Quirinus Mission 10909.14

starring

Mitch Travis as CO Captain Sulek 
Jeffrey G. Brown as XO Commander Kraight
Christopher Dickinson as CTO Commander Billy Bob Powers, Jr. 
Mike Jones as CMO Lt. Mathar Raythan 
Karriaunna Scotti as CNS Commander Azhure Powers 
John Scimone as CEO Ensign Brian Rotan 

with

Keith LaHue, Ship Manager

MISSION PROLOGUE: Last time on the USS Quirinus... The Captain's orders are clear, and specific. What lies ahead will be fraught with peril. Now the Captain will have to decide who to trust - and who not to.

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10909.14: A Few Notes on the Purity of Light =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 1  =/\==/\=

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: enters the Bridge, and relieves the duty officer ::  CPU: Begin day shift.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: is in his quarters asleep::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: is suddenly awakened by his alarm ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: makes a slow circuit of the Bridge, greeting each officer, discussing various overnight events ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as FCO Flyer starts to clear for orbit, he rises and heads towards his ready room:: Kraight: Please have Senior staff assemble in Ready Room.  We should also include our new CEO,  Rotan is it?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: In the security office with Nani and Rast going over battle readiness drills for Klingon adversaries ::  Nani/Rast: Focus on hand to hand combat.  They still crave battle.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Aye, sir.   :: taps a comm panel ::  Intercom: Senior staff, to the Captain's Ready Room. Ensign Rotan, to the Captain's Ready Room.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: Gets dressed in a hurry, grumbling about how he should've awakened earlier ::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: runs off to the ready room ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he enters the ready room and sits behind the desk.  he stares at the PADD on his desk.  He will not reveal exactly what it is they are to find, at least not yet::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
FCO: Mr. Flyer, you have the conn.  :: enters the ready room ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Commander, please be seated.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: enters the ready room just behind the XO ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Nani and Rast nod, but still seem uncertain about their assignments ::  Nani/Rast: See to what we can, people, until I get back.  :: Stands and departs the office ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Thank you, sir.  :: sits ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Entering the ready room, moves to take her seat.::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: rising:: Rotan: Ensign, welcome to the Quirinus.  I trust operations has you settled.   Are you ready to get your feet damp?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: After making his way through the vessel, enters the Captain's Ready Room, wondering why they're having a staff meeting in such a small space ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Counselor.  :: he nods::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
CO: Yes sir.  I've settled in nicely and I'm ready to go.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Commander.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods a greeting to both men, looking carefully for a moment at the captain.::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: smiles ::  CNS: Counselor.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: takes an empty seat ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: This is our CEO, Ensign Brian Rotan.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: stands :: Hello everyone.  It's nice to be here.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CEO: Welcome aboard, Mr. Rotan.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: sits again ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he settles into his chair::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: As most of you know, I have recently met with Admiral Asbury.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: Some of you have also no doubt noticed that several stations have had information such as a new transponder signal locked in.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods ::  All: And I have found that my command overrides are unable to unlock those stations.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: It is the nature of the mission, we've been given.  It is also the reason that I opted for a more secure space such as the ready room rather than one of the conference rooms.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: We are going into Klingon space.  Our mission is covert and we are quite on our own.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he pauses for the inevitable reaction::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: shifts uneasily in his chair ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  How on our own?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: If we are caught or destroyed... we went rogue.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: in other words... totally on our own.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: If we find what we were sent for, then there should be little issue with the Klingons from that point on.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Does the Empire know of our mission?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: The coordinates will take us deep into Klingon territory to the planet H'atoria.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: No.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  I take it we are taking our ship in?
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
CO: If that's the case, I'll have to work out a way to conceal ourselves.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: H'atoria... that's a small Klingon colony, near the Federation border, as I recall.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
All: Not too far "deep under cover" if it's near the border.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  What exactly is it we are after in this small colony?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Rotan: You have a gift in engineering that was beamed aboard last sleep cycle.  We will need that installed.  It is the most recent multi-phasic shielding.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: visibly excited :: Fantastic!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: H'atoria is the starting point.  We may need to go deeper.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I am not at liberty to say.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: It will be difficult to find something if we do not know what it is we seek.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: We are trying to locate a group of Klingon fanatics called the Keepers of the Light.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: nods slowly, considering the impacts on ship's security ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Why are we being tasked to find these... fanatics? The Empire surely has the resources to hunt down renegades within its own borders.