USS Vesuvius, NCC-71985
Stardate 10411.23
Episode 2

The Milk Run: A Shakedown Cruise…who turned out the lights?

The ship arrived at the asteroid belt in sector 005 for weapons testing.  The Captain rejoined the Vesuvius there and testing commenced.

Shortly after the start of testing the CSO received a quick blip on her console.  Unable to find a cause for the blip and believed to be a glitch in the system, testing resume.  The Vesuvius entered the asteroid field for further testing.

Power started to fluctuate around the ship and the warp core turned from its normal pulsing blue to a pulsing purple and orange.  Engines didn't respond; lights flickered, and now the Vesuvius sits in the middle of the asteroid field completely in the dark….

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Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The backup lights come on giving the bridge an eerie red glow.  The Executive Officer has disappeared....

FCO Lorehani says:
::At flight console going through chip by chip once again just in case she missed something.::

CO McGrady says:
::Looks around::  CTO:  Locate Commander Darvo.

CSO Lane says:
:: On the bridge groping for her sensor controls. ::

TO Thursson says:
::Standing at the auxiliary tactical station monitoring the situation::

CTO Liu says:
::At tactical::   CO: Captain, It appears that Commander Darvo is not aboard the ship.

CO McGrady says:
CTO: Not aboard the ship...   OPS:  Do we have any records of a transport?

OPS Martin says:
::Shakes head::   CO: No sir, none.

FCO Lorehani says:
::Finding nothing she starts becomes frustrated and pushes the panel back onto the console a little hard.::

CSO Lane says:
:: Continues to run active scans for the blip they saw earlier. ::

CO McGrady says:
::Thinks for a moment::   OPS:  Send Starfleet a communication explaining our situation.

CO McGrady says:
::Walks over to the CSO's console::   CSO: Any unusual activity out there?

OPS Martin says:
::Nods at the Captain, and attempts to do so::   CO: Right away...

FCO Lorehani says:
::Works with engineering to get the engines running again.::

CSO Lane says:
:: Looks up ::   CO: No sign of that blip anywhere Captain. It could still be a sensor malfunction.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Sciences detect a download of the language banks...

CO McGrady says:
CSO:  Something is going on here...Starfleet Officers don't disappear in thin air...let me know if you find anything.

CO McGrady says:
TO:  Keep your eye out for incoming asteroids, Ensign.  Destroy any that pose a threat to the Vesuvius.

CSO Lane says:
CO: There is something sir...look.   :: Points the computer activity ::   The language banks are being accessed.

CO McGrady says:
::Moves over to the FCO::   FCO: Any progress on the engines?

TO Thursson says:
CO: Aye, sir.   ::Monitors for any asteroids::

CO McGrady says:
FCO: One moment, Lieutenant.

CO McGrady says:
::Moves back to the CSO's station::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: A small asteroid is detected headed coming towards the Vesuvius...

CO McGrady says:
CSO: Can you locate the source of the intrusion?

OPS Martin says:
::Is still in the process of attempting to un-garble, the garbled messages when she hears the  comment about the language banks::   CSO: Maybe these garbled messages will be understandable in a few minutes then? Whatever is doing this to us might want to try to communicate?

CSO Lane says:
CO: Trying to pinpoint the source sir, but I can't seem to locate it yet.

CO McGrady says:
::Nods::

TO Thursson says:
::Targets the asteroid and pushes the button to fire phasers::

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  Sorry Sir, I'm afraid there is no progress.   ::Sighs::   Engineering is working hard on it and as far as I can tell the console here is working fine.

CTO Liu says:
::Monitors for other Personnel on board that also may have gone missing.::

CO McGrady says:
::Moves back to the FCO::   FCO: Thank you Lieutenant.  Apprise me of any progress.

CSO Lane says:
OPS: Someone seems to want to communicate with us.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Schematics of the Vesuvius is now being downloaded....

FCO Lorehani says:
::Nods as her fingers fly over the consoles.::   CO:  Aye Sir.

CSO Lane says:
CO: Captain!

OPS Martin says:
CO: I sent off the message sir, but with the systems wacky and all, I don't know if it got through or not...I hope it did.

CO McGrady says:
::Looks up::   CSO: Commander?

