USS Cherokee 
Normal Anomaly, Risky Business, Part 2
11605.22

Starring_
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee, and Producer
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Cmdr_Nash
Topper Loghry as CTO_LT_Q`ten
Zach Farland as CNS_Ens_Daniels
Pablo Delsoglio as CIV_Capt_Marek
Absent
None
Ship's Log, Stardate 11506.22, Tio Ayidee recording.  The Cherokee is an hour out from the anomaly we've been sent to investigate and still there is no clue as to why we need to have made the trip at maximum Warp.  The anomaly seems benign and, so to speak, "nothing special".

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Host CO_Ayidee says:
::On Bridge.::  All: Yellow Alert, drop us to full impulse.  Short range scans commence when ready.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::trying to focus the tactical scanners to figure out the source of the anomaly::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
<aFCO> CO: Aye Captain, dropping to full impulse.  ETA at impulse one hour.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Sitting at his place on the bridge staring at the main view screen watching the stars sail by::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::on Bridge, at her post, giving instructions to have all emergency teams on high alert. Also these teams need to give top priority to all essential systems like shields, sensors, and propulsion systems.::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::has in mind the latest communique he received from SF, checks the time on the computer screen::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Monitoring science scans from Captain's Chair.:: All: The thing looks pretty benign.  Kind of thing they could have sent a Runabout to investigate.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Tactical scans are showing no signs of any sort of threat sir.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO: There has to be some reason this thing drew Starfleet's attention.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: Aren't we exceeding the speed limit?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Personally sir, I'm not seeing it.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Under orders, which is why we are wondering what they sent us under such rush.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: It better be a good reason.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::raises and eyebrow at the CNS remark::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Agreed.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Starts focusing on finding any kind of communication signals from the anomaly::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
aFCO: Plot us a course around the anomaly so we can get scans of the anomaly from all angles.  Use micro Warp jumps if necessary to get better angles.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
<SO> CO: Not sure what the angles will add, sir, but thank you.  At least we'll get good looks.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::stands in attention next to his station::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks curiously at the nearby Vulcan, then looks around to see what he is reacting to::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Looking at the scans on his console and finds one inhabited planet close, but not too close, to the anomaly::  All: I've found out something about the natives of the neighboring planet.  There are fourteen planets but only one has intelligent life.  Their technology would be best compared to Earth in the 1890's.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Hardly the kind of world capable of creating such a disturbance I would think.  Maybe in a few decades at the least, but probably a century or so.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: That's a good question needing an answer, Sir.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::checks the time once again::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: How did this thing start and why now?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Captain, can I talk you for a second, in your Ready Room?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: And is it a random event or something intentional?  Intentional would at least explain the breaking of the Warp speed...
CIV: In the Ready Room?  Senior staff or just myself?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Oh, only you Captain... ::hope he doesn't sound too rude::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: Very well.
OPS: You have the Bridge.  Keep us in position to keep getting scans.
CTO: Prepare a selection of probes to take a closer look,  At least 1 Class III so we can get an in depth look.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Aye, Sir.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Walks to the Ready Room and waits for the CIV to enter.::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: ::nods and follows the Captain into the Ready Room::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::once the RR doors close:: CO: ::with the usual Vulcan coldness:: Captain, regarding this mission, I've been instructed by Starfleet Command to give you some vital information on it.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: You've been instructed?  Now?  I'd ask why they waited so long but I suppose this is just another layer of mystery.  What did they wish relayed?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::still with a poker face::: CO: Recently the Counsellor reported that there is only one inhabited planet in this system. And according to this civilization level of cultural development, Starfleet wouldn't be interested at all in contacting them, but... ::makes an unusual pause and clears his throat::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: Continue Captain.  The more we know the better we can get our mission completed.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: A year ago a Starfleet shuttle passing by the planet suffered a malfunction and had to make an emergency landing on the planet. Fortunately the pilot managed to land it on a deserted area, far from any populated area.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO; A rescue mission was immediately launched after the distress called was received on Starbase 33. ::hands the CO a PADD:: Here you will find the whole official report on the matter.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Takes the PADD and looks it over.::  CIV: I take it this leads to the anomaly in some way?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Not yet... ::pauses again:: During this rescue operation, the usual scans on the planet, revealed something unexpected. This was the presence of a mineral, unknown to SF scientist till that moment. When this information reached SF quarters, someone made an interesting discovery.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: I'm starting to feel like Starfleet has sent us to pursue wild water fowl.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Some scientist speculated that this mineral, in the form a translucent crystal, could be the source of a tremendous amount of energy, much more efficient that dilithium crystals.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Is it duck hunting season already?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: And naturally, some bold intelligence, and not always clever, officers, launched a secret observation mission on the planet. When Starfleet noticed about this, they proceeded to sanction the involving officers for not following the chain of command; however due to the nature of the investigation... they allowed the observation mission to continue.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: I can determine no reason for us being sent here. Especially in such a rush.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: That explains the interest, but not so much how to get around the Prime Directive limitations.  The world is at least a century away from space travel, and even more from Warp travel.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Very irregular procedures, to say least, I agree with you.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: however, two days before we reached Starbase 33, contact with the two members of the observation team was lost.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Yeah, it's not like the anomaly is going anywhere.  I still say, I wasn't done with shore leave.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: Neither was I. and I just discovered sushi.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: And the Cherokee being the only SF vessel in the area with the resources to proceed with a rescue / extraction mission... it was naturally that we were order to proceed here. The anomaly is just a crude facade, for this real assignment, Captain.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I had just discovered two girls... two!

