You Can't Judge A Planet By Its Dilithium

[Soren]

<<Direidi, 1204>>

Soren suffered an episode of unreality as he listened to the Direidi greeting song. This had to be a bad joke. A ship and its crew were missing, and someone took time to paste together that doggeral?

Still, the Denobulans had a proverb: When in Fellebia, do as the Fellebians do. The team needed the help of these tribblebrained people.He would play along. He unshouldered his duffel, which included his engineering toolkit and specially-tweaked engineering tricorder.

<1215>

The boatswain found his seat...his name was even spelled correctly. These folks did their homework anyway. He was near enough to the Klingon dais to hear regular conversation. Soren didn't broadcast the fact, but he spoke fluent Klingonese. He would be on his best behavior; he had even taken time to scrape his tongue in proper Denobulan eitquette. It was the Direidan's move; and the senior officers'.

[Hunt]

<<Direidi, 1204>>

The music was not anything Mason had heard before, he was more shocked that Kersare improvised so well more so than he ever could. The dining area was so serene that it reminded him of the ten forward area on the ship. Even though it was being polite Mason really did not feel like eating each time one of the Direidi came to him with food he declined and watched as everyone else dove into their fairly large and well portioned meals.

As he sat there he felt they were wasting time in pleasentries when they could have begun a search for the missing crew. Like many of the senior staff he felt an uncertainty both in the people and the planet. Barrett was sitting just beside him, Mason couldn't help see the focused and stern look he had on his face.

"Barrett, i am as concerned as you about getting the search underway. Any ideas as to where we might start once this is over with?"

<Tag Barrett>

OFF: Tag Barrett

[Darkhelm]

<<Direidi, 1217>>

Klingons. Why did they always have to show up at the most inopportune times. Amanda sighed heavily, adjusting the tricorder on her belt. She still wasn't overly thrilled at being on Direidi nor was she all that impressed with the song. The place was a little to ideallic for her own tastes.

Perking her ears up, Amanda caught a breif snippet of conversation from the Klingons, who appeared to be having the same distrust as some of the Malinche crew. At least they weren't alone in this.

Finishing filling her plate, Amanda took her seat.

[Langley]

<<location Hall, Time 1218>>

Sam stood looking at the buffet in front of her, She really wasnt hungry, she would rather have still been in bed. The nightmares had returned from her time in the Collective, as if the current ones werent enough. She picked up some salads with the tongs and plonked them on her plate.

Sitting at the table she was aware that Darkhelm was almost staring at her still staring at her, and now the plate of un-nutritional foodstuffs. Sam started to wonder why everyone called the woman Darkhelm and not Amanda, or Leuitenant.

Then she started to wonder what people called her behind her back. Looking round the table she noticed Sara was also looking at her. Sam smiled back. The woman was hiding something, She was sure of it.

<tag Rayne>

[Hunt]

<< Direidi, 1219>>

He wasn?t at all surprised of the klingons arrival, in fact watched them approached Kersare and the other crew members. Although he was hungry he preferred starship replicated food any day.

It was no secret why they were there, two drills and what looked to be mining equipment stood just behind them as they dematerialized. Despite any of what was going on Mason really wanted to up and begin the search.

Although the Direidi are federation citizens and it was policy not to offend any culture human or human alike Mason just sat there watching and listening to the quiet music. One of the Direidi a woman brought over a plate of red plated rice and mixed vegetables native to the planet.

The smell was enough to tempt him to getting a plate but he held back and waited until he was able to return to the Malinche. He was craving a nice hot potato and medium cooked steak with onions.

That alone caused his stomach to growl out loud, Hunt continued to look forward as if it never happened. There was some art work no doubt made by the Direidi which reminded him of ancient earth in the mid twenty second century. It was the only thing that took his mind of hunger.

?I see you are admiring our paintings. Each was done by our young scholars. Every painting you see is a reminder of why we left our past homes for this planet. Granted we are human, this planet has welcomed us with open arms.?

Hunt understood what the young lady was telling him. Never having an true appreciation for art, one was now formed for him on that day. Sitting back into the chair just away from the table in a corner, he felt a round object pressing against his back.

When he turned around he realized he brought a small bottle of water with him. It was left over from his late breakfast. The young woman snickered at him and walked over to the senior staff passing out additional food and drink.

OFF: Tag Senior Staff (Anyone Up For A JP????)

