Wildfire to planetoid surface mission

Captain's Log

Stardate 87751.9

 

The launch of the shuttle is to commence within seven minutes. According to Commander Riker, all of the team members have reported in and the remaining equipment had been properly stored. The flight crew were currently running through their final launch preparations.

An opportunity awaits our team.  There is an exhilaration associated with an endeavor such as this that is about to transpire, yet this reaction is tempered with apprehension. There are ten lives at stake on this shuttle, but as discussed during the briefing, risk is often essential when exploring the unknown.

 

 

The captain closed his brief log entry along with his terminal before exiting the Ready Room.

As he stepped onto the main section of the bridge, he took a moment and merely watched the flurry of activity occurring as each department readied itself for the launching of the shuttle and the subsequent commotion that would follow.

He could sense that this bridge crew and all of its duty-rotation counterparts had begun to merge into a rhythm of efficiency. They had come a long way, both figuratively and literally, in their level of proficiency since the launching of this vessel.

Since that time, they had effectively handled two major crisis without irreparable damage to the ship nor any fatalities. They were prepared to take on the next challenge which would begin in only a matter of moments.

Syntron then walked over and took his place in the center seat. After checking the chronometer, he engaged the com from the panel on his chair to connect to the Wildfire positioned down in the main shuttle bay hanger on deck 21.

"Syntron to Commander Riker" the captain announced.

Within a few seconds, a reply was returned.

"This is Lieutenant Traynor, Captain. Commander Riker stepped outside of the shuttle, but he should be back returning inside in just a few seconds."

"Acknowledged Lieutenant. Have him notify me when he returns. Captain out."

Syntron could have reached Riker on his combage, but wanted to catch him on the shuttle when he was actually ready for departure.

Walking back up the ramp of the shuttle Commander Riker adjusted his equipment belt to make room for the holstered phaser pistol he was carrying.  Larger and bulkier than a phaser the holster had to be adjusted to fit in a standard phaser clip.  Looking over Riker saw the look in Lieutenant Traynor's eyes and before the lieutenant could speak Riker tapped the comms panel.

"Captain Syntron this is Commander Riker I was told you wish to speak me.  Go ahead captain."

"Just a reminder Commander to find the probe on the surface near the first landing site. You can send it back into orbit to relay a message, request material or elicit further assistance."

Twenty-one decks below the main bridge Kalynda Hunter was now positioned at a science console in the Wildfire shuttle, carefully running through a preoperative checklist to ensure that everything was functioning at maximum efficiency.

Once she that was assured that everything checked out, she glanced around at her crewmates  concluding similar tests. She then breathed in the rather fresh recycled air and began to examine the shuttle itself from a passengers perspective.

The Wildfire was a shuttle with expanded capacity to readily house ten passengers; including a pair at helm. Even from an insider's perspective the ship appeared sleek, with a sense of newness about it.  A gleaming interior of new illuminated instrument panels surrounded very comfortable plush-like ergonomic seats. The shuttle was compact yet felt surprisingly roomy.

Kalynda subconsciously realized something similar when she was aboard the Firebird, although at the time she was too preoccupied with the rescue of the Sagan crew to allow such thoughts to rise to a conscious stream. In fact, the newness of everything, including the Phoenix itself was rather taken for granted by her and everyone else aboard the ship. But now, just moments before launch she, was granted a glimpse into her thoughts as she slowly closed her eyes. They were about to enter a world yet unseen by the Federation, or perhaps anyone. There was a tingling sensation pulsating throughout her fit athletic body in reaction to the potential danger that accompanied the chance to possibly discover something new and exotic on this strange oject traveling through this void in space. This was the favorite part of her life in Starfleet. She trained extensively for moments like these to arrive.

Her thoughts of adventure and excitement were abruptly shattered as she was jostled back to reality when helmsman Traynor shook her.

"Hey.... sleeping beauty. Are you ready to depart?"

Kalynda's eyes and one functioning antennae sprung open like a child's jack-in-a-box as she blurted "Yes... everything is set... I'm good to go!"

She then sheepishly looked around to see if anyone notice that embarrassing little event.

Planetary geologist Ryan Phillips tried unsuccessfully to restrain a smirk at the incident but was espied by the Andorian.

"Is there something amusing you Ensign?" she implored, donning an expression of agitation at his subtle display of unspoken insolence.

With the grin wiped clean from his face, he stammered "Uh... uh... No Sir ... ma'am... uh... Lieutenant"

He then just shut his mouth and looked down as if he was actually focused on something of importance.

As if on cue, helmsman James Traynor then announced playfully "Okay boys and girls, launch will commence in one minute. Be certain that all of your items are secured, and that you are fastened in as well."

Next to the helmsman, Grexx Aulder gazed around the interior of the shuttle one last time before he contacted the bridge.

"Bridge, this is the Wildfire. All is secured. We are ready for departure." 

"Is it too late to go to the bathroom?" said Doctor Nasaro-Myth as he came from the aft cargo section where he had checked the medical supplies needed for a flight to an inhospitable space body.

