scripts are still giving the translator matrix some issues but it does appear to be a map of the system. Another displays the city and the complex itself in more detail. Maryse Dubois: ::Glances up at the Cait, while treating someone's arm.:: Hunter Matheson: (panels?) Cptn Swain: (( It's a control room with a bunch of OLED screens everywhere) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> You may have to empty your department, Doc. After having a confab with Cdr Hawthorne, she wants every team that goes back out to have at least one medic and extra first-aid supplies.l Hunter Matheson: (think I missed that) Maryse Dubois: ::Gives Rhan, the "Are you serious?" look.:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> It's not as bad as it sounds on first hear. I still need to call Hakran but I'm going to ask him to consolidate the teams into larger groups. Tandaris Admiran: ((Oh, I thought it didn't have any power)) William Chocox: Whoa. Hakran K'hal: (( maybe some sort of e-ink that stays in shape even when it's not powered )) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She turned back to the group in the control room.:: Anything, yet? Cptn Swain: (( Per my plot notes, the panels turned on when you walked in. The iPad you found was dead though. )) Hakran K'hal: (( or that )) William Chocox: ((Must've got lost in translation.)) Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Until that I'm not letting anyone else out period, so you've got time to pull off a minor miracle. Maryse Dubois: ::Grabs a PADD, tapping on it a little fast, and perhaps with a bit of anger. She then hands it to Rhan.:: Here. A list of additional supplies we need. Also there are a few names of people that will need beamed down if they are to go with the teams. William Chocox: There's a schematic of the city here. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: takes it, transfers the data to his own padd :: Thanks Doc. Hunter Matheson: ::slow walk back to Cho and Admir::: Cptn Swain: (( To also recap, the writing on the monitors and stuff was also in different versions of the language -- like seeing something written in both like Spanish and French -- same base root language but different. Not side by side translations either. )) Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs:: You're welcome. How much longer do you anticipate we will be here? Tandaris Admiran: ((Sorry, forgot that part!)) Cptn Swain: (( No Problem )) Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: So far it looks like we're dealing with an industrialized civilization, possibly capable of spaceflight. Tandaris Admiran: Still not much luck on the translation front. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> I wish I knew. The planetary exploration teams have a more precisely defined scope, but with the ruins... they keep finding more the longer they're down there. William Chocox: Yeah. The translation matrix can't make hide nor hair of it. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: taps away to get things started with the medical personnel and supplies - also taps out a message to Hakran about consolidating the exploration teams :: Indaura Ryssan: Great... :: waves someone over :: Maryse Dubois: I see. Well...You owe me a ride on one of the Argo buggies when this is over. ::Finally manages a smile.:: Hunter Matheson: ::staying back and out of the way::: Cptn Swain: @Laki> Diagnostic complete and readings confirmed sir. Also we still have that intermittent blip in sector 3. Think it's related? Hakran K'hal: :: reads the message from his brother, ejects an oath :: Cptn Swain: @ ::Frowns:: It could be. Though again, I am rather perplexed. Scientifically this shouldn't be possible. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> I just hope it'll be a joyride and not a cavalry coming to the rescue. Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: Anything serious happening back at base camp? Maryse Dubois: Me too. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::smirks at the Caitan:: Some of security are trained field medics. Indaura Ryssan: :: Sprays something on a woman's arm :: Let me rub that in your arm a bit... I have the better angle :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> They have to go along anyway, so feel free to have them do double duty. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: They're experiencing a rash of rashes. All surface teams are issued suits and medics for exploration. