USS Apache
Mission #242, Episode 3
"Distant Early Warning...”
10411.19

Prologue: The USS Apache is a half hour outside the system that is giving off the unknown signal. It has since ceased...

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CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: on the bridge at tactical ::

Host CO_Storal says:
::sitting in his chair on the bridge::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::on the bridge in her chair::

CNS_Solaa says:
::on the bridge::

MO_Turok says:
::Standing on the bridge waiting to see what waits at the distress call location:

CMO_Powers says:
::on the bridge standing by the CNS::

FCO_Ilianor says:
::on the bridge, trying to push the Apache ahead:: CO: Half an hour to the system, sir. ::sighs, as he keeps an eye on the warp field distribution::

CNS_Solaa says:
FCO: Well, that's good. First contact situation! ::grins::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
CO: Well, we're forging into unknown territory again sir.  Sorry about that.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
CO: Sir we are no longer receiving the distress call.

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO/XO: Did the anomaly play havoc with our warp core?

EO_Bre`nak says:
::in engineering working on the power systems and making sure things are within normal levels::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::looks to the FCO to answer the Captain's question::

Action: The signal begins again. The same signal as before and it can be traced to the third planet in the system on the upper hemisphere of the planet.

MO_Turok says:
CNS: Do you happen to know the percentage of peaceful first contact as opposed to..shall I say less than peaceful contact?

CNS_Solaa says:
MO: I don't know the exact percentage, but there's always a chance that it will be successful... Don't be so negative, Turok!

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: To be safe, Engineering has shut down the warp core. However, I'm assured that there is nothing significantly wrong with it.

Host CO_Storal says:
CTO:Is it being jammed and can you get a point of origin.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: quickly works to triangulate the signal :: CO : Captain we are receiving the signal again.  It is coming from the upper hemisphere of the third planet

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Very well. Bring the warp core back online and increase speed.

CMO_Powers says:
MO/CNS: I've seen a few really bad ones in my time.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*XO*: Sir so far the impulse engines are holding up.  I have most of the systems repaired and the warp core is stable.

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: Aye, sir. Activating the warp core... ::sends a signal to Engineering to power up the warp core, as he prepares to increase speed::

MO_Turok says:
CNS: Just cautious with a touch of pessimism counselor, that’s all.

CNS_Solaa says:
CMO: Eight lifetimes, I'd say so!

EO_Bre`nak says:
*FCO*: Warp is at your disposal sir.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
*EO*: Acknowledged.

CNS_Solaa says:
MO: Mm... I'll have to evaluate you on that one... ::gives him a mock scrutinizing look::

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: Engineering reports ready. Activating the warp engines, and taking us to warp one... at what speed shall we travel, sir?

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Take us to Warp 7.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::walks around engineering making sure things are running smoothly.::

Host CO_Storal says:
CNS:Ryn can you man OPS for us please.

MO_Turok says:
CNS: Vulcans with a Ferengi background are like onions counselor.... Layers.

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: Aye, sir. ::increases speed to warp 7 and readjusts the heading::

CNS_Solaa says:
CO: Yes, sir! ::gets up and moves to OPS::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::smiles:: CO/CNS: Her old home!

Host CO_Storal says:
CNS:Is the distress signal a standard beacon...or is there any audio?

CMO_Powers says:
::takes Ryn's seat::

Host CO_Storal says:
CTO:Is there any sign of vessels in the area?

CNS_Solaa says:
::checks the console:: CO: No audio.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
::scanning quickly :: CO : Negative sir, no vessels

EO_Bre`nak says:
::listens to the warp core as its pitch increases with the speed increase::

Action: The Apache makes its way into the system and toward the planet... preliminary scans show that except for the usual wildlife (and no there isn't any funny monkeys or primitive bears)... there is no signs of life...

MO_Turok says:
CMO: What do you think we're gonna find out there sir?

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:What about the signal itself. How often does it repeat?

FCO_Ilianor says:
::raises an eyebrow, as the sensor feed arrives at his console; what could be producing the signal?::

CMO_Powers says:
MO: I don't know. Probably nothing.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
CO: Sir tactical shows no threats  :: looks closer :: In fact sensors show no life

Host CO_Storal says:
CTO:None at all?

CNS_Solaa says:
CO: Repeats... ::presses buttons:: about once every 22 - 24 hours...

