U.S.S. Pendragon
10405.30

Man or Monkey, pt 4

Host warp9 says:
Last week on the USS Pendragon..

Host warp9 says:
The away team landed on Divi VI.  ::run video of the XO, CSO and FCO trudging across the tundra::  The FCO misbehaved and was sent back to the car... errr... shuttle.  ::run video of FCO trudging back across the tundra::

Host warp9 says:
A group of captured hominids was returned to their homeworld, while Captain Rofax managed a telepathic connection with one subject.  Whatever he found there, seems proof to him of sentience.

Host warp9 says:
The Pontifex was dispatched to stop the Pendragon's aggression towards the Cardassians, but mysteriously developed engine trouble.  ::run video of Kyrron with her feet up on a console on the Pontifex's bridge::

Host warp9 says:
And Captain Rofax began a dialogue with the Cardassian mine operators...

Host warp9 says:
::cue dramatic music::

Host warp9 says:
::roll opening credits::

Host warp9 says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Man or Monkey>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Host warp9 says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<resume mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::does a quick check-up on the Cardies in the brig::

Host warp9 says:
ACTION:  The CO has taken the conversation with the Cardassian into his ready room, leaving the TO in charge of the bridge.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
<FCO_Black>::On the bridge at the helm station::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@:: sitting just inside the cave entrance ::

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::In the Turbolift, heading for the bridge::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The CSO quietly follows the XO's lead.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
$%$#$%#$^::on the shuttle with his feet up and his eyes closed::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
OPS_White: Can you monitor the AT's status?

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::Arrives on the bridge and takes his station. Glad he doesn't have to hide from the absent captain::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: lifts the binoculars and checks the sentries inside the security field for what must be the twentieth time ::

Host warp9 says:
<OPS_White>TO:  The FCO is back in the shuttle, other two are near the mine.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::turns at the entrance:: CEO: Any problems aside from the Cardies?

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The sentries patrol the perimeter

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
OPS: Alright. Keep an eye on them, please.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: Not so far. I'm hoping it stays that way ::wry smile::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::smiles back at Damien:: CEO: Ditto.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: turns to Toms :: CSO: Stay here and keep an eye on those sentries. If they retreat back into the base, or if the security field comes down, signal me. I'm going to explore this cave a bit.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: gets out his wrist flash and vanishes into the darkness of the cave's interior ::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The CSO nods and does as ordered.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::casts a curious look towards the Ready Room:: CEO: I wonder what's going on in there. ::has a mental image of Rofax strangling the Cardies::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The XO sees a light at the end of the tunnel, literally.

Host warp9 says:
#ACTION:  The shuttle's radio springs to life, as the cabin in filled with the sounds of Barry Manilow.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: I finished my analysis of the torpedo incident. Looks like there was a problem with the housing on the primary ignition. I'm thinking it's an isolated case, but you might want to have your staff look over the remaining torpedoes, just in case. It was simple O-ring failure on the main assembly.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::turns to the CEO again:: CEO: Figures. I'll have someone look into it. ::orders an officer to the bay to investigate the other torpedoes::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: approaches the mysterious light very carefully, phaser drawn ::

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::sits up, looks at the radio, walks over to the storage cabinet and gets a set of ear protection.  He puts it on and returns to his place of rest with his feet up on the console and his eyes closed::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: crawls through the narrow tunnel towards the light ::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::wonders about the AT again::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  As the XO grows closer, he sees two Cardassians with a collared hominid.

Host warp9 says:
ACTION:  The Pendragon loses the XO on sensors.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::looks at his consol:: TO: The XO has disappeared from sensors

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: flattens himself to the floor... crawls closer, as quietly as possible, hoping to overhear something of use :: 

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::looks up from his console:: CEO: What? Where was his last location?

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: He was some distance from the shuttle...strange...the FCO is at the shuttle. The CSO is near the entrance to some kind of cave

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: Do you think you can track him down again?

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The XO sees a bundle attached to the hominids collar.  One of the Cardassian is urging it to enter a shaft.  The other stands nearby with a pain stick.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: He was only a few hundred yards from the camp. I'll give it my best shot. ::moves to science one::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: Thanks.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::scans::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: uses binoculars to get a better look at the bundle ::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::considers comming one of the AT::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The hominid scampers into the shaft and scrambles away from the Cardassians.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: puts away binoculars ::

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: I'm reading heavy dolamide deposits near the last known location of the XO. I can't penetrate them to do a sub-surface scan of any kind. It's likely he entered the mine. Maybe the CSO could tell us more

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  One of the Cardassians leaves the cavern while the other moves to a monitor.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: Maybe.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::sitting in the shuttlecraft with his feet up, ear protection on, and his eyes closed as Barry Manilow plays loudly from the shuttle's speakers oblivious to most everything::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::begins considering possible options, very limited::

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION: A flash is seen through the shaft and the cavern rumbles.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: covers his head with his hands as debris falls from the ceiling ::

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: I have seismic activity in the mines.

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The second Cardassian drives another collared hominid into the cavern.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*FCO*: Mr. White. Come in, please.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::snores::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: thinks for a moment, then comes to a decision... sets his phaser to stun and shoots first the Cardassian at the monitor, then the one accompanied by the simian ::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*FCO*: Mr. White. Please come in.

Host warp9 says:
@ACTION:  The Cardassians drop.  The hominid squawks in terror, then dashes down a corridor.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: squirms out of the tunnel and quickly crosses to the monitor ::

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::Mutters something about malfunctioning equipment and looks at his commbadge that is vibrating somewhat::

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::sighs and attempts to mute the music::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*FCO*: Please respond, Mr. White.

