Characters                                          Played by

 SM:      Bafii			          Brain Fredrickson
 XO:      Cmdr. James McDuggle         Rich
CSO:    Cmdr. Tarrez Hunter	          Char
FCO:    Lt. JG Patton Chottu                Martjin
 CEO:    Lt. JG Keyser Syren	           Noel
 CNS:    Lt. Cmdr. DiDomnia                  Erin     
 CMO     Ensign   Jakiel                         Theresa
 TO:       Lt. Kizlev                                   Delon

Host Bafii says:
PROLOGUE: The Crew of the Arondight is not enjoying their shore leave.  They have evacuated camp due to an oncoming blizzard and have made a tiresome and cold trek to the shelter of a cave.  However, a count of heads by the XO has come up 5 crewmembers short... and our guide has disappeared... again.
Host Bafii says:
<<<<<<<<<< RESUME MISSION >>>>>>>>>>
XO_McDuggle says:
::makes the count again fearing the worst::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::looking out at the mouth of the cave as if willing the two she knows for sure are missing to walk through it::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::stands shivering uncontrollably as she watches Kizlev setup for the drop down the crevice::
CEO_Syren says:
::fiddling with his commbadge hoping to reach any of the missing officers::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::gets to his feet and gets out his gear while shielding his face from the wind gusts with his coat hood:: CMO: I certainly hope the others can get to someplace where they can call for a beam out.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::shouts through the whipping wind::  TO: Or to the cave the guide spoke of.  Can I do anything to help?
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::looks around in the cave, analyzing the looks of fear on the younger officers' faces, and the attempts, however futile, of the senior ones to hide their own feelings of dread::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::has an idea and starts going through her backpack::
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves over to some rocks close by and takes his phaser out and heats them up:: CNS/CSO: Consoler, Cmdr, over here.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::sets up the pitons and harnesses:: CMO: Make sure the belay devices and locking carabineers are secure for our descent.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::moves upwind of Kizlev to at least divert the worst gusts while he's working, Standing hunched slightly facing him::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::stops what she is doing and instead moves over to the XO::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::walks over to the XO, it's not lost on her that one of the missing is his new wife::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The snow is falling hard outside the entrance to the cave... even harder in the exposed area the CMO and TO are working in.
CEO_Syren says:
::groans and stuffs the useless device into his pocket:: XO: The comm. badges are useless. We're essentially cut off
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: Who all is missing ::has found it hard to tell through the buttoned up crew who is who::
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: As far as I can tell right now the Captain. Lt. Rhian, our new TO and CMO and My Wife.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::nods her head and puts one gloved hand up to her freezing face, then steps through the snow to one of the harnesses, familiar enough with rappelling equipment to know how to hook up::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::braces himself against the windy onslaught, waits for reprieve, and finishes up setting up the rope::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
CEO: Do you have any idea as to why the comms are not working?
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: And on top of that Our Guide is missing again.
CEO_Syren says:
::shakes his head:: CSO: Maybe the temperature or interference from the storm. Who knows?  
CNS_DiDomnia says:
XO/CSO: Well, he might be with the missing crewmembers
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
CEO: Bring one of them over to this rock and see if warming them up helps
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
CNS/XO: Probably looking for them
XO_McDuggle says:
CNS: Lets hope so if anyone can get them out of this alive he can.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::sets up his harness then goes to help Rhianna, but sees she's already set:: CMO: Let's move! I'll take point. ::backs off to the edge with his harness on and secured::
CEO_Syren says:
::pulls out his own badge and moves over to the rock:: CSO: I hope this works
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::glad to see that the XO is trying to stay positive about this::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::watches Kizlev go over then kinks her rack while she steps backwards down into the crevice and then slowly allows the rope to slip through in a controlled descent::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: A sudden breeze rips through the cave
XO_McDuggle says:
::gazes out towards the storm hoping that Sheri will step through at any moment::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: The storm is worsen it seems
FCO_Chottu says:
::sighs, own breath blinding:: 
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: Yes it does seem that way.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::carefully repels down the crevice wall, finding it tricky to keep his footing on the slick ice, then looks up:: CMO: How're doing so far?

