=/\= U.S.S. Seleya Stardate 10702.18- "Miasma, part IV"=/\=

The USS Seleya orbits the planet Likadu II.  The people of Likadu are still in their early stages of development, yet Starfleet has great interest in following their advancements.  So much so, they put an unmanned station there to monitor their progress.  However, not everything went as planned.

Prior to the Seleya’s arrival the station had apparently already been detected.  The locals seem to have noticed only strange minerals which they took great effort in recovering, probably as tokens.  That damaged a sensor array and compromised the station’s cover.

In the process of fixing the problem, the crew of the Seleya managed to create an even bigger incident by allowing the locals to hear a shuttle being launched.  It is now clear the Likuduans know something is going on, which they probably attribute to a supernatural phenomenon.  There was obviously interference, but has the Prime Directive been broken?  Will this interference change the natural evolution of this culture?

At the Commanding Officer’s request, everyone is to report to the briefing room, for a debriefing.  

=/\= =/\= =/\= Begin Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

@ACTION: The shuttle carrying the away team enters the Seleya Shuttlebay after being cleared to land

XO LtCmdr A’an:
@::at the helm of the shuttle, touching down on the deck Shuttlebay 1::  CSO:  I hate pre-warp culture missions.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::straightens her back on the bridge and looks for Ivanova::

CSO LtJG Axin:
@::disengages all non-flight shuttle systems:: XO: They can be tolerable, sir... when they go a lot better.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
@ ::grimaces at the CSO and unbuckles from his seat, then leaves the shuttle and heads for the nearest TL::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::exits the TL, carrying a tray filled with empty glasses. Spotting the CO, she quickly nods towards her direction and rushes past her inside the briefing room:: CO: Hi Captain! Bye Captain!

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::taps his commbadge:: *CO*:  A'an to Gomes, we've touched down, I'm heading to the bridge now.

CSO LtJG Axin:
::follows A'an out towards the turbolift, glad to be back on the ship::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::frowns hoping she is taking care of the briefing room:: *XO*Acknowledged commander, we will be waiting.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::steps into the TL and leans against the wall::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::follows A'an into the turbolift, acutely aware that the last time he was alone on the ship with the XO, they were arguing::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::gets up and heads for the briefing room::

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::shakes his head::  CSO:  All this over a few pieces of metal....

CSO LtJG Axin:
::wishes that Suder hadn't been called away to a Counselling emergency, somewhat concerned that if he has to talk with his superior, he'll become one::

CMO Lt Atreides:
::walks into the briefing room, after having messed up all the XO's chair settings and goes to look for Samantha::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::sighs dramatically as she finally finishes taking care of the refreshments, taking a quick look around to make sure she didn't miss anything she takes a seat and relaxes for a moment before tapping her hidden commbadge:: *CMO*: Pauly?

CSO LtJG Axin:
::gulps:: XO: Yes sir.  Metal forming... fragments of technology they shouldn't get, for... well, for... millennia.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::enters the briefing room looking around, nodding to the CMO, then turning to Ivanova:: CIV: Everything ready?

CMO Lt Atreides:
::standing behind her:: CIV: Yeeees?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::gives the CSO a "Shut the hell up" look and leaves the TL, crosses the bridge and enters the Briefing room::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO/CSO: Glad to see you back in one piece. ::goes to her chair at the head of the table::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::sits entertaining a PADD and waits for everyone to be seated::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::jumps up in surprise, she shudders and slowly turns around. Spotting the CMO she gives him an evil smile and smacks him against his head:: CMO: Don't you ever! ::pokes him:: Ever! ::pokes him harder:: Do that again! ::pokes him yet again::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::takes the look on board, and tries to come across as more physically imposing than a luke-warm bucket of water as he silently follows A'an, eventually sitting a few seats down from him::

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::takes his seat next the CO and shrugs:: CO:  Thanks.....anyone have a giant magnet we can use?

CMO Lt Atreides:
::whispers:: CIV: Ouch! Don't poke me like that, you're not my mother.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::raises an eyebrow at A’an::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
CMO: Bad, bad Paul! ::grumbles quietly:: Where were you anyway? ::takes a quick glance around:: I tried looking for you but.. ::turns her attention back to him:: uh.. ::looks puzzled:: What were we talking about?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  Sorry, the First Contact and Ethics committee back at Starfleet are going to have a field day with this one.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::shoots a glance in the direction of the CMO and CIV::All: As I understand, our presence on Likadu was not only noticed, it’s being interpreted as some kind of supernatural factor. I would like to know your views on this and especially whether we should do something now or wait for Starfleet to send a specialized team.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::nods at the XO:: XO: So you think we are best to leave the planet as it is?

