Strange New Worlds

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:46am by Cailus Griffin & Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Commander Mindo & Lieutenant Kalin Brennan-Griffin PhD & Lieutenant Alexandra Alves MD & Lieutenant James Smith & Commander Leta Rothgan PhD.
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:59pm

Mission: The Evils Within
Location: Hesiod Green

Outside the Pandora, a wild and dangerous terrain greeted the away team. Jagged rocks met jutting crystals within a fog so dense that it caused the team to pause periodically to wipe the mist from their visors. These moments of pause allowed them to place down beacons of light to mark their path so they could find their way back to the ship, and the light helped to cut through the fog to make their journey safer.

Shae was entranced by the unique mineral composition of the rocky terrain and the softly glowing crystals that sprouted forth. Even with her human ears, she could hear the crystals ‘humming’ and she wasn’t sure if the rest of the team could hear the faint song that followed them, but it was hauntingly beautiful. The crystals seemed to be reacting to their presence, the hum and glow gently intensifying as they drew closer to large, towering formations, and ebbing as they moved away and closer to the coordinates of the base. During each pause to clean their visors or place a beacon, Shae took scans of these formation, and the readings she got back fascinated her all the more: whatever reaction these elegant spires of singing crystal were having to them was blurring the line between light and sound, such that as the humming vibrations grew intense enough to be audible for the team, the crystals seemed to develop on aura of fire. Her tricorder registered no heat from these flames, and daring to test a theory, Shae reached out with her gloved hand to touch a crystal. The crystal hummed beautifully, the flames changing to a lovely blue hue as the crystal resonated with Shae’s energy, but no harm came to the scientist. Smiling as she drew her hand back, she transmitted her readings back to the Pandora and they again resumed their trek towards the base.

Aeryn was amazed by the crystal formations, it was so beautiful that she wished they had time to stop and study the area as well as record the humming that everyone had heard. It was amazing to stand and watch the way the crystals reacted to Shae's gloved touch. It was a shame they were on a somewhat tight schedule or they'd have had time for more study.

Alexandra looked around in awe, as she walked outside, following the other members of the away team. It was truly a sight to behold, despite the thick fog, which covered everything. She watched as Shae played with the crystals, and listened to their enchanced sound, then glanced at Aeryn, who seemed quite immensed in the experience. I wish I had a holocamera, I could snap some pictures and show this place to Veronica, the doctor thought.

As they neared the base, they came to a steep drop in terrain. Scanning through the dense fog with her light, Shae considered the path before them; if it weren’t for the fog, she would just push the team forward, but one slip on these jagged could prove to be fatal. Pausing just at the ridge, Shae looked back and waited for the rest of the team to catch up to her and Smith, her eyes darting about in search of her mate; Cailus was in charge of safety, so it was only natural to confer with him before continuing.

“Commander Griffin,” Shae said to get Cailus’ attention. Maybe to others it was odd that she referred to her own husband in such a distant, formal manner, but both Shae and Cailus compartmentalised so well while on duty that it didn’t bother her in the slightest. “I think we may need to break out the safety lines,” she said as she shone her light down the path to illuminate the false facade of rocks that disguised the entrance of the base; the mist was playing havoc on the holographics, and when the light hit the rocks, they could see the divide of the door hiding underneath. Then her light followed the steep path up to where they were now, and she looked back at her mate for his assessment of the dangers.

Observing the path, Cailus considered for a few moments before replying. “Agreed. No unnecessary risks today.” He glanced back at K’Laus, the big Klingon unmistakable even in an EVA suit. “Let’s set up a safety line. Lieutenant, you’ll have the best view from the rear. Keep a close eye on everyone.”

Aeryn was enjoying the view until her Betazoid senses picked up on the fact that they were suddenly not alone on the surface. “Commander!” She looked towards Cailus. “I’m sensing other life here on the planet, it’s not us and it’s not coming from the ship either. There’s other life here! I didn’t sense it until a few moments ago.”

Already setting up the first piton with K’Laus, Cailus glanced back at the doctor. “Life? Here?” He glanced out around the away team at the desolate land around them. The fog was thick enough to conceal even the enormous Pandora, despite the starship being only a few kilometers away, but they could see that the rocky hills were utterly lifeless.

