Rogerio says:
ACTD Proudly Presents:

Star Trek: U.S.S. Apache
Mission #26: Ring of Forebearance
Stardate 10212.06

The USS Apache remains in 'orbit' (or rather on a parallel course) of the newfound Ring World. The research on the incredible artifact continues as an away team is prepared by the Apache for an in loco survey.

<<<<< Begin Mission - Week 2 >>>>>
CO_Linard says:
::sits in her chair:: *XO*: Are we ready Mr. Storal?
XO_Storal says:
::In Shuttle Bay 2 finishing pre-flight check on the shuttle::
CMO_Naegle says:
::still on the bridge in awe of the Ring World::

ACTION: The Apache hovers half-way between the inner surface of the Ring World and the central white dwarf star in the black shielding cage

CTO_Yeung says:
::walks into shuttlebay 2 and greets the XO:: XO: Hey, commander.
XO_Storal says:
*CO*: Just about Sir.
XO_Storal says:
CTO: Hello Jon, are you ready?
CTO_Yeung says:
::pats the phaser holstered at his hip:: XO: Sure am. And you?
CSO_Bern says:
::finishes running checks on the shuttle's sensors, and taps into the Apache's records, looking for a reasonable landing area::
XO_Storal says:
CTO: The shuttle is ready to go. We are just missing one person. ::taps his combadge:: *CSO*: Mr Bern are you ready for the AT?
CTO_Yeung says:
::enters the shuttle and takes the co-pilot seat::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Dr. Naegle, can you man Science 1 for me?
CSO_Bern says:
XO: Yes, Commander, I'm ready. ::turns in his chair:: Are you going to be flying?
XO_Storal says:
::sits down in the pilot seat:: *CO*: We are ready and are standing by Sir.
CMO_Naegle says:
::sits down at the Science console as the captain speaks:: CO: Aye, Captain. I guess we're in charge now.
XO_Storal says:
CSO: You are correct. ::grins::
CO_Linard says:
::nods to the helm officer:: FCO: Mr. V'Taran, clear the shuttle for departure.
CO_Linard says:
*XO*: Go ahead Mr. Storal, whenever you are ready
CSO_Bern says:
XO: ... Hmm. ::smiles somewhat and turns back to his console:: I think I've found a suitable landing area, near the center of that largest city...  ::transfers coordinates to the helm console::  ...however, if you're looking for someplace a little less conspicuous, I can keep looking.
FCO_V’Taran says:
CO: Aye sir. ::links with the Shuttlebay:: *XO*: you have clearance to depart anytime now commander
XO_Storal says:
::starts the shuttles engines and begins to pilot the shuttle out of the bay.:: *CO*: Aye Sir we are departing.
CMO_Naegle says:
::monitors sensors as the AT departs::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Ahh the fun, Doctor. Keep tabs on the away team and monitor that Ring. If a microbe so much as sneezes, I want to know about it..... ::grins::

ACTION: the space doors open to allow passage to the Away Team’s shuttle. It smoothly descends toward the inner surface of the Ring World, above the 'capital' city

XO_Storal says:
@CSO: What have you gotten so far on our landing site?
CMO_Naegle says:
::grins:: CO: I'll keep tabs on everything.  Remember, they're my crew too.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::keeps an eye on the tactical sensors::
CO_Linard says:
::lets out a sigh:: CMO: It's times like this I'm reminded of why I joined Starfleet...
CMO_Naegle says:
::adjusts the sensors to keep a lock on the AT and monitors the Ring World for sneezing molecules.::
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO: 3 minutes till we reach the edge of the environmental shield above the class-M habitat, commander.
CSO_Bern says:
@XO: Basically just an open area among some buildings "downtown," if you will. I didn't see anything moving there, and it's flat, so I don't think we'll have any difficulty.
CMO_Naegle says:
::smiles:: CO: How do you mean, Captain.
CMO_Naegle says:
::notices something on sensors::
CO_Linard says:
::stares at the screen in genuine wonder:: CMO: Exploring the unknown.... the meeting of new worlds.......::looks at her::.... see what I mean?
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO/CSO: It looks even more amazing up close...
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: I get it. Captain, I'm getting readings that show the city on the surface, where our team is headed to, is just the tip of the iceberg. It looks like a large underground complex is beneath it.
XO_Storal says:
CSO: OK I see it. ::inputs the coordinates and corrects his course::
XO_Storal says:
CTO: Anything on the sensor grid?
CO_Linard says:
::straightens in her chair:: CMO: Really? Can you give me a visual on it?
CSO_Bern says:
@::takes a moment to glance out the window:: CTO: Yes sir...this entire habitat suspended in space by a captive star. ::shakes his head:: I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself.
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO: It's still quiet down there, sir.
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: I can try. ::attempts to put it on screen::

