USS Cherokee 11309.22 
Diplomacy, Part 10

Starring
Trish Yarborough as Executive Producer and Sheriff-Akhey 
 Steve Weller as Rep_Finney and Melkat
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Cmdr_Nash
Zach Farland as CNS_Ens_Daniels
 Topper Loghry as CTO_Q’ten
 Andrew Cotterly as CMO_Lt_Talora
 Trent Worthington as FCO_Ltjg_Worthington

Absent
Jon Benson as CEO_Lt_Salor
Bruce Oriani as CSO_LtCmdr_Starr

Captain's Log, Stardate 11309.22.  My meeting continues with the First Citizen, but to say things are going slow would be an overstatement.  I am beginning to wonder just what she expects of us here.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Begin Mission >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Host Rep_Finney says:
::With Away Team, trying to gauge the changes in the colony since last time here.::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Standing at the entrance to the mines.::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::with the Twins at the Mines::

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::waiting to see what the explanation is going to be::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
CMO:  It looks like your Science Officer is stuck somewhere.  Shall we meet him down in the mines?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Not sure what the hold up is::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Crosses her arms:: Sheriff: How deep does this mine go?

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
CMO:  Several hundred meters down.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I'll go down there.  I don't care about seeing some dusty old rock cave walls.  It just sounds like fun.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  If you are ready, please follow me.  Remember the deeper we go, the steps tend to become a bit slick, so watch your footing.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
<Kevin Nash>  *OPS*:  Sorry to disturb you but are the Twins with you?

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::hears the Sheriff:: CMO: Maybe we should send just 1 or 2 people to find the CSO?

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
CNS: Then let's be on our way.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
*Kevin*:  Yes they are.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::begins walking into the mine::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
<Kevin Nash>  *OPS*:  I've got this feeling that they need to be back on the Cherokee.

Host Rep_Finney says:
::Follows the Sheriff into the mine.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Wishes he had a torch::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Nods:: FCO: I feel the same way, but I think for now it's pretty safe.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::Begrudgingly follows the rest of the Away Team::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
*Kevin*:  I have to agree with you on that, things are taking an interesting turn.  Have someone lock on them and beam them up.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
<Kevin Nash>  *OPS*:  Will do.  ::contacts the Transporter Chief to beam up the Twins, which they are beamed up.::

ACTION:  The Nash twins are beamed back to the Cherokee.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Follows them into the mine, keeping his eye on the CMO::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
Finney:  Have other ores been discovered down here?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Walks next to the FCO and whispers:: FCO: Could you could keep an eye on our surroundings and let me know if something's off?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::feels better that the Twins are back home, granted they are not happy but it's for their safety.::

Host Rep_Finney says:
Akhey: Last report there was some, but not a large amount.  Mostly a vein of Kelbonite with a few impurities.  Just second hard info here, though.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Isn't getting jealous that Talora is talking to yet another guy:: Self/CTO: Probably just business.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::returns the whisper:: CMO: Aye.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
CNS: You realize that to do her job she does have to actually communicate with people?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Smiles lightly and moves forward, pulling out her Tricorder to start scanning::

ACTION:  Faint sounds can be heard below of blasting and digging.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::feels the temperature begin to lower the deeper they get into the mine::

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::hears blasting, wonders if it is typical mining business or something else::

Host Rep_Finney says:
<Miner> ::Comes walking up.::  All: Are you the Cherokee folks?  Your other guy is off that side tunnel, found another sample he wanted to investigate.

ACTION:  A couple of entrances can be seen as the crew pass lower into the mines.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Nods:: Miner: Thank you.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I know, but why can't she just talk to Commander Nash?  She's communications.  Then, the Commander can talk to the impressive Sheriff and this new guy all she wants.  ::Knows he sounds insane.  Smiles::  CTO: Just kidding.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::looks around, trying to see where the traps may be::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Looks over:: CEO/CTO: I'd like you both to go and check up on our missing CSO. See what's keeping him? Thank you.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::From what he's seen, gets the impression they've put some serious thought into this mining kelbonite business.  Wasn't expecting them to have progressed so far in such a short time::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  Just a little further, we should be able to see the first vein of Kelbonite.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Sheriff: Rocks, how fascinating.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
Sheriff: What is the danger of collapse? Work safety record sterling?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::listens as the Sheriff plays Tour Guide as the Away Teams ventures into the Mines.::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
FCO:  The safety is good as a former Starfleet engineer designed all this.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
FCO: The best part about any tour is the stuff they don't show you.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  See this blue vein?  It is the Kelbonite.

Host Melkat says:
FCO: And I designed it for long service, Lieutenant.  Frank Melkat, at your service.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Starts scanning the Kelbonite::

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::nods at Melkat::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::shuts up as Frank can give all the explanations::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Sees the man himself arrive::  CMO: The man behind the curtain.

Host Melkat says:
All: I set this place up so once we're running normally as a settlement we have something to work with.  I am hoping the ore can be used in ship hulls.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Smiles at the CNS::

Host Melkat says:
All: As you know it's tough to get a signal through, so I'm hoping it does the same in "refined" form.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
Self: Fascinating...

