Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Troy Hunter (General Medical Doctor) in Colony: Tunnels

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Colony: Tunnels
[edit]

“We live below because we have always lived below, it is where we could hide from the Romulans, Klingons or anyone else who came here. They come to steal our minerals but if things could be as you say then perhaps we could be part of the Federation.”

Sharp finally thought of something to say ‘’Captain, about the two persons who have been abducted’’ the security reminded him.

“The two miners are fine, if you wish we can take you to see them. They are in our colony, we could show you the proof we have of the Romulans’ actions.”

“We would like to be taken to see them please,” Captain Glen replied. “And your proof of the Romulans’ actions too.”

Captain Glen didn’t want to cause any additional friction at this point, but of course, it wasn’t lost on him that merely because the captors say the hostages are fine, that doesn’t necessarily follow that the hostages agree, and in any case, being in good-health physically, being well fed and treated well, that does not alter the psychological aspects of being held as a hostage. There is a coping mechanism that occurs where hostages begin to sympathise with the captors’ beliefs, but may experience PTSD-like symptoms later.

Glen was also aware that he couldn’t speak on behalf of the miners here. This was an outpost, not a Federation colony. When the had arrived the miners were not very warm to them, even though they had been invited to come here and help them. Glen could promise Federation support with their claim, and even though they may have rights under Federation Laws, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that the miners accepted it. Neither the miners nor the Federation were responsible for the sins of the Romulans. Glen would attempt to get the ball rolling but it might take some time to complete its journey.

Before they could leave this planet, Glen needed to get the miners to accept that the Aenar were here first, and that they took hostages and messed with the comms and machinery, only in self-defence. That was going to be a big ask, because even Glen himself wasn’t sure that the actions were proportionate.

Stella then opened her communicator, checked the settings and forged ahead. =/\=Merrimack away team. This is Lieutenant Gagnon is anyone picking up our transmission? We need a status check on you if you do, please. =/\=

Doctor Hunter answered as the Captain was busy talking with the Aenars =/\= Hunter....Lt Gagnon we hear you loud and clear ,we have encountered other beings that actually live underground they call themselves Aenars and the Captain is having a dialogue , exchanging of information with them =/\= then as an after thought he went on =/\= Don’t say anything to the miners and their boss …em Pilatus ,let the Captain be the one to inform him . Maybe he’s already aware of their existence and said nothing who knows Hunter out =/\=.

The Aenar leader nodded as he lowered his weapon while signalling to his followers to do so as well. He then stepped back as his men did too, to allow the Away Team to join them to walk down the tunnels.

M’Mera didn’t look very happy at the invitation and her eyes narrowed suspiciously as her glance flicked to the Captain to see his response. She wasn’t quite ready to lower her weapon yet, these Aenar beings still out numbered them.

Captain Glen didn’t quite know how; unlike the Aenar he had no psionic abilities, but he was picking up strong signals from M’Mera that she didn’t like this course of action. As a COS that was quite understandable, however had they wished, the Aenar could have killed them back at the ambush, or at any time since. They could have kept the Merrimack locked out of Comms, Weapons, Shields and let her power run out. They could have also murdered all the miners at any time, rather than to try to frighten them into leaving the planet. So, Glen felt confident that this was not another trap and that that the Merrimack would soon have a transporter lock on them again. It was their duty to free these hostages; the reason they had been sent here. Ironic really; if the Aenar hadn’t taken hostages and just kept up with the miner’s mysterious machine failures instead, then the Federation would probably never have sent a ship out here. Glen thought that deep down, these Aenar knew that they couldn’t possibly hideout down here forever, and that they actually wanted to tell their story to someone who would actually listen to it.

Hunter knew he had to go as the doctor in the group he hoped to find the two hostages reasonably well ,at least on the physical side , psychologically was another story. Knowing the medical tricorder was going to work it would definitely make things easier and scan them more in - depth.

Sharp saw the COS hesitation and he didn’t blame her since they where about to be taken deeper through the tunnels , after all they knew next to nothing about these beings and what they were capable of . What’s to stop them from taking the team hostages as well ,it would benefit them more then just the other two .

The security approached M’Mera ‘’ Ma’am why don’t we ask them to bring the hostages here and what could the Romulan’s have done that’s so important for us to see ? ‘’.

M’Mera glanced at Sharp, “Becausse we need to ssee forr ourrsselvess if they have been telling the truth. I can tell you, as a felinoid I do not ssmell a lie. I do ssmell trruth. They believe what they arre ssaying, at leasst.”She did not lower her voice to speak to Sharp, these beings were telepathic, her lowering her voice would hide nothing.

“Our mission is to ask questions and discover the truth,” the Captain added. “Evidence of the conditions in which they have been kept, and in which the Aenar captors themselves live, that is important for us to see, rather than to rely of hearsay, denials or promises. We would not be doing or job if we accept what the Aenar say as it has been presented, without questioning or analysing. You should never believe something such as this without further investigation or scrutiny.”

’‘ Aye ma’am ‘’ the security responded preparing himself to follow. How ironic he thought that M’Mera herself had her doubts a few minutes ago .

