Stardate: 10208.03  Captains Log.  Starfleet has asked the Nighthawk to assist a mining colony within the Gamma Tauri system, called the Bra'ken.  apparently they are having difficulty with their antiquated transmitter and it is hampering the delivery of supplies.  Also their charter with the Federation needs to be updated.  The Shuttle Raptor has been sent on this mission with a small crew.

<<<<<<<<<< Forbidden Depths >>>>>>>>>>
Host CO_West says:
::Entering the shuttle bay::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::Sitting in the rear section of the shuttlecraft, he begins to run scans on a transmitter relay and verifying systems connections on a PADD before him:: Computer: Verify transmitter status.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::enters the shuttle bay with her backpack::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::sitting in a small cramped shuttle... hates small cramped shuttles.. looks at her medical tricorder as she waits for the others::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Just grabbing the last of her equipment before heading for the Shuttle bay::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::steps inside the shuttle and takes the pilot's seat and begins her preflight checks::
Host Karriaunna says:
<Computer> ACEO: Verified
Host CO_West says:
::Looks around and sees other crew already in place, boards the shuttle and takes a seat near the Ops station.::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::taps on the data input part as she detects life forms a few meters off.. fidgets and closes the tricorder.. the rest of them are here.. ::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Captain, all shuttle systems check out, just finishing the preflight checks.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Hurries to the shuttle bay, all most bumming into more the one crewmember::
Host CO_West says:
AFCO: Good, who are we shill waiting on?
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  Various crew quickly get out of the CSO's way with a grumble.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Lt. Cmdr Matisse-Monroe I believe.
Host CO_West says:
::Shakes her head, thinking she is late as usual::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She looks down at device on her lap, some of the wires connected into the shuttle's hardware. As the verification comes in, she smiles and closes down several displays on her PADD, disconnecting the auxiliary power supply and replacing several control panels::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Rushes in to the shuttle bay::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::smoothes her white hair back away from her face and slips a band around her head to keep her short hair from falling in her orange eyes.. :: CO: medical supplies are loaded up.. and the gavial belts are as well.. although I'm not sure how effective this is going to be.. 
Host CO_West says:
::Looks up from console as CSO arrives::
Host CO_West says:
CSO: Ah, Joanna, you finally decided to join us!
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: sorry for being late ma'am
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
All: Everyone inside back there?
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Blushes:: Self: great.. late again, got to get out of this habit..
Host CO_West says:
MO: Well if we have to use them, they should help, a little at least.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: the anti gravity field will not quiet reach.. ::pauses mid sentence and frowns when she realizes no one was paying attention to her anyway:: sure I'm ready
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
AFCO: All equipment accounted for. I'm ready. ::She smiles and stands up, narrowly avoiding bashing her head on the roof and placing several pieces of equipment in a rear compartment::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::taps the panel and pulls up the hatch::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Walks quickly into the shuttle, sitting down in the back by the ACEO::
Host CO_West says:
MO: yes, go on I am very interested.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::looks at the CO and then back at her padd::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Captain, we are ready to depart as soon as we receive clearance.
Host CO_West says:
AFCO: You may take off as soon as your preflight checks are done.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: as I was saying.. the anti-gravity field will be week around the feet and upper parts of the head.. it may make it difficult to think clearly if we are exposed to gravity differences of this magnitude for long time periods
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She looks up as the CSO sits beside her and looks back down at her equipment quickly without a word. She continues running simple diagnostics on routine systems and begins to sketch down ideas on how to improve the transmitter frequency::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
*OPS* Shuttle Raptor to operations. Request clearance to depart shuttle bay.
Host CO_West says:
COMM: This is the Raptor awaiting clearance for departing.
Host Karriaunna says:
<OPS> *AFCO*:  You have clearance.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
*OPS*:Raptor out.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::watches as the bay doors open and lifts off slowly::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: there is also the possibility of anemia.. the feet going numb from lack of blood flow.. and in remote cases brain damage..
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  The shuttle takes off smoothly.
Host CO_West says:
ACEO: Are you ready to work a few of your repairing  miracles?
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Checks that she brought everything she needed, hitting her head when she realized that in her rush,  she had forgotten a few things::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::Being addressed by the Captain, she stands up suddenly, smashing her head on the roof of the shuttle - forcing back the tears she looks at the woman:: CO: Yes ma'am, of course ma'am, without a doubt, sir.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: I have the course coordinates. Laying in course for Bra’ken.
Host CO_West says:
MO: Sort of like the effects of 'the bends' from deep sea diving?
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  As the shuttle heads away from the ship, those glancing back can see her majesty sparkling among the heavens.  The shuttle bay doors close, completing the picture.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Holds back a laugh when the CEO hit her head::
Host CO_West says:
::Looks up as the ACEO hits her head::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: not quiet.. we are talking about changing the general environmental effects on the body.. more like tying something around your neck and feet so the blood stops.. ::looks at the CEO and sighs::
Host CO_West says:
::Sees a tear fall from the eyes of CEO::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Captain, course engaged, warp 4.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She rubs the top of her head, cursing internally:: CO: Sorry sir, it won't happen again...::She sits back down quickly and goes back to work::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::opens her tricorder and thinks it's going to be a long flight.. scans the CEO for a contusion::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: We should arrive at the asteroid field in 2 standard minutes.
