Host Jafo says:
Star Trek: Apache - Episode #21
Week #8
Mission: "The Hero Khrysaros"

Host Jafo says:
With her captain and missing crewmembers aboard, the Apache continued her investigation for the Staff of Khrysaros. The crew divided into two away teams to investigate the active mining sites on the surface of Hynozad.

Host Jafo says:
Alpha team managed to reach and enter their designated mine. However, their encounter with a Cardassian worker led to a cave in which has separated the members of the team. Meanwhile, Beta team found their mine heavily guarded by Cardassians and, in an attempt to cause a distraction, started a fire at the mine's entrance.

Host Jafo says:
Now both teams must find a way out of their present dilemma and attempt to locate the mythical Staff of Khrysaros before the Cardassians do.

Host Jafo says:
<<<<<<<<<< Begin Mission Week #8 >>>>>>>>>>>

SO_Bern says:
%::approaches the mouth of the left fork of the path:: *XO*: Should we proceed in your direction, sir?  We haven't found anything down the other path.

EO_Tana says:
%::trudges up the tunnel beside Lieutenant Bern::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::locks his sights on the next Cardassian and waits to hear the firing order::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::moves to some better cover::

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Oh what a surprise, you should have listened to me.

XO_Storal says:
%::continues to head down the mine shaft:: *SO*: Negative Mister Bern, there is a fifteen-meter collapse blocking the tunnel. What was at the end of the left fork?

FCO_Terman says:
%::follows the XO, having given up getting him to notice him … ho-hum, as they say::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::watches the Cardie’s rush to put out the fire::

SO_Bern says:
%::ignores the Doctor, having expected a retort:: *XO*: A large pool of water. We didn't find anything immediately, but I think it might be worth investigating. The Cardassians appear to have overlooked it entirely.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Transporters lock onto Lieutenant Commander Cha`Dak and beam him back to sickbay to have his shoulder examined.

EO_Tana says:
%::pulls out his tricorder and scans the blockage, looking for the stress points::

CIV_Torsian says:
@*CO*: Captain, request weapons free.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Mister Terman, use your tricorder to scan the tunnel ahead. We don’t need any other surprises.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::peeks above the ridge of his cover and surveys the scene::

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Maybe the Cardie’s left the pool of water because there is nothing interesting there.

Host CO_Linard says:
@*All*: Fire at will ... let's get them while their busy.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As the fire continues at the Beta teams cave, the Cardassians seem far more interested in putting out the fire that has now engulfed several tents, than investigating the appearance of a Starfleet Officer nearby.

FCO_Terman says:
%::begins doing as the XO asks, glad to finally be doing something::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::confirms his target through his scope and squeezes the trigger, looks to his next target and fires his phaser rifle again::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::aims phaser and grimly begins firing at nearby Cardassians::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::aims her phaser and takes out as many Cardie’s as she can::

EO_Tana says:
%SO: Excuse me, sir … are we going in?

XO_Storal says:
%*SO*: Agreed, see if anything turns up. Then see if you can get around the cave in.

CIV_Torsian says:
@::sequentially shoots every Cardassian entering his fire range::

SO_Bern says:
%::walks over to Tana, looking the large barrier of rock over:: *XO*: Acknowledged sir, Bern out.

Host CO_Linard says:
@Self: One ... two ... buckle my shoe... ::takes out two Cardassians::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Torsian and the rest of the Away Team begins to fire on the Cardassians they take notice and head for cover after the first three are stunned. They take up positions behind vehicles and undamaged buildings letting the fire burn.

FCO_Terman says:
%::his tricorder beeps:: XO: Uhh ... sir?

EO_Tana says:
%SO/MO: It would take some doing to get through this … it might be easier to just cut around it.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: What is it Mister Terman?

CIV_Torsian says:
@*CO*: We have been detected. ::changes to a higher setting on the phaser rifle and aims at one of the vehicles firing::

SO_Bern says:
%EO: All right ... in your opinion, did we get all we're going to out of the other cavern?

MO_Powers says:
%EO: How far does the tunnel branch away from this one?

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CIV*: It was only a matter of time, Mister Torsian ... blast those vehicles if you have to.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: I don't think this is what you want to hear, but there's a huge drop … at least 100 meters straight down … just a little ways up this path.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The vehicles at the mine are large, heavily armored, mining vehicles. They are impenetrable to all but the most devastating of Federation weaponry. The hand phasers and phaser rifles carried by the away teams will have little effect on them.

MO_Powers says:
%SO: What did you get out of the other cavern? Nothing?

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Is there anyway around it?

