Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Resume USS Andromeda "The Infinity Gambit" 10805.18
 
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: As dawn spreads her fingertips of rose over the horizon, we find our heroes emerging from the Bird of Prey
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Steps out and looks at the surroundings::
 
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The port impulse engine is a smoldering pile of junk as parts continue to fall from the scorched engine housing
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::looks at the engine:: All: This ship is a piece of junk
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: Set up the transport enhancers
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The arctic circle is an inhospitable environment even in the days of modern technology as sub zero weather rips across the frozen tundra of the landing zone
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: Can you get a decent direction on the location of the white gem?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: You never know. Scrap metal might be in high prices around here.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: We hopefully won't be needing it anymore.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Visibility is ten miles in all directions
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the XO and starts setting up the equipment to enable transporters::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: I'll try to find directions.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The ground is firm and unyielding, the beginning of the glacial fields are 40 feet to the north
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CSO detects readings consistent with the white gem 100 miles north
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The CTO begins to assemble and landing zone with transporter enhancers
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: It's about 100 miles north if my readings are right.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The Bird of Prey's starboard impulse engine is functioning perfectly and is providing power
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: Once the CTO has the transport enhancers up, have some snow mobiles beamed down and phaser drilling equipment
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The Bird of Prey's Warpcore is online and is providing power
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Aye.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Artic winds blow across the team, casting a small layer of ice on the team's goggles
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CTO creates the landing zone with synchronizes and creates a fully functional receiving area
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Finishes setting up the transporter enhancers:: XO: We should be able to transport now.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Starts coordinating material transfers to the landing zone::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Instructs the beaming of  snow mobiles and phaser drilling equipment to start::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Several large, tread layered heavy phaser drill trucks materialize on the Landing circle with several snow mobiles
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Several engineers begin to set up a base camp and pitch tents
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO/CSO: Mount up and lets get that gem
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: This base is getting a bit larger than what I'd hoped for, but I guess there's no way around that.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Major Beachead and his commandos arrive next to an armored tank with sensor antennae on top
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: Have the Major set up a security perimeter then
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: Let's hope that those fleets in orbit won't get curious about what we're doing here.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: I think they'll be too busy plotting their next move to be concerned with us
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the XO::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The phaser drills are mobile heavy vehicles towing the drills such as mobile artillery
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Waits for the others to act::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::walks over to a snow mobile and hops on::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The Commandos establish a perimeter and a communications tent
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::plugs his headset into the snow mobile comms unit::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Talks to the Major a bit about the defense, then climbs into the snow mobile::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: Input the co-ordinates into the computer::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Gets to a snow mobile::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Aye, aye. ::Inputting the coordinates that his tricorder gave::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Each snowmobile has the capacity for two people has a heads up display and a minor weather like deflector screen
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Sends the coordinates to other snowmobiles as well::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::recieves the co-ordinates and fires up the engines and heads in the direction::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The gem is bearing due north some 100 miles in a heavy glacier area
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The team has chosen to leave the tank and the commandoes behind
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Accelerates with his snow mobile, feeling the thrill of speed::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The expedition heads off into the glacial area with the lazer drill bringing up the rear much slower
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Sets off after the two other snow mobiles::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Leaving the base camp behind the team proceeds into the vast expanse, heading due north
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::checks sensor readings to see if anything else is out there::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Time passes, visibility is down to 5 miles in all directions as the team moves forward approaching magnetic north, transporter lock here is not possible some communication interference with base camp due to proximity to magnetic north
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Monitors communication links to the camp and the Andromeda, observing any disturbances::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: No sensor contacts besides frozen wilderness
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Checking the direction::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CSO begins to detect on his tricorder heavy natural, craters in the area due to meteor impacts
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The team is 20 miles from the target area and begining to enter an impact field of craters stretching miles in diameter
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Decides to talk to radio:: *XO/CTO* We are passing through an area with craters.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO/CTO* We got to watch out. I suggest slowing our speed.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
*CSO* Can you say anything about the age of the craters? They shouldn't be very old if they're still visible, I assume?
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The group can see large impacts of craters
XO_Lt_Conor says:
*CSO/CTO* I agree, lets slow it down a notch ::slows down a bit::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Slows down a bit, watches out for the phaser drill in tow::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Analyzing the craters and their age::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CSO can estimate based on carbon dating the metals from impacts that they arrived some 10,000 years ago around the time the Mayan civilization was destroyed in the Federation Universe
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The craters contain minute traces of matter from the Federation universe
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The meteor material has ores and some quantum mass that is definitely not indigenous
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO/CTO* These craters are around 10 000 years old. What's interesting is that they have material from our own universe, in tiny amounts.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::launches a comms relay out of the snow mobile::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
*CSO* Interesting. We can probably assume they have something to do with the gem's presence. Do you think it'd be useful to study these craters closer?
XO_Lt_Conor says:
*CSO/CTO* Grab what sensor scans you can but our primary objective is the white gem. We can return later to do more studies if time permits
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The expedition is now in the crater field and arrives at the target area which is an impact crater overgrown glacier and natural geologic processes
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO/CTO* I'll do quick scans and analyze the results later.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Keeps monitoring the weather and transmission disturbances::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Here iin the impact crater area there is a high concentration of mass from the Federation universe
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The drills which have lagged behind finally arrive with a loud rumble and stop at the edge of the crater
