Bells of Paradise (Constitution)
| USS Constitution-B | ||
|---|---|---|
 ACTIVE STATUS | ||
| ||
The Teams
| Hiking Team "Traces of the Wild Walker" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Notes | |
| Jalana Rajel | Commanding Officer | ||
| Saveron | Counselor | ||
| Sarah Mason | Intel Officer | ||
| Lystra | Tactical Officer | ||
| Ravenna Carter | Medical Officer | ||
| Caving Team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Notes | |
| Nugra | Intel Officer | ||
| Cade Foster | Mission Specialist | ||
| Yito Seja | Chief of Security | LOA 239709.29 | |
| Edward Spears | Chief Medical Officer | ||
| Scavenger Hunt Team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Notes | |
| Alex Blair | First Officer | ||
| Lazarus Davis | Chief Science Officer | ||
| Atan T'Seva | Chief Tactical Officer | ||
| Jacob Horne | Assistant Chief Engineer | ||
| MSNPCs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Notes | |
| Squash-O | Scientist | Endaasi, played by Lazarus Davis | |
| Avo'gh | Retired Warrior | Klingon, played by Jalana Rajel | |
| Memeth | Retired Warrior | Klingon, played by Alex Blair | |
| ??? | ??? | ???, played by Lazarus Davis | |
The beginning
After several days of relaxation and shore leave First Officer Alex Blair calls the Senior Officers together for a day of Team Building Exercises. The Officers are split into three groups with different activities:
These are their adventures
Hiking
The group will be hiking to a village that’s located in the Tat’si Mountain range, following the "Walker Path" learning about the legend of the Wild Walker.
- "The valleys of the Tat’si Mountain range have been inhabited by the Soin people for two hundred and thirty generations, traditionally in small herding communities, who would be semi-nomadic during the warmer months and return to their village during the snows. Carved by glaciers during the last ice age, the mountains are rich in iron and beryllium ore as well as fossils from an ancient seabed. The Soin people had a rich remembered history, passed on telepathically from generation to generation, including creation myths involving the constellations, and the legend of the Wild Walker." ~ Inscription on a plaque at the beginning of the 'Wild Walker Trail' / Saveron
- "Apparently these mountains are due to recent plate tectonics; a large continental plate to the north is subducting under this plate, forcing them up. There was once an ocean between the plates, hence the marine fossils. It states here that in 2141, famous mainland explorer Run-T was mapping these mountains when she discovered a disproportionately large footprint in the mud of a mountain meadow bog. She made a cast of the print and showed it to the local people, who told her that it belonged to the ‘Wild Walker’." ~ Inscription on a plaque of the 'Wild Walker Trail' / Saveron
- "Throughout time stories about the "Wild Walker" have been passed down from generation to generation, through telepathy among the Endaasi and through song, poetry and stories among visitors keeping it alive for thousands of years. It is said that he may have once lived with the people. Various claims have been made but no actual sightings could be confirmed." ~ Inscription on a plaque of the 'Wild Walker Trail' / Jalana Rajel
Caving
Caving and exploring the Helthala Cave system
At the cave entrance is a wooden cabin. Inside one wall was filled with rows of helmets of different sizes and bright colours each with its own light for people to take for exploring the open parts of the cave. Oversuits and harnesses were provided as well. Behind the back of the hut were more steps leading to the entrance to the cave, big enough for two people to walk side by side. Once past that entrance visitors would have to walk behind each other. Common walkways were taken by tourists and cavers, but there were other routes that were off the path only taken by guided tours. Those paths were not as worn but showed more natural sights and one of them was taken by the Caving Team.
- The handlamps they had cut an eerie yellow path through the dark passages, making the damp walls look like they were oozing with some sort of molten slime. Tricks of the light, the rocks were still quite stony, but formed into rivulets by eons of erosion and deposits. - Cade Foster
- Ed's voice echoed in the passage in a way that seemed to emphasize how enclosed they were. It was punctuated by a slow dripping sound of water or some other liquid falling into a pool somewhere.- Edward Spears
Scavenger Hunt
A cultural scavenger hunt that was designed by the hotel’s hospitality staff.
- First hint: "In ancient Endaasi culture, midday meant time to sit and enjoy a glass of merbata with a friend. Traditionally, merbata is brewed in a tzarera. Find a traditional tzarera."
