USS Apache
Mission # 243, Episode 4
10411.26 (Ramon's Birthday.. hee hee)
"Distant Early Warning..."

Prologue: The Apache waits in orbit while the away Teams tricorders go crazy that something is headed their way while they are in the cave on the planet's surface...

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Begin Mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::on the planet's surface, watching her tricorder::

OPS_Ryushi says:
::On the bridge at Ops, monitoring area communications::

MO_Turok says:
::Standing on the bridge next to OPS watching Ryushi work::

EO_B`Renak says:
::is continuing her sensor sweep using the Variable Frequency EM Flux Sensor sweep::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: in the cave on the planet with his phaser drawn ::

CSO_Tyler says:
::sitting on the bridge at Science, uploading the data from his technicians in Stellar Cartography::

CMO_Powers says:
@::in the cave::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: What do you make of that, Lieutenant?

Action: The "Something" gets closer and is registering as a rather large animal on tricorders. It doesn't match anything in the database and the away team can hear its heavy panting all the way down the deep cave.

Host CO_Storal says:
::sitting in his chair waiting for the Away team to report::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: It’s animal, not in the database, and big.  And heading this way commander

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO/CMO: Let's get ready.  Remember the bears?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::takes up a defensive position::

CMO_Powers says:
@::backs up a little::

CSO_Tyler says:
::uploads some maps and begins to plot a route home::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::with his phaser ready presses up against the wall :: XO : Remember? I still have the scars!!

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@COM: Apache: Captain, we are reading a large animal coming toward us.  We have taken up a defensive position.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Sir.. With my calculations it will take us.. 87.3 years to reach the Alpha Quadrant.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::grins at the CTO:: CTO: Your Klingon roommate at the academy would be proud.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Sir I am picking up an energy reading closing in on the AT.

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: At what speed are you calculating?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Aye, but I am not in any hurry to cross the river of blood .  Like to stay around a bit longer

CSO_Tyler says:
EO: Normal cruising speed.

Action: As the animal approaches, the away team can get a vague idea of what it looks like from the light in the cave bouncing off their wrist beacons. It's about the size of a bear, however it has very short hair and could easily look like a large mouse. It's red eyes reflect the light from the beacons as it stops and stares at the AT.

Host CO_Storal says:
COM:XO:Acknowledged. Can you get identification on the beastie

CMO_Powers says:
@XO/CTO: I'm right behind you.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@COM: CO:  It's not in our database, sir.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:Is that at our fastest speed? See if you can still find any signs of the anomaly that brought us here.

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: Sir that would be at warp 6.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@COM: CO: But it looks like a large mouse, about the size of a bear.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: A rat called for help?  Now you don't see that everyday

Host CO_Storal says:
COM:XO: Well if you can avoid a conflict then by all means do so. Does it show any signs of hostility?

MO_Turok says:
OPS: You concur with the CSO's assessment on how long it will take?

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Sir, I have reason to believe that this wormhole, this terminus will never appear here again. I'm certain it has many termini, some maybe not even in our own galaxy.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@COM: CO: Not yet, sir.  Key word there is, "yet".  It's just staring at us right now.

Action: The creature lets out a squeal that echoes through the cave and darts back toward the energy source. The sound waves ricochet off the rocks and cause some of them to rain down on the away team.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Registering a small rockslide in the AT's area.

CMO_Powers says:
@::covers himself from the rocks::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: tries to pull the XO to cover from the falling rocks ::

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:What about another terminus? Perhaps there is another one in this sector. This side perhaps moves around.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::allows the CTO to help her take cover::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Thanks, Joshua.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: I believe it would be rare to find a 3-pronged wormhole Sir, if that is what you're asking.

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO: Yes, I believe that is correct.

Action: The energy source starts emitting a pulse from within the depths of the cave....

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: letting her go :: XO: That’s why I get paid the big bucks.  ::grins :: Now if that rat is running on a big wheel back there making the power...I want a couple days off

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:That's not what I am getting at Ensign. Perhaps this side of the wormhole isn’t stable... So this side’s terminus moves, rather than have a set fixed opening. In other words a non stable wormhole.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO/CSO: That power source is beginning to emit a pulse from deep inside the cave.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::chuckles then listens and feels the pulse:: CTO: If he is, he's emitting a pulse with the big wheel.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Agreed.  But it is nowhere on sensors Sir.  For all we know, the terminus that we exited through into the Delta Quadrant could be in the Gamma Quadrant, or the Andromeda Galaxy by now.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:That may be true. But it doesn’t hurt to look ::grins::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO/CMO: Let's approach cautiously.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: If we could find a way to maintain Warp 9.9 however, we could get home in only... 29.7 years.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Pulsing is not good, it usually leads to weapons fire and other painful things  :: starts moving towards the power source again ::

CSO_Tyler says:
EO: What kind... of a pulse?