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: Sir, I don't get it.  Can you explain something to me?  It seems this colony has gotten off track.  You were starting a planet for habitation.  Now, it seems that's all secondary.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::Perks up at the Counselors question::

Host Melkat says:
CNS: No sir.  It is still primary.  That's why the mine work is going so slow.  Only have two miners total working, and me when I can get away from the main colony. If we can get the planet able to support a full populace, I'm pretty sure we can make this work.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
Melkat: Has First Citizen Mortanna shown any interest in this Kelbonite?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: You call this slow?  It looks to me like a very impressive mining operation you got going here.  I can't help but wonder what effect mining here will have on the environment trying to take hold here.

Host Melkat says:
CMO: She sees interest in anything that can help her, but she realizes it's got a ways to go.  Been building up supply since we found it, and only have a few tons or raw ore, much of which is loaded with impurities.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Nods and keeps listening::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: I can see why you would want a full populace.  You'll need more miners, I'm sure.

Host Melkat says:
CNS: We're staying well within guidelines.  As I said, the agriculture and it's side effect, oxygen, is the main purpose of the colony.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  I sometimes put my hand in when I can as well.  Doesn't take much brains to load up the carts!  ::chuckles::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: Okay, so you knock out all the kelbonite and then what? Sell it?  So, you sell it.  Now then, why would your colony need so much protection then?

Host Melkat says:
Sheriff: Yes you do, as do a lot of the farmers.  But there is so much to do.

Host Melkat says:
CNS: Then we need to ensure we don't get too dependent on it.  There's a bunch here, but at this point we aren't sure how much total.  After all, it is hard to scan.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::starts to relax a bit:: Melkat: Impressive operation.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  We are almost at the bottom where you can see where we lived during the attack, and probably why we weren't found.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: I sure hope you people know what you're doing.  I think you should leave it were it is until you know what you're going to do with it.

Host Melkat says:
FCO: Thanks, but as I said, there is a long way to go.  All over the colony.  Honestly wish the First Citizen would concentrate more on building the colony and less on ruffling feathers.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::quietly::  Self: Amen.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Falls back, behind the others, deciding to shut up for awhile, not intending to go over board::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
Melkat: Do you know what this is all about? Why we've been called out here? Why Mortanna is, "ruffling feathers"?

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::under his breath::  Self: Because she like to cause trouble...

Host Melkat says:
CMO: She's a politician, that's what she does.  Grab a minor issue and make noise about it.  Until the Vroa episode no one knew we were here outside of the Terraformers and a few who visited.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
Melkat: So this is just to get attention?

Host Melkat says:
CMO: In a way.  She thinks it's an issue but is making a lot more of it.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CMO: Attention is publicity, publicity could equal profit or power

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
Self: Politicians, some things never change.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Shrugs:: All: Politics is a constant power struggle. Does she have an opponent here on the colony? Or does she have a solid hold on this structure here?

Host Melkat says:
CNS: She had political designs before we came here I think.  But didn't have a chance to pursue while her husband kept the office.
CMO: No one opponent I don't think.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  Here we are folks, where we lived during the attack.  If you try to use your comm badges you will see they don't work.

Host Finney says:
Melkat: Not among the population on the planet, anyway.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: So, are you telling me this lady literally wants to rule the world, meaning this planet?  That's just creepy.

Host Melkat says:
CNS: World is barely a village by outside world terms.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CMO: I bet she off'd her husband.

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::starts to feel a little anxious again::

Host Melkat says:
CNS: No, that was the Vroa.  She didn't seem to let the body get cold, though.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Shakes head:: Sheriff: Perhaps we should start heading back.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Melkat: I get that, but it’s like getting in on the ground floor for her.  She's here from the beginning, she can make the rules that will endure for possibly centuries.

Host Melkat says:
CNS: Good point.

Host Melkat says:
<Miner> ::Comes running down.::  Sheriff/ Melkat: We've got a fire...I think, in the town!

Host Melkat says:
Miner: What?  Where?

Host Melkat says:
<Miner> Melkat: The Warehouse area.

Host Melkat says:
::Takes off running for the surface.::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Frowns:: Sheriff: Seems like it's time to go.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
Sheriff: Can we help?

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  I think that is our cue to move back up the mine.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
CNS:  Hopefully it isn't a big problem, but yes, if needed please.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Starts moving towards the entrance again::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
ALL:  Folks remember the steps are slippery, be careful!

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::is relieved that they are leaving the mines, she carefully follows everyone back through the mine::

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::makes his way back with the rest of the team:: Sheriff/CMO: How far towards the surface do we need to be before we can beam to the fire location?

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
FCO:  You must be completely out of the mine.

Host Melkat says:
<Miner> FCO: Comm signal needs us to get up close to edge, maybe 30 meters in.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Following the others out, thinking they could move faster::

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::rushing to the mine entrance::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Moves ahead of the others, remembering the way out::

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
Sheriff: Just how far away are we from the warehouse?

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
CMO:  About a kilometer.

ACTION: As the Away Team reaches the edge of the mine, they see a large, bluish cloud over the colony coming from the fire.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::Reaches the mine entrance.::

FCO_Ltjg_Worthington says:
::rushes along:: ALL: I hope we can make it in time.

Host Sheriff-Akhey says:
::trying to catch his breath::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: The Kelbonite is on fire!

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::sees the bluish cloud over the colony and thinks that this isn't a good sign::

Host Melkat says:
::Stops for a second.::  CNS: I...I think you're right.  But it's not flammable normally.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Shakes head:: All: This is what they awoke in the mines...

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End Mission >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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