“Can you determine if that life is sentient?” he asked Aeryn cautiously as he glanced at Shae, nodding down at her tricorder. “Is it indigenous, or could it be the scientists down there in the outpost?”

Aeryn paused, there was only so much information she could gather from her senses even with the small boost her Borg implants gave her. "I...I'm sorry I can't tell from this distance especially with the ship so close by. Perhaps when we get closer I'll get a better sense."

Shae sighed in frustration; her tricorder wasn't giving her much more than Aeryn's senses. "I'm not picking up anything either," Shae spoke up. "That could be because the base is under ground, not to mention the resonating crystals could be interfering with the sensors, but I'm not detecting anything more than our own life signs at the moment."

James had been keeping an eye on the surroundings trying to make sure no surprises happened while the scientists worked. He felt really uneasy, and while he didn’t know why he hoped that the feeling he was feeling was just nerves and coming in blind.

As they’d walked on Aeryn had followed what little sense of life she was sensing. It seemed to be coming from the direction they were going anyway, as they’d gotten closer the sense had gotten stronger. “We’re definitely going the right way, the sense I was getting is definitely stronger this way.”

When they reached the base entrance, a Starfleet officer in an EVA suit was waiting for them.

"My name is Commander Leta Rothgan, Executive Officer of the Pithos Facility," the woman said. "You must be the away team we asked your Captain not to send. The Admiral told me you'd likely come snooping for us. I'm here to escort you back to your ship."

Aeryn looked towards Cailus then back at Rothgan. She doubted they'd be leaving quite so soon unless Cailus decided it was best. "Is there a particular reason you want us gone so soon Commander?" She waited for a response, she'd know in an instant if the Commander lied.

"Yes," said Rothgan. "And you're not permitted to know at this time. If you take me to Captain Temple I can explain everything to him."

Cailus moved to the head of the away team along the path, closest to Rothgan, and his suit's comm activated automatically. With the thick fog around them, the slippery path above them and the mysterious facility hidden behind the carefully concealed door, it was getting far too unsettling. "Lieutenant Commander Griffin," he said curtly, wiping away some condensation from his visor. "Commander Rothgan, we're going to need more of an explanation before we take you anywhere. Starfleet ordered us to investigate your distress call and we intend to do so. Now, we tried to hail you multiple times from orbit before landing the Pandora. Were your comms offline?"

"We've been instructed to stay silent for any hails that do not have the proper security clearance," Rothgan explained. "Not everyone is supposed to know our outpost exists here. We're strictly off the books, if you get my meaning. I'm afraid most of us were unaware of the distress call at the time it was sent. Not everyone here believes we actually are in distress. I'm one of the few who does. I helped send the distress call. But Starfleet has taken too long to send someone to do something about it. Our time is very limited here. May I see your Captain now Commander?"

Aeryn looked to Cailus. “She’s telling the truth to a point Commander, but there’s more she’s holding back. Most likely the part she’s not allowed to tell us. I’d recommend caution.” What she didn't say was that she was sensing more than just Rothgan, right now she didn't know whether or not to mention it infront of her.

Cailus crossed his arms, eyeing Rothgan coldly. The effect was somewhat lessened by the visor, but the intent was obvious. "If time is an issue, then we can hail Pandora to talk to the Captain or you can explain the situation to us right now. It's a two hour hike back to the ship over rough terrain and then another two hours to get back here. I would prefer not to expose my team to further hazards unless absolutely necessary, Commander."

Throwing caution to the wind Aeryn looked at Rothgan. "Commander Rothgan, may I ask. Who else is on the planet besides those at your facility?" She looked at Rothgan curiously. "You're not the only life signs here, I'm sensing more than that and definitely more than one species." She looked at Cailus. "My senses can't tell me who or what but they do tell me that there's more than just Humans here."

Rothgan sighed, though the sound was not heard through the suit. "I suppose you've gotten this far. You may as well know what's happening here." She began to turn toward the entrance. "Follow me. I'll explain everything. But first I want to get out of this wretched suit."

"Then let's not dally any longer," Shae said, not waiting for Rothgan to lead the way, instead walking towards the facility's airlock ahead of the woman. Shae didn't trust many people, and Rothgan was certainly not doing anything to win over the team.