[Rayne]

ON:
<< Direidi, 1219,>>

Sure all of what Sara had on her person was sent to the hotel, except what she has hidden within her uniform. That needed to stay with her otherwise she would be stuck between a rock and a hard place if the time came. Sara wasn't really that hungery but she did atleast try some of the food as to not seem like she was being rude. She looked over at Warrant Officer Langely, wondering how useful the warrant officer would be to her investigation if the time came to let a select few on the Malinche know about it. As for now she would just be Grayson's little pawn and do her assignment even if it wasn't totally legal to be doing so. It just gave her something to pull strings with if the time came for it. Sara is loyal to SFI:9 to an extent just as she is loyal to Grayson to an extent, still loyalties can always be dropped if there is reason enough.

Sara looked away casually when she noticed the warrant officer look at her. She knew that Langely was probly trying to figure out the same thing Grayson was trying to figure out, who she is working for and perhaps who exactly she is. Sara wondered if Grayson knew she had ocular implants or anyone in the intel department for that matter, not that they would show up on any medical scan but sometimes a good intel agent would know even without the tri-corder. If Grayson didn't then all the better it gave him one less thing to bother her with.

OFF: Tags anyone.

[Peters]

ON: <Direidi Banquet Hall, Day 3, 1210>

Peters piled food on his plate, quite certain thhat it would be excellent, and that there was no funny business going on with teh food itself. That wasn't the Direidi's style. Klingon place-cards for the Starfleet personnel WAS, however. Luckily, he'd thought to look up what his name and a few key words and phrases looked like in a good half a dozen languages before leaving the ship.

The lunch was nothing short of luxurious. There were all manner of foods from every Earth nationality, along with a few Vulcan, Trill, Bajoran, and other races' dishes that were popular among humans. Peters took some Hasperat along side a small serving of Lasagna and some Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Picking up some bread and a couple of small packets of Butter, Peters looked around. Klingons were going to be present. That would make things that much more interesting, he was sure. He also guessed that the Klingon placecards were in Federation Standard.

He snagged a drink from the table, then walked back to his seat, pausing as he passed Kersare's position. "Captain, I must admit that I wouldn't have believed you to be so good with ad-libbed lyrics. That talent could help us while we're here."

OFF: <Tag Kersare>

[Kersare]

<<Direidi Banquet Hall, 1215, Day 3>>

"Captain, I must admit that I wouldn't have believed you to be so good with ad-libbed lyrics. That talent could help us while we're here," Todd said.

Isabel smiled, "Well, I do enjoy writing, stories or poems, and I also play the piano. More like hobbies I suppose, but they can come in handy." Seeing him nod, she continued with her food.

She was still somewhat saddened by the fact that the majority of her crewmembers were so skeptical of the Direidi, but little could be done about it. Though the presence of the Klingons was a tad surprising, Isabel had been prepared for it, or the presence of another species. The mixed-up name tags were also a bit of a surprise.

Seeing the concerned and rather anxious looks on her crew's faces, Isabel knew they were aching to get to the heart of the mission. She too knew that they had a good deal of work cut out for them and should get a good start at it.

Hearing a lull in the conversation, she turned to Kyler(NPC), "Mr...."

"Just Kyler, my dear Captain," he smiled.

She nodded, "Kyler, this is a lovely meal. I must admit, though, that my crew and I are anxious to start looking for the <i>Sirion</i> and her crew."

"I thought as much. As soon as lunch is over, Emily and I will take you to the hotel," he offered, looking a little saddened.

"The hotel?" Isabel quirked an eyebrow.

Kyler's eyes brightened a little, "The hotel, Ms. Kersare. One must begin at the beginning when one does not know the end."

"Ah, the <i>Sirion's</i> survey team was staying in your hotel while they were here?" It made sense, she supposed. Then again, she highly doubted the Direidi, considering their hospitality, would have allowed them to stay anywhere else.

"Bingo. Best to start there. Their rooms have been untouched since their mysterious disappearance, and I would think there could be clues as to where the survey team ended up, if not the ship as well, in those rooms," Kyler reasoned. "I would also suggest that you search their rooms and the hotel for the day, get a good night's rest, then resume your search tomorrow when you'll have the best light."

Isabel nodded, "I'll discuss it with my staff, but that does sound logical. I appreciate your help."

"Always glad to be of service," he grinned. Kyler's sky blue eyes watched her for a moment before remarking, "Something else troubles you, besides the missing <i>Sirion</i> and her crew."