No one answered the flat joke but they all understood that the Deltan was just trying to ease himself from his apprehension in "being in a tin can thrown in gloomy unknown waters" as he put it. There were historical examples of medical officers, from legendary Leonard McCoy to famous Kathleen Pulaski, that were quite reluctant to go through a transporter; Elliago was exactly the opposite. Born and raised on a starship, transporters were to him as familiar as sliding doors; and as a medical doctor, he was keenly aware of the comparative statistics about shuttle accidents over the exceedingly rare transporter ones. And in the latter case, victims had rarely suffered and even then not for long. His own traumatic experience in his last shuttle flight was not helping him appreciate the trip that was about to begin.

Moments later Kalynda turned  and murmured in jest to the Deltan doctor.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to go before leaving on any excursion Doc?"

"No, Lieutenant; when I was aboard the Magellan, my mother's ship, we always used transporters, not canoes."

His smile told how much he was kidding. His eyes showed how much he was serious.

Meanwhile on deck one, Ensign Adalia Valerous looked over to the captain when the message came through from the hander deck. Syntron gave an affirmative nod to the Ops ensign to signal the go- ahead for the shuttle.

"Wildfire" Adalia responded "You are clear for departure. Good luck with your mission."

The Bolian chief flight control officer Aulder engaged his communicator.

"Acknowledged bridge. Launch commencing."

By that point all non-essential crew members had departed the main shuttle hanger as a forcefield was engaged just prior to the  gigantic bay doors began their separation from the middle.

A few spectators stopped to watch the launch from an overlook in an upper area interior observation window as the shuttle lifted from its shuttle bay quarterage.

Within seconds the Wildfire penetrated the energy field that shielded the hanger bay from the vacuum of space and was on course toward the planetoid.

The sleek shuttle proceeded to make several complete orbits around the almost asteroid-looking object as they moved closer toward its surfaces. All scans were still being deflected as they approached the vicinity of the rather hazy layer of what appeared to be a very thin atmosphere hovering somewhere above the surface. No one on the shuttle or the ship had ever seen an asteroid with any viable atmosphere; especially one  found in the vastness of such a vacant region of space.

As they continued their decent it was almost like traveling though a veil of thin clouds.

Suddenly the instrument readings began to fluctuate on all consoles.

"And here we go..." grumbled Elliago Nasaro-Myth.

After experimenting repeatedly with her controls, Kalynda looked up and addressed the first officer.

"Commander Riker, we've lost all communications with the Phoenix!"

Riker looked over sharply.

"Well get them back.  Modulate communications on all frequencies we have to try to reestablish communication!"

"I'm trying Sir" Kaylnda responded as she kept modulating her attempts.

Looking back down as his panel Riker had only a moment to think.

"We must keep going.  Reattempt to establish communication, but we can't abandon the mission at hand we will keep moving forward." 

As the Wildfire dipped into the apparently gaseous haziness of a layer above the asteroid-like object, each member of the shuttle team was first treated to an abrupt ship-wide trembling vibration accompanied by abnormal sonic reverberations.

"I hate canoeing," growled the CMO, gripping the arms of his seat.

Feeling the shake Riker adjusted himself patting the armor he was wearing under his uniform.  His armor was no longer bothering him, but he knew it would net help him in a crash.

"Well that was fun.  All stations report"

All stations immediately checked-in with the first officer and confirmed full operational status, except for communications.

"No casualties so far... lucky us," answered the doctor with a forced grin. "This tub has an emergency transporter pad, right?"

No one responded to the CMO's question as the helmsman stayed focused as they descended, although a few peculiar glances were exchanged among the crew as this transpired. Other than that, nobody else uttered a syllable. 

"Are we all having fun yet?" shot Elliago to the others, not expecting an answer.

No response was provided, although a few emerging grins began to appear.

They eventually crossed below the wobbly threshold and were immediately presented with their first glimpse of its surface.

"I'll be damned" muttered planetary geologist Ryan Phillips as he gazed at the viewscreen.

"This surface actually looks more planet-like than we had anticipated."

Despite the challenge of the landscape being rather dimly lit,  as they descended further down toward the surface, they could see some areas of the terrain appeared rather smooth or valley-like, while other areas were unusually mountainous for a planetoid of this relatively small size. Even though he could see no evidence of any tectonic forces, Phillips hypothesized that these mountains and the overall visible geomorphology had to be the result of some sort of tectonic-like pressures. He informed Commander Riker of this as they continued their journey.

Craning his neck to see through the transparency nearest of his seat, the Dletan looked sideways at the geologisté

"Not for me to pretend knowing anything much than any layman about your field of expertise but... isn't water or liquid needed to erode a smooth valley between rock formations?"

Fact was, Elliago knew slightly much than he was admitting; as a xenobiologist specialist, he also knew something about the conditions that were best to produce life as they knew it.

"Water in liquid or solid form are certainly erosional agents" Ensign Ryan Phillips responded to the Doctor's inquiry. "But there could be other elements or compounds at work here as well. This is already another one of the fascinating aspects of this little planet."

"Indeed," acknowledged the Deltan. "Because then, the only one natural cause left for such erosion I can think of  is atmospheric pressure and movement... but there is no atmosphere possible on so small a stellar body."

What he implied was obvious enough; the only cause left without natural causes would be an artificial one.

As the Ensign gazed at the surface on the viewscreen he added "And from our estimations, the temperature on this surface would be much too cold for liquid water to exist. There are no external heat sources, no star in its vicinity, therefore no real seasonal-like changes should be expected either."  