The team interprets the hint as either beer or coffee related. After a quick search in the directory, they find three close locations of coffee shops and head to the direction with two of them. In the coffee shop (tzarera) they order a merbata and the Endaasi preparing it apparently was expecting them. Underneath their cups they find the next hint.
- Second hint: "A hallowed crown rests above the seat of elaiean."
The first interpretation has to do with the Government. It can't be a throne of a King or Queen because Endaasi isn't a monarchy.
Constitution Bridge
When Blair planned the activity he and D'Sena discovered that some material in the rocks of the chosen Mountain and Cave for two of the teams are interfering with the ship's scanners. The possibility of contact not being possible was taken into consideration. They did believe that they wouldn't need to worry about it, but the bridge crew would be informed to not cause a panic when their signals were lost.
Side Plots
- Two old Klingon Warriors (Memeth and Avo'gh) are on vacation but pretty bored. Memeth tells Avo'gh about a "job" they could do and they decide that everything is better than sitting around drinking watered-down liquid sugar. They plan to break into a location deep in Hal'ita mountain to get past a security system and retrieve Gold Pressed Latinum for Memeth's contact.
The Shake up
The exercise had not been going on for too long - maybe an hour or two? - when rumbles were felt through the ground. First only a little, then another a bit longer, and then suddenly the ground shook and swayed. That event can be felt over a large area emcompassing all three teams and beyond. EARTHQUAKE!
Hiking
- And that was then the big one happened. Not catastrophic in strength but strong enough to kick Jalana off her feet, losing balance. Rocks from the mountain side rolled first towards them but then down the slope and some of the weaker trees didn't like to be shaken up and fell. Luckily for them not in the group's direction. That one lasted longer, it felt like minutes of ground that did not only vibrate but sway back and forth. Some dust or dirt, she wasn't sure was thrown into the air and began to cover them, the noise all of this caused was deafening. As it finally subsided and an eerie silence fell over them Jalana looked around the group, her green eyes scanning them all. As her eyes fell on one of those that were behind her she saw that the debris, stones, rocks and trees had now cut off the way back down into the village. They were pretty much wedged in between the mountains. ~ Jalana Rajel
- Up ahead, the length of path towards the next plaque, previously a cliff-edge walk with an elegant safety rail, had simply vanished, fallen from the cliff, along with some of the local plant life.~Saveron
The team turns back and takes a path marked to be used only with a guide, as the other ways are cut off. That path looks relatively unharmed, other than some fallen young trees or small stones on the way.
- They came to a junction with no less than four different paths going from the main path like little rivers from an ocean, and of course all in different directions. They could only see a little of each path that wound its way wedged through rocky cliff sides, not far enough to see where the next curve would lead to. And the walls were too high to just climb up and check it from the top. There were no signs or markers she could locate by looking around. Endaasi guides though would have their own system she assumed. ~ Jalana Rajel
The team takes the second path after some deduction and "counting rhyme" and continues on their path until Jalana smell smoke coming from somewhere, brought to them my a breeze. Lystra climbs on a tree to find out where the smoke is coming from and they continue their way in that direction.
The group finds the fire and attempts to extinguish it with dirt, twigs, and other means but nothing seems to work. Saveron brings the group to a safe burnt patch so they plan to wait until the Fire goes around them while trying to figure out what to do when a giant upright standing frog-like creature appears and blocks the fire from them. Moments later a huge load of water drops on the group extinguishing the fire. They see a flying vehicle leave the scene without noticing them.
Lystra attempts to communicate with the creature but runs into issues with their languages being too different until Saveron has an idea and draws simple well-known atoms into the ground that the creature seems to recognize and draws its own version next to them. Meanwhile Jalana tries to find out more about the creature's biology but the tricorder has issues with the massive differences in anatomy and base of blood being proteins and lipids that are unknown to it.
Ravenna and Sarah split from the group - under instruction to stay in ear shot - to find a location for a possible shelter, as they don't know if they will be able to get out of the moutains in the next 5 hours of remaining daylight.
