Starship Excalibur

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"Lietenant, on screen if possible, broadcast to the bridge otherwise."

Once Chopra has done her thing, "Captain, we're here. What do you need? There should be a shuttle of marines nearby to help."
"It's audio-only, sir."

I'll post more once I know what Supervisor194 Supervisor194 has Captain Conway say.
Captain Conway's communicator crackles with the static-ridden voice of Commander Travis: "--we're here...you need?...a shuttle of marines...help."
 
Hearing the apparently distressed crewmember of the Excalibur, Gideon tenses anew. Briefly, he wonders, as he often does in these situations, why he hadn't gone into private practice planetside, as his father had wanted. You always wanted to prove how brave you are, Gideon thinks to himself. Well, you're not a hero, not at all. Sinclair pushes these thoughts aside, reminding himself that he joined Starfleet to help beings who are often on the frontlines of interstellar exploration and combat. He again looks to Conway for guidance, his hand almost imperceptibly moving back toward his phaser.
 
"Excalibur, belay that shuttle! Do you read?"
Knowing that something must be wrong with reaching the Excalibur, Conway offers his communicator to Ta'kar. "Mr. Ta'kar, is there anything you can do to boost the signal? I need to know what's going on up there!"
 
"Perhaps this structure is causing the weak signal, Captain. Maybe if we stepped outside a moment it would be clearer?" McLennan quietly makes the suggestion while keeping an eye on the Klingons.
 
OOC: Ta'kar will look at the communicator and try and boost the signal. What should I roll?
 
Lt. Chopra transfers audio to the main comm system so the entire bridge can hear Captain Conway's somewhat garbled reply: "--belay that!...you read?"
 
"Mr. Ta'kar, is there anything you can do to boost the signal? I need to know what's going on up there!"
"Perhaps this structure is causing the weak signal, Captain. Maybe if we stepped outside a moment it would be clearer?" McLennan quietly makes the suggestion while keeping an eye on the Klingons.
"Do you see, Yunas? They fear to use your communications equipment because they cannot control what you hear!" says Captain Krawz.

"Truly, Captain Conway, you could easily contact your ship from below--unless you would prefer we not be able to monitor what is said?" asks Yunas.

"Is it not obvious?" laughs Krawz.
OOC: Ta'kar will look at the communicator and try and boost the signal. What should I roll?
Ta'kar can try averaging his skill in Communications Systems Technology (0), his skill in Small Equipment Systems Technology (0), and his Intelligence (90) to make an attempt to modify the communicator.
 
"Do you see, Yunas? They fear to use your communications equipment because they cannot control what you hear!" says Captain Krawz.

"Truly, Captain Conway, you could easily contact your ship from below--unless you would prefer we not be able to monitor what is said?" asks Yunas.

"Is it not obvious?" laughs Krawz.

Ta'kar can try averaging his skill in Communications Systems Technology (0), his skill in Small Equipment Systems Technology (0), and his Intelligence (90) to make an attempt to modify the communicator.
Ta'kar rolls a 54.
 
Lt. Chopra transfers audio to the main comm system so the entire bridge can hear Captain Conway's somewhat garbled reply: "--belay that!...you read?"

Travis is confused and anxious. "Captain! You signal is breaking up. Belay what?"
 
Ta'kar rolls a 54.
Ta'kar finds it beyond his minimal knowledge of communications technology to compensate for the interference--indeed, he's uncertain whether it would even be possible with the handheld communicators.

As the Vulcan completes his analysis, you hear the voice of Commander Travis sounding confused and anxious: "Captain!...signal...what?"
 
"Captain, if I may," Sinclair speaks. "Since we have nothing to hide, perhaps we should use our hosts' comms...? Whatever's happening on board the Excalibur, it sounds urgent."
 
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"Alright, Yunas. We will follow you below and contact our ship from there. We have nothing to hide from you."
 
Travis is confused and anxious. "Captain! You signal is breaking up. Belay what?"
The signal cuts out altogether. Lt. Chopra turns to you with a concerned expression creasing her brow and says, "Commander, the signal has ceased transmitting at the other end."