Kalynda was continuing to use the variety of available sensors and modify their frequency and signatures similar to how she had done while searching for the Sagan lost in that bubble-verse. Being below this apparent atmospheric threshold, she noted how unusual these surface area signatures were registering.

She notified the commanding officer.

"Commander Riker, I still don't know yet how to account for the obscure activity that is preventing our sensors and communication from properly functioning. However, I am noticing that the strength of this anomaly is fluctuating as we are traveling... in a rather consistent geometric pattern. I've never encountered anything quite like this before" she concluded with a furrowed brow and a puzzling expression etched across her blue-tinted face.

"Commander," then said Elliago with a frown. "Geometric pattern is the standard in nature; mountains are symetrical. However, the recurence of geometric patterns in symetric manner, like anthills, is a possible sign of  life. "

With a puzzled expression dominating his face, Ryan Phillips replied to the CMO's statement.

"Finding life on this strange little rock out here in the middle of no where... well that would be rather miraculous... to say the least."   

"Native life, yes," agreed the doctor. 

Again, what he was implying became obvious.

Helmsman James Traynor then cut in.

"Based on the triangulation of these surface features, the probe information and our best estimates to fill-in some inconsistencies, I believe that I have our first landing site targeted ahead of us by about four minutes. So... everyone prepare for our arrival." 

Sighing slightly Riker responded.

"Well that is good news I guess.  Keep trying to adjust for the changes.  The fact that there is a discernable pattern should allow for easier compensation of our communications and sensor frequencies."

As the small crew finalized preparations for the imminent landing, the shuttle found its way flying  toward a relatively flat region; much like a large barren plateau found on any ordinary celestial object. It might not be an interesting area to stay in for long, but it should provide a stable first landing site.

The helm duo were engaged in an animate discussion about their final approach and descent as the vessel abruptly veered on an angle as it slowly spiraled its way down toward the surface.

Kalynda did not have to turn around. She could imagine the grimace expressed on the Deltan doctor's face when that sudden shift in the shuttles trajectory occurred.  

Several seconds later, an announcement followed.

"Hold tight boys and girls, we should be touching down momentarily"  helmsman James Traynor then conveyed.

"Right side up, if you don't mind," offered Elliago. 

Then came a slight thump as the shuttle came to rest upon this planetoid's surface.

They arrived. 

There was a collective sigh of relief released as the ship's flight systems disengaged and the shuttle settled into position on the alien surface.

Kalynda now attempted to establish sensor readings from the ground in the immediate vicinity around their position as those surrounding her began getting up and heading back toward the aft of the shuttle.

After honing in on one particular anomaly, the Andorian science officer garnered the attention of the first officer.

"Commander Riker, our sensors are still being blocked. However, I have been able down here on the surface to detect an unusual energy signature... approximately one point zero nine-three kilometers northeast of our current position. I would recommend taking a team, including me sir, to head toward this position to see what we can find." 

Riker looked off into the distance for a moment as he contemplated what to do next.

At that moment, the CMO of the Phoenix touched the sleeve of the First officer to get his full attention.

"Commander... unexplained erosion, abnormal temperature, sensor interference, unusual energy signature... All signs so far seems to indicate an artificial power source of some kind; and no one leaves a power source unattended. Caution is wisdom here."

Jolting back to reality with the tug on his sleeve Riker listened to the suggested and thought for a moment before responding.

"Caution is the best choice here.  You are correct I will lead the team with yourself included.  I want at least one rifle and everyone that comes with me is armed."

"Just keep in mind, Commander, that mine will be on stun. The Oath I took to do no harm takes precendence over all my other Starfleet officer duties."

It was evident that there would be no discussion on the matter with the doctor.

Reaching down Riker adjusted his belt for his phaser pistol before continuing.

"Alright everyone listen up.  If you were briefed as a senior member of the away team you are coming with me."

Looking at the junior personnel and helmsman Riker continued

"As for you guys.  Stay with the shuttle and keep alert.  I want rotating watches and that hatch is to stay closed unless you hear from me personally to open it.  Keep in communication as best you can."

Standing up Riker adjusted his phaser pistol and the body armor he was wearing under his uniform.

"All others we move out in five minutes grab your gear and lets get ready.  

((Security/Tac?))

Astrophysicist Anita Muller along with Ryan Phillips each chimed in from the aft section of the shuttle that they wanted to accompany whoever was going on this investigation. They were emphasizing the point by already climbing into their full environmental suits and checking through all of its functions.

The Andorian science officer left her post and went back to join them. Kalynda had a portable kit already packed and ready to go before they had left the Phoenix. On Earth, this extensive science kit might not have only been a bit bulky, but rather heavy as well. But the mass of this planetoid produced a much lower gravity environment, and therefore the duffel bag would be easily manageble as they traversed thoughout the surface of this world.

Once her environmental suit was fully equipped, she carefully positioned the helmet and engaged the respiratory apparatus, communications, and the night-vision option in her helmet to enhance overall visibility. From what she could determine, the view outside of their shuttle would be dimly lit like that of a night sky just before dawn. Afterward she positioned the pre-adjusted strap of her kit over her left shoulder and held a tricorder in her right hand. A hand phaser was adhered to her left side at hip level as a security back-up.

Kalynda then engaged communications within the helmet.

"Testing... one...two...three"

Muller and Phillips indicated that they heard her before testing their own communications.

"Okay" inquired Phillips through the helmets intercom "Who gets to be the first one of us to step a foot on this alien world?"