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: We saw for ourselves that the plants here will protect themselves. William Chocox: Oh jeez. Hakran K'hal: I think I'm going to let Rhan deal with the specifics. He's better at trying to make mountains out of molehills than I am. :: taps out a message to him explaining exactly that :: Indaura Ryssan: There you go.. Should feel better in a moment. Tandaris Admiran: I'm glad we've decided to go underground. Tandaris Admiran: ::starts itching his neck, totally psychosomatically:: Maryse Dubois: ::Rubs an ointment on the crewman's bite once it was determined there were no detrimental toxins.:: Hunter Matheson: ::thankful for his IFAK::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: looks at the message on his padd :: I'm going to need extra padds. :: wanders back out to his little area :: Hunter Matheson: ::he's decided to keep his gloves on::: Maryse Dubois: Good luck. ::Calling out to Rhan as he left. She then continued to the next patient.:: William Chocox: You ok commander? Maryse Dubois: ::Calls over to Indaura.:: How are you doing over there? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: sends a message to all the planetary exploration teams to return to base camp immediately if they don't already have a trained medic, and even if they do to wrap up what they're doing and make their way back :: Indaura Ryssan: Here I thought I would be on the ship for days and not be on a planet. Cptn Swain: @Laki> What should we do, sir? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: also starts getting the supplies ordered, including the light encounter suits, and more importantly: lunch :: Cptn Swain: @ Start prepping another series of probes and link in with Starfleet Science. See if anyone there has ideas about why the solar rotation could have increased since the last survey, despite all reasons why that's not possible. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: I should be good. Just won't eat any of the vegetation. Cptn Swain: @Laki> Should we inform the surface teams? Tandaris Admiran: ::examining one of the stations in the control room:: Hey, Chocox, bring that tablet device over here, will you? Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: I'm beginning to wish I had stayed too. I should have just had Taryn run things down here. ::Checking the waiting patients.:: If there isn't any immediate emergency cases you can take a break if you'd like. Cptn Swain: @ I can't imagine why it would pose any danger to them, but I suppose Mister K'hal might find it interesting. Hunter Matheson: ::hearing the ping, he checks it out::: Hunter Matheson: Say... Commander? Hunter Matheson: We have incoming alert to move out. Hakran K'hal: :: has another confab with the lead archaeologist and the linguist who are butting heads :: William Chocox: ::walks over and hands it to him:: Here you go. Indaura Ryssan: Any water? Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Looks at the message:: Hakran K'hal: (( sorry, didn't make that clear enough - doesn't apply to the ruins teams )) William Chocox: ((We're named characters. Orders are optional.)) Cptn Swain: (( LOL )) Hunter Matheson: ( was wondering why the order was ignored) Hunter Matheson: (besides mutiny, that is) Tandaris Admiran: ::continues ignoring Hunter's suggestion that they do something as banal as move to safety:: Maryse Dubois: ::Nods, pointing.:: In the crates over there. There is packaged water, and Rhan has a couple large coolers set up outside. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: This looks like a charging port of some kind. Cptn Swain: @ +Hakran+ Excalibur to Hakran. William Chocox: Alright. ::plugs it in:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: watches his operations people start setting out some boxed lunches - not quite a 5 course meal, but better than MREs :: Hakran K'hal: +Swain+ Go ahead, Captain. Hunter Matheson: ::standing by:: Maryse Dubois: ::Checks the time.:: I believe he also promised lunch soon. Cptn Swain: @ +Hakran+ We're beginning to get data back from the solar probes and we've uncovered something rather... well unusual. The solar rotation seems to have increased since the last survey done by my teams on the George Washington. Indaura Ryssan: :: Nods :: Let me get some for a bit. Hakran K'hal: :: blinkety blink-blinken :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She moved about the room, scanning the script with a frown. Examining one of the panels, she touched it experimentally.:: Maryse Dubois: Go ahead. I have things under control here. Cptn Swain: @+Hak+ We're going over all the data again, but I thought you'd be more than a little interested. Tandaris Admiran: ::leaves Chocox to babysit the tablet until it's functional:: Hunter Matheson: ::wondering where Tandy is going::: Tandaris Admiran: ::is heading right for Hunter:: ((Be careful with those questions!)) Maryse Dubois: ((haha)) Hunter Matheson: (aye) William Chocox: ::watches it hoping it powers back on:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Opens a water and drinks :: Hakran K'hal: +Swain+ That's... but... how... :: shakes head :: More than a little indeed, Captain. :: pause :: Keep me posted. Tandaris Admiran: ::Matheson:: I know you're not an engineer, but do you think you could take some of those tools and use them to try to … expose … the guts of one of these systems? Maybe if we start taking something apart we'll get some ideas for how to use it. Cptn Swain: @+Hak+ Will do, Swain out. Hunter Matheson: ::Tandaris:: Well, sir, my dad gave me a little information, like don't cross the wires, don't touch any wires that look bad... that sort of thing. I think I can manage. