Summary - Five months have passed since the war with the Synod began. Even longer has passed since the U.S.S. Quirinus and U.S.S. Naftali left the region known as the Xherivhan...almost a year in fact. The Xherivhan and its populace is all but a distant memory these days...

Pirates seem to have taken to the skies as groups attempt to capitalize on the chaos following the Synod war. Starfleet forces in the area appear more focused on rebuilding then patrolling the space-ways. Thanks to a tip from Captain Caine of the Cerberus, the Quirinus is now on the trail of one such attacker.

Scans and data collected from the Cerberus indicates a possible base of operations within an unnamed proto-system approximately 20 minutes away at high warp. The days of the war have passed, and it's time to continue on with new adventures...

=/\==/\=BEGIN U.S.S. Quirinus Mission - "A New Story - "Khali"=/\==/\=

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::on bridge:: Helm: set course and engage maximum warp.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
::On the bridge, monitoring::
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
::standing on the bridge, pacing near the turbolift doors::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::on the Bridge at the Engineering station::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stands in the middle of the new nano-technology lab on Deck 4, admiring the new equipment and the many readouts... looking forward to many busy, engrossing hours exploring the universe of the very small ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Having assumed control of the main tactical systems, Bill busies himself by running a level four diagnostic ::
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: How much do we know about the ship we're chasing?
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: reluctantly, he leaves the NT lab and makes his way to the bridge ::
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
::paces over towards the CTO's station, as he checks up on a couple notes on his padd, and watches the ship's passage on the viewscreen:: CTO: Commander. ::tips his head::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: exits turbolift, relieves the ensign at Science One, begins long range scans of the proto-system :: 
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: We're in high pursuit now
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
XO: Only what we've been told by Captain Caine.  An older modified bird of prey.  I suppose this means that it may have cloaking technology.

ACTION - The stars begin to streak by the viewscreen for a moment until the holographic projectors shift and the starry image is replaced with a diagram of the sector.

XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: Hopefully very Old cloaking technology as well
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::running systems checks
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CEO: Status?
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
::looks over at the XO as he talks of the Klingon vessel:: Self: Handed on a silver platter...
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
XO: Tactical was able to place a possible system as a base of operation.  With our echo sensor sweeps even a new anomaly should show up.  It's invisible not just particles.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: With a little luck....::pensive::

ACTION - Sensor scans of the system begin to come in and the diagram on the viewscreen updates with a tentative view of FGC 1297  - a proto-system with a failed dwarf star and four planets.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
XO: At the moment everything is running perfectly fine sir. I am running current systems check. I will have a more updated report in 15 minutes.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: Full scans with your echo special just in case this ship can cloak.  The way it seems able to attack indicates it is logical to believe so.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CEO: Thank you
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO, XO: Preliminary scans complete. The centre of this system comprises a failed Category D dwarf star, orbited by four partially-formed planetary bodies. Planetoid II, the largest, is roughly the size of Earth, with a substantial debris field that could possibly hide a Klingon vessel of the type reported.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Initiating tachyon echo scan...
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
::looks at Sulek::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: spends the next several minutes monitoring the scan ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: Then we will concentrate our first sweeps there.  You may also send out probes to expand our search.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO/XO/CSO: We should launch a probe into the area just in range so we can get some recon of the area. Our sensors will not be able to get enough gain to penetrate any interference at this range and if we move into close we will trigger some suspicion.

ACTION - Long range scans of the area detect a weak warp trail leading into the system...but the trail runs cold as it reaches the outer edge of the gas cloud.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ops: Any more information from the Cerberus?
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CEO: Agreed.
CJ-Tala says:
<OPS> CO: Negative sir, we haven't received any contact from the Cerberus in almost an hour.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: A wise suggestion, Mr. Telarus.   CO: Preparing probe... 
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: Launch when ready.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CSO: Is the gas cloud obscuring our sensors, if so, will it affect the probe similarly?
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Sensors indicate a warp trail entering the system... the trail vanishes at the outer edge, sir.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: taps control :: CO: Probe launched.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: Analyze the cloud and make necessary adjustments for possible interference or trace dispersal.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Captain... picking up sensor readings from the same area as Mister Kraight...
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
::taps a couple commands on his padd... gives the CTO a slight smirk, before turning to the CO:: CO: We should probably assume that... those who are in possession of this Klingon vessel and have it in their employ, have... the means to protect their investment, we should heighten our alert status and possibly assume that they have full cloaking capabilities, whether that is true or not. 
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Looks like debris, hull plating.  Duranium.  Not detecting biological debris... yet.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: ETA is nine minutes