It was more of a statement than a guess, and he was right. "Yes, I suppose you're right, Kyler." Though her crew's reluctance to be among the Direidi, human though they may be, was one of her concerns, Isabel felt it best to not mention that. "I was wondering what the Klingons are doing here. I don't mean to intrude, but...I must admit that I'm curious."

He nodded, "Understandable. They're here to gather up some of the equipment that was left."

Isabel was a little surprised, "One hundred year old equipment?"

"It's what they said. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they just wanted to relax and check up on us...or you," Kyler shrugged.

Isabel nodded thoughtfully, "And how many courses are left?"

Emily(NPC), apparently also listening to the conversation, laughed, "Just dessert. You should be over at the hotel in the next half hour."

<<Hotel Direidi, 1253, Day 3>>

Once everyone had finished their meals, including dessert (which was simply wonderful), Emily and Kyler escorted the <i>Malinche</i> crew to the Hotel Direidi. The stone building was quite impressive, fairly large with decorative stonework on the outside and along the pillars; 'Hotel Direidi' carved above the pillars in an exquisite cursive.

Isabel turned back to see the reactions of her crewmembers, Mason, Brice, Mark, Sam, Sara, Todd, Jason, Soren, Cheetara, Roderic, and Amanda. They had varying expressions, but at least some seemed to have a similar feeling towards the structure as Isabel did.

The twelve followed Emily and Kyler through the doors, 'HD' carved into the handles. The front desk was to their left, along with what looked like a sitting room and old style wood bar. To their right was a restaurant and ice cream parlor. From the ceiling hung an impressive chandelier, made of nickel. Directly in front of them was a wide set of steps, leading up to the next floor, then spiralling slightly up through the next 4 floors. Each floor had railing going along the entire length of the corridor, leaving it open to see to the ground floor below. Beautiful paintings were hung on the wall, and the floor, along with the staircase, were made of marble.

"Beautiful," Isabel said softly, to herself. She wondered for a moment where the elevators were, but was sure her crew would find them. She saw a sign to the indoor pool and fitness room, pointing in opposite directions.

Kelly stepped forward and handed Isabel a set of keys, "These go to the rooms where the <i>Sirion</i> survey team was staying. I imagine, though, that you and your crew may want to freshen up a bit and make sure everything made it to the correct room first, so here's the list of where everyone is staying. You can get the keys from the Attendent at the front desk. Let myself or the hotel staff know if you need anything."

Isabel smiled, "Thank you." She looked down at the piece of paper Kelly had handed her:

----------------------------------------------
Room Assignments:
Kersare - 21
Hunt - 23
Thundera - 31
Thomas - 32
Langley - 33
Grayson - 34
Soren - 41
Peters - 42
Treharne - 51
Rayne - 52
Darkhelm - 61
Barrett - 62

*Note: Odd rooms are on the left side of the staircase, Even rooms on the right.

<i>Sirion</i> Rooms (All in the new wing, past the indoor pool):
Lansky - 212
Masters - 221
Nolar - 312
Tir - 321
Samek - 412
Arok - 421

Also, the laundry is in the basement, should you need anything cleaned.

Good luck and kindest regards!

Kelly
--------------------------------------------

Isabel passed the list around so everyone could see it. "Alright everyone, get your keys from the Attendent and go make sure everything made it to your room or freshen up if you like. We'll meet back here at 1400 hours and see what we can find in the survey teams' rooms."

OFF: Tag crew! Feel free to finish things up at the meal or continue on. I'll give us a bit of a chance to look around the hotel (let me know if you're unsure about something) and to meet back up in the Lobby, then move us on to search the rooms!

[Rayne]

ON:
<<Hotel Direidi Room 52,1254,Day 3>>

The minute Sara entered her room and closed the door she immediatly set to work to clear her room of any bugs or things of the like, definatly not wanting anything she said or did in the room to be overheard or noticed. Suprisingly she found nothing, and she even did another search just to be sure still finding nothing. "Well atleast I got that part done now to set up my stuff the way I need it." With that Sara went and checked all of her bags making sure that nothing was missing or had been tampered with finding everything to be as it should. "Good I am glad nothing got misplaced. Now I just need to contact SFI:9 and let them know I am planetside and perhaps figure out what I am to do while here besides the ship's mission. Heh I really hope I can let someone know who am now, I really don't want to keep up this game even though I do enjoy it sometimes." Sara smiled at the thought before getting all of her equipment in place and secured. Once she finished she logged into a secure channel on the network she established on the Malinche and sent a scrammbled message to SFI:9 Mission Division.
_______________________________________________________________________
Data Encoding............
Encoding Complete................
Verifying Connection Security...............
Connection Secured...............
Establishing Connection to Network................
Connected..........
Sending Transmission.................
Transmission Sent Waiting For Reply....

