USS Cherokee 
Normal Anomaly, Risky Business, Part 4
11606.12

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 11606.12, Tio Ayidee recording.  The Away team is preparing to beam down to the surface, but still the true nature of this mission has to be figured out.  Care is very called for at this time.  And a bit of digging won't hurt.

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CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Standing on the transporter pad waiting for Wally and Mister Marek.::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::hurries up to the Transporter Room... still trying to get used to the big ears::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::at OPS::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::On Bridge.::  OPS: We can't see the outpost on sensors, which makes sense for a pre Industrial Age observation post...almost...but we know where it is.  Can we try to detect any computer activity or such in the outpost's area?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::enters the room and takes his place on the Pad... nods to the rest of the officers there, and the ears make a funny flapping sound::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  If there is nothing else like it in the settlement, I'm sure we can detect advanced technology usage with our sensors.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Enters the transporter room, gives Q'ten a sour look and steps onto the transporter pad::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Suppresses a snicker at Wally's ear flapping::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
<TR Chief> AT: Sirs, hope you are all set for this.  Captain asked me to run this to make sure there are no errors, so I'm ready when you all are.  Coordinates selected about a Kilometer from the outpost, just to ensure there are no dangers hidden by the sensor dampeners.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: Just remember, you’re the one that suggested we try to blend in with the locals.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Doesn't mean I have to like it.  My real ears itch underneath all this. ::He pulls on his ears for effect::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::Working from Command Chair, trying to get around the fake identities of the missing team on the surface using Captain's access.  Not having the luck hoped for.::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: Hope there is not much wind on the surface... we could easily fly with these... :points to his fake ears:: I feel it weird... and I am a Vulcan!

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
TR Chief: Energize.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
<TR Chief> CTO: Aye sir, energizing.

ACTION: The Away team Transports to the surface in a small, secluded area.  The Outpost is about a kilometer away and the area seems filled with dense vegetation.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@::Shakes head and tries to search Starfleet records for mention of this world as all records of the fake team seem pretty well wiped.::  OPS: There is no way they could have cleared out all signs of their existence, physical and electronic.  We need to find something they missed.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Squats down and listens carefully as soon as he materializes::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks around his immediate surroundings::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Rematerializes in the woods and looks around to assure they are alone::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::rematerialized in the surface and open his tricorder in search of any potential thread to the team::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Motions for the other two to be silent and stay low as he listens to the sounds of the jungle::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  What about the Medical Records? As I understand, no matter what name a person uses, they will always have the same medical issues.  Plus, aren't the medical records time and coded in a special way only known to the Medical Staff?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Motions toward some nearby cliffs and indicates the sound of people talking::

ACTION: The sound of metal clanging on rock can be heard by the Away team a bit ahead, not hard banging but a sound like a pick.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Silently starts moving forward toward the sound of digging::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: So try to match up their reported medical conditions to actual Starfleet officers?  Could work, unless they went deep in the wipe.  Worth a look though.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::notices the sounds:: All: Shh.. .::mumbles:: It appears to come from that direction ::points to the east of their position towards a hill::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Lowers himself closer to the ground.  Whispers::  CTO/CIV: Sounds like they are doing some mining.  ::Follows CTO::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  That's the only way I can think of.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: Records say all the Smith team members were born on the same day.  Around the time of the founding of the Federation, 300 years ago.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: :;whispers:: The question is, is it our targets or natives?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Whispers:: CTO: Let's find out.  We can get closer.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: Negative. ::reads his PADD:: Natives. Middle age ones apparently... using some sort of antique mining tools...

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Assumes a hunters stance and slowly moves forward towards the sound::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CIV: Are they in our path to the outpost?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: I recommend to follow our present path... making the least possible noise...

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  It's a start.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV: These may be the people we're looking for.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CTO: I wouldn't be so sure... It seems pretty improbable that members of this species would become members of Starfleet

ACTION: While trying to sneak through the woods, Counselor Daniels hits a damp patch and his foot slips onto a twig, breaking it with an audible snap.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO/CIV: It’s a longer walk but, we can go around them easy enough.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Stops his approach and crouches down staring Wally down::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Hears what he did and is sorry but...::  CTO: Oooops.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: It's a good suggestion.  ::Starts looking at their medical records, trying to find a match in real officer records.::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks back towards the sound of digging to see if there is any indication that they've been found out::

ACTION: The sounds from the natives stop after the crack, then after a few seconds start up again in excited tones.  One of them can be seen setting down his tool and picking up something else and checking its readiness. They start looking into the vegetation expectantly, as if hunting.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: They heard us... One of them grabbed what seems to be a metallic weapon of some sort.... we better hide themselves...

