Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Colony: Tunnels
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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.

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?”

M’Mera nodded as she followed the Captain up the stairs. Stairs were more difficult for a Caitian to walk up on their hind legs. It was actually much easier for them to do down on all fours but she managed by hanging onto the guide rope which were at just above hip height.
Her ears were ringing with the echoes of sound from all the voices around them in the large cavern. She was finding it difficult to function and phase out all the voices. Both her ears and tail twitched in agitation and she was growling in frustration under her breath.

How could she do her duty as a guard for the Away Team when she was so discombobulated by the noise??

What he saw made his jaw drop , the medical tricorder was beeping and flashing lights on and off ‘’Either the tricorder 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 ? =/\=.

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.

After some colorful words Hunter continued =/\= The Captain needs to know if you can get a hold on us and transport us back to the ship when he gives the order =/\= then decided on more information =/\= We are far below ground while the rest of the team is on the surface ..do you acknowledge ! =/\= it was more of an exclamation then a question.

With his transmitter still in hand he followed the others up the stairs .

Glen stopped at the top step. “Dr. Hunter,” Glen told him, “a few less colourful words while on duty, please!”

• Glen, CO

Hunter looked up ‘’Sorry Captain just frustrated as no one on the bridge is answering ‘’ he replied .

Hunter Dr.