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:Maintaining it may not be a problem...but I don’t think this ship could take that speed for very long. ::chuckles::

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: For that to happen, I would need an inexhaustible source of deuterium and anit-matter for that to happen.  And even at warp 9.9 we can only do it for 12 hours at a time.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Agreed, that's why I said, Cautiously, Lieutenant. ::grins::

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: I don't think so either... I was just saying.  I come up with the ideas.. The Engineer's make it happen.

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: I am running an EM flux bandwidth sensor scan to find exactly what type of pulse it is.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::moves forward with his beacon pointing down the cave and his phaser drawn ::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Keeping up with us, Doctor?

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: But, like we said. 20 years down the road and we'll be out of fuel, dead in space anyways.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:It also means that you need to back up  your theories ::grins:: Just keep looking for another terminus. We will face how we get home once the away team returns.

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: I'm behind you. ::follows, a few steps behind::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Just checking, hadn't heard anything from you.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: yells back :: CMO: Yeah doc stay close and keep the bandages handy

EO_B`Renak says:
::shakes head::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Don't antagonize him, or he'll conveniently misplace the bandages. ::grins at the CMO::

EO_B`Renak says:
::continues to look for a match for that pulse she has found::

MO_Turok says:
OPS: You have any brainstorms to save on power, or us?

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Aye Sir.. scanning away.

CSO_Tyler says:
::activates LRS, and sits idly by to watch as they run their cycle::

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: Bandages? What bandages?

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO/CO: About that pulse, it  would indicate it is receiving information of some kind...like a transmission.. or data of some kind.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::chuckles:: CMO: I thought so.  CTO: Let's find out what this pulse is.

Host CO_Storal says:
EO:Well Im sure that we will find out once the away team reaches the source of the beacon.

Host CO_Storal says:
EO:But your right. Thats what it would seem.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: tricorders beeps results :: XO: Commander.  According to my readings this pulse seems to be a carrier for receiving transmissions...like data of some kind

CMO_Powers says:
@CTO: If you get yourself mauled, don't come crying to me.

Action: As the Away Team move further down the cave, the pictures walls become more violent and gruesome. They are getting very close to the energy source now and it is only about 20 feet ahead of them just around a corner.

CSO_Tyler says:
ALL: Hmm.. that's odd.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:You have something Ensign?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::laughs aloud :: CMO: If I get mauled you are next

CSO_Tyler says:
::takes closer scan readings of the area in front of the ship::

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Sir if it is indeed a transmission, I would suggest caution.  It could be transmitting coordinates of this ship to just about anything or anywhere.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Sir.. I think.. Yes!  It's another wormhole Sir, opening dead ahead.

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: Is it stable?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: glancing at the petroglyphs :: XO: Whatever this fight was it got pretty gruesome towards the end

Host CO_Storal says:
EO:I doubt it. For all we know its just a repeating beacon. We will find out shortly.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Cause I am getting strange neutrino fulgurations here.

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO: We could take turbolift systems offline, lights down to their minimum setting, weapons and shields offline, the main deflector offline, use emergency rations, put the members of the crew who are not necessary for the operation of the ship into stasis...  and divert all the extra power into the Warp Engines.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO/EO: Definitely not stable.. but it's only about 5m in diameter.. I can't tell where it goes either.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: I agree.  And I wonder whether this transmission is the signal the ship got when we exited the wormhole.

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO:  But even then, we'd need a continuously refreshing supply of dilithium.

EO_B`Renak says:
MO: You are correct in your assumption.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Unknown yet.  But we will know very soon

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Very well. Lead on.  We should get there shortly.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO/EO:Hmm...How high are the neutrino levels in this sector. If they are indeed high. Then we can expect that we will see ones like this popping up all the time.

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO/CO: This pulse is quite different from the original one from the planet.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: moves to enter the area of the power source ::

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Sir, I'd recommend sending a comm beacon through.. it should fit.. see if we can get in touch with someone on the other side.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:Agreed. Make it so.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: I concur with the CSO.

Action: As the away team turn the corner, the can see a large piece of what looks like machinery embedded into the wall. Upon closer examination, it appears as if some of the rock has fallen around it. It has many buttons and lights on it, many of them strange looking, but there is a strange glow coming from within the machine.

CSO_Tyler says:
::launches the beacon at the wormhole, and watches its telemetry::

EO_B`Renak says:
CSO: I would launce a class 6 probe.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO/CMO: Bingo! There it is!

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Yep looks like we win the prize.  :: scans the device ::

CSO_Tyler says:
::looks over at OPS:: OPS: Can you get anything? I would hope it's made it through by now..