Caving
The group is going deeper into the caves, finding an underground stream. Just as they hear about it the ground and all the rock around them shakes in a quake. The exit is cut off but they had made their way to an ancient underground river with a boat, that was once used for Wisdom quests. They take the boat to get deeper into the caves where they meet Memeth, an old Klingon Warrior asking for their help to free his companion from under fallen rocks.
Scavenger Hunt
- Jacob was pacing back and forth a little and his mind came up with more ideas. His train of thought was interrupted by an earthquake. It had started slowly, similar to the rumblings they had experienced early on in their quest but this one quickly grew in intensity. When all was said and done glasses were knocked off of tables. Knick knacks and souvenirs were dislodged from the cafe shelves. The Endaasi people were ducking and covering. Everyone was looking around seemingly trying to figure out what had just happened and what to do next. Taking in the scene outside of the cafe the damage was visible just about everywhere. The cafe was standing but there was a crack running up the side of the structure. None of the structures in the area seemed to have been demolished but there was damage and debris all around. From where they were the group could see a nearby ocean. Jacob knew that earthquakes that had epicenters near or in the ocean had the potential to create large tidal waves. He couldn't see anything yet but it didn't mean that there wasn't one on its way.
The team interrupts the Scavenger Hunt. Alex Blair instructs Jacob to check in on the Conny to find out if they have a better view of the damages. Meanwhile, the team heads back towards the government center assuming that if coordinated efforts are organized, it would be happening there. That way they can help. Jacob is being updated by the Conny bridge crew and informs the team.
The Team finds an unconscious and obviously hurt Endaasi and wants to help. They think the person is brain dead but they learn that Endaasi don't have a brain as humans do. "Our neurons are distributed more or less evenly through our bodies. We are resilient against localized injuries." - "They have a distributed nervous system. I think it was more like a her body needing to reroute pathways than any actual serious injury." This means, that they will be the least likely people to be harmed by injuries due to the earthquake She'll be fine.
So they continue their way to the government building to get help where they meet an official that let's them know that this earthquake was not supposed to happen. They had just finished a geological review which gave them a chance of 0% of earthquakes. As they are not sure what is causing the quakes they try to find out more. The team wonders if the mechanical sound they hear underground might be the cause of the quake or an affected area. Davis mentions Squash-O, wondering if he has any readings that may help. Davis calls So'Mior to get assistance from the Geologist.
Constitution Bridge
As expected contact to the Hiking and Caving Teams are lost, but there is no concern about this until ...
The scanners pick up on the tremors on the surface and finally the Earthquake. Confusion is big as the Planet was classified as Earthquake free. D'Sena requests a damage report and instructs Ensign Duncan to contact ground stations for that if he can. Science is instructed to get her an estimate on the consequences on the Mountain and Cave Area where the teams are, as well as a forecast on possible following quakes as to strength and timing.
The bridge team talks with Blair's team to exchange details as the bridge crew continues to put together the data. Bridge is called by Barr (Medical) when a Tsunami is hitting the beach for an emergency evacuation which is done beaming 57 tourists as well as Barr, Mark Two and Ozameen Malyz to the ship.
Side Plots
- The two old Klingons are in a Cave System, walking deep into the mountain to get to their destination as the quake starts. They try to find shelter but the big one comes faster than expected. The ceiling gives in and blocks the way to the exit. It also buries Avo'gh underneath. Memeth leaves him to get help from the 'voices' he hears in the distance. He meets with the Caving Team.
- ??? is woken up by the quake and the alarm blaring of damage in power cell 03. A tree had fallen onto the power cell. Something is burning! A bush behind its shelter caught fire, and it could spread fast.
- Barr, Malyz and Mark Two are on the beach when the quake causes a Tsunami. They try to get the tourists off the beach but time is running out and the Planet's transporters are already working on full power. Barr calls the Constitution for an emergency evacuation. The 57 tourists as well as the three Conny members are beamed to the Constitution.
- At the Science Camp Ilix Tann, Sherana and Xrie Xan'tor'zes follow their respective wishes on what to explore on the planet and coincidentally meet up. As they converse they feel the quake, but only a little, they are not at an epicenter. Xrie Xan'tor'zes calls the Constitution to find out more.
- Also exploring are So'Mior, Saavok and T’Sera. They talk about various subjects as the Earth vibrates and they wonder what the protocol in a case like this is. So'Mior is called by Davis for assistance on finding data about the quakes.