"Captain, if I may," Sinclair speaks. "Since we have nothing to hide, perhaps we should use our hosts' comms...? Whatever's happening on board the Excalibur, it sounds urgent."
"Logical, Mr Sinclair." Ta'kar nods approvingly.
"Alright, Yunas. We will follow you below and contact our ship from there. We have nothing to hide from you."
"Very well," replies Yunas, "let us descend."

The eyes of the robot at the reception station flash with amber light as it swivels its upper body toward the turbolifts and operates a control mechanism that causes the doors of one of the four turbolifts to slide open with a slight hiss. Metal clicks and clacks inside the robot and it says, "You-will-de-scend-now."

"Yunas," says Seknod, "the robot seems to be functioning perfectly now."

"So it would seem," replies Yunas as he motions for everyone to precede him into the turbolift. "Let us descend to the communications level so the good captain may assure himself that all is well among his people in orbit. We may also use the scanners to determine how many vessels there are."

Seknod, Traya, and the Klingons enter the turbolift.
 
McLennan waits and then assuming the others enter the turbolift, he follows them inside, wondering the whole while if it is really prudent for all of them to descend into what might be a trap.
 
The signal cuts out altogether. Lt. Chopra turns to you with a concerned expression creasing her brow and says, "Commander, the signal has ceased transmitting at the other end."

"Crap on a Cracker! I hope they're ok. Scan the area and see anything happened. Like a firefight or something. Try to re-establish a link. Also try to raise the shuttle. - they should be on this side of the planet by now."

At this point, Travis is just giving random orders without specifying who is supposed to be doing them.
 
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McLennan waits and then assuming the others enter the turbolift, he follows them inside, wondering the whole while if it is really prudent for all of them to descend into what might be a trap.

Gideon follows, uneasily.
 
McLennan waits and then assuming the others enter the turbolift, he follows them inside, wondering the whole while if it is really prudent for all of them to descend into what might be a trap.

Gideon follows, uneasily.
 
"Mr. McLennan, have one of your men remain here," Conway says approaching the elevator. Then to Yunas, "Our ship will not be able to locate us underground but will know we are okay if someone stays here."
 
I'll be updating this on Monday. Sorry for the delay but I'm currently occupied with some unforeseen issues and won't be online at all until then.
 
"Mr. McLennan, have one of your men remain here," Conway says approaching the elevator. Then to Yunas, "Our ship will not be able to locate us underground but will know we are okay if someone stays here."
"As you please, Captain," replies Yunas as the turbolift doors close behind you.

The turbolift descends swiftly and almost silently, and Yunas seems to control its descent by moving his hand over a glowing crystal embedded in one wall. There is otherwise no obvious control mechanism, nor are there any recognizable numbers or letters to signify what level you are on.

You judge the passage of less than a minute before the turbolift smoothly halts and the doors open with a pneumatic hush onto a large room about the size of the Excalibur bridge. The room is dominated by a large array of scanners, screens, speakers, and consoles apparently operated by three robots similar in appearance to the one that greeted you above.

Yunas motions to a console with a large grille and what look to be a wireless mouthpiece and a wireless earpiece for communications. He hands Captain Conway each piece separately and explains their usage, remarking, "I fear these devices may be more primitive than those to which you are accustomed."

Captain Krawz suggest, "Yunas, why don't you have your robots scan for vessels in orbit of your world while the fearful Earther contacts his people."
 
"Crap on a cracker! I hope they're ok. Scan the area and see anything happened. Like a firefight or something. Try to re-establish a link. Also try to raise the shuttle. - they should be on this side of the planet by now."

At this point, Travis is just giving random orders without specifying who is supposed to be doing them.
Lt. Chopra states, "Commander, we have lost all signal from Captain Conway, but I have Lieutenant Zither aboard shuttlecraft Galahad awaiting your orders. He states they are in the atmosphere and approaching the original beamdown site."

Ensign Chen reports from the science station, "Sensors show no indication of any changes in the area where Captain Conway beamed down. However, if the landing party entered one of the structures, that could account for the signal degradation."
 