EO_Tana says:
%::tries not to focus on the sounds coming through the dense earth:: MO/SO: I don't think we did, sir. The depth of that cavern was sufficient to warrant further study. And this one branches off far enough that it would be overkill to come back. Once we go, we'd have to head that way.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::takes a pause in her firing to look for Dorchel:: Self: Come out, come out, wherever you are...

CIV_Torsian says:
@*CO*: We should call the ship and have them fire down a few phaser blasts. ::aims at the next Cardassian entering his sights and fires::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::moves to flank the Cardassians::

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: I don’t know, I guess we'll find out when we get there. ::slight grin::

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CIV: I was thinking of a torpedo ... would that be too dangerous to us?

SO_Bern says:
%EO: Do we know where the point of least resistance is to try to break through to this other passage? Clearly, it would take too much work to punch through the cave itself.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Agreed … besides, I haven’t free climbed in a few months. The practice would be good.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::fires at a stray Cardie making a run for it::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::fires more shots at the Cardie’s::

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: You climb, sir?

CIV_Torsian says:
@*CO*: Sir yes sir, unless you wanted a crater where we stand. ::takes aim at the next Cardassian and shoots::

EO_Tana says:
%::nods:: SO: Yes sir. ::points:: SO: There's four major weak points. If properly hit the blockage should collapse on itself enough for us to squeeze through the top. It could take a while, however.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Mister Torsian continues to fire on the Cardassians he hears a sound immediately behind him.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Whenever I can. ::grins::

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Are we going to just stand around here all day or are we going for a swim?

FCO_Terman says:
%::an amazed look crosses his face:: XO: So, does that make it one of your favorite pastimes?

CIV_Torsian says:
@*CO*: The explosion from a torpedo would be devastating; ship's phasers could be set to immobilize humanoids in a specific target area. ::ducks down under the top of the dune and looks over his shoulder to the oncoming noise::

Host Dorchel says:
@::standing directly behind Torsian as he turns:: CIV: Put down your weapon... ::pointing a nasty looking disruptor directly between the Marines eyes::

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: It’s my favorite one. ::hesitates for a moment:: FCO: Well, that’s not true … it’s tied with hang gliding.

CIV_Torsian says:
@::looks the Cardassian in the eye:: Dorchel: All right, take it easy. ::slowly turns the rifle as he places it next to him on the sand::

SO_Bern says:
%MO: Well, the Commander seems to think he can handle things … and he wanted us to investigate the pool, so maybe that's what we should do.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Wow, I love to climb too. One of my favorites has got to be Yellowstone. How about you?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Several more Cardassians move up behind Dorchel and grab hold of Torsian, taking up his rifle as well.

EO_Tana says:
%::looks between them, waiting for them to decide::

Host Dorchel says:
@::looks around:: CIV: Where did you come from?

Host CO_Linard says:
@::looks over the dune at the nearly empty camp:: *CEO*: Report Commander... ::looks quickly around and behind her for any sign of danger::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::struggles against the grip of the Cardassians:: Dorchel: Lieutenant Fred Torsian, Gunnery Officer … service number 990822-001

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Actually there is a sweet spot for climbing near my home on Bajor, it gives El Capitan a run for its money.

Host Dorchel says:
@::sighs:: CIV: Are you from a ship?

CEO_Yeung says:
@::continues firing at a few more Cardie’s:: *CO*: Just a few more Cardie’s hiding behind those vehicles, Captain.

CIV_Torsian says:
@::slows his struggles:: Dorchel: Yes, I'm a trader in this sector … I hear there are many treasures here.

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Let’s go swim then, it’s not like there is anything else to do.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::overhears the CIV talking to someone on her combadge:: Self: Uh oh...

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Sounds good, I'll have to try it if I'm ever down there.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: At the dig site, one of the vehicles starts up and begins to drive slowly into the mine.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Good, how much further until the drop?

SO_Bern says:
%MO: I guess not. EO: Would we need some heavier stuff than phasers to get through these rocks? ::starts down the left path once again::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Terman and Storal arrive at the chasm.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::slowly begins to creep from her position carefully looking around:: *CEO*: The CIV's been discovered, Commander. What is your position relative to him?

CIV_Torsian says:
@Dorchel: I saw your men down in the mineshaft and was sure that there must be some treasure, if the Cardassians are looking for it. So I decided to 'investigate'.

EO_Tana says:
%::shrugs:: SO: Heavier stuff would be better, but we don't have any. We'd have to make do with phasers. ::carefully avoids the slippage as they approach the pool again::

FCO_Terman says:
%::looks over the edge for possible routes to the bottom that don't involve a leap of faith::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The chasm is a sheer cliff straight down leading into darkness. It is far to deep for scans of any accuracy. Nearby, a mechanical lift waits ... undoubtedly left by the now deceased miner.

