Quirinus Mission 10911.30

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 crew, in their valiant attempt to destroy the Omega particle, failed to do so and ended up... where?

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10911.30 The Blasted Lands =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 1  =/\==/\=

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks around in confusion ::

SCENE: The landscape is barren, mountains to the east, and what appears to be a small village to the south. Smoke can be seen rising from it

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: begins moving up the slope :: Kraight: Scans.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: slowly ::  CO: This... is not... Krios Prime.

ACTION: Kraight's tricorder is useless, as are the rest of the equipment

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: fumbles for his tricorder :: CO: Um... yes...  :: taps several controls ::  Nothing, Captain. The tricorder does not function.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Walking slightly away from the group, she tries to make contact with the ship. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks out towards the village :: All: Then we go towards where they may be others.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: takes out his phaser and attempts to fire it ::  CO: The phasers are also non-functional.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Crosses his arms across his chest ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Security teams to point left and right flank.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Reaches up to rub her brow before trying another frequency... trying to pick up anyone. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Points Gren to the left and Saka to the right, heading in front himself ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: I doubt that any of our devices will function here.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: I am unsure what has happened, but if it was Omega, then it is not what is expected to happen.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks up and stares for a moment at Kraight ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: Let's move on.  :: Sets off towards the village ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: places a hand on her shoulder ::  CNS: Do not despair, Counselor. As John Carter would say, "We still live."
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Quietly ::  XO:  It is not that my friend.  I do not even know how to put it into words.  But what has happened here... the affects are far reaching and devastating.  In what way... :: simply shakes her head ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: I don't know. I don't even know if we are still in the same universe. If we detonated the Omega particles, the energy release would have been unimaginable. We could well have been transported to another subspace domain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: listens to the conversation as they walk towards the village ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Finds a touch of humor in that ::  XO:  Is that to be our destiny?  Bouncing from one domain to another that is not ours?  :: Noting one of the security officers waiting patiently for them to move, she turns to join the others. ::

ACTION: Night begins to fall, and the fires in the village can  be seen in the distance

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Points ahead ::  CO: Fires, Captain.  Indicates a primitive technology.  We should be mindful of the prime directive.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks upward at the skies ::  XO:  In this case though, we are still in our own universe... or what once was ours.  That has not changed.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks up, and stops walking for a few moments as he studies the stars overhead ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: I believe you are correct, Counselor. The star patterns above us indicate that we have traveled into the distant past of Krios Prime.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks at his useless phaser :: Powers: Or the technology that we have been reduced to.  Still, a stealthy approach is wise.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Questioningly ::  CO: Are you suggesting we scout ahead before making contact?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Quietly ::  XO:  So you believe we have gone into the past?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: I do.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Yes.  If the XO is correct, then the Klingons on this planet are extremely primitive and most likely still divided into single feudal family states.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO:  Then we can rule out any help from the Quirinus... and explains why I get no sense of them.  :: frowns as she considers that they too might have been caught in the blast and were... elsewhere. ::

ACTION: The village draws nearer

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Gren and I are the logical options.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Go ahead and check.  The rest of us will wait here.  One thing is certain though, we will need food and water soon.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: calls a halt to the AT, while Powers and Gren scout ahead ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks at Bill a moment but says nothing, only gives a simple nod and smile. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Nods back, then makes eye contact with Gren.  The two set down any advanced equipment they carry, then slink into the night ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As they wait, she stretches a kink out of her shoulder and moves away, searching for any evidence of water or food. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: follows Azhure ::  CNS: Counselor... none of us should be wandering off alone. I will accompany you.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight/Azhure: The explosion of Omega should have rent us and the surrounding space apart.  While the subspace fractures are typical of nearby Omega, the results here are not as expected.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<SEC_Ens_Gren> :: Stumbles in his step, and catches himself before he falls. He hisses, and catches Bill's attention, pointing to a series of lined mounds in the ground ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: quietly :: XO:  Long ago, I lived a simple life.  I would have been what you called a country girl.  I was raised on a ranch.  :: she then turns back toward Sulek ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Takes a quick count, and then motions them on ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  A lot of what we know is theory.  Nor do we know what exactly they did.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: It's possible that a sufficiently powerful detonation could generate a temporal rift. There are precedents in Starfleet records.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: He and Gren approach from slightly distant directions, stepping up to the edge of a line of buildings ::

ACTION: As Powers and Gren approach the village, primitive Klingons can be seen huddled around the fires. The temperature of the planet is dropping precipitously.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight:  Not when it comes to Omega.   The record is that even the Borg are less than thrilled with it.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Makes note of the surroundings, then Gren and he slink back into the night towards the away team ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I have seen Omega.   Its power is beyond theoretical in what it can do.  If there was a pure Omega explosion, we should not have survived.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: As they approach the away team, he hears their voices.  They come upon the others ::  All: Well...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Then it goes back to not knowing what they did.  Obviously, something somewhere was changed.  :: rubs her hands along her arms and nods toward the village ::  I suggest we imitate that village and start a fire.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I'll see about gathering some fuel.