"It won't be you Ensign" chided Anita Muller with a smirk evident behind her helmet's visor.

"But I'm the planetary geologist" Phillips protested. "It seems appropriate that I should leave the first Federation imprint here."

"Too late Phillips" Kalynda chimed in. "The Wildfire already beat you to that distinction."

Ensign Phillips gave a bit of a huff within his helmet.

"You know what I mean... the first sentient member of the Federation to step foot on..."

"Well then... that definitely leaves you out of contention Phillips" chided Anita Muller once again.

Commander Riker interjected.

"Sorry to break up the argument guys but being the senior member of the party and designated point man I will be the first one stepping onto the surface."

Grinning slightly to himself Riker continued.

"But please decide quickly who will be right behind me because if I am out there alone for more than a few seconds I am shooting the first person who steps out of the shuttle"

"I'll make sure to boot one out before you risk doing so," promised Elliago. "I hate doing autopsies."

Doing a final check over of his phaser pistol and tricorder Riker addressed the team.

"Everyone final equipment checks before we head out"

((other conversations before the hatch opens??))

((Sec/Tac?))

The away team's environmental suits were designed to shield them from extreme coldness, exposure to radiation and other potential threats to their health. They were also equipped with sufficient oxygen to last them several hours. However, since the gravity was so much less on the small terrestrial surface, each away team member was also bringing extra canisters of oxygen with them as a back-up; in case they explored longer than intended or something inhibited their return back to the shuttle.    

When everyone was suited up and ready for exposure, the hatch was released. Even though shielded, they could each feel a change as the cabin was depressurized and the coolness of this new environment invaded and surrounded them.

Much to Ensign Ryan Phillip's chagrin, it was Commander Riker that placed the first Federation foot down onto the alien surface, followed closely by Security chief Josh Vincent and his two security partners. After they signaled their consent to proceed, the others slowly followed after them onto the surface. Immediately, all of the tricorders and other sensory devices were activated and in full operation sweeping all around the perimeter of the shuttle.

Riker took a knee and pointed his pistol ahead.  Waiting patiently for the all clear from the crew behind him that they had done their preliminary scans.  Despite trusting his aim more than anyone else Riker secretly hoped he would not be shooting anyone today. 

Kalynda had her tricorder pinpointed to the peculiar energy signature she detected from within the shuttle and faced directly toward it.

She then engaged her suit's communication switch with one hand while using her other arm to gesture toward a northeastern direction.

"Commander Riker... the readings point directly this way... one point zero nine-two-five kilometers away"

"Over a kilometer away? Now I really miss that transporter," grumbled Elliago.

The visibility around her was markedly improved through her visor's available spectrum augmentations, but overall the limited view was still rather creepy yet exotic to the Andorian.  

She remained honed in on the readings as she moved forward with the XO and security chief leading the pack.

Despite the gear and their suits, they were able to travel swiftly on this smooth terrain and within the low gravity environment.

From the corner of her mask Kalynda spotted Ryan Philips first taking long strides as they move forward, then falling slightly behind the rest of the team, making rather high leaps into the air.

Apparently Anita Muller caught this as well, as she immediately activated her com.

"Hey Phillips.... what are you... nine years old? Stop playing leapfrog back there and focus on our mission ahead of us!"

Indignant, he snapped back.

"I  am just trying to gain a better view of this surface as we are traveling here!"

Anita just shook here helmet from side-to-side.

"Yeah... okay Philips... a truly believable explanation you've provided there" as she turned forward and proceeded toward their destination.

"Actually, Lieutenant, Phillips has it right. In low gravity environement, it is more efficient to hop than to walk. Even Humans learned that early when they reached their planet's natural satellite."

And so saying, he ((who?)) started imitating Phillips and, soon enough, both of them were moving ahead of the others and stopped only when they came first in view of their objective.

Anita just rolled her eyes as the two went bunny hopping across the planetoid.

Later on as they began to approach the source of the energy signal, a strange narrow formation began to come into view ahead of them.

As they moved closer to this phenomena, it appeared to stretch higher upward toward the skies.

Kalynda's signal continued to grow in strength the closer in proximity they moved toward this formation.

As they now stood at the base of this now glaring spire, it appeared to stretch up over two kilometers toward the sky. It looked almost like it was formed of obsidian; a rock born out of quickly cooled volcanic lava on Earth, yet it apparently had none of the brittle glass-like qualities of that substance.

Elliago looked askance at the odd structure, blinking and frowning.

"Don,t ask me what, but I think I saw this odd thing before... or something similar..."

His voice trailed off as he continued to look at the spire.

"Well Commander... we have definitely found the source of those intermittent energy  readings" the Andorian science officer proclaimed.

It was rather puzzling as they each walked around the base of this enormous spire taking what limited readings they could garner as they also carefully examined its composition.

"This material is indigenous" noted Ryan Phillips, who had immediately switched into his geologist mode upon their arrival to the conundrum.

"But whoever built it certainly was not," commented the Deltan dorctor, still frowning. "This hunk of rock has no chance of harboring any kind of life as it is; and if it was part originally of a larger space body, that thing would never had survived it,s destruction intact, even if made out of pure cristallized carbon. That object must have been put here."

Kalynda was digging around the base when she noticed something else unusual. It was a series of patterns, composed of the same material but in a series of overlapping concentric circles and other geometrical forms within a confined area of the base.