ACTION: the shuttle crosses the 'line' between space and the Ring World atmosphere and ... nothing happens...no explosions nor mayhem or anything ... as they go onto the city below

XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: CO: Sir we are making our final approach now. We will contact you again when we are on the surface.
CO_Linard says:
COMM: XO: I eagerly await your response, Commander.
XO_Storal says:
@CTO/CSO: Well so far so good.  CSO: Can you get a clearer readings on any lifeforms?
CSO_Bern says:
@::watches the sensor boards as the shuttle crosses through the exosphere:: XO/CTO:  Hmm. Just like any normal atmospheric entry. ::shakes his head again::
CO_Linard says:
::leans forward in her seat wishing she had gone on the away team herself::
CTO_Yeung says:
@CSO: Better pay attention on this, lt. Who knows? You might win an award for your report on this thing. ::chuckles::
CSO_Bern says:
@::begins scanning a several kilometer radius surrounding the landing site::
XO_Storal says:
::arrives at the landing site and sets the shuttle down.::

ACTION: after several attempts with the remote, Dr. Naegle manages to tune in the channel

CMO_Naegle says:
::gets the visual:: CO: Captain, here's your visual of the world!

ACTION: The city below can be seen in fantastic detail, carefully manicured gardens, hydroponics fields, spotless buildings looking like any developed major city in the Federation

CSO_Bern says:
@::chuckles:: CTO: I doubt it...but it's certainly very interesting, so far.  I'd need to spend much more time here than we've got to produce something substantial enough to win an award.
CO_Linard says:
::grins:: CMO: Thank you Doctor....::rises from her seat to approach the helm, laying her hand on the back of the FCO's chair.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::unbuckles from his seat and heads to the door of the shuttle::
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Not if you know someone at the institute. ::laughs::
CMO_Naegle says:
::stands up at the science station:: CO: Captain, it's amazing! I almost wish I was on the Away Team!
CSO_Bern says:
@::checks beside him for his phaser as he feels the shuttle planted securely on the ground::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: And there is an atmosphere here?
CO_Linard says:
::looks at the screen, a smile growing across her face:: CMO: That makes two of us, Doctor
CSO_Bern says:
@::grins a sly grin and stands:: XO: Well, I do...but I'd never do anything like that, of course.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::draws his phaser:: XO: I'll head out first, just in case.
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: I’ll do it for you. ::chuckles::
CO_Linard says:
OPS: What's the status of our away team?
XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: We have landed safely and are proceeding with our investigation.
CMO_Naegle says:
::adjusts to check:: CO: I'm detecting large Apartment-like complexes and everything else that can be found in a major city. It's all well cared for. But no signs of life.
XO_Storal says:
CTO: ::motions to the door:: After you. ::grins::
OPS_Rakmatulin says:
CO: They've just landed on a large grassy area almost in the center of the city. I'm picking no unusual energy readings right now. They seem to be preparing to leave the shuttle sir
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: and I'm detecting an atmosphere in the underground complex.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::presses the button to open the door, and steps out of the shuttle::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: The life signs are there then?
CTO_Yeung says:
@::looks around the surrounding area carefully::
CSO_Bern says:
@::decides to poll the Apache sensor banks for updates one last time before locking his console::
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Mr. Bern, proceed with your preliminary scans of the area.