[Incoming Video Transmission]

Mission Director Matson(NPC): "Operative Rayne, good to see that you managed to establish a link so soon. I trust your investigation is going well?"

Rayne: "Yes Director, it is going well and as suspected the mole was aboard the Malinche or atleast that is how the situation shows it to be. Though it is possible that he or she made it planetside or could have very well have stayied onboard Starbase 10 but that option has been throughly checked by the other two operatives who were working in conjuncton with me. I am positive that the subject did indeed board the Malinche and is either planetside or still aboard the ship.

Matson(NPC): You said planetside? Oh thats right the Malinche was ordered to Direidi to search for the crew missing from the USS Sirion. I just recently got word of the Malinche's assignment there. It is not suprising now that I look at it, Our mole must have decided to try and hide and what better place to do that then Direidi. Rayne I belive it would be wise to watch you back much more then usual on this assignment it seems the situaton has changed.

Rayne: Indeed things do seem like they have changed. Damn whatever happened to the glory days when you knew what to expect from your enemies. No matter, I am requesting that I bring in some help with this mission someone who's background I have checked throughly and found to be excellent. Would I be able to enlist the help of such person? After all I am going to need the assets that the intel department onboard the Malinche has.

Matson(NPC): Rayne do what you feel you need to do, I'll back you up like I always have but do becareful who you let in on this mission, too many things are at risk here this time. Matson out...

Transmission Terminated.....
Network Connection Terminated.......
_______________________________________________________________________

Sara managed a quick thank you before the transmission ended but she wasn't sure if it had gotten through, though she did get what she needed now and it was offical. "Well I guess it is time to let Mr. Grayson in on the secret I have been keeping, im sure he will be most delighted to know what he hasn't been able to figure out so far."

=/\= Ensign Rayne to Lieutenant Grayson, I have something important I need to speak to you about. =/\=

OFF: Tags Grayson. (Psst I know something you don't yet )

[Hunt]

<<Hotel Direidi>>
<< Room 23, 1256, Day 3>>

When he heard the room assignments, Mason left for his room which was not to far away from the Captain?s. The hallway alone had the sweet aroma of honey and berries which lighten the first officer?s sprits a bit.

He was getting a bit hot in his uniform, so he took his jacket and laid it on the nearby end table. The room was decked out with furniture and trinkets like any other hotel but this one was more open and specious.

It was getting a bit warm, the environmental controls were to the other end of the room near the bed but Hunt was too tired to even stroll over. A sudden wind hit the window which caught his attention. Making his over and then opening the window there was a magnificent view of the entire land surrounding the hotel.

Everything was so breath taking that he stood there allowing the wind to cool his body and face. To the side of him was a bowl of fruit similar to the ones the direidi were serving at the meal. None of it was from earth but there was a red fruit that was very similar to apples on earth.

Mason picked one up bit into and laid right on the floor. Although he wasn?t really tired or full he got back up and headed out to the hallway. He remembered a restaurant the group had seen as they headed up. Also the aroma of something being baked, to him it smelled like fish with lemon sauce but he didn?t care he wanted food.

Being so much used to a turbolift, Mason grinned and pressed the button for the elevator to come down. It slowed down opening its decorated doors. Mason stepped in looking at the floor as the doors closed. Since there was no voice interface he leaned forward to the console and pressed the button for the first floor.

The trip there took a few minutes considering how high they were, as he stepped out he found the hallway empty and quiet. It was too quiet for his taste, but he moved on into the restaurant where he found a cook and a few workers cooking and cleaning.

Hunt plopped himself onto a stool and grabbed a menu and saw that this restaurant was open all night long and so was the room service. At first he was disappointed that he didn?t know but the trip was well worth it.

?What can I get for you tonight mr?.?

?Mason Hunt, just call me mason. What?s good tonight?? asked Mason.

?Well, we have some fried fish and weloe soup also a nice chicken with vegetables stuffed with some yellow spiced pudding.?

?Hmmm, I?ll take the fried fish and some soup and some crackers if you have them.?

?How come you are eating so late? I thought I remember seeing you at the dining area earlier. Let me guess to plain for your tastes. Don?t feel bad I like on the world and I can?t stand it personally(He said laughing).?