Hunter didn’t pay much attention to what the others were saying as he was making sure the medical kit was still strapped to his shoulders along with the back-bag that held the equipment needed to get down in the caves.

The doctor waited to follow the Captain ,M’Mera and both security to where ever the Aenars would take them.

Seeing that the Away Team was a bit hesitant the lead Aenar looked at the Captain and said, “My name is Thalor zh’Rathen. I am sorry I did not introduce myself at first. We will go ahead and lead you to our colony.” He turned then and with a few of the men who surrounded him began to make their way down the tunnel. The other Aenar who were left hooked their weapons over their shoulders and appeared to be waiting for the rest of the Away Team to follow the others. One commented, “We need to watch back to make sure you are safe. There are other dangers down here.”

“It is also a part of our mission statement to seek out and catalogue new life!” Glen replied. “Starfleet’s taxonomic records and our own lifesign scans made upon our arrival picked up nothing of interest?”

Hunter rolled his eyes ,it seemed that they had been in these tunnels for ages * Dangers? the doctor thought * Well going on with this pace , a microorganism will have time to evolve into a full blown six legged creature .

He made sure not to say anything to the Captain for since they had been down there it was like moving on egg shells with Glen.

As they fell in line behind the lead group, Eros said, “I think we’re safe from the Aenar, Captain. They had plenty of opportunities to capture or harm us, if they wanted to. Plus they’ve holstered their weapons (as he did , also). And, they’ve removed the net that was blocking everything. We can contact the ship, the equipment on the surface is working. . . I really doubt they’d be this welcoming if they thought our intentions were hostile.”

“I also think it would be a good idea, if they will agree to it, to allow a few of their representatives to come back to the ship with us. Not as captives, by any means, but as ambassadors. Allow them to speak to the Federation Council themselves”, added Dionysovich.

Hunter just listened and he fully agreed to what Eros said, of course it would ultimately be the captain’s decision. With there telepathic abilities the Aenar would know what the team were thinking and all they wanted was to help them in any way they could.

Glen was still uncertain how much of their thoughts the Aenar could pick up. It seemed as if they could read everything, but they could easily be faking their ability. In any case, they would understand the more general feelings of support and friendliness being reflected. Glen was also in agreement with Dionysovitch, but the Aenar were probably already aware of that.

“We are debating in a vacuum here,” Glen replied. “Let’s go and get us some answers from more senior Aenars, elders or leaders.”

The Aenar lead the Away Team through a warren of tunnels. There were no lights in these tunnels though they appeared to be worked and smoother than the mining tunnels. The Aenars themselves carried no lights and had no need of any. They were blind, their antennae gave them echolocation vision like bats.

The walking was long but after almost an hour of walking the tunnel emptied out into a gargantuan cavern. Looking around the Away Team would see what looked like small caverns and holes throughout the outer perimeter of the cavern in burrowed into the large stalactites and stalagmites. These were apparently the abodes of the Aenar. If the tricorder was used and scans taken it would be seen that there a population of several thousand Aenar here. Those that could be seen coming in and out of the warrens or walking on the rope bridges all looked like Thaler, with the strange cranial bridge ridges.
Thaler lead the team to a stairwell that wound around one of the largest stalagmites and began to walk up it. A few of his men remained with him but the majority of the other Aenar remained on the ground, waiting for the Away Team to go up.

GM Nosferatu
Your Darkest Nightmare

Glen realised that these were more natural water-cut tunnels, and probably very old. They were a long way from the beam-down point, with no idea of their exact location or how to get back. Still, if water had made the tunnels, then there must be some other way in and out. He trusted these Aenar, for some reason, but they should still be careful.

Hunter took out his medical tricoder and followed the Captain ,he wasn’t worried about finding his way out as he had marked the jagged walls as they moved forward. It was something he had done back on Earth when checking out caves and underground tunnels ,knowing how easily one could get confused and lost.

“Righto! Everyone keep together!” Glen told the party, “And no wandering off!” He looked around the team before remembering that Miriam Cross wasn’t with them on this mission. “Can some check if we still have contact with the Merri this deep, and whether or not they can get a Transporter lock on us? We want to see the condition of the prisoners and we want to see their evidence of Romulan illegal and unethical medical practices. What else do we want to see here?”

• Glen, CO

What he saw made his jaw drop , the medical tricoder was beeping and flashing lights on and off ‘’Either the tricoder is about to explode or there are thousands of living ,breathing beings around!’’ he exclaimed surprised , the doctor was hoping too find the two who had been abducted in more or less good health.

“Can some check if we still have contact with the Merri this deep, and whether or not they can get a Transporter lock on us?.

The doctor took out his transmitter flicked it open =/\= Hunter to the Merrimack..do you copy ? =/\=.

Hunter Dr.

When the security heard the captain say ‘’ No wandering off ‘’ he frowned , why would anyone want to wander off he thought to himself but then he knew next to nothing about Cross .
Sharp looked around him in awe ‘’ There was a time in Earth’s history when people lived underground ,archeologist found evidence of that ‘’ .He had now started to relax and view his ever first mission with a more positive attitude.

Sharp sec .