She then signaled for the commanding officer to join her.

As he arrived, she activated her com once again.

"These materials may be indigenous as Phillips indicated Commander, but this collection of patterns displays a level of symmetry that appears too elaborate to be of some sort of coincidental chaotic origin."

She then looked up at Riker through her visor as she continued with her assessment.

"We are apparently not the first beings to discover this planetoid."

"What was your first clue? Joked Elliago.

A silence immediately fell upon the away team as everyone instinctively  glanced all around them to see signs of movement or anything else potentially threatening around them.

Thankfully for the moment, nothing out of the ordinary was observed.

Kalynda then continued.

"If I may speculate Sir..." as the Andorian looked to the first officer for a nod of approval.

"What are you thinking?" Riker responded without taking his eyes off the area around the away team.

"I believe now that this may be one of many spires somehow placed around this planetoid. Although I may not know of their overall purpose, I would speculate that there are at least two principal objectives for which these spires serve. One is that they block and deflect most sensors and communication-like signals. However, it is obviously not affecting our short-ranged communication signals from our helmets, yet they still impede most aspects of our tricorders and other sensors. And they deflect virtually all signals from above the surface to outer space."

Glancing slightly back Riker nodded in both a statement of understanding and as if to say "go on".

((?))

"Secondly, they also somehow  seem to also serve as a series of artificial screen towers to prevent others from seeing  the features of this planetoid from space... sort of like a cloaking device."

Astrophysicist Anita Muller then cut into the conversation.

"So if we were to disable one of these spires, would it enable us to communicate with the ship... or possibly transport back if we need to?"

With a looked of concern visible through her visor, Kalynda continued to speculate.

"That could be some of the potential benefits if we were able to actually deactivate one of these spires. However, since we are unfamiliar with this device or this technology, we don't know if there would also be any other consequences triggered from our actions."

Ryan Phillips blurted out "You mean like this thing blowing up into a million pieces?" 

With a slight smirk, Kalynda responded "Not that consequence specifically Phillips... but perhaps something unanticipated or unexpected."

"Why is it that you, Humans, always think that if something goes wrong, there will be an explosion?" wondered the Deltan doctor outloud.

With a smirk on his face Commander Riker interjected.

"Because when something goes wrong and humans are involved there usually is an explosion".

Looking around, the Andorian scientist simply stated "I'm just recommending that we proceed with caution in whatever is decided here."

"Well if I may make a speculation of my own here, " Doctor Nasaro-Myth then said; "whoever put these things here will not appreciate that we fiddle with them. No more that we would appreciate some stranger play with one of our own toys. I'd recommend make a thorough record, leave it be and get back to the ship and report our findings."

From the back of the group Ensign Scott Giles, one of the security officers, worked his way up to the rock pattern laid out on the spire.

He was obviously studying the arrangements of markings very thoroughly.

Kalynda then leaned in nearby as she commented "I hope that you can help make sense of all of this Ensign."

Sean was an excellent engineer and an avid sports enthusiast, but away missions were not usually granted to engineers. Especially away missions where the possibility of first contact was a possibility. Thus, Sean had finagled a seat on the Wildfire. Replacing his security friend’s spot on the away team had been easily accomplished by distracting the young security ensign, Giles, with a false medical order to report immediately to sickbay. Easily counterfeited by the exceptional young engineer.

Then, by swapping the physiological logs of the ensign and himself, and keeping the neck armor high and his shoulders hunched down within it, Sean had escaped the casual glances from the other security officer and security Chief Vincent through random-seeming movements of avoidance and silent nods and shake’s of the head. Thus, he had joined the away mission to the new planetoid. He would pay for the consequences later, but for now, he got to explore and be a part in history.

Now, with the mystery intensifying before the team, in the form of this stupendous black spire, Lieutenant Andrews’ curiosity over-rode his clandestine act and he came forward to study the newfound markings. Something vaguely similar struck a chord within his memory, but he could not place it.

Miss Hunter’s comment brought Sean out of his narrow-minded observance of her discovery at the base of the spire.

“Huh! Oh no Lieutenant,”  Sean stammered before backing away from the gathered group.

Kalynda Hunter reached back and gently grabbed hold of his suit as the security officer tried to slip back among the small crowd.

As she pulled him back toward the spire, she added "Hold on a moment Ensign. It apparently was curiosity that brought you to take a closer look at this pattern. Besides security, do have a background in encryption or some other skill that may help us here?"

Then she looked closer at this rather nervous away team member.

"Ensign, why are you looking down and away while I am speaking to you. Is there something wrong?"

Hastily, Sean shook off the Lieutenants grip and backed further away, muttering something about just being curious. It was obviously too late to return to the wildfire without arousing more suspicion, and besides, he really wanted to explore anyway. Taking a perimeter stance and facing obliquely away from the science chief, Sean blatantly placed the butt of his phaser rifle on his right hip and, with muzzle pointed upwards, attempted to seem the alert security officer looking for danger.

But his thoughts kept returning to the symbols on the spire’s base, and their possible configuration’s or usage.

After the security officer's abrupt reaction, Kalynda then turned her attention to the security chief.

"Lieutenant Commander Vincent, perhaps you should have a word with your security officer. Somethings seems peculiar about his conduct."

((Tag to Vincent!))