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Laughing:: CNS: And here I was under the impression that you had discovered girls a long time ago.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: That explains the urgency to get here.  So the anomaly has very little real interest.  I understand this is a need to know, but knowing this in advance would have helped us to prepare much better.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Call it a rediscovery.  They took me places I've never been to, if you know what I mean.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: Is there anything else we need to know here or should I call in the Senior Staff so we can formulate the actual rescue plan?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: I couldn't concur more with you. Another thing I cannot understand is why they contacted me first instead of you. And with the precise instructions of informing you this in exactly 48 hours of receiving the communique.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Wait.  You ate sushi?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: I have no other information, nor does Starfleet. Only the coordinates of the observation team's masked shelter. ::taps on his PADD and sends it to the one the Captain is holding in his hands::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: I'm afraid to.... yes I did, and I rather enjoyed it.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: It was quite good compared to most Human food.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: I'm afraid we are like little fish swimming in murky waters...

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CIV: Understood.  But let's see if we can correct this.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I guess I'm not too surprised.  Isn't sushi served raw?  Klingons like things raw.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: What you call 'raw', we refer to as 'fresh'.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: I agree... I certainly do not like it when Starfleet gives information "a need to know" basis... It is never a good thing, if you ask me.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Walks to the door and opens it.::  CNS/ CTO/ OPS: I need the senior staff in the Ready Room, please.
aFCO: Plot us a course to a point as close to the coordinates I'm sending you as you can without us being visible on the planet's surface.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I'm a fan of cooking.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::stands up and follows the Captain::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Immediately stands up and heads for the ready room::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::hearing the Captain, she gets up and heads to the Ready Room.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Hears the CO and obeys.  Gets up and goes to Ready Room::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Once all are inside, steps back in and closes the door.::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Finds a chair and uses it::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: I have just been informed that our reason for being here is not quite what we thought it was.  The anomaly is just an excuse to get us here,, although the need for the excuse is a touch unclear.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: Why is Starfleet screwing with us?  Why all the secrets?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: It seems that at one point in the recent past Starfleet discovered a previously unknown compound on the inhabited planet, one with huge potential to possibly even replace dilithium crystals.
CNS: If I had any idea I'd let you know the reason.  Not really sure myself.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Even if this compound turned out to reach its potential, the Prime Directive would prevent the Federation from mining it.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: Starfleet, through rather unusual channels, set up an observation post to monitor the world's advancement.  A few days ago, right before our return to Starbase 33, Starfleet lost contact with the post.  We have been sent to investigate and, if needed, rescue.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: ...another mining mission?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO/ CNS: As you said, the Prime Directive means this resource will not be usable for decades at the least.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: Why was these natives being watched?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Why don't we simply scan the planet surface and beam our people out?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO: That is the plan, or the start of one.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: Many grey areas on this assignment, if you ask me. ::raises an eyebrow::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Someone sent the team to investigate the planet, whether there was an ulterior motive to that we can only guess.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: I suspect that there is far more to this than we are being told.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: The Starfleet answer I suppose would be standard observation of a developing world, but with the strange aspects of this mission I would not put much faith in that.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: When news of this situation gets out, and it eventually will, Starfleet wants to make sure that they face no dishonor.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I don't like not knowing stuff.  CO: I don't see what's so interesting about a society at this level of technology.  They are centuries away from space travel.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: I smell a cover up.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: Sometimes it is difficult to trust Starfleet completely.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Starfleet has a lot of primitive cultures under observation.  Usually not much reason to question why.  But yes, I have a few doubts here.

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