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: finishes a conversation with the crews bringing in the new supplies, wanders back into the camp proper... and literally rings a dinner bell, because opportunities like that only come so often :: Hunter Matheson: Think they might be live, sir? Hunter Matheson: Or.. is that what I'm supposed to find out.... Hakran K'hal: :: ponders Swain's news a bit longer as he wanders back toward the control room :: Hunter Matheson: ::checking out the equipment in the box, he finds a few things that might work::: Indaura Ryssan: :: moves back into the med area :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Matheson:: I'm mostly just interested in what it looks like once you take one of the panels off and expose the guts. Are they still using electronics? Duotronics? Multitronics? Isolinear or optical processing? Tandaris Admiran: Just try to crack it open and see what we're working with Hunter Matheson: ::nods, not a clue what he means:: Yes ,sir. Hunter Matheson: ::finding a sturdy tool that might work, he looks back to Tandaris::: Just any panel, sir? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The alien padd powers on for Chocox and suddenly the control room comes to life. The screens start displaying charts and graphs and sensory information from the planet's surface. The language was still alien, but there were graphics that looked to be sensor arrays of weather patterns. Hakran K'hal: :: enters the control room just as everything turns on, yelps :: Hunter Matheson: ::checking the panels to see which looks like the best one to start with, like it's already a little loose::: William Chocox: Now we're cooking! Hunter Matheson: ::steps back:: Whoa... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: (( I was expecting a hiss, Hakran. )) Tandaris Admiran: Whoa Maryse Dubois: ((lol)) Hunter Matheson: You.. uh... still want me to pull it apart? Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: What are you seeing your tablet? Any controls? Translations? Hakran K'hal: :: grumbles :: Can't even walk through a door without getting 10 years scared off my life around these people. Tandaris Admiran: I think we can hold off on that for the moment, Mr. Matheson. Hunter Matheson: ::sigh of relief:: Aye, sir. William Chocox: No translations...we have data though. Hakran K'hal: :: approaches the screens, automatically tric scanning the language and adding it to their growing database of it :: Hunter Matheson: ::thinking about how close he came to being part of a panel::: Hakran K'hal: Hmm, that looks suspiciously meteorological. :: points to the weather :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nice... ::Tipping her head to view the screens, looking from one to the other.:: William Chocox: That it does. Hakran K'hal: :: records it, and requests data from the ship to corroborate :: Hunter Matheson: ::steps back far enough to check out all the panels::: Hakran K'hal: For a planet without any artificial satellites, that is eerily accurate. William Chocox: Yeah, but look at these pictures. ::points:: Could be sensors that are providing the info. Hunter Matheson: ::moves in on one ::: Hakran K'hal: :: tilts head, trying to match the data on his tricorder to the data displayed on the screens :: Tandaris Admiran: Interesting Hunter Matheson: Uh.. this looks strangely like some kind of defense grid? Not high tech, just strategic areas. Tandaris Admiran: ::draws K'hal's attention to one screen:: Is it just me or are they very interested in monitoring solar activity here? William Chocox: ::looks over as well:: William Chocox: That...huh, it doesn't seem to be just you. Tandaris Admiran: And yes, ::Matheson:: several of those panels appear to be defense-related. They had some kind of aerial bombardment it looks like huh. Oh. Cptn Swain: ...and... Hakran K'hal: :: steps over to the screen Tandy indicates, reviews :: Wowser. Indaura Ryssan: :: Mentally counting their patients...:: Indaura Ryssan: Oh the followup.. Tandaris Admiran: This looks like a blueprint for an uncrewed rocket capable of reaching their sun. Tandaris Admiran: I wonder what the payload was.... Hakran K'hal: Considering the sun's rotation is speeding up, so do I. So do I... Hunter Matheson: ::moves that way:: Crewed, sir, as in there was a crew aboard? Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0430.2017 The survey of Irassa IV continues! When we last left out intrepid heroes they were exploring what appears to be a control room below the surface of an abandoned city. Back at base camp, the Medical team continues to assist with various bumps in the exploratory processes as it were. On board Captain Swain and the nerd crew have started to get telemetry back from their solar probe.