CEO_Syren says:
::after a few seconds he can feels little droplets of water coming from inside the commbadge. He lets the badge warm for a few more seconds that tries again to reach somebody:: *Anyone* This is Keyser Syren from the Arondight trying to reach anyone. We're trapped in a snowstorm 
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: There is a noise from the back of the cave.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::pulls her coat closer around her, and sees where the XO is looking:: XO: She'll come back ::smiles::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::spins around at the noise::  All: What is that?
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::looks back toward the noise, and pulls out her flashlight to see what made it::
XO_McDuggle says:
:: turns towards the sound:: FCO: Chottu you are with me. :: heads for the sound::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::turns her head slightly to catch a glance of Kizlev's antennae and blue face:: TO:  I'm doing fine, it feels a little better out of the wind here.  ::her legs are starting to tremble from using them to repeatedly land and kick off the side of the icy wall::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::her fear of the missing crew is halted a moment as a possible new problem is presenting itself::
FCO_Chottu says:
::rolls eyes, then sniffing, something smelling horrid:: Self: Typical.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
CSO: I can't see anything back there - the cave is too huge.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: I have a tricorder ::runs back to her pack::
CEO_Syren says:
::ignores the sound and tries sending his message again:: *Anyone* Hello, we need help up here. This is Keyser Syren from the Arondight and we trapped in a snowstorm
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The TO and CMO are half way through their descent
XO_McDuggle says:
::picks up a light from his pack as he passes it ::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::pulls it out and flips it out as she tries to activate it::
TO_Kizlev says:
@CMO: Take your time... ::turns on his wrist-mounted flashlight and points it towards the darkness below:: ...we'll reach the bottom shortly. Just focus your mind on the descent, nothing else.
XO_McDuggle says:
::turns the light towards the sound as he approaches it::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The XO's light falls on bare rock.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: I am picking up some kind of life form back there... but the readings are being distorted for some reason... maybe something in the walls ::looks around at them and studies them a bit::
XO_McDuggle says:
::keeps moving on:: CSO: How far?
CEO_Syren says:
::gives up and stuff the commbadge back into his pocket:: CSO: It's useless, the circuitry is....life form? ::reaches for his phaser::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::tries to get a judge on the distance::

CMO_Jakiel says:
@  ::nods and is very grateful for the light in the growing darkness.  Tells herself to think of something else....Midnight! ::  Self: I have to get back to take care of Midnight...
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The XO and FCO move deeper into the cave
FCO_Chottu says:
::follows the XO, peering into the dark::
Host Bafii says:
@ACTION: The CMO and TO reach the bottom of the crevice.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::raises an eyebrow at the CEO as she hears his sudden move::  CEO: A phaser... on a vacation? ::hears a beep and focuses closely to the reading::
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves on keeping the light in front of him::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: It is either 5 meters.. or 50... sorry I can't tell.
CEO_Syren says:
CSO: This is your first Arondight vacation, isn't it? You'll come to learn soon enough
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: All we can do is keep moving and hope that maybe it is one of the missing crewmembers.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::reaches the bottom and unsets his harness and waits for Rhianna and helps with her's:: CMO: What was that? Something about midnight....? Oh no...did you leave your cat behind on Geneva?
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::is not surprised by the CEO's bringing his phaser::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::doesn't hold much hope on what the XO said but lets him hold on to his hope::
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: Can you tell anything else about the life form?
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: Suddenly there is movement in the darkness at the back of the cave.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: No sir.
FCO_Chottu says:
::turns head lightly spotting something::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::feels the tips of her boots touch a horizontal surface and looks around her, seeing Kizlev already standing and helping her unhook the carabineers::  TO:  No, he was in my room on the Asura!  Do you think he's alright. ::leans against the wall, feeling her legs almost give out::
CEO_Syren says:
::sets his phaser to heavy stun:: CSO/CNS: So far be it from me to disagree with the XO, but was splitting up such a great idea?
XO_McDuggle says:
::turns his light in the direction of the movement::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
CEO: I would have made the same call.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
CEO:  I'm sure that if whatever's back there is dangerous, he doesn't want to put all of us at risk.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::nods to the CNS::
CEO_Syren says:
 Self: I was worried about his safety

