Quirinus Mission 10910.12

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 

and

Mike Jones as SO Lt. Jg. Merhes
Mike Jones as EO CPO Vorhees 
Mike Jones as MO Selara 
Keith LaHue as FCO Flyer 
Keith LaHue as OPS White

with

Keith LaHue, Ship Manager

MISSION PROLOGUE: Last time on the USS Quirinus... The crew discovered where they thought the Keepers of the Light were holed up, and discovered scant records on them. They are now traveling deep into Klingon Space, to Krios Prime, where they hope to learn more.

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10910.12 A Few Notes on the Purity of Light =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 5  =/\==/\=

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Keeping the ship on alert status, he prepares to lock weapons as they enter range ::  CO: Weapons armed and ready, shields at maximum, Captain.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: In Sickbay, finishing up a briefing with his medical staff who are gathered around. Several chief nurses, his best doctors, and their scant but impressive surgeons :: ALL: ... the Captain's estimating we may have a fight. The Chief has assured me that inter-ship communications should remain stable.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Understood.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
ALL: If we get hit hard, I want our emergency medical teams to be called upon from whatever department they're in to respond immediately, okay? Sickbay is primary, but if necessary, call for establishment of triage alpha-through-gamma.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Smiles :: ALL: Luck be with us, this should be a cake walk. Dismissed!
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Perhaps we should attempt a non-violent method first.  Communications?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Continue broadcasting the trader ID.  Request approach vector from Krios Prime.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: My thoughts exactly.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: At the science console, maintaining long range scans ::

ACTION: Krios Prime responds, stating standard orbit should be maintained.

CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<EO CPO Vorhees> :: Coordinating engineering teams to ensure maximum preparedness ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I have no intention of attacking any other ships save the one with the Keepers on board.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Takes a moment to watch his staff get to work, quite content that everything should be okay ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Attempting a stellar battle in orbit is going to be... interesting
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: Can you track the orbital course of the Klingon ship?
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: Attempting to now, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: If you can check for any transporter activity from the ship to the planet as well.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Hands rapidly fly across the console, utilizing both the primary and secondary sensor arrays to pick out their target from the grand mess of orbital traffic. He is careful not to set off the careful network of orbital sensor arrays that warn against such "intrusion" ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Frowns as the console beeps :: CO: We're too far out to really distinguish anyone, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I am trying to avoid it.  And since we are considered rogue, we are also considered expendable, as well.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: Understood.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: And based on established transit records to the planet, it may take a long time to distinguish not only their ship but their transport activity. A lot's going on there.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: That's good to know.  Expendable...
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: I'll keep trying though. :: Suddenly worried that this will look bad to Commander Kraight ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: His console suddenly starts beeping ... his eyes widen :: CO: Uh ... sir ... looks like a lucky break.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: I trust that means you've found the ship.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<EO CPO Vorhees> :: Checking with his technicians in the main computer core on the earlier EPS glitch that affected the recreational deck ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: Yes, sir. Adrift in extreme orbit. I'm ... not detecting any life signs on board. But sensors do indicate the presence of biological decay. Corpses. Three of them sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
FCO Flyer: ETA?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Perks up ::  All: Adrift?  Corpses?
Host SM_Keith says:
<FCO Flyer> CO: Fifteen minutes, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: Transporter signatures from the ship?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Begins to attempt to sort the orbital systems ::  CO/FCO: Planetary orbit is a mess, hundreds of ships.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Eyes narrow :: ALL: Not just that, sir. I'm starting to pick up an unusual energy buildup on the planet surface ... it's not a recognized wavelength or form.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: They may be eliminating witnesses, like flight crew.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: Get me the coordinates.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: Aye, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Recommendations?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Having been informed they were nearing Krios Prime, she steps off the turbolift onto the bridge, heading over to her chair. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Beam the corpses into stasis, take the ship under tow, and bring it out into space before attempting a boarding party.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: And then continue to scan the darn thing in every wavelength possible before stepping aboard.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: And the power surge on the planet?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lifts a brow as she hears the words corpses, wondering if there is a connection with the one they had found on the last world. ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Shakes his head :: CO: Sir, the sensors are ... being disrupted by the energy, I think. I can't pinpoint an exact location on the surface. I don't know if it's the atmosphere throwing it all out of whack or the number of ships in orbit, or what ...
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Types in a double-check request on the primary sensor array to main engineering ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: It appears not to be going away, sir.  We can investigate later.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Transporter Chief*: Lock on to the three corpses at these coordinates and beam to stasis as soon as we are in range. :: transmits coordinates ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Tractor beam.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye, tractor beam controls standing by.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Raythan*: Three bodies coming your way. Who are they...and how did they die?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Lock on when in range.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<EO CPO Vorhees> :: One of the POs informs him of the request from the bridge, sighs, wonder why the Chief chose this moment to get into personally examining the prime plasma relay ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
*CO*: Aye, sir. :: Eyebrow quirks up, his curiosity peaked ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Flyer: Reverse out of the lanes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Prepare to send out a message to all ships that we claim the ship under derelict space salvage law... if anyone comes looking.
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS White> CO: Aye, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Merhes: Full scans. I want to know if there is a single deadly microbe on that ship.  Send the wave length of the power signature to my chair.  I was once a science officer, too.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Informs Nurse Selara to prepare the biohazard isolation unit for the new arrivals, curious as to what the situation is ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Locks on a tractor beam as they near the vessel, and begins to monitor the sensor scans ::  CO: Ship locked.  Weapons locked and standing by, just in case.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: Aye, sir. :: Begins to perform full scans of the ship now in their tractor beam ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*TR Chief*: Energize.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> :: Sends the energy data to the Captain per his request ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Getting into a containment suit with self-generating force fields with Selara as his assistant as they move through the preparation room into the biohazard unit ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he looks down at the signature and keys in code to see if it matches omega ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Flyer: Reverse us out of the lanes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Notify Krios our orbit will be delayed.
Host SM_Keith says:
<FCO Flyer> CO: Will do, it's crowded in here.
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS White> CO: They told us in not-so-nice terms that they didn't care.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> CO: Nothing out of the ordinary on board, sir, outside of the lack of life. Ship seems fully intact. All systems operational. Seems to have been on manual piloting, so there was no way to counter orbital decay ... which means it hasn't been here that long, as it hasn't moved that far into orbit.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
White: And this surprises you?  They would have been a bit more upset if we hadn't told them if I know my Klingon harbor masters.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: In the biohazard containment unit, starting preliminary scans on the corpses. Selara regards the separated heads with curiosity :: *Selara*: Not exactly the most pleasant way to go, eh?