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO/CIV: We should move faster now.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks back at Marek and signals for him to be silent::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: You guys can continue on.  I'll let them catch me.  I can talk a good game.  I'll be alright.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native> Native 2: Hear, hear... I think we will have some Haujj meat for dinner tonight... ::observes the surroundings and moves his ears a little bit forward::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Looks around for another route, and signals for the others to follow him as they try to make their way around the work crew::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: I wouldn't recommend that course of action, Counselor...

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native 2> Native 1: The sneaky fellow has gone totally quiet... You make a hell of a noise letting that pick down... I am sure it is miles away now.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CIV: It's better than all three of us getting caught.  The mission must come first.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: CIV: ::whispering:: Obviously they have excellent hearing so I would suggest refrain from speaking until absolutely necessary. Now come on, let’s try to get out of here.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Follows CTO::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native> Native 2: Something is not right... Maybe it is true what they say in town... these hills are haunted...

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Attempts to silently circle around the work crew::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native2 > Native 1: You think those spirits are real? come on! they are fairy tales.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native2 > Native 1: Come, forget about the Huajj steaks, and let's go back to work... before it is dark...

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: So far not much in the records to back trace this.  Hopefully it will get easier once the team makes contact and we have faces to compare to records.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native> Native 2: ::puts down his weapon:: Fairy tales, ah? Why do you want to finish before dark? You are afraid of ghost, you wimp?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native2 > ::throws a punch to Native 1::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  At least we can narrow down to gender and generalized age range until we get more information.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
<NPC_Native1 > ::answers the aggression and throws a punch at his partner::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: They seem to be fighting each other... that's our opportunity to avoid them reach the Observation Post...

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Tries to pick up the pace without making any noise::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::waits for the rest to move and then follow them::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Finally gets to the far side of the work crew::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV: ::whispering:: Which way?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CTO: Sir, my tricorder picked up the signal of a small quantity of those crystals rocks in one of the miner's sack... According to the information we were provided... the natives didn't know of their existence... ::shows the tricorder: And that way, sir... 500 meters northeast ... ::points::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: There also has to be some sort of communications trail, eh?  They can't be working alone, someone has to be giving them orders   We could also try and see who is sending word, figure accomplices so to speak...

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO: That could be another way to get more information. And identifying them through their voice patterns could be another way to get to the truth of the matter.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV: So if the natives were unaware of this mineral before, you’re saying that by them mining it now, someone has informed them of it.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CIV: You don't suppose the Smiths made contact with the natives and persuaded them some way to mine the crystals, do you?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CTO: Exactly... or the information was bogus... like most of the data sent by Starfleet on this subject.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: Have one of your people keep searching for anything in the records we can link up.  I'll see what I can find on the communications end.  May need the higher levels of security clearance for that.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV/CNS: That means the Prime Directive has already been violated.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  Already got them working on that. My assistant here heard that and got them to work on it in anticipation of your orders.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV/CNS: Let's get to that outpost.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: I'm more than sure this wasn't a simple Observation mission at all..
CTO: I'll lead the way, sir.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::Continues to follow CTO and CIV::  CTO/CIV: The natives would have no use for the crystal, their tech ain't on that level.  So, the question remains, why are they collecting crystals and for who?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@OPS: Well here's something "unexpected".  Once I got through the encryption of the communications, they lead back to an Admiral Smith.  Location bounces around quite a bit, probably remote link transmissions sent through multiple Starships.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: Good question, Counselor. I think we should hurry in getting those answers before the situation gets more complicated than already is.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
@CO:  Sounds promising, but of course, I don't need to say that being cautious is still on the table.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: The Smiths won't like our interfering.  We should expect hostilities from them.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV:CNS: As soon as we get inside the outpost we'll contact the Captain and give him an update.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Do you think they have a way of detecting we're here?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All:: ::nods and hurries his pace towards the coordinates of the Observation post::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: I'm already considering that possibility

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: We don't know, that's why we have to be cautious. Set Phasers on stun...just in case.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: The work party mentioned something about these woods being haunted. I'm willing to bet good credits that these Smiths have something to do with that.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::arrives to the cliff where the Post is located:: All: There... :::points to the rocky cliff:: That's the post. The entrance should be here...

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: I think you're right.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::taps on his tricorder and manages to uncloak the hatch::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CIV: Do a quick check for any alarms, or booby traps.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
@::Tries to find a pattern in the locations the communications were sent from to see if the Admiral Smith true identity can be determined.::

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::does as the CTO ordered::

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