McLennan keeps his eyes on the Klingons while the Captain contacts the Excalibur. He also scans the room for anything that looks like weapons of any sort hidden amongst the screens, scanners and assorted alien technology.
 
Lt. Chopra states, "Commander, we have lost all signal from Captain Conway, but I have Lieutenant Zither aboard shuttlecraft Galahad awaiting your orders. He states they are in the atmosphere and approaching the original beamdown site."

"Lieutenant Zither, land near beam down site and try to make contact with the away team. Careful as there might be Klingons in the area."
 
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Taking the equipment, Conway says, "Thank you, Yunas. If I can establish contact with my ship these devices will be more than sufficient."
Looking to his crew for any indication of trouble, Conway places the speaker to his ear and speaks into the mouthpiece.
"Conway to Excalibur, do you read?"
 
McLennan keeps his eyes on the Klingons while the Captain contacts the Excalibur. He also scans the room for anything that looks like weapons of any sort hidden amongst the screens, scanners and assorted alien technology.
You see no apparent weapons, though the extent of the abilities of the robots is unknown.
Ta'kar will discretely scan the equipment in the room with his tricorder.
Gideon scans the party's surroundings warily.
All is as it appears, at least as far as your equipment can determine. The Klingons have Klingon life signs and the natives show the same readings you received above ground. One interesting note, however, is that all the equipment, including the robots, appears to be powered by individual natural dilithium crystals--enough to power the Federation's entire fleet of Constitution-class starships--contained somewhere behind the far wall and controlling a matter-antimatter reaction within a high-frequency electromagnetic field. You surmise the setup must be similar to Excalibur's own warp core, but the sheer amount of power generated seems superfluous to the needs of this room--for the needs of this planet, for that matter.
Taking the equipment, Conway says, "Thank you, Yunas. If I can establish contact with my ship these devices will be more than sufficient."
Looking to his crew for any indication of trouble, Conway places the speaker to his ear and speaks into the mouthpiece.
"Conway to Excalibur, do you read?"
I'll reply to Conway in more detail once I know how Commander Travis responds, but for now...

You hear the clear, dulcet tones of Lt. Chopra as she momentarily loses her cool professionalism with a gasp of relief at making contact with you: "Captain! We were afraid something had happened to you when we lost your signal!"
"Lieutenant Zither, land near beam down site and try to make contact with the away team. Careful as there might be Klingons in the area."

"Acknowledged, Commander," replies Lt. Zither.

A few minutes later you hear Lt. Chopra speaking rather excitedly at her communications station before she turns to you and says, "Commander, we have Captain Conway on audio!"

She depresses a button and you hear the captain's voice come across the bridge address system: "Conway to Excalibur, do you read?"
 
A few minutes later you hear Lt. Chopra speaking rather excitedly at her communications station before she turns to you and says, "Commander, we have Captain Conway on audio!"

She depresses a button and you hear the captain's voice come across the bridge address system: "Conway to Excalibur, do you read?"
Travis is obviously relieved. "Captain! Commander Travis here. We read you loud and clear. It's been nerve wracking being out of contact. Is there any help we can provide?"
 
Conway, relieved to hear Chopra's familiar voice, responds, "For now, we're fine, but we are currently under the surface of the planet. What is the status up there?"
 
Travis is obviously relieved. "Captain! Commander Travis here. We read you loud and clear. It's been nerve wracking being out of contact. Is there any help we can provide?"
Captain Conway responds, "For now, we're fine, but we are currently under the surface of the planet. What is the status up there?"
Conway, relieved to hear Chopra's familiar voice, responds, "For now, we're fine, but we are currently under the surface of the planet. What is the status up there?"
Commander Travis responds, "Captain! Commander Travis here. We read you loud and clear. It's been nerve wracking being out of contact. Is there any help we can provide?"
 
While the Captain is busy speaking to Excalibur, McLennan continues to keep his eyes on both the Klingons and the robots.
 
Captain Conway responds, "For now, we're fine, but we are currently under the surface of the planet. What is the status up there?"