Host Bafii says:
ACTION: Caught in the XO's light, a small creature, four legs and two somewhat large tusks, dashes out of the darkness and directly for the FCO.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::smiles back at the CSO, glad for the agreement::
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves to push the FCO out of the way::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::helps Rhianna and glances about for signs of the captain:: CMO: Shiira told me she had all our luggage transferred to the Arondight directly. I would imagine that includes Midnight as well... ::finishes with Rhianna's gear and crouches to the icy floor behind her to examine something::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::pats the CEO on the back::  CEO: I know it is hard to be one of the ones to stay back though while your commanding officer places himself in danger.
FCO_Chottu says:
::ducks down trying to avoid whatever it is that is coming at him::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The wild boar turns and makes a beeline for the entrance of the cave.
CEO_Syren says:
::glances at her strangely:: CSO: Of course, so hard
XO_McDuggle says:
::takes his phaser on stun and fires at the object
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
All: ::Sees the boar:: Everyone make way!
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::slides down the wall to kneel sit, giving her legs a rest::  TO: Yes, I am sure she would see to him.  ::notices Kizlev is examining something::  TO:  What is it?
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::drives for the side of the cave::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::jumps out of the way, flattening herself against one wall of the cave::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The XO misses, but the stun rocks a small bit of debris from the roof of the cave... a snow of dust falls
XO_McDuggle says:
CEO: Chief we have a wild boar coming you way see if you can stop him.
CEO_Syren says:
::quickly moves towards the wall and aims his phaser:: XO: Gotcha sir
XO_McDuggle says:
FCO; Chottu, you alright?
TO_Kizlev says:
@::looks at the stain of purple on the ice:: CMO: What do you think? It looks like blood to me... ::looks ahead and sees a trail:: ...yes, most definitely that. She's injured. We have to hurry.
CEO_Syren says:
::sees the boar rush in and sizes it up then Keyser starts firing::
FCO_Chottu says:
::scratches head and shrugs::
XO_McDuggle says:
::heads back towards the entrance::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The CEO misses as well and the boar escapes into the blizzard, but more phaser fire rocks more loose roof pieces, a large chunk falling in front of the CSO and narrowly missing her.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
Self: Eeek! ::jumps back into the wall as the rock drops in front of her::