CMO Lt Atreides:
CIV: I got this urge to sit underneath an upturned cardboard box, almost as if it's my destiny or something.

CSO LtJG Axin:
::looks down at the desk:: CO: Clarify – ‘our presence’ the Federation’s presence or ‘our presence’ the Away Team's presence?

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::whispers:: CMO: Like that sad cat in that movie?

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: The away team's presence. If you have an overall view on the Federation's presence on the planet we will get to that. It will be included in the report

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  Well, we can fix the sound of the shuttle launching, maybe by causing a localized geological event.  All in all, I'd say we’re ill equipped to handle infiltrating a race we've been watching for what, 2 days?

CMO Lt Atreides:
CIV: I don't know, but I get this strange feeling of inner peace underneath my box.

CSO LtJG Axin:
::swallows and looks up:: CO: I mean - sir - both were detected.  One of the reasons our mission was such a disaster was that the external sensors had already, they'd, they'd previously, the - the people there had already located them.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  Do we know if the elements that make up the metal are foreign to this planet?

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::resumes whispering:: CMO: I'm bored, Pauly. Can't we do something to spice this meeting up?

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::nods at the CSO and turns to the XO:: XO: I believe science has data on that. You want to cause a similar noise and then, for example an earthquake after that? So interfere further to correct the problem?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  I mean, sure the technology to produce an alloy like that doesn’t, but the stuff’s going to break down over time.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::glances at the CMO and CIV talking amongst themselves::

CMO Lt Atreides:
::Leans in closer to Samantha:: CIV: We could sneak around the ship snapping necks and attaching C4 to guards! And then hide under cardboard boxes, it works surprisingly well against them...

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: It’s going to be messy if Starfleet wants to remove the whole facility but certainly we aren't equipped to do that.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::nods slowly, considering his plan:: CMO: That sounds good, but.. ::pauses:: Where will we get boxes?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::slides his PADD across the table, hitting the doctors hand and giving him a "Shut the hell up and pay attention." look::

CMO Lt Atreides:
CIV: You can usually find them in warehouses!

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  It’s a crap shoot either way.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  At this point, the damage was already done long before we got here.  On our end, they didn’t actually see anything, and noises are just that, noises.  If it never happens again....

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: Yes I know, my question to you is whether or not there is anything we can still do here

CMO Lt Atreides:
::sighs::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::notices the XO passing something to the CMO, she frowns and raises an eyebrow in wonder:: CMO: What did he want? Maybe he should get a box of his own, he looks like he needs one.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::looks at the CIV with a disapproving look, the kind that also says "we need to talk"::

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: Captain, thanks to commander Suder the problem was made worse on the planet whilst commander A'an was in the shuttle.  She ::swallows hard, and glances about as he realises he's calling out a superior officer:: CO: In an attempt to remove the damaged sensors, she fired a phaser at the rock side, causing a metallic mess to form that has a clearly technological basis.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CIV: He's trying to fix another of Starfleet's stupid mistakes. I really dislike how something always ends up going wrong when we observe pre-warp cultures. It means we somehow have to interfere when interfering is something we're not meant to do. You'd think they could station some people there to make sure it didn't happen. Or maybe they should just stop playing "god", always observing and never doing anything…

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: Well but since they never saw a phaser they won't recognize the rocks as having been shot.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: I'm sure they will some day in the far future unless it gets molten down during some kind of industrial age.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: Is it your view we can still do something here to solve this?

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: No Ma'am, but they will recognise that the metals, the lenses, the connections are not natural... were not part of the rock face...

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CSO:  Like I said, single events are easy to dismiss.  A few years from now, they'll attribute the whole thing to a lightning strike.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CMO: But that will take centuries, I am sure by then the rocks will have changed, maybe even buried. What concerns me more is what they actually saw.

CMO Lt Atreides:
::shrugs:: Self: We could always remove the bloody thing.

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: Ma'am, commander Suder was possibly correct... when she noted that whatever we do, I'll... complain.  ::forces a weak smile::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
All: I haven't heard back from Starfleet yet on whether we should leave things as they are or not. Our orders are still to solve whatever problems we can. Since I was not on the field, it is difficult to decide what we can or can not solve ... or even if it needs solution.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::chuckles:: CSO: That’s why I am asking you now, so you will not complain later.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::clenches his fist to crack all of his knuckles at once and looks at the CSO menacingly::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::notices the CMO is busy doing his little thing, she looks around hoping to find something to amuse herself with::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: Will the station hold undercover for the next weeks, you'd say?

CSO LtJG Axin:
::sees A'an's glare out of the corner of his eye, and feels his stomach freeze as he tenses every muscle in his body::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CIV: Ms Ivanova, bring me the latest data from the planet from the duty science officer please.