CTO_Grey-feather says:
CO: Just standard wildlife, similar to earth.

Host CO_Storal says:
CNS/CTO: Can you pinpoint the exact location of the signal?

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Standard orbit Commander.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::closes eyes and opens her mind and takes in all the sounds of the ship and crew::

CNS_Solaa says:
::looks to the CTO:: CO: Seems like its just below the surface.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::smiles as there is calm on the ship::

Host CO_Storal says:
XO:Assemble your team Janet.

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: Aye, sir... Rather, should I maintain geosynchronous orbit atop the signal source, sir?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: uses the targeting sensors for triangulation :: CNS: Confirmed the signal is subterranean

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Yes thats correct... ::chuckles:: I meant to say that. ::grins::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::nods:: CO: Aye, sir.  CMO/CTO/CNS: Counselor, Doctor, Lieutenant, you're all with me.

CMO_Powers says:
XO: Aye sir.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: motions for a duty officer to take over his station :: XO : Yes ma'am

CNS_Solaa says:
::moves out from behind her console:: XO: Aye.

Host CO_Storal says:
CNS:Have the standard away team equipment ready in TR 2.

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: Aye, sir. Geosynchronous orbit. ::turns around:: CNS: Have fun, Ryn. ::giggles::

CNS_Solaa says:
::nods:: CO: Aye, sir. FCO: Oh, I will... I'll miss you while you're orbiting, Baran... ::smirks::

CNS_Solaa says:
::walks to the turbolift and enters::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::enters the turbolift::

CMO_Powers says:
::Follows the XO::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: follows the others into the turbolift ::

CNS_Solaa says:
::holds the doors for the others::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
CNS/CMO/CTO: Hopefully this won't be a prehistoric planet. ::grins::

Action: The Apache is in standard "geosynchronous" orbit with the unknown planet while the away team readies themselves for an away mission.

CNS_Solaa says:
::grins at the CMO:: XO: Well... It wasn't all bad...

CTO_Grey-feather says:
XO: If it is I am getting a different travel agent ::smiles ::

MO_Turok says:
FCO: Any plans for the bachelor party yet?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::chuckles at the CTO:: CTO: I don't blame you.  TL: Transporter Room 2

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Is there a way to identify the signal. I mean doesn’t every race use a different signal?

CMO_Powers says:
::smiles at Ryn: CNS: It had its moments.

FCO_Ilianor says:
::shrugs:: MO: I can't say I've heard anything. Besides, I don't think they're planning to get married soon, so it's still- ::clears his throat:: CO: The problem with that, sir, is that we're halfway across the galaxy, we have no records of these signal configurations...

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Well what if it was a vessel from our neck of the woods that strayed into the anomaly and ended up stranded on the surface?

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: I can say this, however, sir. There are... certain markers that seem familiar, but various factors - various interferences - as well as the fact that the signal's underground, is confounding the computer's analysis...

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::exits the turbolift when it reaches the destination::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: enters transporter room 2 and equips with the standard gear, plus his knife, and a transport enhancer arm band ::

CMO_Powers says:
::enters the transporter room and gets the usual equipment::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::receives her gear and steps onto a transporter pad::

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:knowing the variables can you narrow down the search parameters?

CNS_Solaa says:
::grabs a phaser and tricorder and steps on the platform::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: gets up on the transporter pad and waits for the lightshow ::

CMO_Powers says:
::gets up on the pad::

FCO_Ilianor says:
CO: I'll try as many algorithms as I know, and see if I can isolate the residuals... actually, now that I think about it, it seems curioser and curioser, this slight familiarity... give me a few minutes, sir.

Action: As the Away team assembles in the transporter room and all are beamed down to the surface in a beautiful array of lights and spectral technology that would make anyone say... "ooooh pretty"

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO:Good work.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
:: materializes.  Pulls his phaser and tricorder.  starts sweeping the area ::

Host CO_Storal says:
MO:Can you man OPS while Ryn is on the surface.

MO_Turok says:
CO: Aye sir. ::Sits at ops::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
::materializes and pulls out her tricorder::

CNS_Solaa says:
@::appears on the surface and looks around::

Host CO_Storal says:
MO:Keep a strong lock on the AT at all times if possible.

