U.S.S. Quirinus Mission 10712.10

starring 

Mitch Travis as Captain Sulek 
Keith LaHue as XO Ben Pangborn 
Ryan Roe as FCO Theron Kayle
Christopher Dickinson as CTO Billy Bob Powers 
Jeffrey G. Brown as CSO Kraight 
Ed Selgas as CEO David Telarus 
Karriaunna Scotti as Counselor Azhure 

featuring
Steve Gelhorn as CMO McCarthy 

and
Steve Gelhorn, Ship Manager   

=/\==/\= BEGIN U.S.S. Quirinus Mission 10712.10 =/\==/\=
=/\==/\= The Game's Afoot – Episode 5 =/\==/\=

FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::sitting in the command chair wondering anxiously what made the CO nearly dash for his ready room:: CEO: What's the headway on the power situation Lieutenant?
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::in ready room facing Q::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Sitting on the couch, relaxed, watching the two men.::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: Still working on it sir.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::stands and walks over, speaking casually:: CEO: Being as frustrated as I am, I know you have to be worse, what's your plan?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: You know how free species respond to coercion.
Host Q says:
Q: Yes, and it really is quite delicious.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: Right now I am trying to figure out why we lost the power to begin with in the reactors, the reason behind main power is obvious we have no crystals. The reactors, however, should be working, but they are not. We are diagnosing them and then moving on to finding a way to either fix it or workaround the problem.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::hears a loud alarm on the console:: Self: Oh...damn!
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: SIR!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: If you wish our help, then I suggest you return our power.  Other than that, we have little to discuss.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
Engineering: Telarus to Engineering, report!
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: It's the core...
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::standing right next to him is slightly startled:: CEO: What is is Chief?!?!
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: climbs out from under the tactical console where he had been enabling the failsafe securities ::
Host Q says:
Q: Did I say anything about needing your help?  Au contrare, mon capitan, I have no need of your help at all.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
*CO*: Captain Sulek to the Bridge, sir.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: I am going down to Engineering, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Telarus*: I am occupied, it must wait.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: Then you have come to play?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
*CO*: Sir the core is going critical.
Host Q says:
CO: Play... such an interesting word, and it has sooooo many definitions that could go with it.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::straightens quickly:: CEO: Lieutenant! Inform the command officer on deck before going over his head to the CO in the future if you please. WHAT'S wrong with the core?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::gets in TL and talks to FCO right before the doors closed:: FCO: Sorry sir, but it's going critical.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: Your work?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
TL: Main Engineering.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::still has no report from Engineering::
Host Q says:
CO: Work suggests effort...
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
<ACEO> *CEO*: Sir we don't know, one second it was fine the other it wasn't.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: Then finish your work.  If you destroy us we are done.  Azhure: Enough of this.  Let's leave Q to play alone. ::he turns to leave the ready room::
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::watches the CEO leave the bridge and is stunned at how he is reacting to the situation, taps his comm badge as he attempts to see whats going on himself at the Eng console:: *CEO/Engineering*: Shut down the core since we aren't going anywhere at the moment anyways. I want a report IMMEDIATELY from you Chief!
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
*ACEO*: Try to reinforce the containment field. Shut down the injectors, then vent plasma to release more pressure.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Slowly standing, she pauses as she passes the annoyance.::  Q: Remember, there are always consequences when one decides to break the rules.
Host Q says:
CNS: Ahhh... but I am not breaking any rules.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lifting a brow, that says she knows otherwise, she follows the captain out.::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::arrives in MENG:: ACEO: Report!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::he moves through the door and onto bridge::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
<ACEO>: CEO: It's not working sir.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::attempts to shut down the core::
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::hears the doors open to the ready room and turns around:: CO: Sir apparently the core is going critical and that  . . . at the moment . . . is all the information I have, I ordered a shut down for precautions sake but I have yet to hear back from out CEO.

ACTION: The command crew suddenly find themselves on an island that is active, the rumbling of the Volcano can be felt under their feet.  Not far off, are the chanting of a people.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::as the doors close:: Azhure: I believe that is called ....Now what?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Rubs her nose::  CO: A headache?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::finds himself next to the senior staff and no longer in Engineering::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
All: What just happened? Not again!
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::immediately throws his hand up over his forehead to shade the sudden sunlight and glances around:: Self: Ohh what the hell now . . . .
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks slowly around, trying to get her bearings and making sure her husband joined them.::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: Remember the weird I told you about. Well this is it, even more than before.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::looking around:: Azhure: Like most of his kind, this Q seems determined.  All: We have been transported by Q.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: His kind... ::shakes her head::  This one is breaking the rules.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::goes to his CO: Well sir, looks like here we go again.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::ignoring the CEO, still befuddled by the way he handled the previous situation, walks over towards the CO:: CO: So it's the 'Q' . . . that means there is pretty much nothing we can do at the moment if I'm not mistaken Sir?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::goes to his side for his tricorder:: All: I still have my tricorder. ::pulls out and begins to scan::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: Not quite.  Theron: Simply do not give him a reason to play.