ACTION: with a whoosh of air, the airlock opens into the atmosphere of the Ring World. It's promptly breathable and has a nice rural-like smell to it. The gravity seems to be slightly lighter than Earth-normal

CTO_Yeung says:
@XO/CSO: Looks clear. ::steps out further, examining around::
XO_Storal says:
@::follows the CTO out the shuttle's hatch::
CO_Linard says:
OPS: Good, let me know if you get anything unusual.
CSO_Bern says:
@::uploads some maps into his tricorder and jogs out of the shuttle, closing the shuttle hatch behind him::  XO:  Just a moment, sir.
XO_Storal says:
@AT: If I didn’t know better I would think we are on Earth.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::takes a deep breath:: XO: Smells quite refreshing.
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: Indeed. ::looks around the area for any signs of life::
CSO_Bern says:
@::takes out his tricorder, feeling a bit of jump in his step:: XO: Well, I can tell just from walking around that the gravity is slightly less than normal... ::scans the surrounding area, and talks mostly to himself:: About four-fifths Earth's gravity, actually...
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: I can't scan below the surface. But the animal life is in the countryside circumventing the city.  It looks like a lot of farmland.
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Did you say animal life?
CTO_Yeung says:
@CSO: Anybody home, lieutenant? ::looks around at the buildings::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: I did indeed say animal life, sir. Any kind of life -- except humanoid.
CO_Linard says:
::shakes her head slowly:: CMO: ....amazing.....
CSO_Bern says:
@CTO: If so, they've got an awfully quiet sensor signature. Though there's lots of animal life on the outskirts of the city.
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Can you Identify the animal life?
OPS_Rakmatulin says:
CO: the away team is now surveying the city. I detect no communication traffic at all from or to the Ring
CO_Linard says:
OPS: What about within the ring?
CSO_Bern says:
@XO: No sir. There's no match in the Federation databanks. It could be entirely...umm...  ::completely blanks on the word he was looking for::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: ::grins:: And there's more!  There appears to be 24 city like structures all around the surface of the world.  They are placed in pairs opposite each other.
XO_Storal says:
@AT: It’s hard to believe that someone would build all of this for no Humanoids...
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Doctor, focus your attention on those animals.... give me what you can
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Native?
OPS_Rakmatulin says:
::redoes his sweeps, mentally slaps his forehead for forgetting of that:: CO: No sir. Nothing I can detect on the surface. Scanning below seems quite hard as Dr. Naegle found earlier. I'll keep checking
CO_Linard says:
CMO: What kind are they? Do they register in the federation databanks?
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: Aye sir.
CTO_Yeung says:
@CSO: Is there any structural damage? And evidence of an attack?
CSO_Bern says:
@::pretends to have been studying his tricorder, and nods::  XO:  Yes, native...  Self:  That will have to do.
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: Was there any central structure that would indicate the focal point of the city.
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: Checking the database now, sir.
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO: Like a town hall? Let me check. ::gets out tricorder and checks::
CSO_Bern says:
@CTO: No, no evidence of an attack. It's strange... ::glances around:: If it weren't so clean and neat, it'd be the equivalent of a ghost town. Though it feels rather pleasant.
CMO_Naegle says:
::scanning the databanks looking for some similar animals::
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: Yes, I forgot to talk in laymans terms. ::chuckles::
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO: There is, in fact, a large building at the center of town, right over there. ::points west at the shinny top of the building::
XO_Storal says:
@AT: Well then I suggest we begin to look there.
CO_Linard says:
OPS: Ensign, check for quantum distortions or anything of that nature. I just had an idea that if there is life here, it may be out of phase with our universe
CMO_Naegle says:
::turns to face the captain:: CO: I've found no matches whatsoever, Captain. The animals are unique to the Ring World. They either evolved here, or were designed.
XO_Storal says:
@::begins to head over to the apparent city hall::
CSO_Bern says:
@::continues scanning:: XO: I wanted to tell you, I accessed the Apache's databanks right before we left the shuttle. There's some sort of complex located underneath the city. The Apache picked it up first, but I'm seeing it now too...unfortunately, I don't see an entrance, and there doesn't appear to be any life there, either.  