Overhearing the brief but loud exchange and seeing the formation Riker pointed behind him in the direction of ensign Sean.

"Keep in formation back there and keep the non essential communication to a minimum"

“Aye Sir!” Sean blurted back unthinkingly. His desire to seemingly fit into the role of security ensign had momentarily overcome his caution on not speaking.

‘Damn’, he thought wildly.

Doing another scan of the area around the spire Riker asked openly.

"Suggestions.  How close can we get to one of these things before someone, or something figures out we are here?"

 Kalynda responded to the first officer's inquiry.

"It doesn't appear that proximity is having any affect on this spire thus far Commander." 

 t took a couple seconds for his different voice to register with the security chief, but lieutenant-commander Vincent suddenly realized that the voice in his headphones was not the voice of Ensign Giles. As commander Riker was addressing the group about proximity to the spire, Vincent approached Andrews and with a forceful spin, spun the young engineer about to bring him visor to visor.

“Aha! We have a stow-away commander.”

Peering intently though the twin distortions of the curved visors in this close proximity, Josh studied the sheepish face of Lieutenant Andrews a second or two before recognizing him.

‘Lieutenant Andrews?”

Hearing the name Riker's ears perked up and he very aggressively walked past Vincent and the other security officers.  Grabbing the young lieutenant slightly Riker glanced into his helmet.  The commander took only a second to recognize to young engineer as his brow tightened with anger.

"You have exactly one second to tell me what you are doing here."

Before the lieutenant could say anything Riker cut him off.

"I specifically ordered a structured security team and gave specifics as to what weapons that team was to carry and be skilled in.  I left no room for interpretation or for debate.  This is my away mission, my team and your lives are my responsibility.  So I ask again Lieutenant what are you doing here, and more importantly where is the other security officer that I wanted watching my back?"

Under the steady but unrelenting grip of commander Riker's hand, Sean made no attempt to pull away. In response to his questioning, Andrew's merely stated his hypothetical appointment to the away mission.

"Sir, Ensign Giles, your other security team member, was called to sick bay. I volunteered to take his place. And I have tactical training commander. I'll have everyone's back!'

It may have sounded rehearsed, but the base fact's were true on all points. And technically, Sean had volunteered. The only hole was the reasoning for Giles' call to sickbay, which was not being debated at the moment.

Riker loosened his grip slightly and glared down at the engineer.

"Your answer fails to inform me why I am just now finding out that you are here.  Any reason you chose not to speak up when we were still boarding the shuttle.  A reason that might involve you knowing you would not be on this mission."

Before Andrews could say anything Riker tightened  his grip and gently pulled the young officer till their visors were touching.

"We will address your time here when we get back, and I swear if anyone gets hurt because your so called tactical training is not up to par I will shoot you and personally carry your body to the brig."

Releasing his grip and gently pushing Andrews away Riker locked eyes with him one final time.

"You know just between you and me I forged a medical order to get on to my first away mission."

Continuing with a wink that only the young Lieutenant could see Riker continued.

"But I know you are not dumb enough to do anything that illegal and stupid now are you..."

"... Are you Lieutenant" Riker finished with a cold inquiry.

 Swallowing hard, Sean answered in the only course open to him as a Star Fleet officer ... the truth.

"But I am quite dumb enough Commander."

Then turning away, he resumed his former position near to Lieutenant Hunter.

(Interactions occurring among security/Hunter/XO.... please fill-in events/dialogue and participate!!!))

(afterward.... i.e. just trying to keep the story moving along here!)

As the team continued to analyze the arranged markings on base of the spire, they eventually determined that whatever these patterns meant, they were actually some type of pressure points and hypothesized that a combination of these, if activated in the correct sequence, could perhaps grant access to a controlling mechanism within the spire.

However another challenge on top of all of this was that these symbols appeared to be extremely ancient and may no longer be activated; even upon entering a correct implementation of the coded sequence.

Dwelling on all of this as she studied the markers, Kalynda  just put it out there.

"So where does this leave us? What are our plausible options here?"

"One I do not recommend here is trying to push buttons like curious children," Elliago said with concern. "I say it again; record and report... and not interfere. This thing is not ours and does not represent a danger... as long as we do not play sorceror's apprentice here."

He was looking straight at Riker as he spoke his warning.

Nodding in agreement Riker addressed the team.

"I agree.  We are here for a mission and messing around with whatever this thing turns out to be is not part of it right now.  I want full scans and documented logs of all interactions, but do not unless you absolutely have to touch anything!"

The Andorian looked at the first officer with a bit of apprehension. She had no intention of defying his order, but she want to clarify a point.

"Unfortunately Sir, we may not be able to effectively do one without the other."

Then she stood up to face the mission's commanding officer helmet-to-helmet.

"Components within these spires are inhibiting our scanning capabilities and presumptively our ability to use transporters. Therefore, unless we figure out a way to nullify these factors, at least temporarily, we may not be able to effectively carry out our mission with the majority of our scanning equipment currently nullified."

Astrophysist Anita Muller then joined in to the discussion.

"I must concur with my colleague here" she noted with a gloved hand aimed toward the Andorian.

"If there are spires like this arranged throughout this planetoid as speculated, then part of our goal should also be to learn something about them. This may involve a hands-on approach... or in this case, a gloves-on approach, and not mere observation and the recording of some notes."

