USS Cherokee 
Altrius, Part 6
11507.26

Starring_
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee, Griswold, SO_Launch, and Producer
Topper Loghry as CTO_LT_Q`ten
Zach Farland as CNS_Ens_Daniels
Rob Bindels as FCO_Lt_Zdunovski
Absent
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Cmdr_Nash
Ship's Log, Stardate 11507.26, Captain Ayidee recording.  The investigation continues, with several outstanding discoveries already.  The mission has turned from a "where are these things from" to "who put these things here".  I am hoping we can put together some sort of answer to give Starfleet something to go on with this system.

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Host CO_Ayidee says:
@::On Bridge, monitoring the ever increasing number of reports from the search teams.::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Okay, I'll give it to you that you can fly this thing, but how are your landing skills?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Looking for a good spot on the large asteroid to land the shuttle::  CTO: I guess we're about to find out.  Do the scans indicate any preference on where we should land?

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Yes, someplace flat.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@:: On the way to Stellar Cartography, meanwhile inquiring the status of the item.:: Watts: Watts, how coming along at science lab?

Host SO_Launch says:
CNS/ CTO: Sirs, there is something off about this asteroid.  Sensors are showing the materials we're seeing as mostly a mix of nickel and iron with a bunch of smaller samples mixed in.  But the mass...it's not what it should be.  Maybe...60% of the minimum mass a stellar object of its size should be.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
SO: Honeycombs maybe?  Will it support the shuttle?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
SO: Sounds like we found our place to land.  ::Picks a spot near the mass to land::

Host SO_Launch says:
CTO: I believe so, to both questions.  But maybe more of a large spot inside than honeycomb.  Not seeing many holes in the outer region.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Maybe it's hollow.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@<Watts> FCO:  Lieutenant?  We are busy cramping this item on the scanner. Seems like a bee’s hive here, with all the science officers are running around here. Let you know when we have data. Chief Watts out.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Enters Stellar Cartography and starts a program to map all the items received so far, from his own shuttle, as well as from the others.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Lands the shuttle on a stretch of flat asteroid near where the SO scanned::  CTO: We're landing.  ALL: Hang on to your hats, folk.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Subconsciously tightens his harness::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@<Watts>::places the item on the scanner. Starts a program, and waits a bit. Looks at a monitor and sees the form it should be from.::

ACTION: The shuttle lands on a flat section on the asteroid that is slightly raised from the rest of the area about it.  It looks almost like an impact crater but is flat on the top.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: How's that for a landing?  We're all in one piece, right?

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Not too shabby
::Releases his harness, and takes a gulp of air, just now realizing that he had been holding his breath::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
ALL: Let's see how many EVA suits we have on board.  CTO: I'll put the shuttle in park and set the emergency brake.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Stands up and making a show of making sure he's in tact.  Walks over to the storage bin and looks in to see how many suits are available::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@<Watts>::Looks wondered at the form=scan completing, and sees that it could be a part of a cylinder. Build to withstand large pressure from inside to outside.:: FCO: Lieutenant? We have something of a form. It looks like it is part of a cylinder. Used to keep something under pressure inside, and that nothing from the outside interferes.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
ALL: Looks like we have 2 suits here.  ::pulls one out and hands to the next person::

Host Griswold says:
@*Shuttle SO*: Ensign, the readings from that mass you are on...they are showing a great bit of processed metals, or what might be so.  Trying to make sense of the readings but the computer is having a few issues processing.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*Watts*: Ok. Send it to Stellar Cartography. And send the form to the captain’s console. So he can have an idea.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: I'll take the larger one ::hands a suit to the CNS::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: Chief Watts is sending you some images from the item, and what part it is from. I am getting the image too. By the way, Getting rough measurements in Stellar Cartography. I hope all shuttles keep sending their scans over. Zdunowski out.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Takes the EVA suit and starts to put it on:: SO: You all stay here and run scans or whatnot.  If we find anything we can't figure out, we'll come back and let a couple science guys go out.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: Understood, looking at it now.  Built to keep pressure from pushing out, high pressure gas of some sort or for use in a vacuum maybe?

Host SO_Launch says:
CNS: Yes sir.  That sounds like a good plan.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Finishes fastening everything on his suit and makes a sweeping motion towards the exit:: CNS: Age before beauty.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: Like an oxygen tank, for divers? But then a bit bigger, it looks like it.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::In his EVA suit, he takes a tricorder and a surveying kit.  He stands on the transporter pad.::  SO: you can beam us out when ready.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: Those would need to withstand pressure from sides I think.  Some sort of tank, but I'd think for use in space.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Stands next to the CNS::

Host SO_Launch says:
CNS: Yes sir.  Will keep channel open.  ::Reaches over and activates transporter.::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Don’t embarrass me out there.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: You just worry about yourself, Lumpy.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: Was more referring to what it looks like.  But I guess you are more right. For space. I hope we will have specs from the material it was made of. I will let you know.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: We definitely have something here, or a lot of somethings maybe a better term.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::re-materializes outside the shuttle and looks around::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*Watts*: Please make a scan of the material. And please double copy, all to me and the captain.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@<Watts> *FCO*: Aye-aye will do.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: What no welcome wagon?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Rematerializes outside of shuttle.  He checks his gravity boots and breathing apparatus.  Check the COM link with Q'ten::  CTO: You hearing me?

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Loud and clear.

