Landfall

Posted on Mon Jan 22nd, 2018 @ 1:26am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Commander Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Commander Alec Wescott & Lieutenant Ishan Satele & Lieutenant Hel Samedi & Lieutenant Simon Stevens & Lieutenant Jaton Alyl & Lieutenant Sara'draphia T'eseri & Lieutenant JG Scotty Kayne & Lieutenant JG Asvit Hap
Edited on on Mon Jan 22nd, 2018 @ 1:27am

Mission: Of Machines and Men
Location: Deserted city
Timeline: MT 0:00 - 0:10

Away team: Cuprum (Command), Cordale (Engineering), Sara (Medical), Jaton (Science), Seran (Marine Scout), Scotty and Stevens (general hansd - since we don't need a shuttle escort or opps specifically), Avist (Diplomat), Alec (security).

The city was deserted and decaying. Evidence of worn facades and derelict structures were everywhere. However, the air smelled fresh, even with a hint of Ozone, despite the ocean being many kilometers away. The team arrived in the centre of an empty street and looked around.

Val Seran materialized, wearing a typical Dalacari marine uniform, patterned with the mottled grays of urban camouflage. She split up a bit and took positions, flanking the small away team, providing cover. The one with the prosthetic arm carrying a type 3 compression rifle along with a hefty back pack and some state-of-the-art optics attached to her helmet, a type 2 phaser on her belt.

The other half of Val Seran carried a heavy rifle that she wielded with more alacrity and elegance than its bulk suggested. She too had an optic attached to her helmet, though only for her left eye - leaving the right one free for the scope on her rifle. She too had a type 2 holstered on her belt.

As Jaton materialised on the surface, he took out his tricorder and began taking all the standard readings. There was a bit of a cold tinge to the air, but that was to be expected in the city's location.

It was something of a novelty for Simon, as this was his first away mission since he had been left on his previous ship and having no experience of an away mission and had jumped at the chance, although he had made it to Lieutenant, but still this was his first time. as he took out his Phaser in one hand and a tricorder in the other, Simon knew that this didn't seam right to him, the question that ran through his mind was oO Where was everyone Oo

"Current air temperature 5°C. Pressure at 87 kilopascals and currently rising. No radiation spikes to speak of. Nothing out of the ordinary for this region of the planet. And the buildings seem to be built to withstand much worse."

Scotty then materialized after Jaton, pulling out a phaser and Tricorder.

Sara was the last one to beam down. She was dressed in her Nissari Huntress uniform complete with sidearm. Looking around at their surroundings, he was not comfortable with where they had arrived, but the choice wasn't hers to make. Taking out her tricorder, she conducted a quick scan of the away team and the surrounding environment for future reference.

Bertrand stepped forward, "Eyes open everyone. There was no obvious sign of danger, but a community doesn't just up and leave a habitation this large without reason. Look for anything that might hold some answers."

"Like that," he finished pointing to a wide dome that could just be seen over the rooftops. From orbit it had looked like a large covered sports arena or community centre. From here it could be seen that the electronic billboards attached to it were still on and displaying the last event.

"Will do," replied Simon as he began to start scanning, for any thing out of the ordinary.


The Greatest Showdown in the Universe
Winner takes all. All welcome.


"Still power. Suggests whatever happened was either involuntary or - " Val spoke and trailed off, the other Dalacari bioform seemlessly taking over. " - at the least unexpected. Would've cut power if their exit was planned."

"It could be automated," Bertand mused, "set to come on regularly, or under certain conditions.

Jaton cocked an eyebrow. "But what could the sign be referring to?" He felt Alyl squirm, mirroring the same gut-wrenching dread he felt as he weighed up the possibilities.

Simon still was not sure about this place, something still nagged at him, what could this be and why was this town deserted like it was, things just didn't add up, as he kept looking for anything moving that might give them information. as he continued to follow the rest of his teammates along the street towards their destination.

"Best way to find out is go and ask," Bertrand tapped his compin. "Away team to Victory. We are going to investigate one of the structures which appears to be still powered."

=A= Acknowledged, Commander. We are keeping a lock on you. =A=

"We should check the trigger routines on the systems." Cordale suggested, "But yeah, this has ambush written all over it. That's entirely too convenient."

"Val, You're on point," Bertrand affirmed. "Cor, you follow close. Watch for devices. We have no reason to believe that there should be anything hostile here, especially in the middle of a populated area. Watch the buildings we pass. My palm is itchy. Bailey, bring up our rear."

"Sir." Val walked forward, setting the pace. Her two bioforms leading the away team side by side, working together wordlessly and effortlessly, slicing corners, securing them.

The group began a slow move forward until it reached the broad entrance to the grounds. The closer they got the more like an entertainment venue it looked. The entrance was wide clear doors, wide open to the elements. There was dust and old leaves gathered just inside. The foyer was deep and deserted, but could easily allow dozens of people to move through together.

