Last week on the Seleya:

Two security teams, one lead by the CTO and one lead by CIV are heading down the tunnels into the depths under the ancient Moriddian palace.  Before the Change, this area had been where the thriving capital had resided.  Not long after the Change there had been an Earthquake that had opened up the large cavernous sinkhole below it, swallowing the city.

Because of the Change it had been agreed that the quake had all been part of the plan, and they needed to move on and rebuild to suite their own physical changes.  And so they had, starting their lives over anew.  But none of this was overnight and tunnels had been built to the old city for people to claim what was theirs.

Over time, the ancient city became more legend and as with all things, the tunnels became unsafe, doors were built over the entrances and for the most part, they too were forgotten.  But the city was not legend and not everyone had forgotten or would permit themselves to forget.

The CTO's group blasted their way into one of the ancient tunnels, unsettling the dangerous area even further.  Currents of cold, damp air from deep within push outwards as if to escape, through the now unsealed area; they wear breathers as a precaution.  Unknowing of the kings request that one of his guards accompany any Federation group, they go totally into the unexpected.

The CIV's group, with their guide made relatively quick progress down the long steep tunnels filled with debris.  They have long since passed the ancient remains of cobwebs and other evidence of insects as they go deeper and deeper, still within transporter abilities, but not for much longer.

In the silence of the caves, Moar's group heard the echoes of voices.  Tricorders revealed 17 Moridians relatively close by.  Their guide leads them along an old path he seems to have remembered, that opens up onto a ledge overlooking a large cavern lit only by what appears to be lantern-light and fluorescent mould.

The underground city is large for such an area and looks anything but decrepit and deserted.  Movement can be seen along the many cobbled streets.  But there is something eerie in their being little sound beyond the chanting that can be heard of the 17 Reds, wearing ceremonial robes, marching downward towards the city.

The counsellor had found himself in a corridor of doors, each with a different colour and symbols along the sides, but at the opposite ends there had been a door that represented all myriads of colours and one that was empty of all colours.  One of the doors had drawn him and he had stepped through this to find himself home.

The counsellor spoke with his family and enjoyed time with them, forgetting for awhile his real life.  Soon he rests in his old room, but he does not enjoy sleep for long as a Red Moriddian comes knocking on his door and the counsellor finds himself in a small dim cave, no more than the size of a small room.

Meanwhile, the captain has returned to the ship and there has discovered that an alien form of energy had registered just before the theft of the dagger; an energy not unlike what had been recorded when the Red Moriddians had boldly left the ship by their own means.  OPS continues without much success to find out further characteristics of the dagger.

On the planet below, the reception has ended, the people dispersing back to their lives, as King Kalalalahan meets with his advisors on the current situation, his concern growing not only for his family and his desire to join the Federation, but for the very existence of his people.

<<<<<<<<<< Not So Little Things X >>>>>>>>>>

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::wonders what will be next::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Follows their escort through the dark passages, keeping his senses alert for any sign of more Moriddian::

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Follows the nice Maor man::

Dorn says:
CNS: Come... the others will soon be here.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::frowns:: Dorn: Others?

Guard Gasper says:
 :: Looks toward Maor and quietly whispers::  CIV: What do you want to do now?

Dorn says:
:: smiles:: CNS: Yes... the others.  :: curious::  What did you see when you were home?  :: leads him out of the small cave.::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Pauses to consider his answer:: Guard: Finding our missing counsellor would be great, you know, the reason why we're actually down here? ::Takes a quick glance around before turning his attention towards the CMO's direction:: CMO: Can you detect him yet, Doctor?

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Tries scanning for his life signs again::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::follows Dorn:: Dorn: Everything was like I remembered home. The furniture, the smell, the environment. Everything in detail.

Guard Gasper says:
CIV: Yes... but... :: waves his hand outwards::  This was not what you or I expected.  :: hesitant:: I can take you down to the city if you want.

Dorn says:
CNS: As it should be... home... as we will one day have again.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
CIV: I'm getting very faint readings off in the distance...

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::At his console on the bridge, trying to narrow down his search in the ship's sensor records, using visual records of the rooms to pinpoint the location of the dagger at a certain point of time::

Karriaunna says:
Scenery: The counsellor is led out of a small cave and up an ancient stairwell into a large room dimly lit.  It is made of stone, not unlike marble and each footstep echoes among the high domed ceiling.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: Care to explain what is going on here? Some things I don't understand... well, most of it... actually, I don't understand what is going on at all?

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Raises an eyebrow in surprise:: Guard: City? ::Nods at the CMO's direction:: And where exactly is that city?