CEO_Yeung says:
@*CO*: Not good, I'm across the campsite from him.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Well, this doesn’t look too promising. ::looks around:: On the other hand that does. ::points to the lift::

Host Dorchel says:
@CIV: Interesting uniform for a trader ... I don't suppose you know where my Nephew is?

FCO_Terman says:
%::shrugs:: XO: I suppose that works...

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CEO*: Acknowledged ... can you see anyone else in the camp from your vantage point?

XO_Storal says:
%::walks over to the lift's controls to see if  they are in working condition::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::chuckles:: Dorchel: I got this uniform off of a Starfleet Officer I killed on Vena III.  As far as your nephew … yes, are you looking for him?  Perhaps we could negotiate an exchange.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The remaining Cardassians around the mining camp retreat into the cave entrance and deeper into the tunnels using the mining vehicle as cover.

SO_Bern says:
%EO:  We could send Mister Verall back to the Apache to get some things.  By the time we're done investigating, he'd be back and waiting for us. ::looks over to the security officer to see whether he appears to approve of the suggestion::

MO_Powers says:
%::walks to the pool and sits down by it::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::whispers into her combadge:: COM: Apache: Apache, this is the Captain, do you copy?

FCO_Terman says:
%::heads over to the lift and looks at it, hoping that the controls aren't in Cardassian::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::takes a peek at the campsite:: *CO*: Remaining Cardie’s are retreating into the tunnels. I don't see anyone else.

Host Dorchel says:
@::shakes his head and smiles eerily:: CIV: That won't be necessary ... I'm sure Captain Linard hasn't hurt him. ::waves for his guards to take away the CIV::

EO_Tana says:
%::nods:: SO: Aye sir. ::crouches by the water again and starts to scan the pool::

Host FCO_V`Taran says:
::on the bridge of the Apache, in orbit:: COM: Linard: Go ahead, Captain...

MO_Powers says:
%SO: We can't risk him being left at the entrance to the tunnel and being found by Cardie’s.

CIV_Torsian says:
@Dorchel: Wait! Who is Captain Linard! Let me help you escape! ::struggles against the Cardassians::

Host CO_Linard says:
@COM: Apache: Can you get a lock on Lieutenant Torsian?

XO_Storal says:
%*Alpha Team*: Storal to Alpha Team, we have found a lift that seems to head straight down the shaft. We are proceeding down the lift.

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CEO*: You think it would be too risky to follow them?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Dorchel follows his guards who lead Torsian off into the desert. Quickly, the small group leaves the mine site behind ... and, after passing over a dune or two, come to a small Cardassian atmospheric craft.

EO_Tana says:
%::dips his hands into the water again and lets the cold water pour out of his hands as he frowns at the screen:: SO/MO: Sirs, There's nothing special about this pool … except I'm detecting something at the end of it. Trapped air looks like a decent enough mixture.

SO_Bern says:
%::nods:: MO: The phasers will work.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: I know this isn’t a shuttle or a ship … but take us down; steady as she goes. ::grins::

CEO_Yeung says:
@*CO*: Maybe, but I think we'll have to nonetheless.

SO_Bern says:
%EO: Kind of like an air pocket? Could we swim down to it?

CIV_Torsian says:
@::breathes heavily counting the Cardassians in his escort:: Dorchel: I have gold pressed latinum that you could undoubtedly use. 50 bars worth!

EO_Tana says:
%::looks non-committal:: SO: Depends on how well you swim, sir.

SO_Bern says:
%::hears the Commander's communiqué, and decides the Doctor would have responded if he wanted::

FCO_Terman says:
%::not surprised, but a little disappointed that the writing is in Cardassian:: XO: Sir, can you read Cardie?

CEO_Yeung says:
@::begins heading into Torsian's direction::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The Cardassians load Torsian into the craft, which shortly lifts off. It takes off in the opposite direction of the mine, on a course for the second mine site that Alpha team is investigating.

SO_Bern says:
%::pauses a moment:: EO: Not particularly well ... how far down is it?

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CEO*: Agreed.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: I sure can. We had to take it in school. ::reads the control panel:: That one operates the lift. ::points to the panel::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::sees the vessel take off, and curses::

MO_Powers says:
%*XO*: Sir, we are at the pool of water. There seems to be a pocket of air at the bottom that could be swam down to. Should we proceed, sir?

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: We did...?

Host CO_Linard says:
@COM: Apache: Mister V'Taran, please respond ... can you get a lock on Lieutenant Torsian?

CIV_Torsian says:
@Dorchel: Fine craft, very fine. ::looks around the interior:: Dorchel: Where are we going?