Bertrand brought up the rear of the group, watching behind them as they moved through. He could sense nothing, but he wasn't trusting that at the moment.

"There sill be a ticket office, or something like that. It should have a communications device, or computer terminal of some kind."

Jaton walked forward, constantly scanning for lifesigns, one hand on his phaser. "I'm still not picking anything up sir. But I should be able to slice into the computer in the ticket office and see just what was going on here."

Val led the way towards the facility and the door. She held at the door for a moment, making sure everyone was there and accounted for, before stepping inside, quickly slicing the entrance and flanking the door opening. Weapons still held at the low.

The group stared deep into the foyer. As their eye's adjusted to the furthest dark recess, they saw a hint of movement. No, there was definitely a figure coming forward out of the darkness.

Simon kept his weapon in his hand still not sure about this place," Sir," something is heading in our direction," He announced keeping his gaze upon the figure that was heading towards them, he thought oO I wonder who this is? Oo as the figure came out into the light. The 'person' now standing in front of the foyer...dressed in a black top hat, red tails and carrying a cane with a rounded silver handle!

Sara quickly drew her sidearm and aimed it at the newcomer. She chose not to telepathically read the person's thoughts just incase they were also a telepath.

"Step up ladies and gentlemen, step up quickly and join us, we've been expecting you!" they said cheerfully in a loud baritone voice.

"Well this oughta be good." Scotty said, redirecting the aim of his phaser

"Robot," Bertrand observed, his eyes flicking over the figure. There were signs if you knew what to look for, or if you were able to sense and absence of mind in the figure. Still, it was a good copy. What was most surprising was it was dressed in a parody of human gear. the face structure was human, or at least a human "skin". Why had it selected this shape?

"I am Commander Bertrum of the United Federation of Planets. We are looking for who ever is in charge."

"And that," burbled the ring master, "Is what this facility is about. The election is still going, but the current polled favourite is inside. This, way if you want to meet him."

With that the figure turned on its heel and moved back inside.

"Election? What election? And what kind of society would run their election like a game?" Jaton wondered out loud. He turned to Bertrum. "Should we follow it, sir? We need to find out what's going on but by the same token I feel like it's a trap."

"Many cultures use contests for selection; martial skills, athletic performance, even essay writing. The UFP still use democratic vote on popularity for its decisions," Bertrand observed. "Our mission is 'To Boldly Go' and 'Seek out new civilizations'. I think this counts on both scores. Cor?"

Cor was caught a little off guard. Was Bert asking HIM?

"Oh, I guess. Though, let's not boldly stumble." the Thux turned toward Jaton for a moment, "Besides, if it's an official game, it may actually be fair. Who knows." he paused, "And with that, I guess we're heading in. Stay on your toes, people." and the Thux slowly followed, making sure there wasn't a bottleneck at the door with the recon scout.

Jaton sighed. "Aye sir," he said tentatively. He drew his phaser and placed it securely in his left hand and followed Cordale in.

Val moved forward, one resting a hand on Cor's shoulder as the other moved past. "I'll take lead, Sir." She said with a matter of fact nod. "Trained for it. If something happens better it happens to me than you."

Scotty followed Val. "Going into the unknown is how you expand what is known."

Simon responded," I have a bad feeling about this Lieutenant," as he followed the rest of the away team inside.

"I believe it is considered bad luck to use that particular phrase Lieutenant" Sara said to Simon as she moved with the group.

The foyer was vast, and ended in turnstiles which were wide enough for two people to pass through together.

"In pairs, please," The Ringmaster gestured for them.

Jaton turned to the side. "Shall we?" he asked Scotty.

Scotty grinned. "By all means." and proceeded alongside Jaton.

"Commander, Should we not be more tactical about this situation? Entering in pairs does not seem like the safest way to enter" Sara commented watching the first pair proceed towards the turnstiles.

Simon asked, "Commander, would you like to partner up with me?" looking back at Alec, who he hoped would say yes to the question.

Already a pair, Val Seran made her way forward.

Sara watched as each pair walked into the stadium. She was surprised that such an advanced society was so trusting of strangers they've just met. "Commander, I don't like this" she said, drawing her sidearm and holding it at the ready, "how do we know we can trust them?"

Bertrand looked at Sara sideways, "We don't. But if we are going to stop at every turnstile, we are not going to get very far. Shall we?"

Jaton and Scotty, followed by Stevens and Alec, then Seran passed through the turnstile with no obvious ill effect.
Bertrand and Sara followed, leaving Cor and Avist to come last.

Behind them the open foyer doors swung shut... and with that, contact with the Victory was lost.

OOC: I had to make some adjustments to remove a character who has apparently withdrawn from Starfleet and insert Alec.