Ensign Phillips then moved closer and added his opinion into the conversation.

"Hey... I am just as just as concerned as the others about coming down here and messing around with these strange things. But as it stands,  I can't even get a glimpse into the basic composition of this big rock. We need to do something here to remedy that situation."

Then with a nervous expression evident through his visor, he back-tracked a bit.

"Now I'm not volunteering to mess around with this access panel or whatever it is on this spire. I'm just noting that I will support whoever is willing to give it a try. It's just that my support we be from about fifty meters away from this thing"  the geologist noted as he pointed to a direction away from their current position.  

Elliago lifted his eyes upward.

"Engineers... why do they have to fiddle with everything?"

Then he shook his head.

"Mister Riker; if a visual scan is all that we can do, then I would strongly recommend that we limit ourselves to it and get back. Touching things that do not belong to us is interfering with another culture's work and possessions... and it's just plain rude. And what would be our reaction if some alien group tampered with one of our subspace relays or monitoring station? Now imagine how the Klingons or the Borg would have reacted if this was theirs and we interfered with it?"

The doctor let the others some moments to think about what he had said before concluding;

"Commander; the Prime Directive is not just about the people themselves but about what they make and what they own... or think they own. This thing, whatever it is, presents no danger; there is no valid reason for us to play with it. Curiosity is not a valid reason enough... and curiosity is what killed the cat, you Humans are fond of saying."

Listening to everyone's input Riker thought for a moment and addressed the team.

"I am not overly fond of that comparison because last I checked our subspace relays and satellites were not emitting a field that deliberately interfered with people's ability to conduct exploration."

Elliago raise eyes upward.

"It matters not if those things spew out perfume or pretty lights, Commander. The point is, they are not ours. Fiddling with them is trespassing. Acting like monkeys is not what we were trained for. But you command this mission so we shall do as you say. Just pray that I can patch you up afterwards... or still around to do it."

Pointing at the Andorian standing in front of him.

"As for you and your team I agree that we are past the point of just looking but I do not want anyone touching anything unless risk is minimized or at least assessed first.  And seriously engineers stop quoting regulations I am asking for your opinions because I want them I am not here to test you on anything"

Then, the Deltan's eyez blinked and widened.

"Wait a minute... and what if that thing was just that? A test?"

The others blinked their own stares back at him.

"Think about it; if some powerful alien culture... like the Metrons or the Organians or the Q... something like that Neguilum being or whatever it was called that trapped the Enterprise D some decades back... if some advanced intelligence wanted to test us on our beliefs, on our faithfulness to our own values, our own morality... evaluated our intellignece, our worth as a lifeform by how we behaved... Now, would not that be exactly the kind of thing they would do? plant a bizarre object in our path and see what we would do with it? And why?"

Looking back at the strange spire, his voice started to be laced with worry.

"I know now why I thought this thing looked familiar; it reminds me of the monolith of the Preservers."

Elliago straightened, put his hands behind his back at formal attention stance.

"Commander; I am convinced that if we tamper with what we found here, we will fail that hypothetical test; but worse still, we will fail to follow our own laws, our own rules and simple common sense. We can always come back with better instruments or better means to circumvent the difficulties here without touching it and pursue any research needed, if only to satisfy our curiosity. But in doing so, we will clearly demonstrate more than just our intelligence; we will live up to our own morality."

Kalynda listened carefully as the Deltan CMO spoke and courteously awaited his concluding statements before responding.

"Commander Riker, I completely respect the message of concern that our doctor is expressing in regards to the Prime Directive and non-interference on this planetoid. I have similar concerns myself. However, there may be other here things to consider as well before making a final decision."

The Andorian looked around for a moment at the remaining away team all outfitted in secure environmental suits surrounding this obelisk before continuing.

"We are explorers here. Intellectual curiosity is one of the driving forces that has brought us all together from different worlds onto the Phoenix and now here to this planetoid. It is through our collective travels to worlds such as this even beyond our own quadrant that have lead to discoveries and advancements throughout Starfleet's history. This includes the furtherance of our cultural understandings as well. Perhaps if this spire were to be symbolic of some test, would we fail because we wanted to learn more about it and this planetoid?" she asked rhetorically, before adding "as Jean Luc Picard stated to Q when humanity was on trial en route to a mission at Farpoint back in 2364:

"We have no fear what the true facts about us will reveal."

Then looking over at the Deltan CMO, she noted playfully.

"Also, If I understand the entirety of that old Earth expression regarding the feline Doctor, it concluded that satisfaction however somehow brought it back from its demise" she puntuated with a little wink at the end.

She then turned her attention back to Commander Riker.

"Thus far we have seen no evidence of any signs of life existing here other than this ancient obelisk. I am not condoning desecrating or damaging it. However, as we have seen, there are glyphs embedded into its base. It is presumably some form of communication. Whether these are instructions on how to enter or operate this spire or a warning to stay away... none of us can be certain. But I don't believe that we traveled all the way here merely to look and immediately turn around and leave just yet."

Then looking seriously at the commanding officer of the away team she concluded.

"We should take some time now and try to decipher what we have found here. We have two other sites that we will be visiting while we are here. What we may learn here and now may be of value as we continue exploring this planetoid."   

Shaking his head Riker tightened the grip on his phase pistol slightly.