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: As with many things, the Klingon High Council is in denial. The Keepers are creating, or may have already created, something dangerous.  I have every confidence that it will be obvious once we locate their, for lack of a better term, manufacturing location.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: The Klingon Empire is not in as strong a position as the Federation thinks, as well.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: No government would like to acknowledge that they have a faction that would try to create this particular thing.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: manages to look puzzled and intrigued simultaneously ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Our transponder signal is clean and may be adjusted for an appropriate secure cover.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I will leave that up to you as to what type of vessel we are.  Nothing too threatening though.  The new shielding, at the core, should prevent accurate scans.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Given the nature of this mission, will crew be permitted to take a leave of absence and what of the families with children aboard?
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
CO: How soon will we be embarking for H'atoria?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks down at his PADD, and his look of concern deepens further ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure:  I will follow your recommendation.  We can no doubt arrange for necessary drop offs at a starbase before we move into Klingon range.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Captain, please forgive the interruption, but Lt. Watson has just relayed some readings to me that may be relevant to our mission. If I may...?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Certainly.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: rises, crosses to a wall console, and activates the screen... a schematic of a planetary system appears ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  At least with the few families, it would be wiser.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
All: This is the H'atoris system; the fourth planet is H'atoria.  :: zooms in on the planet ::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: shakes his head trying to clear the cobwebs:: CO: I'm sorry.  I forgot we were already on our way.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
All: These...  :: indicates several blips that come and go rapidly ::  ...appear to be micro-quantum singularities. Their decay rate indicates that they are not of natural origin.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: glares at the screen trying to retain all the information ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: taps a control ::  All: If I can lock onto one...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Once we locate the Keepers, we will need an accurate profile of their leadership.  For that, I will need both yours and the CMO's abilities.  You may make the necessary arrangements with those families and the nearest starbase.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stops, surprised :: All: Odd. It vanished  the instant the sensors locked on.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
All: Strange...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: nods::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: tries again, with the same result ::
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: taps furiously on his PADD trying to ensure the sensors are working properly ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: The mystery deepens, Captain. 
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: It is likely that the work of the group would cause the singularities.  What Starfleet believes they seek, would be difficult for sensors to lock on to.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO/XO: This group is technologically advanced beyond the Empire?
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
XO: There's no problem with the sensors, it looks like they're aware we're trying to detect them.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: There is certainly evidence to that effect.  :: gestures at the monitor ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods ::  CEO: I concur.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: But we're not certain of the exact level?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: As we get closer, you may begin to suspect what it is we seek.  I ask that you do not speculate in front the crew and once we are certain, we do not openly discuss this.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
CO: Understood.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I do not believe they have superior technology, just that no one would seek this item.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: It is that dangerous.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: This item?  Do you know this item?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Yes.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: says nothing, withholding a sigh as she watches Sulek. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: And you will not inform us?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I cannot as this juncture, but I will if it does not become readily apparent.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Then I cannot adequately protect this vessel, Captain.  And you are placing us in unnecessary risk.  :: Crosses his arms across his chest ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I am aware of this.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I am forced to agree with Commander Powers. sir. Ignorance of what we are about to face will not serve us well.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
CO: I concur.  Without knowing more about what's causing the singularities, I won't know if the ship will be affected.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: If they have managed to manufacture this item, I do not know that we could defend against it.  Secure us as you would against any adversary.  We will perhaps learn more about the Keepers.  It is they we must defend against.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: closes her eyes a moment as she reaches for any memories on the Keepers::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All:  I do not approve of my orders to keep you in the dark as long as possible either.  If you wish for something to speculate on, then know this, it is one of very short list of items that only Captains are suppose to know about.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: wryly ::   CTO: Just another impossible mission, Commander.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: We must prepare.  Dismissed.  Begin your research.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: If you would wait a moment.
CEO_Ens_Rotan says:
:: gets up and leaves the room ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as the others leaves, he looks at his XO:: Kraight:  If for any reason I am unable to command, what you will need to know is here :: points to the PADD and then touches it so the Omega symbol appears:: Now do you  understand?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods slowly ::

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