Host CO_West says:
FCO: Fine! You may proceed.
Host CO_West says:
::Sighs, thinking that this should be an interesting mission:
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::grabs out the dermal regenerator and changes the settings for the CEO's species:: CEO: hold still 
Host CO_West says:
::Looks around the shuttle and notices that it is mostly full of women as the main crew::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::reaches over the seat back and scans the device over the top of the CEO's head::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She looks down at the PADD before her with he relay's internal schematics displayed. Her thoughts drift off as she begins to visualize the internal systems of the transmitter in a spacial sense::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
All: Approaching the field, slowing to 1/4 impulse.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::finishes and rescans.. shakes her head..:; self: we haven't even landed yet and I'm already treating injuries..
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
All: Hang on everyone, this may get a bit rough.
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  From the screen they can see a vast field of rocks, varying in sizes.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
FCO: rough?! ::grips the seat arms::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Taps her foot on the ground, getting impatient, afraid to say a word, in fear of the CO's wrath::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::says a silent prayer and then begins to maneuver around the obstacles::
Host CO_West says:
FCO: I know you can do this.
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  As they enter the asteroid field, they can hear the shields deflecting the minor debris.  Sparks can be seen dancing near the front.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She begins to work on ways to compensate for the transmitters low frequency and range in this sort of environment. She begins to run checks on the relay power supply and amplitude, and general efficiency::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: We shall soon find out Captain. ::smiles wryly::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: if not you'll be the first to know.. ::slumps back in her seat and busies her mind with the grav belts::
Host CO_West says:
::Looks over at CSO, then out of the front window::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Whistles at the sigh out the window, and gets to work on her scans::
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  The ACEO is picking up clear signals of a bit slowly from the antiquated system.
Host CO_West says:
CSO: Will there be a particular place you would like to start your research?
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
ACEO: Ens. keep an eye on those forward shields. We can't afford to have them lose integrity now.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::glances over at the CSO.. :: CSO: your rather.. how you say.. antsy
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She looks up from her transmitter systems, almost distracted:: AFCO: Aye sir...::She looks back at the relay and begins boosting the signal, while monitoring the shield power supply::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::banks slightly to starboard to avoid a larger piece of an asteroid::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
MO: not a fan of small cramped places...and away missions i guess ::Grins::   CO: anywhere you want.. Ma'am
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::sees another section of asteroid heading directing for them:: Self: Oh great, another one.
Host CO_West says:
CSO: you don't understand, in addition to scanning the asteroid field, I am giving you a chance to study the physical history of the planet when we arrive.
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  A 50m asteroid comes looming quickly from the port side of the shuttle.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Begins looking over her scans:: CO: so far, its pretty much like any other asteroid field, well except that the amount of dense metals is up
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
All: Hang on, we have to turn in a hurry. ::taps the console and moves the Raptor hard to starboard again::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: well i need to finish one thing before i start another ...
Host CO_West says:
CSO: have you found any unusual metals for this system, perhaps deeply embedded in the rocks?
Host CO_West says:
::Grabs the arms of the seat she is in, a little tighter::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
ACEO: Watch those port shields, incoming asteroid!
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She braces herself as the shuttle makes it's quick turn. She almost knocks over the transmitter in the process, barely catching the heavy metal device before replacing it on the floor near her, again tapping into it's systems remotely and trying to boost it's efficiency for if and when the signal degrades::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::grabs the side of the console to steady herself::
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  A slight scraping sound of metal is briefly heard as the shields flicker.
Host CO_West says:
::Kicks aside a piece of equipment that slid across the floor::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
AFCO: Compensating for minor shield drain...::She begins to route power from her PADD, which she has tapped into the main shuttle systems:: AFCO: Attempting to regain primary shield power.
Host CO_West says:
FCO: What is going on out there?
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::grits teeth:: ugh
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::looks back at the Captain:: CO: Just a slight brush with a big rock.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Cringes at the sound of the scraping metal:: CO: All this dense metal my suggest that this was once a planet,
Host Karriaunna says:
ACTION:  The shields warning light appears on the CEO's console.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: The asteroids seem like regular debris, nothing unusual ma'am.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
AFCO: We should be okay, as long as the larger of those "rocks" are avoided ma'am. Shield systems should be able to compensate for much of the smaller debris.
Host CO_West says:
CSO:  deepen your scans and find out if it is true.
Host CO_West says:
::Nods at CEO::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
ACEO: I know you'll keep those shields up. ::smiles::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Runs a more expanded scan to see how long ago that it had happened, and the total density of the asteroid field::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She smiles back:: AFCO: Of course I will, ma'am...::She makes brief eye contact and then quickly returns her attention to the shuttles systems and the PADD displays before her::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::sees something on the navigational sensors:: CO: Captain, I have a signal, from the communications beacon, directly ahead on that small moon size asteroid.