"I would never have made Commander if I did not adhere to and with every ounce of being respect the Federation and what it stands for, but if my father taught me anything it was there are times when even the most infallible system can be wrong.  I am not saying we are wrong, but many of the great stories of Starfleet captains are only able to be told because they understood the balance between human life, the lives of their crew and the all important directives that drive us.  I will not order a mission abandoned or objectives ignored or anything that will put any of your lives at risk because someone wants to see if we are willing to follow along in their game."

"Exactly my point," acknowledged Nasaro-Myth.

Pointing at the entire away time Riker continued.

"We move forward, we continue our mission and we find and rescue the people we came here to save."

"That I can agree with," nodded the Deltan doctor.

A puzzled look suddenly appeared upon the Andorian's expression.

"Rescue? Kalynda inquired to Riker.

"Who are we here to rescue? We haven't even found any living things yet on this planetoid."

 ((additional input?))

The away team members continued to capture images and record measurements of the spire and the glyph-like symbols protruding from an area around its base. Even though they were completely foreign and obscure,  the more extensively the team studied them, the more that these symbols paradoxically exhibited an almost recognizable pattern occurring in their appearance. To Kalynda, it was an almost déjà vu like experience as she continued to absorbedly observe them. Yet she could not pinpoint what exactly the familiarity was that was gnawing at her. 

After three and a quarter hours, they had collected and documented all of the data about the spire that they could gather and then proceeded to head back to the shuttle.  They continued to analyze the data and study the arrangements of the symbols on their PADDs once they arrived back into its interior.

The helm team already had the coordinates to second landing site programmed and shortly upon the away team's return, the shuttle launched and headed toward their next destination. They had all removed their helmets once the hatch was sealed and the environment was returned to normal conditions.

Soon after launching though, Kalynda barely espied a familiar object resting on the surface through the dimness of available light.

"Lieutenant Traynor, there is our class III probe" the Andorian noted, as she pointed to its position.

She then looked at their commanding officer.

"Perhaps we should take the probe with us so that we can send a message to the Phoenix from our next landing site Commander Riker."

Riker nodded in agreement

"Make it so."

The shuttle then circled around and carefully landed within a few meters of the resting probe.

With helmets secured and activated once again, the team of explorers carefully lifted and fastened the probe on top of the shuttle for its short journey to their next destination. This time they remained outfitted in their environmental suits for the duration of the trip,  but had fully replenished their diminished oxygen supply.

As they approached their next site, even through the darkness they could see that this was quite a different region from their initial stop. There was a series of ominous mountains protruding from the surface throughout this region. The shuttle carefully navigated their way above and around the cliffs and escarpments, capturing images and studying their unusual shapes until they spotted another spire protruding adjacent to an enormous precipice. As if by luck, helmsman Traynor observed a small plateau in close proximity to this area.

"Commander Riker, if we land the shuttle at that small spot there" he stated, as he pointed out the small potential landing site "we would have access to another spire adjacent to the shuttle."

Laughing slightly Riker responded.

"Oh good another one of those things after we had such luck with the last one.  And it is not even my birthday."

Glancing up before anyone could respond to his clearly missed joke Riker continued

"Agreed take us down and maybe we will have better luck studying this one."

 As the Wildfire moved on to the next landing site, Andrew's studied the accumulated data on the spire through his PADD connection with teh main shuttle computer. Running mocroscopic scans on teh recorded data, he ascertained that only two groups of five, of the multitude of icons, showed wear patterns. It appeared that these two singular groups had been used over all the other symbols around the base of the spire. Shifting slighty to his right, he passed his PADD to Lieutenant Hunter and, with lowered voice,pointed out the findings to her.

"Lieutenant? Look here, at the symbols. It seems like only two groups were actually used. But they are diametrically opposed on wither side of the base, meters apart? And, they are identical symbols in each grouping!"

Kalynda nodded affirmatively as Andrews spoke.

"And there is something about the arrangement of those markings that seems vaguely familiar, but I still have not been able to put this all together. It is like the answer is staring right at me, yet eluding me at the same time!"

((any other responses?))

Once agreement on this site was established, Traynor and Aulder worked carefully in conjunction with the shuttle's instrumentation and their limited visual observation to effectively nail this tricky descent among a series of protruding ridges and cliffs. They would not be able to just circle safely into this landing zone. Instead, they would need to descend straight down using reverse thrust with pinpoint accuracy.

Within a matter of minutes the shuttle rested into its new berth, much to the relief of an anxious crew as they watched the skill of the helmsman perform his delicate and precise act of aeronautics.

Patting the helmsmen on the shoulder Riker stood up, adjusted his belt and headed for the hatch.

"Nice landing."

The hatch was opened moments later and the away team immediately spilled out of the shuttle and began exploring this somewhat more confined but definitely more intriguing new landing site. 

Acting again as point Riker moved out first followed by the security team as they established a basic perimeter.  Not taking his eyes off the distance Riker addressed the team.

"Fall out and start your scans.  If anyone find for sees anything speak up."

Hearing the commanders order and request, Andrews sidled toward chief of science Hunter and, with a few taps, sent his recent findings concerning the patterns of the icons on the previous spire to her PADD. Then he gestured toward her to imply that she should report these findings along with her concerns about the icons arrangment to Riker. He figured that the XO was in no mood to listen to him right now.

 

((continue on from this point in the next thread Spire II... Any further additions or modifications above please highlight in color))