USS Cherokee 11312.08   
"The Small Spark" 
Part 3

Starring
Lea as Guest Producer, Proconsule_Jareth, aOPS_Smith, Targek and Grita
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee 
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Cmdr_Nash
Zach Farland as CNS_Ens_Daniels 
Topper Loghry as CTO_Q’ten

Absent
Trish Yarborough as Executive Producer
Trent Worthington as FCO_Ltjg_Worthington
Andrew Cotterly as CMO_Lt_Talora
Bruce Oriani as CSO_LtCmdr_Starr

Ship's Log, Stardate 11312.08, Captain Ayidee recording.  The Cherokee is conducting an investigation of equipment and supplies reported missing from the Tarix III colony by it's director, Proconsule Jareth.  At this point, there are still a larger number of questions than there are answers.

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Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS: Is there anything else you'd like to see here?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::steps into a TL:: Computer: Bridge, please...

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Well, since there's nothing to see in here...  ::Looks around the room and the vacant space where an industrial Replicator once was::

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Grita: You suspect the Cardassians are responsible for the thefts because they have not lost anything. The same could be said of you.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::On Bridge, waiting for reports on status.::  OPS: What do we have on the planet itself?  I've seen a few survey reports on it, but none of them showed anything of unusual value, or at least in unusual quantities.  Anything in the reports I missed as to why the colony choose this site?

Host Targek says:
@::Growls slightly at the back of her throat:: CTO: WE command the respect and fear of those around us. That is why we are not stolen from. The four Cardassians living here...I don't trust any one of them...and neither does anyone else. But the opportunities here to fund our house are too great too pass up.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  I'm still digging on information about the colony’s purpose and for the reason that this planet was chosen for colonization.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Is this the only place something was taken from?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS: I'm sorry this couldn't be more helpful, Ensign. 

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: What about trade manifests from the colony, specifically exports?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS: No, there have been thefts from all corners of the colony. This was the largest, though. The others were small med kits, or even loose medical supplies...bits of food reported stolen here and there.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Steps out of the TL onto the bridge and moves to one of the stations to update herself on the situation::

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Targek: I meant no offense.  I was merely pointing out that not having had anything stolen is not a reason to suspect one of stealing from others.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  I'm also looking into that but I'm seeing any export information with the Federation.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Doctor, good day.  Welcome to the Bridge.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Targek: What is it about the Cardassians that makes them so untrustworthy?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Nods:: CO: Good day Captain...doing well I hope?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Rubs the back of his neck ruefully:: CNS: Apparently Brandy was excessively distraught about a prize-winning pie that went missing from her window sill...

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: No trade with the Federation?  What of other worlds?  Could they still be in that early of a stage that they are not yet self sufficient?

Host Grita says:
@CTO: They are Cardassians. It is in their blood. Slimy, slippery, snakes.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Doing fairly well.  Just trying to figure out what is happening on Tarix III from the top side.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: That's kind of an eclectic list; a Replicator, med. kits, a pie.  The Replicator I can understand but...  Seems to me there's someone out there that needs some help and they've decided to help themselves.  Is there some one here that may not be getting what they need to survive?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  I'm checking that out, Captain.  Also, I'm getting the registration identifications from the ship traffic for the past week.  It's slow in coming but the easy part is today, Us and the Ilese.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Grita: In my position I can not hold anyone responsible for a crime based merely on their race.  I need specifics. Give me examples of what makes them untrustworthy.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: Easy, yes, but unless these thefts began today it's not much of a help.  Not in the colony supply situation at least.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: Unless the Ilese's issues are caused by the same issue, but their reports did not indicate that sort of issue.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Throws his hands lightly into the air:: CNS: Until the food Replicator was stolen...no reason I could possibly imagine. The clinic is open to all, as well as the Replicator, as I mentioned. If some member of the colony needed help, I would want to help.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Like I said the info is slow in coming,

Host Grita says:
@CTO: Bah! Use your eyes on them and see for yourselves!   Targek: Come, sister. We are expected in the mines.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: The Medical supplies they were missing, any common link between them?  Could they be to treat a single condition or do they appear random?

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Grita: I will be checking in on them, I assure you.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Turns:: CO: Looking through the information now...