MISSION BRIEF: Our adventures exploring Irassa IV continue. Team Miranda has discovered, essentially, a large shaft drilled several hundred meters down in the 'newer' area of the underground transit network. A team of archaeologists have arrived behind them and are beginning to map the rest of the network more thoroughly. Medical is helping some folks with a thorny issue. N'Dak and Harper continue to explore a large obelisk at the center of the ruins, while aboard Excalibur the first readings from the solar probe are beginning to come in. Cptn Swain: BEGIN LE SIM Hunter Matheson: ::following down the stairs behind Admiran::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Letting the blue shirts setup their equipment, taking a look around:: William Chocox: ::steps carefully along the stairs:: Maryse Dubois: ::Now updating her dangerous plant database.:: Now we have two plants to avoid. Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Glances behind him to Harper: I am getting a link from the other teams, apparently they've started to get a translation matrix going. Charlie Harper: ::examines the base of the obelisk:: Good, any preliminary results? Indaura Ryssan: :: Treating the ones with thorns, then with swelling... not so swell for them and the anti-histamine can't last forever :: Tandaris Admiran: ::is in a room with chemical lighting now:: Well, nothing has eaten me yet! William Chocox: That's reassuring. Hakran K'hal: :: following along with Admiran and Chocox :: That's always a plus. :: dryly :: Cptn Swain: NDak> Their language does not appear to have been rooted in the Iconian language. I wondered if perhaps they were an offshot of the Rihannsu. Perhaps io of the far travel ships lost during the Sunderring, but I can na tell yet. Indaura Ryssan: :: Watching those treated for additional symptoms :: Cptn Swain: NDak> ::tilts head looking at the markings:: Granted our own language has changed much since those days. Hunter Matheson: ::doing 360 check of the room::: So I guess it's not a cooler or some kind of trap, and there's no cold tub... ::walks around looking at the walls for information:: Charlie Harper: Considering written Vulcan and Rihannsu are mutually unintelligible, I should think so. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: back at the landing camp, staying out of busy medical's way while organizing all of the stuff going in and out, both data and physical :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The walls of the room are relatively sparse, there seem to be various markings like signs for construction workers towards the "pit." William Chocox: ::looks at the writing:: Cptn Swain: ( Did y'all start down the stairs last week? I have a note you did )) Indaura Ryssan: I bet there are many plants to avoid and many not. Hunter Matheson: (yes) Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Nods:: Ie. William Chocox: ((From the looks of the log it looked like we did.)) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Shining her light around on the walls as they descended, looking for additional markings on the way down.:: Hakran K'hal: :: automatically scans the writing and sends it back to the archeological group that includes the linguist :: Maryse Dubois: ::Steps over to Rhan, holding out a PADD.:: New update to send out to everyone. Not only do we have a plant trying to kill us with pollen, but a new one with poisonous thorns... Cptn Swain: ACTION> The stairs are relatively secure for being as old as they are, having been apparently made of a high quality alloy and combined with the relatively low temperatures and humidity in the area. William Chocox: Impressive we haven't found a missing step. Cptn Swain: NDak> I wonder what it was used for... it appears to be older than the surrounding buildings. A monument of some kind? Hunter Matheson: Hm... ::rubs a gloved hand over the markings::: Looks like construction information. Short and sweet. Indaura Ryssan: Oh, I wonder if they are the same plant? :: to Dubois :: Do you suppose so? Charlie Harper: Mmm... I'm trying to see if this is the true base or if it's been partially buried... Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Lovely. :: taps his padd to hers to grab the data, then taps away at it to enter it into the database and send the update to everyone on planet :: Some interesting flora on this planet. Maryse Dubois: ::To Indaura before walking over to Rhan.:: Well I wish we could find some good ones. Hakran K'hal: Are you tasting the writing, Matheson? :: distractedly :: Tandaris Admiran: ::walks further into the room at the bottom of the stairs:: William Chocox: ::follows Admiran:: Maryse Dubois: I wish everything wouldn't try to kill us. Or is that asking too much? Hunter Matheson: ::begins to record the writing to match it with what they found before:: Should I, sir? Hunter Matheson: ::didn't actually hear what he said, just kind of answered::: Indaura Ryssan: Well, if these pollen and thorns exist and plants or animals that coexist with them, then they must have a built-in method of protecting themselves Hakran K'hal: Only if there's blood on it. We might need to know if there are orcs about. Hunter Matheson: ::wanders toward Hawthorne:: Interesting stuff, commander. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: Maryse :: With our luck? It probably *is* too much to ask. Charlie Harper: It does look like there might be more below the surface Hunter Matheson: ::shows his scans:: Same type of tool used as up above for what looked like ordinary writing. Only difference is that this is short, like notes, and the other was more like a sentence. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Make sure you get scans of any writing you see. We need to expand our database. Hunter Matheson: Yes, ma'am. Indaura Ryssan: If there are any thick skinned mammals here they could avoid the thorns. William Chocox: See anything interesting Commander? Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs.:: True. ::Looks to Indaura.:: I've not heard anyone report back on fauna yet. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Maybe they're instructions for their construction crew. Hunter Matheson: ::moving along the walls, past the vacant sections, taking scans:: Could be, ma'am. Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Continues scanning the obelisk base, looking for some sort of entrance.:: Hunter Matheson: ::turns to face her:: It actually has that feel. Indaura Ryssan: Neither have I, should they have already? Hunter Matheson: I mean.. look. Like... ::points::: this looks like some kind of numerical notation. Maryse Dubois: ::Glances at Rhan for a possible answer.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: It's more what I'm not seeing that interests me. Hunter Matheson: We put em together and maybe could figure out their number system. Charlie Harper: ::straightens up, cracks back:: ::frowns at the obelisk:: There's something very strange about this thing. William Chocox: What are you not seeing? Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Nothing in yet on the legged front. Hunter Matheson: ::half hearing the convo::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Shines her light on the room as she walks the grid, using her tricorder to scan the ceiling.:: Maryse Dubois: That seems odd. Surely someone would have reported something by now. Cptn Swain: NDak> ::looks over:: Ie? Hunter Matheson: ::sets the scanner to compare::: Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: Think about it. Our working theory is that this place was left unfinished, "under construction", right? Indaura Ryssan: We need to contact them, are we within range? Hunter Matheson: ::has a thought and begins to pace off the sections that are standing::: Indaura Ryssan: I have some of the swelling down, but I don't think the compound is out of their system William Chocox: You're wondering where the equipment is? Hunter Matheson: ::turns toward Admiran and Cho:: Thinking you're right, sir. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> It's possible our less than stealthy landing and zipping about on noisy ATV's isn't conducive to spotting things that can hide. Maryse Dubois: That's a fair point. Tandaris Admiran: Not so much the equipment, but the debris. William Chocox: Ah. Hunter Matheson: ::wanders over :: And the marks on the wall. Tandaris Admiran: If this place were abandoned in haste, both equipment and debris should be left here. If it was an orderly withdrawal, why would you waste resources removing debris from something you weren't using? Charlie Harper: Just... it doesn't match. ::turns to look at the rest of the space:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Medical ACTION> Base camp starts getting more reports of biological incidents -- officers coming into contact with poisonous plants. Several were incoming for treatment. Tandaris Admiran: Everything is unfinished yet , ::runs a hand along the surface:: cleaned up. William Chocox: That's weird. Hunter Matheson: paced out this section, and it's about 3 meters. Next one is about 3, and on down the line. Cptn Swain: NDak> ::tilts his head at the human:: Ie, as I said it appears to be older construction. Indaura Ryssan: :: Hears more incoming :: More? People can't not touch these things. Hunter Matheson: Between sections is about a meter, give or take. Maryse Dubois: ::Hearing the incoming comms.:: I am beginning to think that there are no fauna, and that the plants dominate here... Hakran K'hal: Rhan> I could've sworn all the kits have gloves. And tools that allow you to manipulate objects without hands at all. :: sigh :: Cptn Swain: NDak> Or did au mean in another way? Hunter Matheson: ::joins Cho and Admir:: William Chocox: It definitely shouldn't be this clean. Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs, looking at Rhan.:: Tell everyone to stop touching things, especially the plant variety. Indaura Ryssan: :: Waves some newly injured in :: Come this way Hunter Matheson: Makes me think they left in a hurry. Indaura Ryssan: This must be a fascinating place for a botanist... Tandaris Admiran: ::nods at Hunter:: Maybe they finished this area, cleaned it up, but then had to leave? ::doesn't sound quite convinced by this theory:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nods :: I'll point out the obvious. :: sends off a message to all teams to NOT touch the plants without protection :: Hunter Matheson: What made them leave, then? Makes you wonder Maryse Dubois: ::Goes to help with the incoming.:: Hunter Matheson: Well, we're already wondering, so wondering more makes it more complicated, so maybe a notch down on the wondering? Tandaris Admiran: ::shrugs:: Could be anything. Natural disaster. War? This could be a bunker. Complete planetary evacuation? Tandaris Admiran: I wish we could find some technology so we could gauge their development level. Hunter Matheson: Well, they scratch in the walls, so they don't use crayons. Charlie Harper: I... ::stops, thinks a moment:: When you have an important historical relic, what do you do with it? Cptn Swain: ACTION> Tandaris all but trips over what appears to be a crude, by our standards, tablet something like an iPad Air 2 or something. Hakran K'hal: You're an engineer, of course you want some technology. I'd rather get the language sorted. William Chocox: Scratching on the walls doesn't mean they're unadvanced. Hunter Matheson: ::catches him as he trips:: Whoa. Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Considers:: Well, many of ours are in the Senate quarter. William Chocox: Careful sir. Hunter Matheson: ::Lights up the area::: Strange. Indaura Ryssan: :: Starts to treat more people :: I will have a class soon on the ship... Don't Touch Anything... William Chocox: Is that a crude PADD? Hunter Matheson: Beats me Indaura Ryssan: :: Notices something on her own hand :: Bah.. doctor, can you come see my hand? Maryse Dubois: Sounds like a great idea. ::Treats a crewman.:: Charlie Harper: On display, right? With barriers to keep the kids from climbing on them, or at least a plaque of some kind to say why this particular hunk of ugly is allowed to take up space. Maryse Dubois: ::Walks over.:: What is it? Cptn Swain: NDak> ::Nods, seeing her point:: Hmmm Tandaris Admiran: ::Hunter:: Thanks. ::bends down to retrieve the offending object:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Holds up her left hand :: Something from one of them has gotten on my hand. Hakran K'hal: :: scans the object as Tandy picks it up :: Aluminum frame. That should give you one good handle on their tech level. Indaura Ryssan: The urge to itch is...ugh.. quite strong Maryse Dubois: ::Notices her hand. Grabs a tricorder and scans.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Medical ACTION> Incoming wounded were mostly minor irritants, ranging from skin rashes to more incidents with spiny plants. However, one or two of the patients were in anaphylaxis. William Chocox: Huh. So not too advanced. Tandaris Admiran: Looks like a primitive PADD-like device. Tandaris Admiran: I wonder if our tricorder could interface with it? Hunter Matheson: Hm... does it still work? Hunter Matheson: ...but that's what you were talking bout... Maryse Dubois: ::Hands Indaura a hypo.:: Here use this, then put gloves on. And I don't need to tell you, no scratching. ::Goes over to one of the crewman in shock.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::Hunter:: Could you look further up ahead and see if you can find any more of these, or anything else? Hunter Matheson: Sure can, sir. ::moves off::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Hypos herself :: Ah, the hiss that refreshes.. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Moving to the end of the room, she paused at the doorway that led into the next section, shining her light on the unfinished doorway.:: There's more in here... ::She called over her shoulder.:: Looks like an equipment room. Tandaris Admiran: ::Chocox:: Here, see if you can find a way to access its internals without breaking it. I'll see if my tricorder can activate any dormant communication protocols. Hunter Matheson: ::sweeping the floor and any ledges he sees with his light::: William Chocox: Yes sir. ::starts looking it over:: Indaura Ryssan: :: gets gloves on :: These may or may not do any good.. but it can't hurt. Tandaris Admiran: ::opens his tricorder and scans the device with an active pulse:: Hunter Matheson: ::pokes his head through the area behind some of the wall spaces::: Cptn Swain: NDak> So that leaves us some interesting questions, does it na? Hunter Matheson: ::quick search of those areas::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Treats another looking like they are heading towards shock :: Maryse Dubois: ::Eases a patient having trouble breathing. She looks over, calling out to Rhan.:: Rhan, full decontamination protocols for anyone going back to the ship. Even emergency beaming. Charlie Harper: Hopefully the translation will tell us something. William Chocox: I think I see some screws here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Triggered by Miranda's movement, the lights come on in the next room to reveal some sort of control area. Old-style tech covered the walls from floor to ceiling. Hunter Matheson: ::moves on to the next section, scanning as he goes:: Indaura Ryssan: :: hypos them :: Remain calm.. Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: nods :: Understood. Hunter Matheson: Hm.... ::moves into a recessed area::: Tandaris Admiran: No response to my tricorder's interrogation, so it's either incompatible or completely without power. ::turns towards where Miranda and Hunter disappeared:: Let's see if any of the equipment up there yields more clues. Hunter Matheson: ::checks the floor, then runs the light against the wall::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: calls up to the transporter rooms to pass that along before trotting over to the shuttle pilots to make sure they're aware :: Webmaster: ((You tell them to remain calm AFTER hypo'inh them. Hahaha)) Hunter Matheson: (hey webbie) Cptn Swain: (( LOL hi webbie! )) William Chocox: Aye sir. Maryse Dubois: Flight crews are going to have fun scrubbing down the shuttles. William Chocox: ::walks towards where Hawthorne and Matheson disappeared off to:: Tandaris Admiran: ::enters the room and whistles:: Wow Indaura Ryssan: Baron sweep would be quicker Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: They don't need to know that. Webmaster: ((Just checking in to make sure the place has not burned down. This also gives me a chance to more fully test the mobile UI)) Hunter Matheson: ::picks up a box, then moves back into the main room::: Found a box. Maryse Dubois: ((::Puts out a small fire.:: Nothing to see here.)) Tandaris Admiran: ((Swain doesn't let me have access to fire any more.)) William Chocox: ((::hides the gas canister behind his back:: Burning? No, no one here would ever do such a thing.)) Indaura Ryssan: How many total are coming here for help? Maryse Dubois: ::Treats her last immediate patient.:: Hunter Matheson: ::brings the box to Tand::: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: returns :: Don't expect the shuttle crews to be buying you any drinks, Doc. Hunter Matheson: Thought you'd like to open it. Looks like a toolbox maybe? Tandaris Admiran: You shouldn't have! ::takes the box eagerly and sets it down on a table:: Cptn Swain: (( A box, huh )) Hakran K'hal: :: scanning all of the equipment and looking for any more language :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She ran a hand over the screens as she passed, searching for some sort of switch to power it up.:: Hunter Matheson: (well, gotta keep him busy and I figured that would be a good thing to play with) William Chocox: Boxes are always fun. Indaura Ryssan: :: Scans her patient with her medicorder :: The medication should take effect shortly. We are watching others with similar symptoms, so please report anything... :: to the man she was treating :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> The tricorder translation matrix spits out something about operations and control. There appears to be more than one kind of script here though, possibly multiple languages. William Chocox: If you're a cat. Maryse Dubois: ::Shrugs:: Well I'm sure they would rather enjoy breathing. Hakran K'hal: :: glares at Will :: Hakran K'hal: :: then looks over the tricorder :: Hmm, interesting. Hunter Matheson: ::moves on out to check the other areas::: William Chocox: And by cat I use the colloquial term to refer to the common Earth house cat. Cptn Swain: (( aahaha will )) Hunter Matheson: ::smirk as he hears Cho's lame translation::: Hakran K'hal: :: Tandy :: Looks like we've got our first words. "operation" and "control." Though there seem to be multiple scripts here, but can't tell if it's different language or not though. Indaura Ryssan: My own symptoms are abating.. Hunter Matheson: ::he begins where he left off, paying special attention to the recesses and the areas behind the unfinished wall areas::: Tandaris Admiran: ::looking through the toolbox:: Tandaris Admiran: So this was definitely a control room for something. Indaura Ryssan: I'm afraid to take a deep breath now... Hakran K'hal: Rhan> :: helpfully : We have gas masks if it'll make you feel better. Hunter Matheson: ::and he finds mostly a few discarded scraps that didn't get cleaned up, but not much else::: William Chocox: Commander, do you have a tool that looks like it could remove screws with *proceeds to describe the head necessary to remove them*. Tandaris Admiran: ::looks through the box:: Ah, here we go. ::hands the tool to Chocox:: Maryse Dubois: Well we may have to break them out soon. Cptn Swain: ...and... William Chocox: Thank you sir. ::goes to remove the screws:: Hakran K'hal: Rhan> Oh lovely. Indaura Ryssan: Perhaps our medical logs will help figure out all of this. Cptn Swain: ARRETER LE JEU