CEO_Yeung says:
@*CO*: Captain, a vessel just took off. I think they have Torsian on it.

XO_Storal says:
%*MO*: Is it safe to, Mister Powers?

EO_Tana says:
%::closes the tricorder:: SO: It's about 20 meters down, sir … a little over seventy feet.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Maybe you should operate the lift then, so I don't botch it up.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::looks towards the sound of a craft lifting off::

Host FCO_V`Taran says:
::from the Captain’s chair of the Apache:: COM: Linard: Captain, transporters are having trouble locking onto Mister Torsian ... I am not reading him on the surface.

MO_Powers says:
%*XO*: Tana assures me it is a good mixture, it's just a case of reaching it.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: I did when I was growing up. Sure I can do it. As we lower down the shaft be sure to takes scans of our progress.

CIV_Torsian says:
@::sighs and looks at the ground trying to judge the distance they are traveling::

SO_Bern says:
%::looks at his tricorder:: EO: That'd be a lot of water pressure...

Host CO_Linard says:
@COM: Apache: There's a small Cardassian craft leaving our vicinity. Can you get a fix on their heading?

XO_Storal says:
%*MO*: How far is the air pocket?

EO_Tana says:
%::nods:: SO: Yes sir. No one should come if they don’t have experience with it. I can do it, I've done it on Trill. ::pulls off his tan coat::

CEO_Yeung says:
@*CO*: Captain, we may still have a chance. That was an atmospheric vessel it won’t be capable of leaving the planet’s atmosphere.

FCO_Terman says:
%::looks at his tricorder as the lift lowers into the abyss::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Terman and Storal board the large lift, it shifts into gear with a lurch and begins to descend slightly quicker than might be expected. It's a rough, harrowing, ride.

XO_Storal says:
%::begins to operate the lift's controls and lowers them down the shaft::

MO_Powers says:
%*XO*: About 20 meters, sir.

FCO_Terman says:
%::loses his tricorder and reaches down to grab at it::

XO_Storal says:
%*MO*: If it is a safe distance then, proceed.

SO_Bern says:
%::shrugs:: EO: I guess that counts me out. ::winces slightly and crouches by the pool:: EO: Do you have a hand beacon?

Host CO_Linard says:
@::looks to one of the drilling vehicles in the camp below:: *CEO*: Do you think you could work one of those things?

CIV_Torsian says:
@::looks at the Cardassians guarding him and surmises their strengths and weapon's locations::

Host FCO_V`Taran says:
COM: Linard: It appears to be heading for the mine site that Commander Storal's team is investigating.

MO_Powers says:
%*XO*: Aye sir.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::heads towards an unoccupied vehicle:: *CO*: Shouldn't be a problem, Captain.

EO_Tana says:
%SO: Yes sir. But it won't be much use in that mud. Hopefully there's something worth looking at down below.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::gets into the vehicle and examines the controls::

Host CO_Linard says:
@*CEO*: Then let's go ... I just learned they're heading for the other dig site.

MO_Powers says:
%SO/EO: Proceed.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::manages to control the vehicle and drive up near the Captain::

SO_Bern says:
%EO: I figured that much, but it could be kind of dark down at the bottom. The lighting here's dim anyhow, and probably very little gets through that dirty water; you could use the beacon once you hit the pocket.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::wishes there were some way she could know where the staff was ... thinks back to the Silent One and wonders if it's possible to contact him::

EO_Tana says:
%::pulls off his heavy pants, leaving his shorts and a tee shirt on:: SO: Will do, sir. ::takes his badge off and slips it inside his waistband as he approaches the edge of the water … begins to hyperventilate::

Host FCO_V`Taran says:
COM: Linard: Captain, I've attempted to contact Commander Storal ... none of the members of Alpha Team have responded. They have apparently descended to far below the surface for us to get a communiqué through to them.

FCO_Terman says:
%::watches as his tricorder gets bumped off the side of the lift:: Self: Doh! ::remembers that he always carries a second, just in case:: Self: Whew.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::opens the door once he gets near Linard:: CO: Hop aboard, ma'am!

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: It doesn’t look like we will be able to send or receive any signals when we reach the bottom. The stratum is too dense.