ACTION: Suddenly, just above the chant can be heard a scream.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::speaking to the air:: Q: Care to join us?  ::he turns to the scream:: Telarus: Scans?
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::sighs heavy and glances around:: All: Fair enough.  ::steps down to the waters edge and takes in the sun, then hears a scream, turns quickly and glances at the others:: All: Anyone have a side arm!?!
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: In progress sir.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Preliminary scans show a group of 40 people heading in our direction. There is also an active and unstable volcano that is about to erupt... its magma pressure is at critical.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::deciding:: All: We are apparently supposed to go to the scream.  The question is it a part of Q's intention, or is it a result of our current location.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I suggest we implement the prime directive here, sir. The planet looks primitive we should find a location where we can hide for now until we know more.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: Agreed.  Powers: You have the lead.  We need to find a sheltered location.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: snorts, glances around, and picks a direction and starts walking ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: Follow.  Theron: Take the rear.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::folds his arms over his chest and holds back a minute to fall behind and begins to walk::

ACTION: Q's bodiless voice can just barely be heard.  “Can you or will you save a world?”

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::wishes he had been carrying a phaser::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::the group begins to move off the path::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Avoids mentioning the Prime Directive as she follows the group.  She glances at Bill.::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: This world is primitive.  We will not interfere at the cost of our own lives.

Scenery: As the command crew approaches the villagers, their chanting increases.  Through the thinning tree, they see villagers, simply dressed, yet covered in intricate paint.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::follows the CTO::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::scans the tribe people::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::whispers:: CO: Scanning...

Scenery: Behind the villagers is seen the curling smoke of lava and between the two, are a line of children.

Host Q says:
Scenery: Off to the side, is a woman, crying, yelling and reaching for the group of terrified looking children.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We need to move away from the village.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Sir, it seems they know about the danger.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::walks behind the group observing the scenery:: Self: I can see where this is going . . .
Host Q says:
Scenery: The pounding of the drums grow louder, as do the voices and stomping of the feet in some intricate pattern.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: They would have to be fools not to.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
Self: If I can scan them and have the tricorder scan there speech patterns we might be able to get the universal translator to pick up their dialect and we can speak with them.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
:: sighs and realizes they are going to have to do something and begins to look around and look for a low hanging tree or something try and help the children if thats the game Q would have them play ::
Host Q says:
:: Voice only:: All: if you can save the child on the end, he will grow up and his great great grand child will find a cure that will save his world... it will also save perhaps your great grand children.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::goes to his boot and pulls a knife and a mini-torch:: CO: Captain I have these to defend ourselves just in case, did anyone have a sidearm on them sir when we were transported?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: I do not believe so.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
Self: Imagine that . . . ::walks closer to the group:: All: Well, looks like he wants us to do this the old fashioned way if we must . . . .
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: What he says is possibly true... but it is only one possible answer for the future.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Then this is all we have to work with then.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
:: notices the FCO moving :: FCO: Sir?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: If it is a game, then losing would mean nothing.  If it is real, then the Prime Directive applies.
Host Q says:
All: Save the child in the middle, and her great grand children will lead a rebellion that will bring the Federation to its knees.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
CO: With all due respect Sir, Q isn't going to just say to hell with it and return us to the Quirinus. Against my own better judgment as well as yours, we might be better off playing along and seeing where this is leading.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Sir, is Q being serious?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: I do not know.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Theron: Your reaction is just what he wishes.  We will not interfere.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CEO: Unfortunately, he is.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
FCO: Respectfully, sir I would have to disagree. If Q is being serious about what the possible future is, then prime directive needs to apply. We can't help these people as much as we would want to.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CNS: We have to find a "work around."

Action: On a rising crescendo, a shout is heard, then all goes silent but the hissing of the Volcano.

FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::stands there for a moment glancing first at the CO then at the CEO, says nothing and returns to watching the trees and now the erupting volcano and does nothing but watch since thats what all would have us do::
Host Q says:
CO: Then watch the show...
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::starts to begin to understand what they are saying:: CO: Sir I think the universal translator is slowly picking up on their dialect.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: You have given us little choice.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::red light goes off on tricorder:: CO: We have a problem sir, the volcano is at critical mass. We possibly have 10 minutes, maybe less before she blows.

