Plumbing the Depths

Posted on Thu Nov 24th, 2016 @ 5:13am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Cor Cordale
Edited on on Fri Nov 25th, 2016 @ 4:48am

Mission: Smoke and Mirrors
Location: Mine 13

The mine gates were still marked off to trespassers but the small team of scientists who followed the Thux were allowed through without challenge. As they approached the mine shaft the dark gaping mouth yawned hungrily before them. Even powering up the lights down the tunnel did little to dispel the sense of dread.

Cordale led Odelle and her team down into the dark depths. Normally the Thux was a happy-go-lucky kind of sentient, with a smile on his muzzle and a swing to his tail. He was usually such a happy guy. The Thux here, now, was different. He was sour, he was closed off, he was almost brooding. He was angry, he was a hundred emotions all at once.

All except the one that he was most likely feeling. Fear.

This cavern had shown him things he wasn't ready to see again, and he wasn't looking forward to re-re-visiting them. "Keep your wits about." he warned the Science team, though they probably were already briefed on what to expect down here. More than he was given, though to be fair his report was in their report so...

"This place gives me the creeps......" One of the Science team commented as he switched on his flashlight and followed Cordale and Odelle into the the Mine. It looked like something out of an old horror movie, dark, dreary and ominous.

"Never been in a hole before, have you?" Cordale asked as they descended. "Space is nice. It's wide open, and it begs you to explore. Come, answer all your questions. That's the lure of Space." he paused, "A hole, sure a hole looks inviting. A spooky cave, a dark pit, everyone wants to know what's at the bottom."

"The only thing worse than a question, is an answer." he chuckled a bit. Then he turned to Odelle, "Sorry, spooking the new kids." he chuckled. Then his ears perked at a noise only he heard, and he turned his attention quickly to see.... nothing.

"Thought I heard something..."

"I admit," Said a Vulcan science officer, "That I am finding concentration difficult. I believe I am experiencing the early effects of the phenomena Cmdr Cuprum mentioned. Shall we take our readings now, or move deeper?"

"Both." Cordale mentioned after a moment of thought. "Take all the readings you can think of, which I imagine is quite a bit." He said in something approaching a half-compliment. "We'll head deeper, take a few more readings, and build a comparison up."

Cordale actually had a lot of experience forming differential databases. Though, it was mostly for model parts or the lubricant for his prosthetic limb. Though, there was also a section to help him during shopping trips to the open air markets, but those he'd never admit to.

The team took readings as they walked. It was not long before they began to get increased readings of a particulate in the air.

"It seems to be stronger near concentrations of the Andrasite ore, or in places where the refined mineral is being used as a power source," the Vulcan officer supplied. "It's chemical pattern is similar to a Beta blocker that affects certain parts of the brains, specifically the areas that stimulate memory. I hypothesize that exposure to the gas for prolonged time, or in large amounts may be responsible for the headaches I and other Telepathic individuals have been experiencing. In less advanced species it may have other effects, such as Paranoia and possible delusions, but I would need a medical personnel to confirm that suspicion."

"So for the benefit of the less advanced here," another crewman asked through gritted teeth, "you are saying the only cure for the current issues facing the population is to stop digging up and using the Andrasite?"

The Vulcan glanced up at the expressions of those around him, "I did not mean 'less advanced' to be offensive. It is merely a statement of fact."

"Oi." Cordale called the building attention to himself. "That. That's the fumes?" the Thux motioned around, "All of us on our toes, edgy and twitchy, ready to jump at shadows?" and when the Thux got a possible confirmation from the Vulcan, he gave a nod, "Alright, if we got what we need maybe we should head back up." It wasn't phrased like a question.

The radio crackled to life as they approached the surface, =A=All Away Teams converge on the Main Square for emergency Beam Out! The use of Stun setting is authorized. =A=

Cordale tapped his comm badge to call in a confirmation of orders, then turned to his team, "Okay, phasers out, set for stun." then he paused, "This COULD be real. Let's go in prepared. Worst that happens is we have a hell of a story to tell the Captain." and the Thux started to lead the party out of the Source-Foresaken Mine.