CIV_Torsian says:
@::looks at Dorchel and memorizes his facial features as he prepares a plan to commandeer the craft::

EO_Tana says:
%::secures the wrist strap on the beacon and stares down into the muddy water::

SO_Bern says:
%::scratches his head:: EO: Good luck. ::locks onto Tana's lifesigns with his tricorder and prepares to track him to the bottom::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Linard thinks about the Silent One a great vortex of sand begins to swirl around her. It spins her roughly as the sand scrapes at her skin before moving away from her. A dark shadow appears standing ten meters from her.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::begins to climb into the drilling vehicle and hesitates as the shadow appears::

EO_Tana says:
%::looks back at the other men and then takes a deep breath before diving into the brown water::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::eyes the shadow suspiciously, and puts his hand to his phaser::

Host CO_Linard says:
@~~~Silent One: You heard me?~~~

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: With a great screeching of metal, the lift stops at the chasm's lowest point. A shroud of darkness surrounds Terman and Storal and, far off to the south a small point of light can be seen.

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: Captain?

Host Silent_One says:
~~~~CO: Of course ... I am always with you. You are a child of Betazed. You are my child.~~~ ::walks towards her::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::places his hand on his right pant leg and cautiously palms a hand phaser from an inconspicuous pocket::

EO_Tana says:
%::is shocked by the cold of the water but quickly ignores it, very slowly exhaling bubbles as he starts to swim to the side::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::looks to the CEO and lays a hand on his arm:: CEO: It's okay Commander ... trust me on this.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::looks at the Captain, then to the shadow, and reluctantly lowers his hand::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The pressure on Tana's body increases exponentially ... far greater than he might have expected, and it slowly forces the breath out of his lungs. He bursts into the air pocket just as he thinks he won't be able to continue another moment.

Host CO_Linard says:
@~~~Silent One: Where is the staff? If I'm to protect its hiding place I must know.~~~

FCO_Terman says:
%::semi-quickly:: XO: I think that we should head over to the light.

MO_Powers says:
%::looks into the water as he monitors the EO's life signs::

XO_Storal says:
%::ears pop as he reaches the bottom:: Self: Ouch. FCO: Use the tricorder rather than the hand lamp. Mister Terman … I don’t want to give away our position.

SO_Bern says:
%MO: He's down, sir. *EO*: Can you read me?

Host Silent_One says:
@~~~CO: I can only tell you that it lies in the land of the constant night, on the planet of the eternal day. Where it has been safe for over a millennia.~~~

FCO_Terman says:
%::tests out the light that the tricorder display gives off:: XO: Are you sure that this is going to be enough light? ::flashes the screen at the XO's face::

CIV_Torsian says:
@::prepares as he makes two fists and prepares to strike the two Cardassians at either side::

EO_Tana says:
%::starts at a violent coughing fit and climbs up on the underground ledge, sitting in the mud and pulling the combadge from his waistband:: *SO*: I… ::cough:: …I can hear you, sir.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::mutters aloud:: CEO: I hate riddles... ~~~Silent One: And where would that be? Is it here? On this planet?~~~

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Well we don’t need light when the tricorder sensors tell us everything. ::grins::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::raises an eyebrow::

SO_Bern says:
%*EO*: Sorry. Go ahead and catch your breath. I was just checking the signal. I'll keep the communication channel open.

FCO_Terman says:
%::rolls his eyes as he understands, right before he bumps into a wall::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Tana sits on an underground ledge, his back to the cool wet rock. The area doesn't seem like it could possibly exist naturally, as if a forcefield is holding the water away from the ledge.

XO_Storal says:
%::winces as Terman hits the wall:: FCO: How did you do during your instrument only tests at the Academy?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The craft containing Mister Torsian and the Cardassian lands near the entrance to the second mining site and they all get out, pushing Torsian ahead of them.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Flying or walking?

MO_Powers says:
%*EO*: What is it like down there?

Host Silent_One says:
@~~~CO: I have been there. I am there now. But I do not know the final resting place of the Staff, Kathleen.~~~

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Both.

CIV_Torsian says:
%::clutches the hand phaser in the clasps of his hand as his plan didn't have a chance to go into effect:: Cardassians: I can walk!

Host Dorchel says:
%CIV: I don't suppose you'd tell me if you knew where the Staff of Khrysaros was ... so far all my mines have turned up dry.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Flight, I didn't do so bad … walking though, put me near the bottom of my class.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::nods at the shadow:: ~~~Silent One: Very well then ... thank you.~~~

EO_Tana says:
%::sticks his badge to his browned and sodden shirt:: *SO*: It's really shallow, sir. And the air's too thin in here. This deep it should feel thicker than this.

CIV_Torsian says:
%Dorchel: You're not very keen are you? My information led up to the original mining site, which we were at.

Host Silent_One says:
@::simply bows, then vanishes in a whirl of sand::

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: I see … well here’s good practice then. ::grins::

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: He doesn't know ... so it looks like we're on our own.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::nods:: CO: What did he say?

FCO_Terman says:
%::sighs, preparing for a bumpy ride::

Host Dorchel says:
%::nods:: CIV: Yes, we haven't quite mined that one out ... we may find the chamber yet. We ran into some trouble at this mine... ::indicates the one they are entering:: ...we thought we were onto something and then our tunnel flooded. Wasted a week's progress.

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: He told me it's in the land of constant night ... on the planet of eternal day.

SO_Bern says:
%*EO*: Perhaps there's some kind of underground air vent, coming up from a tectonically active area ... what's the temperature like?

CIV_Torsian says:
%Dorchel: Some water pumps or finely tuned transporters could help you. I know just the man to supply them too, me.

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: Which leads me to believe it has to be underground somewhere...

CEO_Yeung says:
@::begins driving towards the other mine site at full speed::

XO_Storal says:
%::listens for the sounds of Cardie’s or mining equipment as they continue towards the light::

EO_Tana says:
%::slips around in the mud, feeling the rock:: *SO*: Cool ... and it kind of sticks to you. Should it feel like this, sir?

Host Dorchel says:
%::mutters:: CIV: I didn't know Starfleet was in the business of supplying... ::voice trails off as he comes to the fork and sees the rockslide nearby::

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: That certainly sound like it, but what was he referring to the planet of eternal day?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Tana turns around and feels the rock behind him, his hand passes through the solid strata...

SO_Bern says:
%*EO*: I wouldn't think the air and water pressure would increase the temperature ... it could still be the case, since any air from beneath the mantle would be saturated with humidity. ::thinks::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::looks to Dorchel:: Dorchel: Who said I'm Starfleet? I used to be before I was dishonorably discharged and placed in a prison colony. ::gives a look towards what Dorchel finds so interesting::

Host Dorchel says:
%::glancing at his fellow Cardassians:: All: Someone's been here... ::plays a light across the cave floor, seeing recent footprints::

EO_Tana says:
%Self: Krait! ::watches his hand disappear in the rock:: *SO*: Sir ... there's some sort of field down here. I can reach right through it.

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: Well Hynozad is the closest to our sun ... and the brightest star in our Betazed sky. I can't see it being anywhere else.

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Did you hear that?

CIV_Torsian says:
%Dorchel: You mean your men vacated this mine? ::follows the gaze of the Cardassians waiting for them to gain more interest in something else other than him in order for him to pounce::

SO_Bern says:
%::blinks rapidly:: *EO*: Incredible...! ::blinks some more, and looks up at the MO:: MO: Hear what, sir?

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: Not much of a clue. We're no better off than we were before.

Host Dorchel says:
%::begins to lead the others down the tunnel that had been flooded:: All: The footprints lead this way ... weapons ready.

EO_Tana says:
%::presses his bare feet into the mud and gives in to his curiosity shining his beacon behind the rock::

MO_Powers says:
%::listens:: SO: Footfalls … and talking.

Host CO_Linard says:
@::nods:: CEO: Well either way, something tells me that those Cardie’s could have disappeared into that mine site to lead us astray.

CIV_Torsian says:
%::speaks a little louder:: Dorchel: Let me help!

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Tana finds that where ever he touches the rock he pushes right through it. The only exception is underneath, which appears completely firm.

Host Dorchel says:
%::glares at Torsian:: CIV: Quiet! Or I'll kill you right now!

MO_Powers says:
%::grabs his phaser and looks behind::

EO_Tana says:
%*SO/MO*: Lieutenants, I'm going to check it out. ::moves through the opening before receiving an answer::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::bows apologetically:: Dorchel: My apologies, why is this Staff so important to you?

SO_Bern says:
%::swallows and aims his tricorder down the hall:: MO: Lifesigns … and Lieutenant Torsian’s combadge signal. ::stops talking and turns pale against the darkness as he overhears Dorchel’s death threat:: MO: Several are Cardassian…

Host CO_Linard says:
@::places her hand to steady herself on the bumpy ride::

XO_Storal says:
%::as they get closer to the light he stops just within the shadows and lets his eyes adjust to the light::

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: No way to contact Alpha team?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Storal and Terman hear drilling ahead of them ... it grows louder and louder as they approach. And suddenly cuts out. The sounds of an excited worker can be heard as he yells and screams about something.