ACTION: The cries of the woman turn to a moan of agony as the children are led to the edge of the Volcano...  One by one the children vanish over the edge.

  FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::rolls his eyes and mutters as he looks at the volcano:: Self: Glad we need a tricorder to tell us that . . . .
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Telarus: It is apparent that Q wants us to witness this.  If death is here...then there is little we can do.

ACTION: As the last child vanishes, the villagers gather their drums and quickly hurry down the mountain, following a well warn foot path.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I am going to scan for tetryon and chroniton particles and see if there is any evidence of time travel. Q said that if we had saved one child that she would have her great grand child bring the Federation to her knees indicating possibly continuity to our reality.
Host Q says:
CO: No action is still action... ask the El'Aurian....
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: like so many other atrocities, he locks this one too away ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Q: I am aware of that.

ACTION: The command crew find themselves on Vulcan.  The streets are deadly quiet.

CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: Looks like you are home.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: We are... ::he looks around:: ...home.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
Self: This is eerie.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::after the scenery changes again he takes notice as this is becoming routine:: All: No chance he will eventually put us on Risa, eh?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Slowly nods her head as she looks around.::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: The question is now not where, but when?
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::scans around again:: CO: Captain I am picking up chroniton particles, definitely temporal here sir.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods her head:: CO: Yes... when.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I can't explain why it's empty I am trying to scan out as far as possible to detect life signs.
Host Q says:
All: Vulcan was the first to be struck down... one might say curiosity killed the cat.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: Time...here to there is a Directive.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::pips up a bit after the CO informs them where they are:: CO: Q wants you to act Sir, I would bet we are at some turning point in your peoples history since we didn't at the last location.  ::trails off::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I have some bio readings, very few.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::hears Q's statement:: ALL: .... Or not.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Turns toward Sulek::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I suggest this time we act, sir. We can still follow the temporal prime directive when we get to our normal time, but we should take this opportunity to gather intel.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: There is logic in that... the more we know, the better we could act... or possibly warn.  :: shakes her head::  Too many ripples... too many variables...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Theron: He shows us time lines.  All may be changed in a moment of action or inaction.  Our directives are clear.  I should not need to remind my command staff of this. The Q despite their egos are not all knowing or all powerful.  Their own civil war made this clear.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Exactly...too many variables, even for a Q.

ACTION: Suddenly the command crew are back aboard their vessel.  The stars around them have changed.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: sighs and says to no one in particular::  I really do not like being bounced around.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::stands at attention, tired of being quoted rules and logic that he has also like the CO learned throughout his career:: CO: Sir there is no reason to believe that any of this is actually real, that he is taking us anywhere that actually is apart of our space time continuum, especially given the records of previous continuum encounters.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
::he looks around:: Theron: coordinates.  Telarus: Ships status?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Theron: all the more reason to follow the non-interference directives.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
:: sees they are back aboard and walks to the conn to check coordinates :: CO: We are positioned 10 light-years closer to home than we were Sir.  ::takes his seat::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::goes to console:: CO: Checking...
Host Q says:
Scenery: The ship appears to be flying calmly through space, heading back to the Alpha quadrant, one solar system slips by in the darkness.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::taps away and gets status and double checks::
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: We are back up and running sir.
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::check the heading:: CO: On course for home.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Theron: But still in Gamma.  This most likely means that Q is not finished with us.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Suddenly sneezes.::  Excuse me...
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I am going to upload the data I have on the tricorder, there was so much data that could not be outputted, there might be something in there to give us a clue to what the Q would want with us this time.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Even though they may act irrational, the Q usually has a reason for their games.  Care to speculate...Counselor are you unwell?
FCO_Cmdr_Theron says:
::turns his chair around:: CO: If I may suggest Sir, at the very least, the senior staff should equip away team gear, in case we are 'taken' again and may need more than a drill.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::links the tricorder to the console and uploads data to the computer for analysis::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Sneezes again::  Excuse me... :: sighs and shakes her head::  CO: I am fine.  As for his reasoning... he could actually have been trying to help... in his own way.  Unfortunately... I need to know more for anything sound.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
::hears the FCO and grabs a new tricorder, phaser, and engineering kit.:: CO: I concur, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Theron: A wise precaution.  Powers: Retrieve the necessary equipment from bridge lockers and distributed.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Then there is something in this that would possibly effect the Continuum.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: Perhaps...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Hence the idea that their non-interference has been not abandoned but lifted.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Something only we can do and they cannot.
CEO_Lt_Telarus says:
CO: I am going to prepare myself as well sir and Engineering just in case with your permission.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: Ahhh... but he did not say it was officially lifted.  For that matter, he danced around the fact.  :: sneezes again and looks annoyed with herself.::

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