OPS_Ryushi says:
CSO: Working....

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Hopefully, it's not the booby prize.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::nods :: XO: Aye.  Would be a shame to die this far from home

Action: The Machine powers down and goes into a standby mode....

EO_B`Renak says:
ALL: Sirs  the power output has just dropped suddenly from the planet

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Well, it's powering down and gone into standby, according to my readings.  Think we should take the chance to look at it more closely.

CMO_Powers says:
@XO/CTO: I thought it'd be more exciting than that.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::scans it some more :: XO: Commander this is a communications device.  It was most likely the source of the distress signal but is has changed somehow.   Now it is receiving transmissions

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS: Contact the away team and ask for a status report.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Just wait.  Something's bound to happen.

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO/CSO:  The beacon is transmitting, but I have nothing coming back.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Can you attempt to download them?

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: It usually does. It's almost like there's a higher power trying to test us and torture us.

Action: The comm beacon suddenly registers a transmission....

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: I will try  :: tries downloading ::

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Aye, sir.  COM: AT: XO: Apache to Commander Marsland.  The Captain is asking for a status report, sir.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO/OPS: Try sending the standard Federation distress signal to the probe through the wormhole.

Action: There is no response from the away team

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO:  Sir, I am registering a transmission from the beacon.  ::working to clear::

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS:Is it an audio signal?

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: Do you think we're a bit deep in the cave for communication with the Apache?

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Aye, sir, it is...  putting it through speakers.

Audio Signal says:
 ALL: This is the USS Apache, NCC-61491.  We are in need of assistance...

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: We might be, Doctor.  I want to see if the transmission can be downloaded.  Then we'll go back to a shallow area of the cave and give our report.

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS:That is coming from the beacon on the surface??

OPS_Ryushi says:
::cuts the transmission::  CO: Sir, it is simply a reflection of the distress signal we sent out a few minutes ago....

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: No, sir.  from the Comm beacon sent into the wormhole.

CSO_Tyler says:
::compares star configurations to make sure they're still in the correct timeline::

Action: The wormhole suddenly begins to loose it's stability and closes... the comm beacon within the wormhole is lost.

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS: I see. Have you received any signal from the away team?

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Sir, I have lost contact with the communications beacon.

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO:  No, sir, nothing from the Away Team.  they have not answered our request for a status report, either.

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS: Could they be out of range?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: How's the downloading coming?  I need to make a status report to the ship.

Action: Located next to the machine there is a hole about 5 feet high and 4 feet across... there is movement from within as a pair of red eyes peer out at the away team.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::with a smile :: XO Now that is timing commander.  Download complete

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: It is possible, sir, that they are too far underground in the caverns to be reached by our signals.  It is also possible that the atmosphere of the planet contains some sort of hindering element to the comm signal.  It is also possible that there is a sort of metal in the cavern walls blocking the signal.  Another possibility...

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO/OPS:Could we deploy a com relay near the opening of the cave?

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Is that there is some sort of device on or under the surface of the planet which may be hindering the Away Team's ability to communicate with us.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Good.  What is that hole there?

EO_B`Renak says:
::monitoring all sensor readings as well as her own engineering console::

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: The giant rat thing's lair?

CSO_Tyler says:
::sarcastically:: OPS: I also suppose it's possible that the Away Team was abducted by another life form and they can't talk to us for that reason too...

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: looks at the hole :: XO: I would say that is where our friend and maybe his friends live

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: It is possible, sir, but we would need to send someone to the surface to set it up.

OPS_Ryushi says:
CSO: Actually, that is a possibility.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Agreed.  Suggestions?  Leave him alone and go back to the cave opening to make a report? Or investigate the rat?

CMO_Powers says:
@XO/CTO: I vote leave him.

CSO_Tyler says:
::rolls his eyes::

Host CO_Storal says:
EO:I want you to beam down to the surface and deploy a com relay. Take a security detail with you.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Lieutenant?  Do you agree with the doctor?

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: As much as I like to hunt, I agree with the doc.  Leave the rat and make a report

OPS_Ryushi says:
EO: Extra comm relays are stored on deck twelve, section thirteen, lockers A through E.

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Do you want as I asked you earlier for me to locate them mentally?  I am empathic and telepathic sir.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO/CMO: Agreed.  Let's go back to the cave opening then.  But why don't you come in behind us in case the rat wants to charge?

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS:Forward the caves coordinates to the transporter room.

Host CO_Storal says:
EO:No.

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Aye, sir.  ::transmits the coordinates::

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: Are you asking or telling?

Action: A small baby rat emerges from the hole and scampers by the away team. In it's hurriedness to get away from the humans... it trips something off on the communications device and it powers up again.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Aye I will bring up the rear to make sure we haven't fallen into a rat trap

EO_B`Renak says:
CO: Understood sir.  I will proceed as requested to the Transporter room.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Thank you. CTO/CMO: Let's go.