ACTION: after a small trek, the Away Team reaches the 'city hall'

CTO_Yeung says:
@::begins leading the way to the central building, keeping an eye out for.... well, anything::
CO_Linard says:
::wonders would they miss one if they beamed it on board to further study... then dismisses the idea as that what the away team was sent for::
OPS_Rakmatulin says:
::thinks what's up with quantum distortions on this ship:: CO: Aye aye, sir
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Perhaps it will be located in the city hall. Its a long shot, but worth a looksie.
CO_Linard says:
::absent-mindedly begins stroking her chin thoughtfully as if she had a goatee::
CSO_Bern says:
@XO: True, sir. This is a good place to start...or the closest thing we have to a good place to start. ::half-shrugs and stares straight up at the peak of the building::
XO_Storal says:
@CSO: Is there any sort of barrier keeping the animal life from the city?
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: Uh, sir?  You look like Commander Storal when you do that.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::standing before the building, checks his tricorder:: XO: Looks like this building is the entrance of a complex, but I can't find any doors.
XO_Storal says:
@CSO/CTO: Perhaps it’s hidden.. like a holodeck?
CSO_Bern says:
@XO: Not that I can tell.  Something like that would've shown up rather quickly. Though it is rather curious, now that you mention it...
CO_Linard says:
::turns her head to give the CMO a look of bewilderment, then looks at the hand that’s stroking her chin... she blushes slightly and laughs::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: More info on the underground complex, Captain. It apparently runs the entire depth of the Ring World. Approximately 100 decks high.
CTO_Yeung says:
@::gives a kick to the wall::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: I guess I had to learn it somewhere, Doctor. Count your lucky stars I don't start cracking my neck.... ::shudders at the thought as it was always a habit of his she hated::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Decks? You mean it's like a ship?...... This keeps getting more interesting....
CMO_Naegle says:
::groans at the thought:: CO: Please don't. I'm always threatening to put him in either traction or physical therapy for that.
CSO_Bern says:
@CTO: The seam is barely detectable...but I think I found some doors. It must be activated with some kind of transmission... ::scans for some kind of receiver that might work in that capacity::
XO_Storal says:
@::begins feeling the wall for an entrance::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: Something like that, sir.
XO_Storal says:
@AT: Well we could try the ol' "Open Sesame" ::motions to the alleged doorway like a magician::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: It looks like  . . . decks, levels, floors, whatever.

ACTION: the doors open at the XO's chant

CO_Linard says:
::nods:: CMO: Something of that magnitude would have to be I guess....
CSO_Bern says:
@XO: What do you do for your next trick, Commander?
CTO_Yeung says:
@::looks at the XO in surprise:: XO: Hot dang.
XO_Storal says:
@AT: ::grins feebly:: Well it was worth a shot.
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: It's very complex for something that isn't occupied by humanoids.
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: After you oh mighty Hiawatha. ::grins::
CTO_Yeung says:
@::pokes his head and his phaser into the doorway and looks around::
CO_Linard says:
CMO: Yes, very.....::looks at her grinning::... but who said it's not run by those animals, Doctor?
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: I agree ::grins:: the animals might be the most evolved species on the planet, for all we know, right?
CTO_Yeung says:
@::carefully walks through the doorway and into the building::
CSO_Bern says:
@::tilts his head to the side slightly, and grins, before beginning to scan the interior, checking for force fields or suspended photonic particles, which would indicate an advanced hologram, as the Commander suggested earlier::