CSO Lane says:
CO: The ship's specs are now being accessed, and I don't know by whom.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: After a delay, phasers fire and destroy the approaching asteroid...

CO McGrady says:
CSO: Scramble the data...a level 10 encryption.

CTO Liu says:
TO: Good shooting sniper.   ::Grins::

TO Thursson says:
CO: Asteroid destroyed, sir. There was a slight delay, however. I'll look into it.

CSO Lane says:
CO: Aye sir.   :: Attempts to encrypt the data. ::

FCO Lorehani says:
::Thinks a moment::   CO:  You know Sir we can do a tow..  We can get the shuttles out, lock on their tractor beams and at least pull the Vesuvius out of harms way from the asteroids.

TO Thursson says:
::Grins back::   CTO: Thank you, sir.   ::Begins running diagnostics to find the cause of the delay::

CSO Lane says:
CO: It's not working Captain. They are still downloading the data from the computer.

CO McGrady says:
OPS:  Issue the following text communication on all channels in all known languages "Identify yourself."

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Thrusters activate and engage...

CO McGrady says:
::Feels the ship move::   FCO: Are engines back online?

FCO Lorehani says:
CO: Ooooo, maybe not...I have thrusters...pull back the ship?

OPS Martin says:
::Nods and does as the Captain has asked::   CO: Message away, sir.

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Absolutely...get us out of this asteroid belt.

FCO Lorehani says:
::Engages the thrusters and pulls back.::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The laughter of what sounds like children is heard throughout the Vesuvius...

CO McGrady says:
CSO:  What the hell?

CO McGrady says:
CSO:  Are there any foreign life forms aboard?

TO Thursson says:
CO: Sir, another asteroid approaching, it's bigger this time, firing phasers.   ::Fires phasers at the asteroid::

CSO Lane says:
CO: Captain, I don't know what or who is doing this.

OPS Martin says:
::Blinks, hearing the laughter, stopping what she's doing::

CSO Lane says:
CO: Unable to determine at this time sir.

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  We are almost out...   ::Hears the TO and checks her sensors. Slowly moves the ship out of it's path::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: After another delay, phasers fire and destroy the asteroid....

TO Thursson says:
CO: Asteroid destroyed, sir. Still delaying, though...   ::Checks the systems again::

CO McGrady says:
OPS: Issue an audio communication...children's laughter on all channels, Commander.

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  ETA 20 minutes.

CTO Liu says:
TO: The delay in the phasers is probably due to the malfunctions we have been experiencing.

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Excellent news, Lieutenant.

OPS Martin says:
::Nods, and taps at the controls, sending out children’s laughter over the comm::

CTO Liu says:
TO: It could be the children.

TO Thursson says:
::Laughs::   CTO: Either way, it's annoying.

CO McGrady says:
CTO:  Order security teams to patrol all decks.

CSO Lane says:
:: Hears the laughter and can't help but smile. ::

CO McGrady says:
CTO:  If they find anyone or anything, they are not to act offensively unless provoked.

CSO Lane says:
:: Still trying to track down the source of the computer hacking ::

CTO Liu says:
CO: Security has already been dispatched 0200 hours ago sir.

CO McGrady says:
CTO: Very good, Ensign.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: There is an unbalance in the lateral thrusters and the Vesuvius begins moving in circles....

FCO Lorehani says:
::Continues through the asteroids hoping they are not scratching the paint too much.::

CSO Lane says:
:: Changes the internal sensors to a fine beam and begins to scan the areas of the ship ::

OPS Martin says:
CO: I know it might seem far fetched, but I wonder if the children of officers on board - like my daughter - can understand what’s going on? Children can sometimes shed a completely different light on a situation, seeing things that an adult mind can't think of...Just a thought though...

FCO Lorehani says:
::Curses and her fingers fly over the console.::   All:  Just give me a moment people just a slight imbalance, nothing the worry about.  We are just going in circles for a moment.

CTO Liu says:
::Orders security teams to not act in aggression towards intruders unless provoked::

CO McGrady says:
OPS: Intriguing Commander.  What do you propose?

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Another message comes across OPS...