MO_Turok says:
::Runs a status check on ship systems::

Host CO_Storal says:
COM:XO:Janet I want you to check in at regular intervals.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Engineering is running most efficiently.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Commander the signal is coming from about 100 feet from our position  :: points ::  There...that cave

CMO_Powers says:
@::materializes and looks round::

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*:Acknowledged Lieutenant.

FCO_Ilianor says:
Computer: Sift away interference with the following signature, applying algorithm E-52 to prevent erasure of legitimate sources...

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Then let's move.

MO_Turok says:
::Locks on to the away team’s communicators signals::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: You got it, I will take point  :: walks towards the cave phaser in hand ::

CNS_Solaa says:
@::whips out her tricorder and walks ahead:: CTO: This one you say? ::motions to the cave::

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: You want me to keep a mental lock on the AT?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@COM:CO: Aye, Captain.  We are moving to a cave about 100 feet from our present location.

MO_Turok says:
CO: I have put a transporter lock on the away teams signal as a precaution sir.

CMO_Powers says:
@::follows the others::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: I wouldn't have it any other way, Lieutenant.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: grinning :: XO: Neither would I ma'am

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::pulls out her phaser as they near the cave::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: turns on his wrist lantern as they begin to enter the cave ::

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*:No that will not be necessary.

Action: As the away team enters the cave, it is dark and dingy like most caves. The signal ceases to transmit, but now the away team can still detect a power source that could easily be the location of the signal.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@ :: softly:: COM:CO: We are entering the cave now, sir.

CNS_Solaa says:
@::looks up and around and touches the wall of the cave with her free hand::

FCO_Ilianor says:
::grumbles:: Self: Okay, there is a solution to every puzzle... just have to be patient. Computer, now perform the same protocol, but apply algorithm E-53.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Understood.

CNS_Solaa says:
@ALL: What could be in here?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@Aloud: Dang it.  :: sweeps with his tricorder again:: XO: Commander the signal has stopped, but I am still reading a power source.

MO_Turok says:
::Thinking to himself:: Self: wow there are a lot of pretty buttons on this console. I wonder what they all do.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: How far?

CMO_Powers says:
@CNS: Bears, bats or ogres.

CNS_Solaa says:
@::cringes:: CMO: Ooh... don't say that!

FCO_Ilianor says:
::slowly separates the different layers of interference patterns, trying to isolate the signal... as he discards another piece of the interference::

OPS_Ryushi says:
::walks onto the bridge::

MO_Turok says:
OPS: Oh good my replacement, By the way, what does this big red button marked self destruct do? Just kidding.::Realizing the humor will be lost on the Vulcan::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO/CNS: As long as there's not quicksand or Monkey Squirrels, I'll be happy.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO : Approximately another 100 feet ahead

EO_Bre`nak says:
::begins to run her hourly diagnostics of engineering systems one by one::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: All righty, let's go . . . cautiously.

MO_Turok says:
OPS: Like your seat back now?

Action: As the away team gets deeper into the caves, they can see that the walls are littered with writings and drawings... the writing they can't distinguish, yet the drawings show humanoid figures living among the wildlife....

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: Cave paintings. Maybe we are in the past.

CNS_Solaa says:
@CMO: We've already visited the past... no wait... that was the future...

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::shines his light on the walls :: XO/CMO: Petroglyphs, some tribes used them on earth many centuries ago

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::doesn't respond to the CMO:: CTO: Lieutenant, this looks like something you might be familiar with.  Can you read it?

OPS_Ryushi says:
::looks a bit confused at the humor::  MO: That button is used to destroy the ship in the event that it is about to be taken by an adversary.  I do not suggest you use it now, as the ship appears to be in no apparent danger.

CNS_Solaa says:
@::runs her fingers over what looks like a female figure:: ALL: It's fascinating...

FCO_Ilianor says:
::sighs:: CO: This is more difficult than I thought. I've managed to cut through about a third of the interference, but the computer is no closer to being able to see past the confounding variables.

CMO_Powers says:
@CTO: Like I said, cave paintings.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Sir I am running my hourly diagnostics of all engineering systems.  I am doing them one by one so as not to put the ship in any jeopardy.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: I will try ma'am, I am a little rusty.  :: studies the paintings trying to learn the story ::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Petroglyphs do not necessarily mean WE are in the past, Doctor.  Just that the past has been recorded.

Host CO_Storal says:
FCO: Acknowledged. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Good try.