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: The station - ::closes his eyes, and breathes:: CO: is essentially in two sections, Ma'am, the exterior and interior.  The exterior has already been compromised, I doubt the interior will be in the short term.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  The way I see it, we have two options.  Stay here and try to keep them from finding the station or some more tech, or drop a phaser pulse onto the whole thing and bring the hill down on top of it.  Either way, we’re looking at the possibility of creating an even worse situation.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: But I need numbers Mr Axin, what is your estimate of how long it will hold?

CMO Lt Atreides:
::watches Samantha play with a coffee cup::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::looks up in alarm, she nods quickly at the direction of the CO before quickly parting the room::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: I'm not very inclined to shoot on the planet at this point.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CMO: You haven't given us your view on whether we can actually accomplish anything here or not.

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: Ma'am, I can't have an estimate, there are too many variables - about how adventurous they are, how much of what they saw they understood, how well the sealed doors will stand up to their weapons when they're being flung however hard...

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::nods:: CO:  Then we stay here to try and prevent them from finding anything else until an extraction team can make it here?

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: I understand the complexity of the situation, so if you can not give me an estimate I'll assume the station is too unstable to be left alone.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: Well, I'm sure we can as long as we run a proper and unobserved cleanup operation. Even if we are seen, there's no reason for the CNS not to mess with their memories a little, and even if that doesn't happen the worst that's likely to happen is that we'll somehow enter their mythology. For example "The Angry man who came from the sky and disappeared in a shimmer of light".

CMO Lt Atreides:
::smiles at the XO after his last comment::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: That seems to be my general conclusion as well

CSO LtJG Axin:
CO: Ma'am, I think the only estimate I can give you is that your assumption would be right.  Captain.  Ma'am.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CMO: Entering their mythology is not quite an agreeable idea.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: That's assuming they remember it all. I wouldn't be surprised if they're too busy licking the indigenous toads to remember us.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: Very well, though in the future I will require better estimates of you.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO: Then I suggest a permanent team be sent to the planet until the extraction team makes it on the scene.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CMO: But since we can't be in their minds we can't be sure ::gets up:: All: We'll stay in orbit for the time being.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::rushes back into the briefing room, balancing about a dozen PADDs in her hands, giving everyone an hard look she quickly makes her way to the Captain's side. Offering her a brief nod she begins arranging the PADDs neatly in front of her. Well, as neatly as she can anyway::

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::nods in the CMO's direction, as if to show he agrees::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::frowns at the XO:: XO: You mean baby-sit the station?

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: I guess.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::nods at the CIV, looking at the PADD::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::hopes he can get... other... people... to be around when those estimates are necessary::

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::nods:: CO:  How better to maintain the situation than to be on-site?  A security team, a few engineers and the CSO should be all we need.

CSO LtJG Axin:
XO: Uh, sir, uh, ha, uh, um, sir.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
All: Well, looks like the natives have returned to where they heard the shuttle. They seem to be preparing some sort of construction there.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CSO: Are you okay? I could give you a shot for that...

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: Take the Dr as well, he may be useful if the locals come too close. Land far from the base and walk there, use your tricorders to check if the natives are around.

CSO LtJG Axin:
XO: Sir.  ::turns to face him, confident of the first thing he's wanted to say for some time:: An anthropologically trained science officer would be far preferable to my presence, or even commander Suder with her experiences dealing with others.

CMO Lt Atreides:
::stares at the captain in shock::

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CO:  We will have to drop them in a few clicks further out, probably from the west instead of the east, but I think if were quick about it, we can do a night-time HALO drop without them hearing or seeing a thing.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::nods at the XO::

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: I think Suder should stay on the planet, she has medical training and is a Betazoid, she'd be far more suited to the position than me!

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: We don't have anthropology experts but you can send one of your science officers if you feel you will be more useful on the ship.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CMO: Commander Suder cannot go to the planet at the moment so you will take her seat.

CMO Lt Atreides:
CO: She can't? ::frowns::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::makes a mental note, concerned that a physical one would be too obvious, to painfully damage Lieutenant Nalot, with her horrendous department crew load out he inherited::

CMO Lt Atreides:
::mumbles:: Self: She always manages to make me miserable.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
All: Anything else?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
:: nods at the CO::  CO:  I'll prep an away team immediately, we'll make the HALO late morning, better cover, less chance of observation.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::frowns:: CO: Where is Pauly going?

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: Very well, night is falling on the planet so you will have your window in 5 hours or so.

CMO Lt Atreides:
XO: HALO?! I'm not parachuting!

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CIV: Dr Atreides is going to work, Ms Ivanova.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
CO: He's going t-t-t.. down there? ::shudders:: But what if they'll hurt him?!