ACTION: As the darkness becomes more complete, the sound of small scurrying animals of some sort can be heard

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Points in the direction they came ::  All: Gren stumbled over what appears to be graves in our path.  Looked like a dozen, fresh.  :: Lifts his arm slightly ::  The village is hutch dwellings, communal fires.  Saw about four dozen Klingons, definitely primitive.  :: Points out to the west ::  Gren also thinks he made out caves in that direction
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO: That scrub should burn.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Agreed, but we will need to keep it sheltered.  Powers: Then the caves will offer us some shelter, providing they are deserted.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks around for a large outcrop to build a small pit. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: Indeed.  :: walks over, begins digging the bushes out of the ground ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Pauses as she registers caves and turns to wait for further orders. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: We didn't check.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Bring your fire materials with you.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: gathers up what he has and follows ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: It is a risk we may need to take.  Out in the open, we will not survive long, even with a fire. Point formations.  I suggest we get a move on.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I trust you can make it a bit longer without a fire.  If we move quickly enough, we should be able to keep a bit warmer.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: they begin moving toward where Gren thought there were caves ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Gathering what scrub she can see on the way, she lightly smiles ::  CO:  I would far prefer a cave... assuming it is empty.  :: Her smile vanishes ::  I have more concern with the fire keeping back unwanted guests at this point then warmth.

ACTION: The crew comes upon a small stream, which appears to come from the caves they are headed for.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Hopefully, the caves will not contain larger inhabitants.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Pauses at the water, kneeling down ::  CO: And this might solve one of our other immediate needs.  :: Lightly runs her hand over the top of the water. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Rubs his upper arms with his hands as the chill starts to settle ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Scooping some up in her left hand, she brings it up to sniff and then puts it to her lips for a small sip ::  All:  It is drinkable.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he kneels down and tentatively scoops up water in his hands :: Azhure: Fire, shelter, water.  The basics of survival.  :: he drinks ::

ACTION: More of the rodents are heard, sometimes scurrying near the feet of the crew.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: begins moving up the stream towards the caves, following Kraight ::

ACTION: As the crew nears the cave, they can tell it has no discernible rear wall... it could go on for meters, or kilometers.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves back into the cave and  begins piling stones near the entrance, but out of direct line of sight into a fire pit ring ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: drops the scrub just within the cave entrance, and begins scavenging for materials to make a bow drill ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Food would be nice.  :: finishes taking a long drink as they did not know when they would next come out and then stands. ::  I am curious though... would it not be more logical to build a village near here?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers:  We will set a guard schedule of two hour rotations.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: his toolmaking completed, begins working on starting the fire ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Picking up the wood she had carried, she moves to join the others, depositing her contribution onto Kraight's ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: There may be a reason we have yet to discover, or it may be something simple like the caves are sacred ground, or a defensive fall back position.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks up and smiles ::  ALL:  I have made fire.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: feeds the tiny ember carefully ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Congratulations.  Another couple years, and we'll have the wheel?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: As far as food, several of the low growth bushes near the stream may also offer tubers as their root system.  There are of course the rodents.  The Klingons seem quite fond of them.  We may now know why.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: casts a hurt look at Powers ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: slightly exasperated at the situation, not the people ::  CO:  Rodent... :: shakes her head ::  Nor do we want to be caught on sacred grounds.  Some of us while trained to fight would find it very hard coming up against a religious Klingon.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as a small flame begins to blaze ::   Kraight: Well done.   All: We should get some rest.  Each of our turn at guard will come soon enough.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I believe it was a religious Klingon that started all this.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  No... it was a man desperate not to die and did not care about others.  :: moves toward the fire, hunkering down ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO:  Lovely...

ACTION: The crew gathers around the warmth of the fire, which is burning quite well

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he settles down near the fire with his back on a cave wall :: Powers: You have the first watch, I will take second, followed by Gren, Kraight, and Azhure.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he closes his eyes ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CTO:  First watch and last... we got the better deal.

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

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