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: It was a joke sir. Not a very good one but a joke none the less.

CMO_Powers says:
@CTO: If one of the humanoid figures has a long stick in it's hand and is chasing an animal, it's probably hunting.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Understood, doctor.

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*:Acknowledged Lieutenant. Good job

FCO_Ilianor says:
Computer: Is there any way to sharpen the signal fragments and interpolate a possible match from among Federation records?

MO_Turok says:
::Stands and let's the real ops take his proper place::

Computer says:
FCO: Affirmative

CNS_Solaa says:
@ALL: They look... human, but I bet they aren't...

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@CMO: Not necessarily it could also depict defending themselves :: said without looking back at the CMO ::

OPS_Ryushi says:
::moves in behind the console::  MO:  Thank you, sir.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Sir a suggestion?

FCO_Ilianor says:
::rolls eyes and sighs:: Computer: Then please do so. Identify, by order, the most likeliest candidates. Include a probability analysis, at the 99% confidence level.

CMO_Powers says:
@CTO: I said chasing an animal. Why would they do that if they were defending themselves?

MO_Turok says:
OPS: I like to watch a professional at work.

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*:What is it? By the way Lieutenant.. you can come up to the bridge.

CNS_Solaa says:
@ALL: Oh, look! This one seems to have children! They're smaller than the rest! ::smiles as she sees two larger figures and 6 or so smaller ones around an animal::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: These paintings show that at one time the people that lived here had a normal life.  Hunting , fishing, family ceremonies

OPS_Ryushi says:
::notices that the MO has been scanning the comm signals backwards, and quickly corrects it::

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Understood.  On my way. But have you tried using the Variable Frequency EM Flux sensors?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: At one time?  I wonder what happened.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::turns to Ens. Spanner:: Ens. Spanner: Son you have engineering.

Computer says:
FCO: The signal used is the basis for many signals used in current Federation records. Among them are Romulan, Klingon, Ferengi, Borg, Breen & Jem'Hadar...

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO: Shall I take that as a compliment, sir?

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*: I do not believe so. When you reach the bridge, I want you to man science and begin your sensor suggestion.

MO_Turok says:
OPS: By the way I have a transporter lock on the away team.

Action: The computer continues to list many other species

FCO_Ilianor says:
::sighs:: Computer: Forget it. I'll ask you again in a month.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Since there is no record of anything happening, I would guess that whatever happened, happened suddenly

MO_Turok says:
OPS: Yes you may.

EO_Bre`nak says:
*CO*: Understood.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::heads for the nearest TL and enters:: Computer : Bridge Express!

FCO_Ilianor says:
Computer: Wait, stop. Borg?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::shakes her head:: CTO: That's too bad.  All: I think we need to continue on to find the source of that signal.

OPS_Ryushi says:
::notices the transporter lock, and sharpens the signal on it::  MO: Good... and, thank you, sir.

Action: As the away team heads further underground, the drawing become more and more interesting... some of them depicting fending off other humanoid life forms not mentioned in the first few drawings.

CNS_Solaa says:
@CTO: Ooh, look.. these are different now...

EO_Bre`nak says:
::exits from the TL::

Computer says:
FCO: Unable to compute the question.

EO_Bre`nak says:
::nods to the captain and assumes science and slaves engineering to science::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: I wonder if this means there was some kind of war.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: Stops to look :: XO: Commander look here.  The drawings show some sort of fight.  It would appear that the oldest drawings are at the entrance and the more recent are deeper.  We may still find our answers in the paintings

EO_Bre`nak says:
::begins to run the Variable Frequency EM Flux Sensor sweep::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Agreed.  Let's keep looking.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: nods:: XO: There were fending something off

FCO_Ilianor says:
Computer: What's the distance from our current location, to Borg space?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: keeps moving further inward ::

CNS_Solaa says:
@::drops back and walks with the CMO:: CMO: Having fun? ::smiles::

CMO_Powers says:
@CNS: Makes you confident about heading further into the cave doesn't it.

CMO_Powers says:
@CNS: Yeah, I'm a big art fan.

CNS_Solaa says:
@CMO: I know you aren't... but I am... Anthropology is so exciting! ::grins and touches the paintings again::

Action: As the away team continues to examine the drawings, the CTO's tricorder goes off... detecting something heading in their direction from within the cave at the source of the signal's location....

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