ACTION - A probe fires from the Quirinus and speeds towards the proto-system. More scan details come in. It looks as if the planetary body closest to the system is breaking up due to radiation and gravitational stresses, strewing debris throughout the region.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CIV: Agreed.  CTO: Take up alert status.  Full shields.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I am trying to boost our gain on the signal and requesting to scan for tachyon emissions, there is a lot of interference from the radiation in the system.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: Can you plot a safe course through the debris?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye.  Yellow alert activated, shields online.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Takes the ship to yellow alert ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CEO: Keep working on it.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: The warp trail is consistent with Klingon technology. Momentum distribution indicates that the vessel passed this way about 20 minutes ago.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Aye, sir.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
Self: Bold... 
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: It'll be tricky, but I think I can do it
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Readings from the probe indicate that the innermost planetoid is in the process of breaking up, primarily due to tidal stresses.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Given the information that we have on the older birds of prey, what type of manoeuvrability and speed can we expect? Keep in mind even modified, the ship will still must obey structural stresses.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Commander, can you see if you can recalibrate the probe sensors from here to detect tachyons they should be emitting from the cloaked vessel if it is there. I will try to boost our signal strength by patching in our own sensors and communications systems. See if we can link our data with its own.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Birds of prey were designed to be small and manoeuvrable vessels, Captain.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar>::Navigates the debris::

ACTION - The Quirinus comes up to the edge of the gas cloud that marks the very edge of the proto-system. Scans of the debris field identify it as Federation in origin.

CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CTO: This is not an ordinary bird of prey.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: sub-light, slow ahead.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: Slowing to impulse
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: Telemetry from the probe is stable. Checking tachyon echo readings...
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Scans
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CIV: If it is a non-standard design, then I cannot suggest anything....
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> ::Takes the ship out of warp::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Understood
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Getting clearer readings of the debris now.  Federation in origin, the amount would indicate a size similar to a shuttle... or even as small as an escape pod.  Attempting to analyze for cause.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO, CEO: Nothing on tachyon echo yet. It is possible that the vessel, if it is in this system, is on the far side of Planetoid II, or masked by the planetoid's debris field.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CTO: ... It will appear to be Klingon on the surface. Underneath, is a different matter perhaps.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: We have a list of what the pirates have taken.  They must be putting it some place.  Try scanning more stable areas for their takings.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CTO: It is likely that you will find on your sensors, a vessel primarily of Klingon design, but consisting of a variety of different signals and indicators below the surface.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Tries not to look at the CIV with a "duh" look ::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: taps several controls and studies the readings ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: The weapon signatures are Klingon... and Gorn, sir.  From what debris there is, it looks like a ... shuttle.  From a civilian cargo vessel.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Gorn? Now there's a species we've not seen in awhile.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CTO: Life signs?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO/CSO: Suggest we move the probe in closer.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: No life signs, Commander.  But there is bio-matter, unidentified.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: steady as you go.  Make for the largest of the planetoids.  CEO: Go ahead.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CTO: Great. Then 'former" life signs.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: Probe is running a spiral search pattern now.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: I am taking a look at the scans and can still find no energy readings, I believe you are right sir.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Planetoid II is too unstable to be used as a base. There are some good-sized asteroid orbiting it that could serve, however. Altering the probe's course to make flybys of each asteroid...
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Captain, I'm picking up an intact computer segment.  We could capture and check it for any sensor readings.

ACTION - The small Starfleet probe makes its way past a particularly dense swirl of cosmic gases and towards one of the larger asteroids orbiting Planetoid II.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: We know that the Gorn had similar technology in armament and shields to Starfleet.  We need to prepare for stronger weaponry than an old bird of prey may have had.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Lock on and beam it aboard.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye.  Beaming aboard.  :: Sends a message to transporter room two to have it beamed aboard to a spare cargo bay ::  I would suggest we not jump to conclusions on the Gorn; we are at the least neutral with them.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO:  Sir I suggest we take caution and lower the sensor power on the probe if it is detected we are boned.