ACTION: a spartan-like room, rather large and devoid of furniture is seen. There's only a central circular sub-structure inside

CO_Linard says:
::nods:: CMO: To the naked eye, yes..... OPS: Anything on that alternate universe theory, Ensign?
CTO_Yeung says:
@::looks around:: Self: Ooookay.
XO_Storal says:
@::enters the room and walks over to the center structure:: CSO: What do you make of this?
XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: Away Team to Apache...
CMO_Naegle says:
::turns back to scanning as she sees the captain going on about the business of finding out what's really going on::
CSO_Bern says:
@XO:  I'd say whoever uses the place doesn't sit often.
CO_Linard says:
::jumps at the COM:: COMM: XO: Go ahead Commander, what have you found so far?
OPS_Rakmatulin says:
::shakes his head negatively:: CO: I guess not captain. All looks 'normal' so to speak. Wherever this has come from, it's definitively from this universe to the quantum level
CTO_Yeung says:
@::examines the walls::
CO_Linard says:
::makes a face:: OPS/CMO: Well, there goes that idea....
XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: Sir, for some reason the animal life doesn’t venture into the city. We have found a central structure to the city.
CSO_Bern says:
@::stares at the walls, taking a few steps inside::
CMO_Naegle says:
CO: Tell Storal to talk to the animals.
CO_Linard says:
::smiles at the CMO and nods:: XO: Good work. Have you tried to communicate with those animals? From our scans, they're the only life there.
XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: The structure didn’t have any visible openings, but we detected a hidden entrance and have entered the building. There is nothing here except a structure of some sort.
CSO_Bern says:
@Self: Indigenous! I knew I'd remember that word! ::looks up at the ceiling, not enjoying the acoustics and accompanying hollow echo of the chamber::
CTO_Yeung says:
@::looks all around him:: XO: Hey boss, think this room could be a large turbolift?
CSO_Bern says:
@::scans the circular structure::
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: It may Jon. CSO: What is it Mr. Bern.
XO_Storal says:
@COMM: Apache: Sir, I don’t think the universal translator speaks indigenous animal life.
CSO_Bern says:
@CTO/XO: Sir, I think Commander Yeung is right. It seems as though this would be some kind of turbolift.  Though I don't have any idea how we'd operate it.
CSO_Bern says:
@::only halfway kidding:: XO: Know any other magic words?
CTO_Yeung says:
@XO: The door responded to voice command. How about this thing?
XO_Storal says:
@::circles the structure and stops. CSO/CTO: Let’s try it.
XO_Storal says:
@Lift: Take me to your leader!
CTO_Yeung says:
@::groans and covers his face with his free hand::
XO_Storal says:
@CTO: Well it worked the last time. ::shrugs::

ACTION: the elevator doors open allowing the away team to enter it

XO_Storal says:
@::enters the lift::
CTO_Yeung says:
@::follows the XO through the doors::
CSO_Bern says:
@::sighs briefly:: XO: A good try, si--  ::trails off, unable to believe it...looks at Yeung::
CSO_Bern says:
@::shrugs:: AT: All aboard, I guess. ::steps into the 'lift::
XO_Storal says:
@::strokes his goatee for a bit:: Lift: Control Room.
XO_Storal says:
@AT: Maybe that will work.

ACTION: an apparently holographic construct appears. It's roughly the size of a human head and square-shaped. It hovers above the floor about the level of the AT's eye-lines

CTO_Yeung says:
@::shrugs at Bern:: CSO: I wonder who programs this stuff to respond to outdated cliches?
XO_Storal says:
@AT: Ah HAH!.
Construct says:
@ AT: Ahhh....the Creators have arrived at last. ::blinks and smiles at them::
CSO_Bern says:
@::starts back a bit:: ::aside:: CTO: I hope he doesn't let this go to his head.

ACTION: the 'turbolift' doors close suddenly and it begins descending. Contact between the Apache and the AT is severed

<<<<< pause mission >>>>>