"There's a Klingon D7 in system. The captain has been verbally aggressive but otherwise has not done much. I believe they're cloaked and still in system. I think they are in the same boat we are. They heard a signal, beamed down a party, and lost contact. They transported more down to the surface so I sent down a shuttle of reinforcements so you didn't get a disruptor surprise. They should be in the area you beamed down."
 
"Commander Travis, what is the situation up there? There is a Klingon landing party here with us. They are claiming that they have no starship in the area."

I will wait for other to post before adding anything more. :smile:
 
Gideon, liking this situation less and less with each passing moment, tries to remain calm, yet alert. It feels to him as though he's going to have to pick one or the other...
 
Ta'kar carefully notes the power output from the various devices on his Tricorder and casually circles around the room, discretely gathering as much data as he can for future research. Once he completes a full "lap" he will stand next to Captain Conway, waiting for an appropriate moment to share his findings with the Captain, and to question Yunas.
 
No spoilers needed for this conversation as you can call hear each other:

Captain Conway is heard on the Excalibur;s bridge: "Commander Travis, what is the situation up there? There is a Klingon landing party here with us. They are claiming that they have no starship in the area."

Commander Travis is heard through the captain's communicator: "There's a Klingon D7 in system. The captain has been verbally aggressive but otherwise has not done much. I believe they're cloaked and still in system. I think they are in the same boat we are. They heard a signal, beamed down a party, and lost contact. They transported more down to the surface so I sent down a shuttle of reinforcements so you didn't get a disruptor surprise. They should be in the area you beamed down."


However, since Commander Travis can't see what the others are doing:

While the Captain is busy speaking to Excalibur, McLennan continues to keep his eyes on both the Klingons and the robots.
The robots seem to be operating by rote, doing whatever it is they've been programmed to do, and utterly disregarding your presence. The Klingons, on the other hand, you would likely conclude are feigning disinterest while eyeing the Excalibur landing party like a cat eyes a mouse.
Gideon, liking this situation less and less with each passing moment, tries to remain calm, yet alert. It feels to him as though he's going to have to pick one or the other...
Ta'kar carefully notes the power output from the various devices on his Tricorder and casually circles around the room, discretely gathering as much data as he can for future research. Once he completes a full "lap" he will stand next to Captain Conway, waiting for an appropriate moment to share his findings with the Captain, and to question Yunas.
The robots pay Ta'kar no heed, neither aiding nor interfering in your loop around the room, nor do Yunas, Seknod, or Traya object, although they watch you with undisguised curiosity. "May I assist you in some way?" asks Traya.
 
No spoilers needed for this conversation as you can call hear each other:

Captain Conway is heard on the Excalibur;s bridge: "Commander Travis, what is the situation up there? There is a Klingon landing party here with us. They are claiming that they have no starship in the area."

Commander Travis is heard through the captain's communicator: "There's a Klingon D7 in system. The captain has been verbally aggressive but otherwise has not done much. I believe they're cloaked and still in system. I think they are in the same boat we are. They heard a signal, beamed down a party, and lost contact. They transported more down to the surface so I sent down a shuttle of reinforcements so you didn't get a disruptor surprise. They should be in the area you beamed down."


However, since Commander Travis can't see what the others are doing:

The robots seem to be operating by rote, doing whatever it is they've been programmed to do, and utterly disregarding your presence. The Klingons, on the other hand, you would likely conclude are feigning disinterest while eyeing the Excalibur landing party like a cat eyes a mouse.


The robots pay Ta'kar no heed, neither aiding nor interfering in your loop around the room, nor do Yunas, Seknod, or Traya object, although they watch you with undisguised curiosity. "May I assist you in some way?" asks Traya.
[/QUOTE

I guess no spoiler here either.

Ta'kar responds to Traya's question. "Yes. There seems to be an inordinate amount of power being used to power the robots and other systems. Could you explain why this is the case?."
 
McLennan gives the Klingons a hard stare, making sure they know he's keeping an eye on them. He doesn't plan on being surprised by them when they inevitably do something treacherous.
 
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