OPS Martin says:
CO: Ask the children, simply, if they can understand anything. It's a silly idea, maybe.   ::Shrugs, and glances at her console::   Hmm, I just got another message...it says "Hello" ::Looks slightly baffled::

CO McGrady says:
::Looks a bit surprised::   OPS:  Reply "Hello" on the same channel...and have your daughter report to the bridge.

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Any improvement on course?

CSO Lane says:
:: Frowns as she can't seem to find anything on either set of sensors. ::

OPS Martin says:
::Raises an eyebrow, but sends a reply back, and sends a message to have her daughter brought to the bridge::

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  'Fraid not Sir...I hope you don't get dizzy.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The sounds of children's voices repeating the word 'Hello' resounds throughout the Vesuvius...

CO McGrady says:
OPS:  I'm getting a strange idea...perhaps we can have your daughter communicate over the comm.  Would she be up to it?

OPS Martin says:
CO: Perhaps, we need to know if she understands, first though. She should be up here in a moment, Lt. Flynn is accompanying her.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Thrusters are corrected, but now the Vesuvius can only go backwards...

CO McGrady says:
::Nods::   OPS:  This is highly unusual...if you have any reservations...well, you are her mother after all.

CSO Lane says:
CO: Sir, if I didn't know better, I'd say someone is playing a joke on us.

FCO Lorehani says:
All:  Oh for heaven sakes!!   ::Throws up her hands::   Well this beast is not getting the best of me.  Give me a minute and I'll turn the ship around.  I'm flying out backwards.  I'm sick of playing this game.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The children's voices start to sing the song Itsy Bitsy Spider....

FCO Lorehani says:
::Maneuvers the ship around and starts to back up.::

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>:: Steps onto the bridge holding the hand of Lt. Flynn::   OPS: Mommy!   ::Goes to her mothers side, and holds onto her leg::

CO McGrady says:
::Listens to the song::   CSO:  If it is a joke, it's a strange one.

FCO Lorehani says:
OPS:  Cmdr, can I have the aft part of the ship on screen so I can see where I'm going?

OPS Martin says:
::Smiles seeing her defiantly-not-human daughter, and kneels down by her::   Rachel: Rachel, I need to you tell me if you can understand any of the strange laughter that can be heard?

CSO Lane says:
:: Listens to the children singing and seems to recall it as an old Earth children's song. ::

OPS Martin says:
::Looks up again at the FCO's request, then reaches up to the console and taps a few buttons so the FCO can see behind the ship::

FCO Lorehani says:
OPS:  Thank you very much!  ::Tries to avoid the asteroids once again.::  I don't believe this, I'm backing out of an asteroid field.

CO McGrady says:
::Smiles at the CSO::   CSO: ...went up the waterspout, out came the rain and washed the spider out, out came the sun and dried up all the rain, and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

CTO Liu says:
TO: These troublemakers playing tricks on us appear to be from Earth. That is an Earth song that they were singing.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: There is a huge asteroid in the way of the Vesuvius as she is backing out....

CO McGrady says:
CTO: Indeed, Ensign Liu...or perhaps they retrieved the song from our databanks.

FCO Lorehani says:
All:  And when I asked the question why the spider kept going up the spout a couple weeks ago, nobody would answer me.  Now we are being haunted by it.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Shrugs::   OPS: They're singing - I think it's that one about the spider, Granny sang it to me one time.

FCO Lorehani says:
TO:  Hmmm Thursson...there is a big rock in my way can you get rid of it?

CSO Lane says:
:: Grins at the Captain ::   CO: You sing well sir.

TO Thursson says:
::Fires phasers at the asteroid::

CO McGrady says:
CSO: Musical family, for all it has helped me in Starfleet.

OPS Martin says:
::Raises an eyebrow::   Rachel: You didn't just get that because the Captain was singing it, did you?

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Phasers respond faster, though there is a .04 delay still, and the asteroid explodes clearing the path for the Vesuvius

CSO Lane says:
CO: You must entertain the crew sometime sir.

FCO Lorehani says:
::Continues to back up.::   TO:  Thank you there Ensign.

CTO Liu says:
CO: They could have at least retrieved something a little more hip Sir.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Shakes her head and frowns::   OPS: They were singing before I got to the bridge, Lt. Flynn didn't understand, so I told her.

