From: Ranjani Sabarinathan (rantrek_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Sun Sep 28 2008 - 19:47:23 PDT
“To the Mountains”
(contd from Rahul’s ‘Unfortunate Circumstances’)
Location: IRATHI III
SD: 2.80927.1953
Scene: Road-> Mountains
The mountain range was fortunately not far from the capital city though travelers needed to trek for one hour to reach the foot of the mountain facing their present location. The particular series of mountains was home to magnacite ore and possibly the Irathi resistance cells. Ensign Meera Song walked alongside her fellow crewmembers, a tricorder held in her hand to take scans when neccessary. The small group had already traipsed past city limits and was currently moving down a road, surrounded by empty fields, which didn’t look to be well-maintained. The winds blew gently, which made it seem like a pleasant walk in the country side.
Lieutenant Corwin and 1st Lieutenant Morris took the lead, followed by Ensigns Niala and Song, while Major Clarkson took the rear. Contrast to the chaos in the capital as a result of the explosions, it seemed quite peaceful out there. The explosions had rocked everyone’s emotions to the core. There were those on the PATRIOT who wondered with anger if IRATHI was worth losing the lives of good officers, not to mention the thousands of civilians.
When Meera was researching IRATHI technology in the Federation databanks prior to the first explosion, she found the information to be limited in her opinion. But that was understandable considering the Irathi were under Dominion control for a long time. During her research, Song noted the Irathi’s utilization of geo-gas as an energy source. Irathi scientists had devised various methods to maintain fuel efficiency, something that had greatly benefited the entire population. But at the moment, majority of the planet’s refineries suffered extensive damages during the battle to liberate them from Dominion oppression. Inhabitants residing in places with cold winters, where the temperature fell below sub-freezing levels, suffered the worst as they relied heavily on the geo-gas pumps to provide heating. And now after the multiple explosions that took place in the capital not too long ago, the geo-gas system would be down for a year there.
What Song did discover was that the Irathi were at one time progressing nicely in hi tech development, which likely attracted the Dominion’s attention towards them in the first place. And had the Dominion never conquered them, they could have been close in technological level to the Federation. The Dominion was well-known for suppressing the development of military technology on their subject worlds. Meera recalled from reading the information that the Irathi had once possessed space vessels that were warp capable but those were destroyed by their former conquerors.
Ever since she arrived on the planet, the part Betazoid woman felt a sense of uneasiness from the locals, whenever she encountered them. The Irathi in general, after years of suppression by the Dominion, were not trustworthy of the off-worlders and quite reluctant to cooperate with the Starfleet personnel risking their lives to make the world a better place to live.
At about the half-way point, the path began to slope slightly upwards. Lieutenant Corwin announced, addressing her team. “We’ll rest here for ten minutes.” The officers veered away from the road and made their way towards a spot under a large and very old tree. The climate was temperate in that part of the world, which made the journey less strenuous physically. It was late afternoon and the team hoped to finish their expedition and return safely back to the city before nightfall. However, if anything went wrong, the PATRIOT would transport them out as long as they weren’t inside the mountain.
Niala remarked, observing her surroundings. “Compared to the city, this place seems extremely quiet.”
“Too quiet,” Clarkson muttered, his voice filled with wariness. The marine ExO paced about the area, watching for anything suspicious. They had to be cautious, especially when they were away from the rest of the Starfleet personnel who were down on the planet.
Meera wasn’t feeling comfortable about the situation either. She wondered if the resistance made plans on planting more explosives and would continue to do so until they had succeeded in driving the PATRIOT away from the planet. The young woman was nervous over what they were going to find at those mountains. She hoped there wouldn’t be trouble awaiting them there but unfortunately in their line of work it was something they would be unable to avoid.
Tanith ordered, stepping away from the tree. “Okay, let’s get moving.” At the FCO’s command, the rest of the team followed their leader back to the road with the two marines glancing everywhere for signs of trouble.
-------------------------
TI: Thirty minutes later
The remaining part of the journey remained uneventful as the group finally reached their destination. They were standing amidst huge brown rocks and looking for a way up the mountain. Lieutenant Corwin inquired, addressing the CEO. “Where is the closest entrance to our position?”
Meera reported, eyeing the readings on her tricorder. “Thirty feet above and then six feet to the right of our position.”
Tanith inquired, turning to the CMO. “Any life signs?”
“No,” the Bajoran answered, shaking her head. “I’m not detecting any lifesigns in the vicinity but my tricorder is unable to pick up anything from within the caves.”
Ensign Song explained. “Sensors are blocked from penetrating the walls of the mountains due to the radioactive element thorium found in the magnacite ore, which means should we run into the resistance in those caves, the ship would be unable to transport us out.”
“Well, it looks like we’ll know the situation once we get up to that entrance,” Tanith stated dryly, moving her eyes upwards. “So let’s move, everyone,” the pilot ordered as she led her team up a narrow path, surrounded by rocks. “Watch your step,” she cautioned. “The way is quite steep.”
Daniel warned as he and Morris were the last to make the climb. “We must proceed with caution as there’s no telling what awaits us at our destination.”
“Understood, Major,” Corwin acknowledged.
The officers climbed the path in intense silence as each of them was worried over what they would find at those entrances. The small away team’s mission was investigating the caves for any clues regarding the terrorists such as their location. Meera felt it made sense that a cell could be established within the confines of these mountains, considering their ability to block sensors.
Twenty minutes had passed, when the FCO announced. “We’re almost there.” The path widened as the plateau loomed ahead of them.
Tam informed, glancing quickly at her tricorder. “No life signs detected in the area.”
“Okay, then we’ll continue to proceed,” Corwin stated as the group slowly climbed onto the flat surface. Both marines raised their weapons, looking out for the terrorists, who could be lurking inside the cave. Being at a higher altitude, the weather was cooler than on the ground. A chill was felt, when the winds blew against their bodies. They made their way to the cave.
Clarkson suggested. “One of us will need to stay out here to guard the entrance and watch out for any sign of trouble.”
“I agree,” Corwin nodded as everyone stood at the opening. “Ensign Niala, Ensign Song and either Major Clarkson or Lieutenant Morris will accompany me in exploring this cave.
Daniel gave the order to his subordinate. “Take point, Lieutenant.”
“Yes sir,” Morris complied as he took his position in front of the entrance, while watching the Major join the three naval officers as they entered the mouth of darkness.
************************************************************************
NRPG: Tag everyone!
Ranjani Sabarinathan
FRPG Archivist
Speaking for...
[/\]o..
Lieutenant Commander Kathryn MacNeil, MD
Executive Officer
GATEWAY STATION- 2
and
[/\].
Ensign Meera Song
Chief Engineering Officer
USS PATRIOT
and
[/\]....
Captain Anaqueen Spankryz
Commanding Officer
USS COMMENDATION (Novella Unit)
and
[/\]..
Lieutenant Etallia Halois
Senior ACTi
Starfleet Academy
__________________________________________________________________
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