As the away team slipped out of their EVA suits after decontamination in the airlock, Rothgan began her explanation.

“As you may have already noticed,” she said, “this planet is rather unstable. I've come to the conclusion that our experiments with Hesiod Green's upper mantle is causing the instability. I believe our project to be a failure, and am now more concerned with keeping the planet stabilized, or leaving altogether. Admiral Francis disagrees with me, but I believe he is following orders from Starfleet Intelligence. Our experiments are very dangerous, and our research could be used to create unstoppable weapons. That is why I sent the distress message to Command and not Intelligence. As far as I know, to SI we're all expendable.”

She continued. “The 'other life signs' you've detected are most likely the planet's indigenous people. Thanks to the planet's volatile atmosphere they may not have been detected by your sensors. They inhabit a city a number of kilometers away from here and, as far as we know, have yet to detect our presence; hence the facility's disguise. Admiral Francis and his higher-ups do not see potential for violating the Prime Directive, but as everyone knows, the Directive gets gray around this kind of thing. This is when Starfleet's right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.”

Shae sighed as she finished removing her boots. 'Unstoppable weapons'? Of course it was weapons, humanity wasn't done finding new and inventive ways to kill.

"It's not unusual for SI's grasp to extend their reach," the human-looking Shae replied as she collected her diagnostic equipment from her suit. "But even for them, this seems a bit excessive! What is it in particular about this planet's mantle that is driving Admiral Francis to such maddening lengths?"

"It's all linked to the planet surface's hostile environment," Rothgan answered. "He..."

Just then the door swooshed open revealing an older man wearing the pips of an Admiral. "Commander Rothgan, thank you. That will be all. You are dismissed," he said. The man was tall and exuded great authority. He had a thin, white beard and a receding blond-white hairline. His green eyes laid below stern eyebrows. He had the look of the typical Starfleet Admiral who believed he earned the blind respect from everyone in the universe.

Rothgan, wide-eyed, nodded and walked out of the room, giving the away team one final glance.

Seeing the pips of a Lieutenant-Commander on Griffin's collar, the Admiral held out his hand. "Welcome to Pithos Laboratory. I'm Admiral Gordon Francis, Commanding Officer."

"Sir," Cailus said stiffly, accepting the proffered hand and keeping his own expression very carefully blank. "Lieutenant Commander Griffin, USS Pandora. This is Lieutenant K'Laus from Ops, Doctors Jameson and Alves of Medical, Lieutenant Smith from Intel and Doctor Brennan-Griffin, Sciences. We're here per Starfleet's orders to investigate your distress call, Admiral."

Admiral Francis nodded. "I see your Captain Temple has disobeyed my orders by sending a landing party when one is not needed. This station is in good working order and we are in no distress whatsoever. The distress signal is really a big misunderstanding. Commander Rothgan will be reprimanded and if she causes any further unnecessary trouble I will relieve her of duty. As of now she is confined to her quarters for two day's rest. To her credit, she is the hardest working officer I have here. Some time off will do her good. Give your Captain my regards."

With no wait for reply, Admiral Francis turned and exited the room. A young science officer, rank Ensign, entered the room as Francis departed and asked, "Will you need any help getting back? There is another exit to the facility that may be closer to your ship. Commander Rothgan suggested I show it to you. It's actually quite close to her quarters..."

"Very good, Ensign, thank you," Cailus said. He was still stiff and tense, plainly uncomfortable with all the subterfuge, and he glanced back at the team as he strapped on the equipment belt that had been on his EVA suit. "Leave the EVA gear. We'll pick up more suits at the other airlock. As we pass through the facility, remember that this place is more heavily classified then we're cleared for. Do not go exploring and keep your curiosity to yourself. "

Aeryn didn’t want to say anything in front of the Ensign, she waited until his back was turned before giving Cailus a look that said exactly what she thought, and knew about what the Admiral had said. It was a straight out lie, one he was desperately trying to hide and keep them away from.

James nodded, “I agree, the Admiral is hiding something, and right now our best bet at getting any answers is trying to talk to Commander Rothgan. The Commander sent the distress signal why? She's probably under surveillance so we need to watch our backs."

With increasing trepidation, the Away Team entered the Pithos Research facility, hoping to find some answers.

OFF