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Last time something like this occurred for us, it turned out to be a clan of natives not happy with the new neighbors.  You haven't seen any giant teddy bear looking creatures around, have you?  ::Doesn't expect an answer, was just reminiscing and thinking out loud.::  Maybe we should join Mister Q'ten.  He's the detective, not I.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Blinks several times, and can't help but chuckle:: CNS: No, Ensign... I can't say I have.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
::Enters the building to catch up with CNS and Jareth::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Not sure there will be one, honestly trying to eliminate the obvious solutions.  Theft of the equipment is still the obvious, but if we had a cause for the theft, motive is usually a good signpost for such an investigation.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
CO: Looking at this all...the equipment missing seems progressively larger. up to full kits on the third and fourth day. Primarily trauma, burns and exposure equipment was taken though.

ACTION: Grita and Targek walk away quickly toward the mines.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Larger?  That itself is a pattern.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
::Makes his way to Jareth and the CNS’s location:: Jareth: Proconsule, what can you tell me about your Cardassian residents?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: The items taken seem to be items for immediate use.  I can't help but think our thief is in some kind of dire need.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: The list of missing items, did it have a time table with it?  And if so, does the doctor's size comparison fit the non medical supplies?  Missing items growing in size?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Are all colonists that are suppose to be here actually here?  I thought there was a discrepancy in the census.  There's suppose to be over five hundred and I thought I saw in the census reports only four hundred fifty.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Nods in greeting to the CTO:: CTO: They've been mostly quiet. Keep to themselves. Do their work well. ::Shrugs:: I've had no complaints. Two couples...the, um... ::Thinks a moment:: ...Teeraks and the Kulats.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: Any reason that the other colonists would have to mistrust them?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CTO: Well, they and the Durgaq sisters aren't particularly fond of each other. Nothing else that I know of...other than the general distrust that can be felt for those different than you, especially if they keep their own counsel.
CNS: Census report?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: That's about seventy less than reported.  Aren't there like seventy administrators or investors or associates or whatever they were called?  That would account for the missing numbers.
CTO: I'm probably way off in my thinking but, it's all I got.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS: I'm afraid I don't know what census you're referring too, Ensign. Could it be an old report, before our more recent colonists joined?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: It was from a life signs reading some one on our crew took before we beamed down.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
::Rushes out of the Turbolift and onto the bridge:: OPS: Commander Nash, there's a problem with the power distribution grid. The CEO sent me...he said you know it best. Could you take a look?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Outside of the obvious, that it's an internal issue or simple theft, any other thoughts on what could cause things to disappear like this?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Smiles with relief:: CNS: Oh...anyone in the mines at the time of a scan wouldn't show up on sensors. That's probably the discrepancy you're reading.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Sounds reasonable.  We have to look at this situation from every angle.  I hope you understand.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: Another mining operation that's messing with our sensors.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: I thought as much.  Could we go and speak with them?

Host aOPS_Smith says:
OPS: I'll cover for you while you're gone. Thanks!  ::Sits at an auxiliary console and pulls up whatever Nash was working on::

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: What sort of law enforcement do you have on this colony?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@::Looks from Daniels to Q'ten:: CNS: Yes, I'm sorry. It's why we were the first to find the mines...they were hidden from previous surveys by the deposits of trimagnesite just beneath us.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@::Looks at the CNS:: CNS: Deja vu all over again.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Captain, we've been able to connect more of the ships from the sensors to registries. It looks like the Starfleet vessel Starlight came through on patrol three and five days ago.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: So, what's the big secret?  Why isn't what your mining here named anywhere in the Intel we have on this colony?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aOPS: When did the first reported disappearance of supplies happen?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Shakes head:: CO: Seems too organized from the medical side of things to be random.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CTO: We could certainly meet with them. But I believe they're on first shift, which has just reported to the mines a little while ago.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Uh.... ::Quickly references Nash's notes:: Four days ago, Sir.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Perhaps not random, but if they were testing, start small, see what you can get away with.  Work your way up.  A means of testing defenses applied to resource acquisition...or theft if you prefer the simpler term.
aOPS: Right about the time of the Starlight's arrival?  What class of ship is the Starlight?