ACTION: As the CNS and CTO materialize, they see a great deal of dust like debris floating about the asteroid.  The area about the shuttle is well lit but beyond that the area is just dimly lit by the star's remains.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Looks like a fun place. Lets go see what there is to see.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Activates his tricorder and begins scanning, searching for anything not part of the asteroid.  Activates the EVA suits exterior lighting::  CTO: I'll follow you, just remember where we parked.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::picks out an outcrop of rocks and starts toward them::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Sees the outer rims of the scans, and sees how big the explosion was. Also sets commands to plot courses of each item. But also concludes that the major part of the computer would go to Stellar Cartography.::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: Toto I've got the feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: This place is as dusty as Kansas.

ACTION: As the Tricorder scans continue, there is a sudden arc of power from the Tricorder to a small lump in the ground surface, but it stops after just half a step away.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Sees streams of data coming in from all shuttles. Sees marked bits of debris. Inspection shows that they are marked as "intact". So far only a small part of belt is explored, but the debris seems to be throughout everything.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Checks the readings on his tricorder::  CTO: Something is there.  ::He points where the tricorder indicated::

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: I am requesting to use around 80-90% of the ships computer. We have so many items now, and I try to plot their position and course. That costs capacity!

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
:: Picks up a flattish rock and starts scraping at the lump:: CNS: Let’s see if we can figure out what it is?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: I can grant you full use of the Astrometrics processors.  If more is needed we can see about freeing up a few more processes.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Kneels down before the spot and using a small shovel, brushes away some of the loose debris and dust::  CTO: Be careful, we don't want to do whatever it is any damage.

ACTION: After a few inches of digging the CNS and CTO discover a small antenna like device surrounded by a faintly glowing ring that is slowly glowing brighter.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Something here made my tricorder jump, like a power surge.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@CO*: Captain, that is not enough. I am sending to the main viewer, so you make an idea. I think we need nearly all computer capacity on board. ::Sends a stream to the main viewer.:: You can switch over at the main viewer, at your comfort. Make yourselves an idea.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: What is it?  ::Clears away more debris from around the antenna::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: It's not a land mine, is it?  It's glowing brighter, like we started something.  ::Backs up a little::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: I don't know.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Checks tricorder reading to see if it can pick up what the antenna is picking up::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Stays kneeling next to the object, just staring at it as if he's been mesmerized::

ACTION: The Tricorder shows the antenna is collecting energy, but while checking the readings it can be seen the Tricorder's Power cell is rapidly draining.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Looks again, what the Stellar Cartography processors show.:: *CO*: Sorry for being the a pain in the notable a, I am too enthusiastic, I think, but the stellar cartography processors can keep up. But you can still look at the viewer. ::Smiles.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Cautiously approaches the object again and tries to clear more away from it::  CTO: The antenna is collecting energy, including from, it appears, my tricorder.  If that's the case, it might start draining power from our EVA suits next.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: Yes, it does seem that this area has a great deal of information for us to process.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Slowly reaches out with his finger tip to touch the top of the antenna::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: We can't risk bringing this thing to the Cherokee, it might drain the ships power.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: Copy that, it is.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: I agree.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Sticks a surveyor’s beacon next to the object::  CTO: Let's move away from it and see if it stops draining my tricorder.

Host SO_Launch says:
*CNS/ CTO*: Sirs, I'm starting to detect a power drain from the shuttle.  Right now the engines are able to compensate but there is definitely something going on.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: I think that's our cue.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
*SO*: We're returning now.  Prepare for lift off.  CTO: Come on, before we have no power to leave this rock.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Stands up and backs away from the antennae::

Host SO_Launch says:
*CNS*: Yes sir.  Preparing for departure.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: BIlugh!

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Starts to head back to shuttle::  CTO: I was hoping we'd find something good here.  I should have just let you blast the thing but, that might not have been the best idea.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Sees messages from several shuttles, with alarming news. Power drainage at the shuttle of the counselor:: *CO*: There is something wrong, near the shuttle of the counselor.

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: A Phaser blast may just have energized it even more.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Continues:: *CO*: I read that other shuttles note power drainage near their shuttle.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: That's true.

ACTION: As the CNS and CTO walk away, the Tricorder drain slows.  The shuttle running lights are seeming to flicker.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: We better double time it.  ::Walks faster::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Starts trotting back to the shuttle::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: Is that power drain a threat?

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: No. but it is a continuing drain. The drain is even fairly low. Should keep an eye on it.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Reaches the shuttle::  *SO*: Go ahead and beam us aboard, while you still can.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@*FCO*: Understood.  Keep me informed.

Host SO_Launch says:
*CNS* Yes Sir, Activating Transporter.

ACTION: The CNS and CTO are beamed aboard the shuttle.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@*CO*: Roger that. ::Looks a bit concerned, because this drainage comes not from nothing.::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
::Materializes on the shuttle and removes his head gear. ::CNS: Any other wonderful suggestions?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Takes off his helmet and takes the pilot's chair.  He checks systems to see what power is available::  CTO: Keep an eye on our power levels as we put some distance between us and that energy magnet.

FCO_Lt_Zdunovski says:
@::Starts a monitoring program, that reports changes in the drain level.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Hey, it was a good idea.  We found something just, nothing good; can hardly be my fault.  ::Goes through standard disembarking procedures and lifts the shuttle off the asteroid::

Host SO_Launch says:
CNS: We are ready to depart, sir.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
SO: Lifting off, now, Ensign.  Hold on.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Our secondary systems have only a five percent loss.  We're okay.  ::Once able, sets a course for the Cherokee and hits the gas::

CTO_LT_Q’ten says:
CNS: If we're going to go we better do it now.

ACTION: As the shuttle lifts off, a section of the rock next to the glowing antenna breaks off and floats into space.  Beneath it what appears to be a door can be seen cracking open.  The power drains suddenly stop on all shuttles.

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