CO McGrady says:
::Smirks::   CSO: Perhaps...

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The song now changes to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star....

CSO Lane says:
:: Checks the long range sensors again for signs of the contact. ::

TO Thursson says:
::Frowns at the delay again:: Self: I'll have to make a note to engineering about that

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel> OPS: See? Now they're singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!

CTO Liu says:
TO: Hmmm. Two earth children’s songs in a row. I detect a trend.

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Maybe Row, Row, Row Your Boat would get us out of this blasted asteroid belt.

OPS Martin says:
::Stands::   Rachel: Do you think you could talk to the people who are singing the songs?

CTO Liu says:
TO: I wonder what's next? Mary Had A Little Lamb perhaps?

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  Maybe we can play a little game of push the ship too.   ::Checks her console::  Hmmm 10 more minutes Sir.

CO McGrady says:
::Nods::   FCO: Excellent job, Lorehani.  Keep it up.

CSO Lane says:
:: Looks closer at the readings and wonders what is it ::   CO: Captain, I'm getting a strange reading on the long range sensors now and it's coming our way albeit very slowly.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel> OPS: Why would I do that? They're just singing songs?

TO Thursson says:
CTO: Perhaps, I'm doing my best to ignore it, though, sir.

CSO Lane says:
CO: It's coming from the asteroid field sir.

CO McGrady says:
CSO:  Do you have precise coordinates on the source, Commander?

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The song changes to Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

CTO Liu says:
TO: I don't think the academy ever taught us to ignore children's anthems.

CSO Lane says:
CO: No sir, just far out in the asteroid field. The magnetic pulses in the field are distorting the readings somewhat.

OPS Martin says:
::Smiles at her daughter and smoothes back the spikes on her head::   Rachel: We need to talk to them, they might be able to tell us what is wrong with the ship. Can you do it honey bun?

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  Looks like you got your wish Sir...   ::Sighs as she hears Row, Row, Row Your Boat.::

CO McGrady says:
CSO: Understood.

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Hmmm...I must have some degree of clairvoyance.

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  Or they are listening to us…monitoring maybe?

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel> OPS: Okay, fine, but I get ice cream for dinner!

CO McGrady says:
FCO: A fairly common song, but we can't discount the possibility.

TO Thursson says:
CTO: I was never into them much, myself. My parents taught me old Swedish shanties and drinking songs.

OPS Martin says:
::Grins::   Rachel: Alright.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The song changes to London Bridges Falling Down...

OPS Martin says:
CO: Sir, Rachel says she'll try talking to them. I hope she can be of some use.

CO McGrady says:
Self:  I don't like the sound of that one...

FCO Lorehani says:
::Keeps a close eye on the screen and every so often checks her coordinates.::

CO McGrady says:
::Smiles at Rachel::   Rachel:  Thank you, Rachel.

CTO Liu says:
CO: The present song could be a foreshadowing of things to come Captain.

CO McGrady says:
CTO: That's what I'm afraid of.

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The Vesuvius moves from the asteroid field and engines shut down again....

CO McGrady says:
Rachel:  Could you ask the kids who they are?

FCO Lorehani says:
Outload: Well it's about time!   ::Grumbles because the engines shut down again.::

OPS Martin says:
::Picks Rachel up and set her into the seat::   Rachel: Now, when I turn on the comm, you can talk - Something like 'Hello' or 'Who are you' - okay?

CO McGrady says:
FCO: Well done, Commander Lorehani.

CSO Lane says:
:: Moves her chair over to the Captain. ::   CO: Sir, I can guess that the strange reading may be a ship and it should reach us in about 15 minutes.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Nods at the Captain and her mother, not really sure what all the fuss is about::

FCO Lorehani says:
CO:  We have cleared the Asteroid Field Sir.  That is the good news...Bad news...engines have gone klablewie again.

CO McGrady says:
::Speaks quietly::   CSO: Is she armed?

CO McGrady says:
::Nods at the FCO's report::

OPS Martin says:
::Taps at the console and activates the comm, then nods at her daughter::

FCO Lorehani says:
::Contacts engineering::

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Decides to imitate her mother::   COMM: This is Rachel Martin of the USS Vesuvius. Who are you? Why are you singing to us?