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: Then perhaps we could just take a look around their residence.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CTO/CNS: You must understand, I'm not a strong period, or a particularly intelligent person. Clearly not much of a ruthless one. I just want to take care of the people I care about.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Miranda class, Sir.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Coincidence timing with the Starlight or a connection?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Shrugs:: CO: They both mean about the same. You asked about other theories. Unless you want me to expand into miniature wormholes, that is.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS/CTO: When I found the deposits below, I knew that should their nature become public knowledge...a bountiful quantity of a rare resource...it would draw those wishing to take advantage of us. Also, the nature of the vast quantity here could risk depressing the market for it, should supply be known to increase so incredibly.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
CO: The Starlight...? Everything is a connection in some way.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@Jareth: Don't underestimate yourself, you seem a capable business man.  I understand you're one of the owners of the mining rights on this colony.  That sounds very profitable, very smart business.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: And we're here to try to help. If there is a thief in your midst we need to find him.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aOPS: Can you contact the Starlight?  I'd like to see if they noticed anything on their visit.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
@CO: Yes sir. I've also identified the two cargo vessels as being of Ferengi origin. The Ferengi government has identified them as the Golden Purse and the Kree.  They were in the system seven and five days ago, respectively.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: It may not be as simple as a simple theft.  I think we need to see things from a broader view point.  Remember, everyone is a suspect until they are not.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aOPS: Were the Golden Purse or the Kree at the colony around 4 days ago?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
CO: The Ferengi are involved? Could be a theft in order to sell back to them.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@CNS: Trust me.  As far as I'm concerned no one  has been discounted as a suspect yet.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: Agreed.  ::Looks at the proconsul::

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CNS/CTO: Yes, yes, I want to find the thief...at least, make the thefts stop.  Perhaps whoever it is has taken what they need now, with the Replicator, and will leave us be... But somehow I doubt he or she is finished.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Yet coincidence does happen.  Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations?  It is a description that says any event, no matter how improbable, will at some point happen.  Coincidence does happen.  As for the Ferengi, it is not atypical behavior, but we need more evidence than simply 'they had a ship in the area.'

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Sir, I've been unable to raise the Starlight. According to flight plans, she's currently patrolling through a nebula that's interfering with comm traffic. She's expected to emerge within 4 hours or so.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
::Raises an eyebrow:: CO: Coincidence is the quickest way I know to get yourself into trouble. ::Smiles::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: So, Batman, where do we go next?

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: But to get away with an industrial Replicator... there's more than one person involved. Tell me Proconsule, have your people searched for any of these missing items?

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Also, I haven't been able to identify the final vessel that's been in the area. The passenger liner detected six days ago...it doesn't match any known configurations, and none of the governments I've contacted is claiming it.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: I mean you’re not going to just hide an industrial Replicator under the bed.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aOPS: Not to ask an unpleasant question, but does the Starfleet Comm Network have records of subspace communication with them?  Including standard time beacon updates and so forth?  In other words, do we know they are still on mission flight plan?

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CTO: We have a security force of ten, led by Chief Trin. They've conducted investigations into the more minor thefts, and are currently involved in a house-by-house, building-by-building search of the colony for any sign of the Replicator or its components.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: I'll check.  ::Nods, and turns back to the console::

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@Jareth: Well that's one thing in our favor.

Host Proconsule_Jareth says:
@CTO: I believe Trin said that once the homes have been searched, they'll search the mines as well.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: Unplanned, unconsidered action are quicker ways to trouble.  And are often confused with bad luck or unfortunate coincidence.  If we play it right we don't need to worry about falling into that.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: According to Starfleet, the Starlight reported in approximately twenty minutes before due for entering the nebula. The coordinates for the source of the signal correspond with their filed flight plan at the time.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
@CNS: Did the Tricorders  find anything in the warehouse? Trace samples or anything?

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
CO: I'd check every angle...coincidence or not, this place has had a lot of traffic this past week....leave anything out and any culprit will sneak through.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: Wouldn't a Replicator need to be disconnected before it could be beamed out, even if beaming something out of here, like a Replicator, were possible?  I wondered that too.  Wouldn't there be some kind of evidence, a trace signature or something left behind?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aOPS: That is good.  We can put their check on hold until they enter the nebula, then.  What of the Ferengi vessels, do we have their flight plans on file?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
@CTO: Maybe our next stop is to see what this Chief Trin has learned thus far in their investigation.

CTO_ENS_Q`ten says:
CNS: A drop of sweat or something. I agree. :Jareth: take us to see this Chief Trin.

Host aOPS_Smith says:
CO: Not handy, but I can request it from the Ferengi Government.  ::Shakes head:: And I can't find any record corresponding with the passenger liner from six days ago.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CMO: I think we are saying the same thing in opposite ways.  Don't leave things to chance.  Luck is a fickle travelling companion.
aOPS: That does not sound like a simple coincidence.  Six days and no sign?  That is something.

CMO_Lt_Talora says:
CO: Yeah, sounds about right..

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