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS White> CO: I'll remember that.  :: smiles ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> :: Shakes her head :: *CMO*: Not exactly, no.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: rising :: Powers: Shall we see what the Keepers left behind?
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Scanning with tricorder :: *Selara* No toxins or biological contaminants detected. Looks like if anything was there, the transporters did their job. ... sort of doubt that was the issue though. :: Leans in :: Look at the serrations on the jugular, how they swish down and up so suddenly ...
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> :: Leans in to a nearby corpse, looking intently at the gaping hole where the head used to be :: *CMO*: The same here.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Would love to look over a state of the art Klingon ship.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
*Selara*: I've seen this before ...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Care to join us, Counselor?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods, her thoughts not fully there, and stands to join the others. ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> :: Looks up :: *CMO*: Sir?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving towards the TL ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: enters TL, with Azhure and Powers :: Transporter Room One.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Stiffens :: *Selara*: They didn't really know it was coming. It was sudden. Violent. Ceremonial. :: Thinks for a moment :: Omega Tango Three.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> *CMO*: Where was that?
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
*Selara*: Klingon outpost. :: Holsters his tricorder :: 10 years ago. During that whole bit with the Bellicose or whatnot ... a bunch of Klingon religious fanatics got involved. They killed people like this with their bat'leths. It's ceremonial. Divine, almost. A way of dealing with infidels.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> *CMO*: You think it was the same people?
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Shakes his head :: *Selara*: No, they're all dead. But some ceremonies are the same, no matter your beliefs. And the Klingons, they're very good at decapitation.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the lift stops, she steps off and heads for the transporter room. ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Taps comm-badge :: *CO*: Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Raythan*: Go ahead.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Begins to head into the exit room of the biohazard isolation unit :: *CO* Sir, it was a ceremonial killing. A way for those with the religious inclinations, and the combat know-how, to dispose of "infidels" - unbelievers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Raythan*: We are heading to the ship now.  Join us in Transporter Room One.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<MO Selara> :: Raises eyebrow :: CMO: You are quite busy, Doctor.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO/CTO:  Infidels or spies.  :: steps onto the lift.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Getting out of his suit rapidly :: MO: Well, what can I say ... I like the quiet life.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Puts his suit back into it's locker, brushes himself off, and rapidly moves into the main corridor and to the TL ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: following Azhure towards the transporter room ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Scratches his back ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Raythan*: Can you tell by their clothing... crew uniform or Keeper?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: If you were transporting the universe's worse contraband, would you leave witnesses?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: waiting for the doctor ::  CO:  That would imply that not everyone in the group is there by choice... or they were paid to be there and their usefulness was at an end.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Given the state of the ship, I doubt that it belongs to the Keepers.  I would hazard an unsupported guess that it is paid transport.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: In turbolift to the transporter room :: *CO*: Same colorful garb the "Keepers" were wearing, sir.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
<SO Lt. Jg. Merhes> *CO*: Sir, I thought you should know. I've narrowed down the location of the energy surge to the northern hemisphere of the planet. On the western continent it seems. Still too much disruption to get the exact coordinates, but I'll keep trying.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Not according to their clothing.  And how does that tie in with the other Klingon we found?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: contemplates the doctors response and the discovery of the one in the factory :: Azhure: Perhaps, each act requires sacrifice or perhaps... if the doctor is right about infidels, then not true believers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Consider the two Klingons who stopped the good doctors... your statement of spies may not be too far off the mark.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  And the indication would be?  Perhaps they realized what they were ummm... playing with, and changed their minds.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Slides into the transporter room, a little out of breath :: ALL: Sorry all!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: That too could be a possibility.  Speculation... we need to know.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods a greeting to Raythan as he joins them ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: steps on to the pad :: All: Perhaps we will find answers on the ship.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Steps onto the pad, carrying a medical kit ... just in case. His tricorder holstered on his hip. He smiles at the Counselor :: CNS: Always an adventure, eh?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
TR Chief:  :: as the others join him :: Energize.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
: :Sights his rifle ::

ACTION: The away team beams over to the deserted ship's bridge, where a message is playing over and over saying "Will not be in vain" obviously a fragment of original message.

CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Purses lips and looks around in curiosity ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Seeing the place empty, steps over to the comm unit, tilting her head as she listened intently to the tones. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving to console, he begins to work on retrieving data and the message ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Picks one of the consoles on the rear of the Bridge, tapping into the ship's schematics and diagnostics ::
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
:: Pulls out a tricorder and starts scanning for any physical evidence. Fibers, skin, blood, etc. Regards the Captain for a moment ... can't recall the last time he saw him so determined ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks from Sulek over to the blood splattered across the bridge. ::  CMO:  Still conducive to your belief it was ritual?  :: looks inward for a moment. ::  They died violently.
CMO_Lt_Raythan says:
CNS: And here I thought most Klingons held honor as a sort of spirituality itself.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Just as well. Download what you can into the secure computer core until we're sure it hasn't been tampered with.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Turns back to the captain ::  CO:  Sarite... the founder.  It is as if he is trying to placate someone... maybe them. :: nods toward the area of the blood and where the bodies had once lain ::  Maybe something did happen to change their minds.

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