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::turns and looks at "Pauly", not amused at all:: CMO:  Report to the Shuttlebay with your gear in one hour......Doctor.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::puts her hand on Ivanova's sholder::CIV: He's a grown up. Clean up the room when we leave please.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::looks at Axin:: CSO:  Have your replacement on deck at the same time.

CMO Lt Atreides:
::decides accidents occur while freefalling before answering the XO:: XO: Sure, but HAHO jumps are more fun.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::clings against the CMO's hand, holding it tightly:: CMO: Don't go, Paul! It's dangerous!

CMO Lt Atreides:
CIV: Only if my lines become entangled... or I crash into someone while freefalling. ::nods::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::stands::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: If you are indeed not going I will need your expertise at looking at the data from the station. Maybe there's something in these people's past we can use.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
All: Dismissed.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
XO: I'll be waiting for word when your team is ready.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::nods at the CO as she moves away, motions to the CMO. ::CMO:  Can I talk to you for a second?

CMO Lt Atreides:
XO: Of course you can!

CSO LtJG Axin:
::looks uncomfortable:: CO/XO: No, I'll... ::glances down at the desk:: I'll go, sirs.  The department generally is... is as unqualified for this action.

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
CO: Should I take care of the parachutes, Ma’am?

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::nods:: CSO: And bear in mind, critique is good but remember you are a Starfleet officer.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CIV: I believe OPS can take care of the away team's gear, you don't want to risk damaging them do you?

XO LtCmdr A’an:
::moves to the back corner of the room and waits for the rest of the personnel to exit before latching a furious glare onto Atreides::  CMO: What the hell was that?!  What the hell is your problem lately?  Were you tired?  Was the debriefing boring?

CMO Lt Atreides:
XO: My problem? And no the debriefing was not boring, it's just that I have this phobia of hypoxia and plummeting towards the ground at high speed.

CSO LtJG Axin:
::pauses on the way out, and mutters quietly:: CO: With all due respect, Ma'am.  I am a stellar scientist.  I am in my position too early.  I am barely qualified, and have yet to complete an overview of my department since my transfer.  I am many things.  'An officer' is the one that I'm trying to make the most prevalent.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CMO:  I'm talking about you and the kindergartener playing footsie during the Captain’s briefing!

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::frowns, she grumbles:: CO: I will not damage them. ::mumbles, she begins picking up glasses, not that anyone even took the time to sample the spread she arranged::

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CSO: Then you are in the perfect spot to learn and gain experience ::not smiling::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::sets his face, hoping it doesn't betray the pit in his stomach:: CO: Yes sir.  ::walks out of the briefing room::

CMO Lt Atreides:
XO: Ah, well trust me, she gets worse if I ignore her, and we did whisper while I was paying attention to the briefing. She does some strange things to get my attention sometimes...

CO Cmdr Gomes:
CIV: Then if you think you can help, by all means report to the Shuttlebay when you are done here.

XO LtCmdr A’an:
CMO:  Then buy her a muzzle.  You’re a Starfleet Officer and a senior Officer on this ship!  If you can’t control her, I will!  ::turns and storms out of the room::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::grins, she quickly dashes past the XO into the TL. Closing the doors, she requests the shuttlebay:: Self: Heheh.

CO Cmdr Gomes:
::falls in her chair in the briefing room and thinks about the whole situation, before opening a channel to Starfleet::

CMO Lt Atreides:
Self: Someone's friendlier than usual. CIV: Honey, would you like it if I replicated a gag for you? The XO thinks we should try it.

CSO LtJG Axin:
::heads into the bridge turbolift to head to pack his gear::

CMO Lt Atreides:
::makes his way to the nearest turbolift so he can stop by his quarters to get his medical gear as well as some other things he may need::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::parts the TL, glancing around for any maintenance personnel. Spotting none around, she quickly makes her way towards one of the parachutes. Pulling out a marker, she gets to work::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
::finishing, she folds the parachute back in and makes her way out of the Shuttlebay::

CMO Lt Atreides:
Self: I should bring a bigger knife... And maybe a cardboard box. ::nods::

CSO LtJG Axin:
::pulls up information on all the protocols and regulations he can think of so he has them with him on the surface during that very bad idea of a mission::

CIV YC1 Ivanova:
*CMO*: Hey sweetie, don't forget to take your assigned parachute. ::ends the communication::

CMO Lt Atreides:
::raises an eyebrow and decides to ignore it.:: Self: I don't want to know.

ACTION: An hour slowly goes by. In the meantime, the CO looks over the data from the planet to send to Starfleet, Starfleet decide whether or not to send an emergency team of experts, the away team prepares for the drop and the yeoman....who knows?

=/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=
=/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=