ACTION - The transporters lock onto the "black-box" from the destroyed Federation shuttle-pod and beam it into the Quirinus' secondary cargo bay for analysis.

CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: raises a non-eyebrow :: CEO: 'Boned'? I am unfamiliar with that human colloquialism.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Basically we will be detected and in big trouble.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CSO: Mr Kraight, take mister Telarus and see what you can find out about the debris we beamed aboard
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::hears the orders and looks at Kraight and nods::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: Ah. You might have said so...   XO: Aye, sir.   :: checks that his tricorder is at his waist, and heads for the turbolift ::  CEO: Mr. Telarus?
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Let me know as soon as the data is analyzed.  I am not saying that the Gorn are involved, only possibly their weapons ability.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: You want me to analyze it, sir?  Engineering or Science might be better suited to the task.

ACTION - Data from the probe is routed to Commander Powers' console and the probe picks up the Klingon ship's trail once more. The trail seems to lead into a large cavern within one of the larger asteroids.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Trail is picked up again... towards the asteroids.  One specifically.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: I was assuming that those arrangements had been made for engineering or science on cargo deck.  I also believed that since you ordered its retrieval, they would report to you. Am I in error?
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: waits for Telarus to join him, then ... :: CPU: Cargo Bay 2.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: Should I make course corrections to follow?
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Send coordinates to helm.  Helm: Lay in course and follow.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Does as the Captain orders and sends coordinates to the helm ::
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar>: CO: Course laid in. I'll have an ETA for you in a second
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Let's roll.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar>::makes the course correction::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::gets up and heads to the TL::

ACTION - The Quirinus moves into the hydrogen cloud and the viewscreen adjusts the view, overlaying sensor scans with the cloudy image. ETA to the asteroid, 2 minutes.

CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: the turbolift hums, and deposits both officers outside CB2 in moments ::
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CO: Captain, I think that the Gorn involvement is probably more significant than weapons ability. We may be seeing... a calculated move for somewhat greater control of this sector by... the shadier elements of society. ::he pauses for a moment, making a calculation of his own::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Full sweeps.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CIV: Following a war, such actions are often expected.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: 2 minutes away

ACTION - As Commander Kraight and Lieutenant Telarus enter the cargo bay they catch sight of the "black box." In fact it's not black at all, but a charred grey colour, a small battered box no larger then a 2 litre container of milk. The small rectangular form is quite damaged, but remains in one piece.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::arrives into the Cargo Bay::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: One moment... let me scan for radiation hazards...
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Doing the same here sir ::pulls out tricorder::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: points the tricorder at the device on the cargo bay floor, and waits ::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: No significant radiation.  :: goes to the device, kneels next to it, scans some more ::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Regardless of our readings, I suggest we take precautions.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: We should have a Medical Officer administer wide spectrum anti radiation medication

ACTION - The U.S.S. Quirinus approaches the edge of the asteroid.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CIV: If the Gorn are involved, we can notify Starfleet, but at this juncture, it is more likely their weapons we will face.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: Get a sample container, if it will make you feel better. However, this device is quite inert.  :: picks it up in his left hand ::  You are worrying unnecessarily, Lieutenant.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Understood, sir. I will follow your lead.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: 1/4 impulse.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CO: That is true... except... not all such elements organize to such an extent that they pique the interest of interstellar powers. This is privileged information, captain, but we do know somewhat more.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::bends onto one knee and takes a look at the recorder:: CSO: May I for a moment?
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar> CO: One quarter impulse
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: We'll take this to the shuttle bay observation deck. There's a readout console there.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Scans?
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: heads for the door ::
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CO: And the Gorn are not "involved", they are being targeted.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CIV: Targeted? By whom?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Aye, sir. Let me scan the rest of the debris want to make sure I don't miss anything. I will feed the data to the computer and have it analyze our readings here.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: A weak energy signature, unknown source.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Does it continue around the other side of the asteroid?
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: over his shoulder :: CEO: As you wish, Lieutenant.  :: exits the cargo bay and makes straight for the turbolift ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: continue following the signature trail.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Just inside... :: sighs as the computer makes a reasonable guess ::  Computer thinks the energy is Lilithine in nature... a shield unit.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CO: For quite some time now, Starfleet Intelligence has been... monitoring a trading organization operating in this and adjacent sectors... worried that this could happen. If we are right... this acquisition of the Klingon vessel is a clear sign that they are... taking larger steps. They call themselves the Khali.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar>: Aye Captain
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: two minutes later, is in the shuttle bay observation control deck ... hooks the device to a data port there and begins examining its data ::
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
<FCO Locar>::follows the trail::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Klingon, Gorn, Lilithine...quite a conglomeration of technologies.  I am surprised that they work together.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CIV: Then perhaps we will gain more information on the Khali.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: Gee, who would guess the Lilithine would be up to anything shady. ::sarcasm::