CNS_DiDomnia says:
CSO: Are you alright?
CEO_Syren says:
::sees his shots go wild and hit the cave walls:: ALL: Take cover!
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::eases herself back up immediately after seeing the droplets::  TO:  And indentations here in on this blood droplet...  ::opens her coat, causing a shiver to retrieve the tricorder::  It is some type of animal footprints.  :: scans the blood, but already knows the outcome::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::glances up at the top of the cave, looking for any cracks that might indicate more rocks will be falling::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::nods but looks up to study the roof::  CEO: I wouldn't recommend doing that again... seems unstable
XO_McDuggle says:
::arrives back with the rest of the group:: CEO: Well where is it?
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ TO:  Are you familiar with Terran animals?  Would there be carnivores wild in this area?
CEO_Syren says:
::hangs his head and points out the entrance:: XO: It went that way
XO_McDuggle says:
CEO; Don’t feel bad Chief I missed it too.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::puts a hand to the grip of Retaliator, his self-forged katana style sword made under the tutelage of an old human weapon smith, at the mention of 'animal':: CMO: In that case, we'll proceed cautiously. I'll lead while we follow this blood trail. ::moves onward::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::with the boar gone, she moves to the mouth of the cave and uses her tricorder for their missing crewmen::
CEO_Syren says:
XO: but it could have been dinner. Who knows when help will come
XO_McDuggle says:
CEO/ FCO: Chottu, Chief can you the 2 of you see if you can find some wood?
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
CEO: I picked up some rations and emergency stuff when I packed the bag
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: You will find some in my pack also.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
Self: ::quieter:: Not neither enough for everyone though.
CEO_Syren says:
XO/CSO: Guess I was the only who thought we'd be home before nightfall
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The tricorder shows the outside air temperature continues to fall.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::raises an eyebrow at the CEO's suggestion of dinner... she hadn't even thought about the animal in that fashion, and it would have tasted better than rations::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
CEO: Don't feel too badly, I didn't think we'd be here this long either.
CEO_Syren says:
::checks his phaser and takes off:: XO: I'll get that wood now
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::shivers and puts her tricorder away.  As she turns back around and walks back to the group::  XO: Temperatures are still falling.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::keeps to the rear of the tactical officer, glancing behind them, wondering if there are more::  TO:  The Captain is Klingon.  At least partly.  She must be moving so maybe she is not hurt too badly...  ::ends the statement in more of a questioning tone::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::tries not to call out too loudly, thinking the echoes in this underground ice cavern enough to carry his voice:: Aloud: Captain K'Beth....! Captain? ::winds his way around a low hanging stalagmite::
CEO_Syren says:
::pauses and turns back to the group:: ALL: I don't think this environment would be hospitable to any type of flora
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves to the edge of the cave and watches out trying to put up a good front::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::listens, hearing a very quiet silence::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::moves over to the XO and whispers::  XO: If they are out there much longer then it is going to be bad... they won't be able to take much more than maybe an hour.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: I would normally never say anything to a crewmember with a love one out there... but you are the XO.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::says quietly:: TO:  Perhaps these caverns will eventually lead to the one the guide was talking about.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::stops abruptly, holding his hand up silently to signal Rhianna to halt, then carefully listens ahead, his antennae pointing intently ahead::
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: You are not telling me anything I don't already know. But thanks for the support.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::nods to him and stays by his side... looking for K'Beth::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::comes to a halt immediately, holding very still and looking in the direction his appendages are pointing::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
CSO/XO: Is there any danger to the crewmembers that are in here, or is the cold not enough to injure them?  ::trying to keep both their minds off of the missing ones::
XO_McDuggle says:
CNS: As long as the CEO and myself have our phasers we will be fine.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::turns wanting to instill positive thoughts::  CNS/XO: There are always possibilities.  Perhaps they were able to find other shelter or build something to shield them from the weather...
CNS_DiDomnia says:
CSO/XO: Plus, like we said before they have Sherpa with them.  And think about it, this is K'Beth... she just faced down Chaos pirates and won, is a snowstorm going to stop her?
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: We can only hope however I hope that Sheri is with some one that has some ideal of how to survive out hear as she has no ideal how to.
TO_Kizlev says:
@::nods his satisfaction, and proceeds ahead, still following the blood trail:: CMO: Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if this was part of a larger network of caves. So much like home...in some ways.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::Smiles at her to reassure the CNS, but the smiles quickly fades and she turns her head towards him as she hears the XO::
CNS_DiDomnia says:
XO: You know she would have done everything she could to stay with the others... we don't have any reason to believe that they're separated from each other.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
XO: Did anyone pack any rope?

CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::had forgotten his home world of Andoria was primarily underground::  TO:  I would like to visit that sometime.  Is it like these caves?
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::hides most of her concern from him::
CEO_Syren says:
CSO: I don't have any
FCO_Chottu says:
::grows slightly frustrated::
XO_McDuggle says:
CSO: Check the packs.
FCO_Chottu says:
::looks at the people around him::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::nods and moves over to the packs::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::for the first time notices the glittering surfaces of ice wherever Kizlev's light shines and the pointed ice structures that jut from both the ceiling and floor::
TO_Kizlev says:
@CMO: Anciently...perhaps it was. But naturally, centuries of population growth and technology changes everything. Our underground world is vast...geothermal energy is what makes it all possible.
FCO_Chottu says:
ALL: Can you not smell that?? Sheesh.
XO_McDuggle says:
::sees that some of the rocks are starting to cool down and reheats them with his phaser::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::starts going through all the packs looking for anything that might could be of use::
CEO_Syren says:
FCO: smell what?
XO_McDuggle says:
::looks at the FCO:: FCO: What do you smell?
CNS_DiDomnia says:
::looks over at the FCO, not smelling anything::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::draws a deep breath to try and smell what the FCO is smelling::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::sighs inwardly:: CMO: I sure hope the others were able to keep pace with the guide. I feel bad for leaving them, even you, behind.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::nods and smiles::  TO:  Heat is good.  ::slips suddenly on the icy floor and grabs his shoulder, steadying once again, feeling embarrassed for her weakness::
FCO_Chottu says:
::shakes head in frustration:: All: Fine, I'll look. ::moves back into the cave::
Host Bafii says:
@ACTION: The CMO sees a reflection that looks wrong... less than a meter off the floor.
CNS_DiDomnia says:
FCO: Do you think it's such a good idea to go back there alone? ::remembering the boar::
XO_McDuggle says:
FCO: Hang on I will come with you.
CEO_Syren says:
::puzzled by the FCO's behavior:: CSO: Is there anything on your tricorder?
FCO_Chottu says:
::grumbles:: Self: Whatever.
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::pulls it out and scans the back of the cave again::

FCO_Chottu says:
::freezes, looking at the floor::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::grins:: CMO: Whoops! ::catches her:: You almost went face first there.... ::notices something catching her attention:: What is it?
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ TO:  No, I was not paying attention to where I was.  It was only for a short...  ::stops and looks curiously at the image::  TO:  Kizlev?  Do you see this?
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::including the FCO::
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves up beside the FCO:: FCO: Lead on.
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The two officers go back into the rear of the cave, a few meters deeper than they did the first time.  The cave looks to be coming to a dead end.
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::paces around it slowly::  TO:  I'm not sure...is this a normal occurrence in a cave like this?
FCO_Chottu says:
::points at the floor at what seems to be a head::
XO_McDuggle says:
::moves off behind the FCO::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::follows Rhianna's gaze to the reflection, narrowing his eyes at it:: CMO: No, this seems rather odd... ::looks around behind them and back to the reflection::
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ TO:  Can you shine your light on it?
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: The FCO and XO find a dead body at the rear of the cave... there is a pool of blood growing on the floor.  It doesn't take long to see the body is that of...
XO_McDuggle says:
::shines his light where the FCO is pointing::
Host Bafii says:
ACTION: ... the Sherpa Tooka
TO_Kizlev says:
@::raises his flashlight at the reflection...::
Host Bafii says:
@ACTION: The TO's light illuminates a rather large snow leopard.
XO_McDuggle says:
::See the Guides body and has a sudden sinking feeling in his heart::
CSO_Tarrez-Hunter says:
::senses the XO's sinking feelings and rushes to the FCO and the XO with her tricorder::
TO_Kizlev says:
@::blinks in sudden recognition of the animal, feeling his reflexes freeze, seeing fate about to make a choice in the next few seconds:: CMO: Don't....move.....
CMO_Jakiel says:
@ ::gasps at the sight of the large feline::  TO:  What is it?  It is very beautiful!  ::looks at Kizlev quizzically::  It will harm us?
CEO_Syren says:
::starts to get worried by the silence then notices the CSO dash off:: CSO: Hold on. You don't have phaser ::runs after her as well
Host Bafii says:
<<<<<<<<<< PAUSE MISSION >>>>>>>>>>

Transcript 103