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The crater is 100 miles wide
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO/CTO* We got one crater with lots of material from our own universe. I'd like to stop to investigate.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
*CSO/CTO* Lets pull over then for a few minutes
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Stops his vehicle::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Stops his snow mobile::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Stops and gets out with phaser rifle in hand::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The crater is a sight to behold, definitely some 10,000 years ago a massive meteor storm rained down here leaving impact craters in this area
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Begins a detailed tricorder scan of the rocks and other material in the crater::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The crater is some 200 feet deep in the arctic and yet at the center there appears to be a small tropical forest
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::doesn't recognize what is in the center of the crater and uses the zoom on his rifle::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Gets out of his vehicle and looks at the crater::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The scope shows a forest some 200 feet down and natural glade with flowing water
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO/CTO: I don't know what to make of that. It looks like a tropical forest.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CSO: Is it a hologram?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CTO: I'll try to find out.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
All: How many more tropical forests will we find in the artic?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CTO: It looks like a tropical forest, ..., a real one.
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The surface temperature at the glacial field is -30 F with a wild chill of -45
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CSO: That's definitely worth a closer look, then. Is the gem perhaps supposed to be in the forest?
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO/CTO: I suspect we might need to rappel down then ::walks over to the snow mobile and breaks out the climbing gear::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CTO: The gem is somewhere here in a five mile radius. I have no more exact readings.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: It is worth a look, perhaps, but that is no natural forest.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::drives the snow mobile closer to the edge and actives the spikes on the tracks::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Although it looks like one, a tropical forest in this area just isn't possible.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::hooks a rope to the winch and throws it down::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The XO secures his vehicle to the surface
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: I know, and with the gem being within 5 miles. I have a hunch it might be involved
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the XO::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The crater is a steep 200 foot scale down, rocky unforgiving slopes of ice and jagged rock
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::checks his harness and attaches the rope to it and starts to slowly scale down the crater::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Preparing his own equipment for descent::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The XO begins to repel down
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Starts climbing down after the XO::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The wind howls above, lightning crackles in the high heavens as it begins to snow
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Begins his descent last::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The team begins to descend
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Lightning suddenly blasts the CSO's snowmobile which erupts into flames sending the hapless CSO falling into the 200 foot abyss!
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The wind flows across the CSO's face as he plummets towards the earth accelerating
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Stares in disbelief::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::his eyes widen as he sees the CSO drop and flames erupting from his snow mobile::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
*Andromeda* Try lock onto the CSO and beam him out now!
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Pushes his communicator, not really understanding why::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: I think we need to get off these ropes fast! ::takes larger jumps down::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The unforgiving wind rips the CSO's goggles from his face his rope hanging the air, a tough impact seconds away on an alien and evil world
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Yells into his communicator, asking for the base to beam the team to safety::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CSO impacts with a thunderous crunch to the horror of his comrades far below at the very edge of the forest
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Starts moving downwards::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The CSO's head is on the grass but the rest of his body is broken and battered on the tundra his head is unharmed
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::keeps scaling down as fast as he can::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The XO and CTO are some 15 minutes away
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Almost fainted, realing he is alive and doesn't understand why::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Ninety percent of the CSO's body is on the tundra his head is on soft lush grass
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The CSO's tricorder indicates he has massive internal injuries and has broken 90 percent of his bones but there are no head injuries
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO* I need medical care.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO* I am conscious but I am massively injured.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO* I really need medical care right now, whatever it takes.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
*CSO* Don't worry we're coming
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The XO and the CTO arrive and find the CSO close to death yet his head is fine
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
*XO* Have a shuttle, whatever, just anything.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Runs over to him and starts scanning him::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Tries to contact the base::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::breaks out his small medical kit and starts trying to treat him::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: Relay the comms through my snow mobile and through the relay
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Scans indicate no injuries on the head but the rest of his body is close to death, communications on the base are rebounding off the impact crater walls
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: The snow mobiles seem to be blocked by the cliffs, as is pretty much everything else.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::unfolds the portable stretcher and places it beside the CSO::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: We need to move him off the ice at least
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: Sure.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Starts carefully moving the body onto the stretcher::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Screaming in pain::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Follows the CTO and moves the CSO onto the stretcher::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: On three lift
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Grabs the handles:: CTO: Three
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the XO and lifts on three:
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
<:>
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: The XO and CTO lift   CSO whose left lung has just collapsed
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Walks over on to the grass and places the CSO down::
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: As the CSO's body crosses into the forest his body completely regenerates just as he is about to die, 10 percent of the forest becomes iced over and returns to a tundra state
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::shocked at the tricorder readings::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO/CTO: I don't know what you did but... thanks.
 
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Stands on the edge of the forest, completely speechless::
Host Tyrael says:
Action: A soft essence appears in the area next to the CSO
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Watches what has appeared beside the CSO::
Host Tyrael says:
All: I am an aspect of the White Gem's consciousness, the gem has expended some if its precious energy to assist you in your quest, each time it expends energy a portion of the forest will die it will try to assist you
Host Tyrael says:
::vanishes::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Rather speechless::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
All: That's... encouraging.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
All: Weird, very weird
Host Tyrael says:
Action: There is now 90 percent of the forest remaining
Host Tyrael says:
Pause USS Andromeda "The Infinity Gambit" 10805.18