ACTION - Sensor data from the black box pours into the Quirinus' database. The shuttle is identified as "Ol' Faithful" - a shuttle-pod owned by the S.S. Cerberus. The ship' 3rd Officer's access codes were used to launch the shuttle 15 minutes earlier. The pod took heavy damage, attacked by a Klingon vessel.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
XO: If what Captain Tannis is indicating, then it too is likely stolen technology.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: I wouldn't put it past the Lilithine to sell there mothers
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: reads the data stream carefully ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
XO: You seem to have no like for any of the species of Crossroads.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
CO/XO: Stolen, acquired... It is all the same. The point is, however, that they have shown themselves to be very... creative and innovative, from the very beginnings when we first established... contact, shall we say, with those within the organization, to the present.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
COM *CO*: Kraight to Captain Sulek.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: I think they all need to grow up and play nice with each other. I guess it's a fault that I expect sentient beings to be reasonable.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*CSO* Go ahead.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
XO: Few sentient beings are reasonable when it comes to religion or politics, I've noted.
CIV_Capt_Tannis says:
XO: It doesn't matter what you think. They are a trading organization, they exist solely within their philosophies of trade and capitalism. "Playing nice" is not a sustainable precept, especially in, as the captain says, times such as these, after a war.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: The debris is that of a shuttle pod from the Cerberus. The pod itself was attacked by a Klingon vessel using a mix of Klingon and Gorn weaponry. I can find no indication of the fate of the pod's passengers. The attacker seems to have departed along the course we are now following.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Helm: steady ahead.
XO_Cmdr_Pangborn says:
CO: You're right. Kind of makes me wonder about religion and politics. Maybe one and the same to the causal observer ::smiles:: Maybe the war got to me....
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CSO: Cerberus?  Any indication what happened to the pod's mother ship?

ACTION - The U.S.S. Quirinus slides slowly through a wide crack in the side of the large asteroid. The Steamrunner class vessel barely makes it into the wide cavern inside the floating rock.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::finds nothing new after scans uploads to the computer just in case and proceeds to join Commander Kraight::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Continually making scans :: CO: Sensors have resolved a bit... there's a ship in there.  It's the Cerberus, but it's either on low power mode, or disabled.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Seven weak lifesigns.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: None, sir.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
CTO: Can you lock on?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::gets in TL:: TL: Find location for Commander Kraight and take me to him.

ACTION - As the Quirinus clears the small entrance into the asteroid the ships sensors lock onto the Cerberus, powered down and contained behind a defensive grid - the same Lilithine energy shield detected earlier by Powers.

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*CSO*: Thank you.  Most disturbing news.  Return to post
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::gets out of TL and heads to Kraight::
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
COM *CO*: Aye, sir.   :: leaves the recorder where it is, and heads for the bridge ::  CEO: I'm headed back to the bridge.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CSO: Aye, sir. Anything in the download from the recorder.
CSO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: hands Telarus his PADD ::  CEO: Yes. None of it good.

ACTION - The S.S. Cerberus rests on the bottom of the cavern, contained behind a force field. Holes and burn marks litter the cargo ships hull. It looks like the old girl has taken quite the beating. Religion and Politics...sometimes its a question as to which subject is more volatile...

ACTION - ...and which one brings out the greatest evils in those who are true believers...

=/\==/\=END Mission=/\==/\=