CMO Lt Atreides says:
Self: City! There'll be food!

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::looks around in amazement::

Guard Gasper says:
:: Looks at the doctor::

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Looks at the Guard and wonders if he'd go well with potato wedges::

Dorn says:
CNS: Once there was a great sacrifice to create what was not wanted.  Now there will be another that will return us to what we were and more.  And you and your people will help us do that.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::frowns even more:: Self: Why does he speak in riddles like this?

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::stops walking::

Guard Gasper says:
:: Looks at the Federation officer and points downward to the city vaguely lit.::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO: Is that where you're detecting that faint life sign, doctor? ::Points at the direction of the city::

Dorn says:
:: Leads the man up a series of steps::  CNS: You are to stay here.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: Stop speaking in riddles. I don't have a clue what's going on here

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Nods::

Dorn says:
CNS: I have just told you.  You are part of the big plan to make my people as they were, long ago.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO, Guard: Looks like we don't have much of a choice, do we? Let's so. ::Gestures for the guard to lead the way::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: I don't see how, but I hope I'm not serving as a hostage or some kind?

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::Hits his console in frustration, not finding out much using this approach, and starts thinking whether there is another way to get the information he needs::

Guard Gasper says:
:: With a nod, leads the group back the way they came.  He himself is getting very nervous and would like to report to the king.::

Dorn says:
CNS: Oh no... you are far more valuable than that.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Self: I don't like this. Dorn: Care to explain me how?

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
Guard: Anything we need to know about this city? Perhaps something you're reluctant to share with us?

Dorn says:
CNS: All in good time.  You will stay here.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: Okay. ::sighs::

Guard Gasper says:
CIV: The city was our home long ago before the changes.  It was ancient even before then.  There are many stories, many legends of things back then.

Dorn says:
:: Points to an area with chairs for him to sit down and then turns to leave.::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO: Signal getting stronger, Doctor?

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Checks his tricorder again::

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::As he looks at the various sensor scans of the dagger's known locations, he finds something interesting, and decides to investigate further::

SCENE: The counsellor hears the footsteps of Dorn vanish into the distance.  But his silence is very short lived as he soon hears the sound of many footsteps returning along with some other quiet sound.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
CIV; It is, but slower than expected. Must be pretty deep within the city.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::hears some familiar sound:: Self: That's... sniffling?

ACTION: As Gasper cautiously takes his group further down, no longer needing to side step rubble as the area has been cleared, and the lighting increases.

ACTION: Soon the sound of city living can be heard, in muted tones.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Out loud: Hello?

Guard Gasper says:
:: Suddenly stops.::

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::Taps his console as he finds more and more occurrences of an odd phenomenon::

ACTION: Everything suddenly goes silent but for the footsteps approaching the counsellor.  Soon, he can see the shapes of people... rather small people.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Frowns:: Guard: Thought you said the city was deserted? ::Takes a step forward, hoping to find a place where he can get a better view on the city below them:: CMO: I was afraid you'll say that.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Looks at him as if to say "So was I"::

Guard Gasper says:
:: quietly::  CIV: It was supposed to be.  We should go back and tell the others.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::narrows his view to look more closely:: Self: These aren't reds, they are... violets... and children?!

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::Frowns as a warning light starts blinking, indicating the transporter lock on Maor's team has been lost:: Self: Hm...

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Shakes his head:: Guard: We don't have time, I'm afraid. Our missing officer is down there. ::Pauses for a moment:: Let's get closer. ::Turns his attention towards the CMO's direction:: CMO: Try to contact the CTO, have him flank the city from the west. Hopefully with our small party and his we might be able to sneak our way down there without anyone finding out.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Self: Some of them appear to have been crying. Violets: What is wrong?

Guard Gasper says:
CIV: I do not know the pathways of the city itself.  There was no reason to learn what supposedly barely existed.  I do know that in the centre there had once been a large temple.  I would make the guess that it still exits.  Other than that, I know as much as you do.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
*CTO*: Atreides here, come in.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
Guard: No one sent archaeological expeditions down here before?

ACTION: The children, blue, violet and green are gently pushed to climb the stairs up towards the counsellor.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::confused:: Out loud: What is going on here?

Guard Gasper says:
CIV: Not that I know of.  Why would they?  After the cataclysm people returned only to gather their belongs... they basically sacked the city.  We knew everything... it is in the records.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
Guard: Apparently you've missed something. ::Gestures at the direction of the bustling city:: CMO: Anything?