MO_Powers says:
%SO: Grab Tana's clothes and your phaser and move to the side of the entrance. Someone is coming.

SO_Bern says:
%::feels nervously for his phaser, and draws it:: Verall: Be ready... ::his voice wavers slightly::

MO_Powers says:
%::moves to the side and aims his phaser at the entrance::

XO_Storal says:
%::tries to make out what the worker is saying::

FCO_Terman says:
%::looks over to Storal:: XO: Sounds like they found something.

SO_Bern says:
%::quickly grabs up Tana's things and moves to the side of the cavern, shuddering at the thought of having to use his phaser::

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: I haven't tried ... V'Taran told me they lost contact with them.  They might be too far underground.

SO_Bern says:
%*EO*: Observe radio silence. ::taps his badge to close the open channel::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: One of the Cardassian guards moves ahead and walks into the room containing the water pool, looking around.

CIV_Torsian says:
%::waits cautiously behind Dorchel::

EO_Tana says:
%::crawls, about to ask why he should observe silence but decides to do it and keeps crawling and following his beacon::

SO_Bern says:
%::swallows hard again and takes Tana's phaser in his other hand, looking to see them both set to high stun::

MO_Powers says:
%::waits till he is spotted::

XO_Storal says:
%::nods in response to the FCO's statement:: FCO: Something good by the sound of it.

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: If we get underground, we might have better luck.

MO_Powers says:
%::sets phaser to kill::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::nods and tries to put more speed in the vehicle::

SO_Bern says:
%::raises his left hand and aims::

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: Maybe the Staff? ::hint of incredulity is in Jordan’s voice::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The sounds of the excited worker continue for several minutes. They grow, and then fade, and then grow again. Briefly they cut out, but soon they are right back .... and suddenly an explosion fills the mine. The sound is deafening and the shockwave blast knocks both Terman and Storal to the ground. The cavern they are passing through has been extensively reinforced however, so no more than small pebbles fall to the floor around them.

Host Cardassian says:
%::spots Powers and whirls his disruptor around at him::

SO_Bern says:
%::fires at the Cardassian who's aimed at the Doctor::

MO_Powers says:
%::fires at the Cardie::

TO_Verall says:
%::trains his phaser at the same Cardassian and also fires::

EO_Tana says:
%Self: I'm an engineer, what am I doing eighty feet underground on my hands and knees and covered in mud?

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: By the way, what was that shadow?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The Cardassian is knocked back against the cave wall and collapses to the ground in a heap as he is struck by all three phaser blasts.

FCO_Terman says:
%::is knocked back, banging his head against the floor and feeling the air rush out of his lung:: Self: Ouch!

Host Dorchel says:
%::cringes, and ducks back into the darkness of the mine grabbing Torsian and pulling him with::

XO_Storal says:
%::the wind gets knocked out of him briefly as he is thrown to the ground::

MO_Powers says:
%::readies himself for more Cardie’s::

FCO_Terman says:
%::gasps for air::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::checks her tricorder for the distance to the mine:: CEO: Not what, Commander … who. He's called the Silent one.

SO_Bern says:
%::thinks, 'that was a bit of overkill'::

SO_Bern says:
%::takes a deep breath and aims toward the tunnel entrance again, not going to wait this time before firing at anyone::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::uses this opportunity to knock Dorchel in the teeth with his fist and gets behind him with his hand phaser now drawn and pointed at Dorchel's neck using the Cardassian as a human shield::

XO_Storal says:
%::once he recovers he checks on the FCO:: FCO: Are you injured?

EO_Tana says:
%::shines his light behind him, wondering how far he's gone, and then starts forward again::

Host Dorchel says:
%::grunts as Torsian wraps his forearm around his neck:: CIV: Looks like your friends are already here. They sealed off one tunnel so my men would be trapped ... and here they are in the flooded out one.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::keeps his eyes ahead:: CO: Does he have something to do with this?

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: He's a spirit ... a shadow, if you will, that watches from beyond.  Some say he's a demon ... some say he's Khrysaros himself.

FCO_Terman says:
%XO: I'll be... ::gasp:: …all right. ::gasp:: Just give me a moment.

SO_Bern says:
%::looks at his tricorder, checking for Cardassian numbers::

MO_Powers says:
%::holds out Tana's top hoping a Cardie will think it is him::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::pushes the phaser into Dorchel's neck:: Dorchel: Looks that way. What're you going to do about it?

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: Tana presses on and almost plops out of the mud on the other side. He falls to the floor in a brightly lit cave. The walls are rough hewn ... but before him are two large oak doors with various inscriptions, illegible to the Trill.

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: Very much so, Commander. He wants the sanctity of the staff protected.

XO_Storal says:
%FCO: Take your time. ::scans ahead to see what’s going on::

FCO_Terman says:
%::gets up::

Host Dorchel says:
%::grumbles angrily and acts defeated ... then suddenly grabs Torsian's wrist and gives it a twist, spinning the Marine away from him. Shoving the human roughly, he tosses him towards the entrance to the room::

MO_Powers says:
%SO: How many are there?

Host CO_Linard says:
@::looks at him ... remembering the Romulan Centurion and his demise:: CEO: And I fear for anyone who comes close to finding it...

CEO_Yeung says:
@CO: Some sort of guardian for the staff, eh? Won't we have to hand over the Staff to the officials when we find it?

SO_Bern says:
%::starts at the body flying through the rooms’ entrance::

SO_Bern says:
%Person: Lieutenant Torsian?

FCO_Terman says:
%Self: Life is tough with one lung. ::shakes his head and catches up to the XO::

EO_Tana says:
%::sits up, wiping mud off his body as he looks around, wanting to report it but remembering the order to stay silent:: Self: What … is ... this? ::stands and approaches the massive doors::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::tumbles down towards the entrance trying to gain a hold of the ground and stand up again:: SO: Shoot Dorchel!

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Torsian is hurled into the chamber with Bern and Powers, Dorchel orders his Cardassian Guards to fire on the ceiling of the chamber entrance. Rocks come tumbling down and seal off the small entrance.

SO_Bern says:
%::cringes and turns, shielding his eyes against the falling rubble::

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: It's not to be handed over at all, Commander. It has to be left where it is.

CIV_Torsian says:
%::covers his face as the rocks fall::

MO_Powers says:
%::tries to jump through before the tunnel is sealed but is knocked back by a boulder::

Host CO_Linard says:
@CEO: Orders or no orders, Starfleet is going to have to trust me on this one...

XO_Storal says:
%::peers inside the cave opening cautiously to see what the ruckus is about::

CIV_Torsian says:
%::stands up patting himself down and trying to adjust to the lighting of his surroundings:: All: Who’s there?

CEO_Yeung says:
@::eyes the captain for a moment:: CO: I guess when a man-shaped shadow tells you to do something, you'd better do it.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: The ground drilling vehicle that Captain Linard is in is quite slower than Dorchel's aircraft, but all the same it meanders into the mine's clearing arriving at the second mine site just as the rocks fall, sealing off the water pool chamber from the rest of the mine.

FCO_Terman says:
%::kindly lets the XO do all the looking::

SO_Bern says:
%::moans in frustration as he brushes himself off and moves over to the Doctor and Lieutenant Torsian::  CIV: Myself ... I'm Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bern by the way. This is Doctor Powers and Mister Verall… ::points at each of them::

EO_Tana says:
%::stands before the massive doors, running his fingers over the smooth wood and illegible sigils, trying to find pattern in the madness as he looks up to the archway::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::chuckles:: CEO: Well under normal circumstances, maybe not ... but with my heritage, and what I've experienced on Betazed, I wouldn't underestimate him.

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Storal peers into the cave entrance; the area is littered with the bodies of almost a dozen Cardassians.  All were apparently killed in the explosion they heard. The bodies seem to be congregated around a table upon which a large rectangular box is resting. The top of the box has been blown away, but the rest is largely intact. Littered about are a variety of mining tools and its clear the Cardassians have been excavating this area for some time.

MO_Powers says:
%CIV: EO Tana is under water…

CIV_Torsian says:
%::looks in the direction of the voice:: SO: Lieutenant Fred Torsian, you can call me Gunny.  MO: Let's get him out!

CEO_Yeung says:
@::nods:: CO: Here we are. And there's the ship that took Torsian.

FCO_Terman says:
%::almost fearfully:: XO: What do you see?

Host CO_Linard says:
@::readily climbs out of the drilling vehicle, seeing the craft that took Torsian::

MO_Powers says:
%CIV: It's okay, he’s in an air pocket.

CEO_Yeung says:
@::climbs out and draws his phaser::

Host CO_Linard says:
@::quickly looks around for any immediate danger as she heads to the mouth of the cave:: CEO: Let's go ... see if you can trace them with your tricorder.

SO_Bern says:
%::flicks pieces of rock out of his hair and lays both the phasers down, picking up his tricorder and scanning for the length of the cave-in::

CEO_Yeung says:
@::looks around for any sign of people::

XO_Storal says:
%::with phaser drawn he proceeds into the cave:: FCO: They’re all dead. But there is something on the table. Cover me I’m going to check out this chamber.

EO_Tana says:
%::walks sideways, taking everything in and damning himself for not bringing his tricorder:: Self: Be prepared, be prepared ... how many times did Starfleet Scouts drum that into me? ::sighs and grips the cold brass handles, experimentally turning them and feeling them slide with precision machinery as he starts to open the doors::

Host Jafo says:
ACTION: As Tana pulls the doors open; the brightest golden light he’s ever seen lights his face from within the room. His jaw goes slack, and he finds he can't seem to move as he gazes into the most beautiful sight he’s ever seen...

Host Jafo says:
<<<<<<<<<< End Mission Week #8 >>>>>>>>>>>