EO_B`Renak says:
::heads for the TL:: Computer: Transporter Room 1 Express

Action: Long range sensors begins to pick up something and bleep softly in the distance.

MO_Turok says:
::Stands watching the action::

CSO_Tyler says:
::looks down:: CO: Sir, picking up something on long range sensors::

EO_B`Renak says:
::exits the TL and picks up the communications enhancers and continues to the TR1::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Ah commander this machine is more active now  :: checks his readings again ::

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:Can you identify it?

MO_Turok says:
OPS: Exciting isn't it?

CMO_Powers says:
@::heads towards the entrance to the cave::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::looks disgusted:: CTO: Ah, Cripe!  Just when I thought this would end on a good note.  Can you tell what it's transmitting or receiving now?

EO_B`Renak says:
::steps on the transporter pad::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Trying but it is far more active than before  :: scans the device ::

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Yes sir.. it's a ship.. looks like it's heading this direction.

EO_B`Renak says:
*CO*: Sir I am ready to be transported.  ::makes sure she has her phaser and her phase rifle::

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CMO: Doctor, wait.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:Can you identify what or who the ship belongs to?

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: Aye sir. ::waits::

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO: I do not know, sir.  I do not experience strong emotions.  However, my central nervous system is registering an elevated level of adrenaline.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Working....

Host CO_Storal says:
*EO*:Acknowledge beam down.

EO_B`Renak says:
Chief: Energize!

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Commander the device is receiving a different transmission...a new one completely

Action: The EO energizes on the planet's surface.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: This is getting more interesting by the minute.

MO_Turok says:
OPS: How about very interesting then? ::Smiles at the ever straight faced OPS::

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@XO: Yes ma'am.  I think general Custer said the same thing

EO_B`Renak says:
@::materializing just in front of the cave:: Self:This is cozy

EO_B`Renak says:
::picks up the communication enhancers and begins down the cave::

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Hrm... sphere shaped ship closing Sir.. I can't tell from this distance... but if I had to guess... well, I'm sure you know.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: Let's hope this isn't our Last Stand.

OPS_Ryushi says:
MO: Yes, indeed.  It is... most intriguing.

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Recommend beaming up the AT, now.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:How long before they reach us?

Action: The machine begins to glow green

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO: It's glowing green now.  I wonder if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

MO_Turok says:
::Wondering if the CMO and the away team are okay on the surface::

CMO_Powers says:
@XO/CTO: Is it supposed to do that?

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Depends Sir.. they do have transwarp..

EO_B`Renak says:
@*CO*: Sir I am in the cave and descending.  I might be out of comm range soon.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: notices the glow :: XO: Well hard to tell.  But a machine that powers up with no master can’t be good

OPS_Ryushi says:
::realizes there is a Borg vessel approaching::  MO:  Sir, if... I were human... if...  I believe the proper response to this situation would be... "Oh, s***."  If I were human.

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@CTO/CMO: Recommend a run for it, guys.

Host CO_Storal says:
CSO:I meant what is their current speed...and how long will it take to reach us at that speed

Action: As the ship approaches, it is most definitely sphere shaped and traveling very quickly. It is signaling to the planet's surface below as if in response to the machine that is located beneath the surface.

CMO_Powers says:
@XO: I'm not going to argue. ::runs for it::

EO_B`Renak says:
@::doesn't like what she is sensing now::  Self:  Something is not right here.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@::motions forward :: All ladies first, I will bring up the rear

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: Sir, the approaching ship sending a signal to the planet's surface!

Host CO_Storal says:
OPS:Do you still have a lock on the Away team?

XO_Naegle-Marsland says:
@::begins running:: CTO: No argument from me.

EO_B`Renak says:
::picks up her pace to the point where the first enhancer is to be placed and does so::

EO_B`Renak says:
@*CO*: Sir can you hear me now???  First comm enhancer is in place.

CTO_Grey-feather says:
@:: begins to run after the XO and CMO ::

EO_B`Renak says:
@::continues to quick walk to the next place to put the enhancer::

CSO_Tyler says:
CO: Sir, I'd say about 30 minutes to weapons range.

CMO_Powers says:
@::rushes past the EO::

EO_B`Renak says:
@::sees the CMO go flying by::

OPS_Ryushi says:
CO: No, sir... I've lost them.

Action: The CTO notices more pictures as the machine's glow grows brighter. They give a good view to the images surrounding them. The gruesomeness from the images show humanoids fighting with other humanoids dressed in black and emitting a long laser beam type light from their eye as they slaughter the inhabitants.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<End Mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>