Dorn says:
CNS: All is as it should be... for all great magic, there is a great price.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Shakes his head:: CIV: No answer.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: You're back. Stop talking in riddles and tell me what exactly is going on here!

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::Continues his investigations, after noting the time in the log::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: And I don't like the sound of 'a great price'.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Suddenly stops:: CIV: Sir! Sir! 

ACTION: The CTO responds and begins to make his way further down... noting that was the direction he was going as there was no other way.

Dorn says:
CNS: I have told you all that I can... all that you might truly understand as a child.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO: I'm right here, Doctor. What is it?

CMO Lt Atreides says:
CIV: I don't think we want to go this way, I'm picking up life signs...lots of them and something very odd. ::emphasises the lots::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::tries to find a correlation with the various coloured doors and these coloured creatures::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Nods slowly:: CMO: Can you detect the Counsellor’s one?

Karriaunna says:
Scenery: The CTO's team moves further down, but due to the explosives, their descent is not without troubles.  They run into areas where rocks have fallen, nearly sealing the tunnel off and having to find ways to continue on.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
CIV: Position is unchanged.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO: Where exactly, Doctor? I'd appreciate knowing either his exact location in relation to all the other life signs or an educated guess.

OPS Lt Pandora says:
@::Keeps finding more instances of the phenomenon being recorded, and starts cross-referencing to other events, taking place around those times::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Self: The doors, they all bear one of the colours of the creatures...

CMO Lt Atreides says:
CIV: He's directly in the centre of the city, and surrounded by the other life signs all 150 of them.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::looks at the children and notices their faces show a frightened look:: Dorn: What's with these children? Why are they afraid?

ACTION: Soon the counsellor can hear chanting and the sounds of many footsteps treading the stone floors.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CMO: Any other good news, Doctor?

Dorn says:
CNS: They are the future, as you are.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Pauses a second:: CIV: Congratulations, it's a boy!

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::hears the chanting and the reaction of Dorn:: Self: Uhoh. I really don't like this.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
Guard: Is this area known for any seismic activities?

Guard Gasper says:
CIV: Not since the city dropped hundreds of years ago.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Looks down at his now frantically beeping tricorder:: CIV: The strange bioenergy reading I was picking up seems to be increasing as well.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Nods:: Guard: It's about to, then. ::Turns towards the CMO's direction:: CMO: Go with a security guard, grab a charge and planet it there. ::Points near one of the cave walls:: Set it to twenty minutes and get back here as soon as possible.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::looks around to hear where the chanting is coming from and notices some adults entering a building...:: Self: That must be a temple, judging by the looks of it.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Nods and sighs:: Self: So much for Starfleet not being a military organisation.

ACTION:  The chanting increases in volume.  The first to be seen are an isolated 17 Reds; about them is a glow.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Turns to face the rest of his team:: Team: On my mark, we storm the city.  Phasers at stun, if needed, shoot to kill. ::Hits his badge and repeats the same orders to the CTO and his team:: Guard: I don't expect you to help us, so now is your chance to find some cover.

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Reaches the cave wall indicated and drops down, charge in hand::

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
::feels very uncomfortable and powerless:: Dorn: Am I supposed to like this?

Dorn says:
:: Smiles:: CNS: Soon... soon you will see greatness.

ACTION: Behind the 17 Reds, other Reds follow, slowly filling up the ancient temple.

CNS LtJG Gnav says:
Dorn: I don't like that... ::watches with amazement what happens::

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Plants the charge and runs back to the rest of the team::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Notes the CMO's return:: CMO, All: After me! ::Picks up his pace and begins running down the slope, towards the general direction of the city::

CMO Lt Atreides says:
::Sets his phaser to stun::

ACTION: Soon the chanting is almost deafening to the counsellor... and there is no mistaking the cries of the children who suddenly surround him, a few arms clasping him tight... and the sound of one young violet girls saying 'I tried to warn them...'

<<<<<<<<<< Pause >>>>>>>>>>

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Rob van den Dungen is Lieutenant Junior Grade Vonir Gnav (CNS – Counselor)
Tim Schols is Lieutenant Dylan Cedric Pandora (OPS – Operations Officer)
Andreas Habeland is Lieutenant Paul Atreides (CMO – Chief Medical Officer)
Eldad Ben-Tovim is Commander Maor (CIV – Starfleet Intelligence Specialist)
Karriaunna Scotti is Guard Gasper and Dorn.

Stardate: 10805.25
Arc Title: Not so little things
Part: Tenth
Mission Number: 519
Ship Manager: Karriaunna Scotti
Arc Creator: Karriaunna Scotti

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