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The singing stops...

CSO Lane says:
:: Heads back to her station to check. ::   CO: Sir, I'm not even sure it's a ship at this point so I can't determine if weapons are present.

CTO Liu says:
TO: Well I'll be doggone....

CO McGrady says:
CSO:  Thank you.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Blinks slowly, wondering why the singing stopped::   COMM: Hello?

TO Thursson says:
CTO: Silence   ::Grins::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Many, many small lights emerge from around the consoles on the bridge and head towards Rachel.  The lights start to dance around her head...

CSO Lane says:
:: Broadens the sensor sweep, compensating for the magnetic variables. ::

CO McGrady says:
Self:  What the...

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Smiles, giggling, enjoying the lights::

FCO Lorehani says:
::Slowly gets up as she sees the lights around the child's head...ready to grab her if needed.::

CO McGrady says:
::Looking at the dancing lights::   CSO: Quite a display.

OPS Martin says:
::Raises her eyebrows in surprise, and leans down to get a closer look::
Rachel: What are they?

TO Thursson says:
::Gasps at the lights::   Self: I've gotta lay off the Raktajino

CSO Lane says:
CO: Indeed sir.

CTO Liu says:
TO: They don't appear to be a danger to the girl. But keep an eye out for her anyway.

FCO Lorehani says:
::Moves around Cmdr Martin, just behind Rachel.::

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Laughing in delight::   OPS: They're fairies! Can't you see?

CSO Lane says:
:: Pulls out a tricorder and scans the lights ::

TO Thursson says:
::Snaps back from looking at the lights:: CTO: Of course, sir.

OPS Martin says:
::Straightens up, smiling::   All: Well, that makes sense. In Earth legends, children are usually the ones who can see fairies - adults are too serious to see them.

CSO Lane says:
CO: There are no bio signs registering sir.

OPS Martin says:
Rachel: Are they friendly? Are they telling you anything?   ::Smiling, remembering her over-active imagination as a child, playing with imaginary fairy friends::

CO McGrady says:
CSO: This is most unusual for a shakedown cruise...

CTO Liu says:
TO: I believe these so called fairies are the life forms that have been tampering with the ship. I'd be cautious.

CSO Lane says:
:: Reports on the sensors keep coming as she looks back at the console. ::
CO: Captain, that reading...it appears to be a gas cloud anomaly, which doesn't correspond to anything known in the data banks.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Doesn't say anything, being so enthralled by the pretty fairies::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: The song begins again...this time it is, Let The Sunshine In...

CO McGrady says:
CSO: Understood...lets capture detailed sensor records.

TO Thursson says:
::Nods:: CTO: I agree, sir.

CO McGrady says:
Rachel:  Can you ask the fairies to bring our friend back...Ayla Darvo?

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Smiles a broader smile, showing her little sharp teeth::
OPS/CO: They're saying 'Welcome!'

CO McGrady says:
::Smiles:: OPS: A good sign.

CO McGrady says:
Rachel:  Tell them how happy we are to meet them.

CSO Lane says:
CO: Recording.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Tries asking the fairies what the Captain asked, and then tells them that the adults are happy to meet them::

Host Sheri says:
ACTION: Children's laughter is heard and the XO appears unharmed in sickbay....

FCO Lorehani says:
::Seeing that the child is in no danger at the moment she relaxes a bit but doesn't move::

Host Sheri says:
<XO Darvo>:: Sees she is in sickbay and touches combadge. ::   CO: Sir!  What's going on?  I was on the bridge, but now I find myself in sickbay

OPS Martin says:
::Looks surprised to hear the XO::   CO: Well, that’s one mystery solved

CO McGrady says:
*XO*: Long story, Commander.  Submit to a brief medical exam, report to the bridge, and I'll tell you all about it.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel> OPS/CO: They're saying...ah...happy things, wishing us welcome, still.

CSO Lane says:
:: Looks at the visual recordings and smiles. ::   Self: Dancing lights, interesting.

OPS Martin says:
<Rachel>::Giggles::   OPS/CO: They want to know why we're so big, and what we are - everything about us!

Host Sheri says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Pause Mission >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>