Host CO_West says:
All: When we arrive at the planet, please remember that the Bra'ken have had very little communication with the federation, and they may be a little behind the time. So they may seem a little...shy from us.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
CO: oh joy
Host CO_West says:
FCO: could the power be boosted to reach the supply shuttles?
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Not sure ma'am, the ACEO might be able to tell you more.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: it must of been a big planet, or expanded after a planetary explosion, there is debris up to 2 AU’s, away.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She glances at the displays and then back at the AFCO and CO:: CO: Captain, currently we aren’t experiences a problem with the transmitter, and should experience little difficulties.
Host CO_West says:
CEO: can the power be boosted to reach the supply freighters or will it have to be rerouted?
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::moves the shuttle around another small rock::
Host CO_West says:
::Nods toward CSO::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
AFCO: there is a asteroid, solid iron, looks like a nice place to land, do some exploring
Host CO_West says:
CSO: I wonder, can you tell how long the debris has been here, I mean, how long ago it exploded?
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
CO: Actually ma'am, there are no problems with the transmitter, we should have no problems. We won't even need to boost the power or the output beyond my minor modifications.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Captain, shall we land and let the CSO have some fun?
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: i haven’t figured out that yet ma'am , still trying
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: maybe able to figure it out when i take a look at that asteroid
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
:;waits for the Captain to decide::
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::Winks at the FCO:: FCO: i like that plan
Host CO_West says:
CSO: would you like to do a little digging on that Asteroid... I pun at the word digging.
Host CO_West says:
FCO: since the transmitter seems to be in working order...
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
CO: Do you even have to ask ::Smiles::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: We can check the transmitter out as well.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She continues to monitor power distribution, through a shuttle-wide diagram on her second PADD. At the same time, she checks on an interface with the transmitter, and shows that it is in working order::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
::nods to the Captain and begins to descend to the small asteroid::
Host CO_West says:
FCO: Send a message to the planet and let them know we will be landing on the asteroid you specified, give them our coordinates and tell them we will be contacting them upon our arrival to the planet.
Host CO_West says:
CEO: Perhaps a closer look at the transmitter will show why the signal was temporarily knocked out.
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::has a vision of someone opening the door to walk outside and depressurizing the shuttle.. killing them all.. shudders and go back to her calculations for the gravity units::
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
CO: A wise course of action. ::She smiles:: It's probably something minor, but none the less. All my scans indicate everything is in working order, and I should be able to run a remote diagnostic from here...ma'am...
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
COM: Bra’ken: Bra’ken, this is the shuttle Raptor from the United Federation of Planets. We are landing on a nearby asteroid to check out the transmitter for your colony, please advise.
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
::All of a sudden thinks of what happened last time she was in a close in like this and grinned, then looked around at all her female companions and shutters::
Host CO_West says:
CEO: and then send a few tests from here to the freighters.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
COM: Bra’ken: I am transmitting our coordinates now.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
CO: I am currently in the process of setting up an interface, ma'am...::She nods down tot he PADD in hand, with the transmitter schematics::
MO_Ens_Nim says:
::looks up at the CSO.. wonders if anyone around here knows anything about Ullians.. shakes her head at the CSO's dread ::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Captain, I have sent the coordinates and informed the planet, but they are not responding.
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: They are receiving our signal Captain, just not responding.
Host CO_West says:
FCO: are you sure communications are getting through?  are we being blocked by the metals in the planet?
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: They did receive our signal.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
::She establishes an interface with ease and begins to command the computer to run several key diagnostics of it's primary power and transmitting systems and checks on it's location in relation to the shuttle::
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CSO: Cmdr. could the metal composition of the planet be blocking the frequency on their end somehow?
Host CO_West says:
FCO: what about the freighters, can they receive our communiqué?
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
FCO: Doubtful, there is nothing foreign about the metals
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
CO/AFCO: The relays are keeping that in check, ma'ams. It should be preventing any block in the transmission, and from my scans, the relays are working in perfect order...sirs...
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Aye ma'am, should be no trouble providing the relay system is working properly. My readings show that the system is functioning perfectly.
Host CO_West says:
FCO, could the metal composition of the asteroid we are presently going to land on be blocking the transmission?
CSO_LtCmdr_Matisse says:
FCO: ....plus we are using relays so it shouldn't be a problem
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Possibly Captain. Depends on the density and composition of the asteroid.
Host CO_West says:
FCO: Then we will be out of touch with the planet if we land...
AFCO_Lt_Gambit says:
CO: Again ma'am, that is a definite possibility.
ACEO_Ens_Mintok says:
CO: If communications fail, I can boost the amplitude, and we can get a weaker signal through...should only take a few minor adjustments...sir...
Host CO_West says:
FCO: well, I suggest you move to a position where we can send a communication, then come back to these coordinates and make our landing for about 30minutes or so.

-/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\  Pause  /\=/\=/\=/\-/\=/\-