Host warp9 says:
ACTION:  The Pontifex hails the Pendragon.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
<OPS_White> TO: The Pontifex is hailing us, sir.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
OPS: Open a channel.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: A small phaser blast might wake him. His life signs indicate he's sleeping

Host warp9 says:
#ACTION:  Barry's song drops to a whisper.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
<OPS_White> ::opens a channel::

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::pulls off the ear protection::*TO* Minor technical difficulties here, what do you want?

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*FCO*: A couple things but that's beside the point. Why are you split up?

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#*TO* maybe you should ask Commander Thraxis.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
COM:Pontifex: This is Lieutenant Junior Grade Newind, currently in control of the USS Pendragon. Need something?

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::aside:: *FCO*: Well, I would, but he's not available right now.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: the Trill's face clouds with anger as he studies the controls... he quickly scans the panel with his tricorder, getting both a visual record and downloading what data he can ::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
COM:  TO:  Where the @#%$ is Pindari?

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
COM: Pontifex: Dealing with the Cardies, ma'am.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: packs away his tricorder and crawls back into the tunnel ::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
::sighs::  TO:  The Cardassians have agreed to stop using the species until Captain Rofax's claims are investigated.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
COM:  Pontifex: Alright, I'll have him informed.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::sounding disgusted::*TO* The Commander's tactics are beyond what a lowly pilot can understand.  I've got no clue why he split us up.  He said he wanted me to return to the shuttle.  That is the extent of what I know.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
COM:  TO:  The Cardassian authorities are having difficulty relaying the message to the camp.  Apparently, someone blew up their communications buoy.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*FCO*: Alright, then. I was curious as we have lost his signal.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::feels sympathetic irritation for the TO::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
COM: Pontifex: Understood. We currently have an AT on the surface, but we've lost signal on one. I'm working on getting it back.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: finds Toms, taps him on the shoulder :: CSO: We're outta here. Stay out of sight of the sentries.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: leaves the cavern, heads in the direction of the shuttle ::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
COM:  TO:  Pontifex out.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::Dose his best to shrug over the comm::*TO* Beats me.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
OPS_White: Close the channel.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
@ACTION:  The sunlight on the snow is quite blinding after the darkness of the cave.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: taps commbadge :: *COM*: Thraxis to Pendragon.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*XO*: This is Newind, sir.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::overhears the XO's comm and takes his feet down off the console then begins preparing the shuttle for lift off::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*XO*: The Captain is in the Ready Room having a chat and I just had one with the Pontifex.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*XO*: Cardassians have agreed to stop using the Simians as they are but the camp can't get the message due to a.. faulty buoy. ::uses sarcasm with 'faulty'::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ *TO*: The Cardassians are using the simians to ferry explosives into the mines, and then detonating the charges while still attached to the simians. We can make a good case for premeditated genocide. Relay this to the Pontifex. We're leaving as soon as Toms and I make it back to the shuttle.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::shuts up realizing he hasn't given the XO time to respond::

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
::shocked at the news::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*XO*: Yes, sir.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: taps commbadge again :: *FCO*: White, report.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
OPS_White: Send a message to the Pontifex with the information the XO just gave me. ::forwards all the information to the OPS console::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
<OPS_White>::does as ordered::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::turns:: CEO: Should I try tell the Captain now? Or wait?

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#*XO*Sir, Shuttle, ready to lift at your order, sir. ::attempts to stop the Manilow completely.::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ *FCO*: Good. Be ready to go to maximum impulse once we clear the atmosphere.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
#ACTION:  The music changes to Barry White.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::eyes the speakers dubiously and cuts power to them::*XO*Aye sir.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
#ACTION:  The sultry sounds of Barry White continue to sound through the ventilation system

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: Did I hear that right? The Cardassians were committing genocide?

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::thinks for a moment wondering how Barry White got into the vents than shrugs:: Self: You can only do so much.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: That's what I heard.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: Disgusting.

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
<CEO>

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: I know.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: squints, sees the shuttle a hundred meters away :: CSO: Almost there.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::runs the ventilation system up to full air for a moment than returns it normal::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
#ACTION:  Barry White croons uninterrupted.

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: opens the hatch and stumbles in ::

FCO_LtJg_White says:
#::considers snapping to attention and saluting but returns to preparing the shuttle for flight, ignoring the Barry White::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
ACTION:  The CO storms out of his ready room, marches across the bridge without a word, then disappears into a tl.

CEO_LtJg_Damien says:
TO: What was that all about?

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
CEO: I'd like to know.. ::discourages a thought about following the CO::

XO_LtCmdr_Thraxis says:
@ :: helps Toms in, then collapses in the co-pilot's seat ::  FCO: Lift off, Mr. White. Maximum boost.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
@::lifts the shuttle nicely, than tilts her upward and kicks in the thrusters hard, leaving a trail of accumulated snow behind it in the sky as the shuttle claws for space::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
::monitors sensors..watches as the shuttle leaves the surface::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
@ACTION:  Time passes.  The shuttle is approaching the Pendragon.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
@::puts the shuttle on an approach rout with the Pendragon and holds position behind it awaiting landing clearance.::

Host CO_Kyrron says:
ACTION:  The shuttle docks.

FCO_LtJg_White says:
::begins the post-flight checklist::

TO_LtJG_Newind says:
*Shuttle*: Welcome back.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
ACTION:  Pettigrove is waiting in the shuttle bay.

Host CO_Kyrron says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<end mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>