?You guess it(Laughing).? Said Mason.

The waiter brought over his food, the plate was hot and everything on the plate woke up the XO with a smile on his face.

?My name is Jav?lin(NPC) by the way. Are you eating alone??

?I was planning on asking some of the other officers that beamed down with me and the Captain but they are probably going to sleep or doing other things.? Said Mason.

Jav?lin(NPC) left Mason eat his food while he turned on the holographic entertainment monitor. A game of underwater powerball was on. Hunt sat there eating away enjoying his food.


OFF: Tag Crew [Is Anyone up for a JP?????]

[Thundera]

OFF: I've been extremely sick and works been a hassel. I've been in and out of the hospital all week, and back and forth to the doctors all last month during my time off from work. That's why I haven't haven't been here to post.

ON:
<<Hotel Direidi>>
<< Room 31, 1255, Day 3>>

Cheetara had gone to her room to set up her bed adjustments. She would rather have just been able to recharge onboard the ship. "This can be such a pain to have to continueously do all the time", she thought to herself slightly aloud. Soon more things began to flood into her head. Things that she wasn't liking at all. She didn't like being so far from the Captain, especially is something should happen. Why did they have Kersare and Hunt that far from everyone else?

All of a sudden she began to feel queezy, a sensation that had never really happened to her, but was able to recognize they syptoms. It was probably due to the fact of the large amount of time that she hadn't recharged.

Before she was able to finish setting up her bed, she collapsed. He body flung across the bed making her head and legs hang from opposite sides, looking as if someone just threw a ragdoll across the room. Unknown to herself from body shutdown, her head hit something hard as she fell.

OFF: Tag Anyone!

[Grayson]

<Hotel Direidi Room 58,1254, Day 3>

OLD:

Sara managed a quick thank you before the transmission ended but she wasn't sure if it had gotten through, though she did get what she needed now and it was offical. "Well I guess it is time to let Mr. Grayson in on the secret I have been keeping, im sure he will be most delighted to know what he hasn't been able to figure out so far."

=/\= Ensign Rayne to Lieutenant Grayson, I have something important I need to speak to you about. =/\=

NEW:

Mark's eyebrows went up when he heard Rayne's calling. Maybe she was going to confess her real intentions aboard the Malinche. No. That would be too easy and there was nothing more difficult than finding out an Intell officer secret. Of course, Mark would love that once things went easy with him, but, he didn't hold to that thought too much. It was a waste of time.

He tapped his badge. =/\="Grayson here. I'm on my way."=/\=

With that, he left his room, not before he had sure there was not listening devices of any kind there, and went to Rayne's room. As soon he entered, he tapped a eletronic device on his wrist. It created an interference that would block and type kind of survellaince device. After a second, the device blinked and he finally looked at Rayne.

"Report, ensign", said him, direct. There was no reason to waste time with mild conversation.

OFF: <tag Rayne>

[Rayne]

ON:
<Hotel Direidi Room 52,1254, Day 3>

Sara made sure her stuff was put away, carefully bit not quite hidden just so Grayson would eventually notice some of it including the PADD with the SFI:9 insignia on it's screen. She loved playing games and making the other person figure out what she wanted them to know. Sara wouldn't say what she had called him over here for immediatly instead she left clues lying around as a kinda interesting thing to observe so she could she how he did things as a way to better understand him. But just incase he decided to leave and not bother with her thinking she just called for no reason she was ready to tell him, though she would rather he figure it out with the clues she left all around the room.

Rayne: "I was wondering if you had a plan for Warrent Officer Langly and I while we all search though the Sirion crewmember's rooms something besides looking around in them. Any secondary thinngs you want us both to do? Forgive me if I have annoyied you by bringing you all this way for that but I wanted to be sure on what to do."

With that a few lights blinked on Sara's portable computer terminal just as they had been programmed to do, giving a hint towards the desk and the PADD sitting there ontop. Sara smiled knowing that soon he would figure it out one way or another.

OFF: Tags Grayson.

[Grayson]

ON:
<Hotel Direidi Room 52,1254, Day 3>
OLD:

Sara made sure her stuff was put away, carefully bit not quite hidden just so Grayson would eventually notice some of it including the PADD with the SFI:9 insignia on it's screen. She loved playing games and making the other person figure out what she wanted them to know. Sara wouldn't say what she had called him over here for immediatly instead she left clues lying around as a kinda interesting thing to observe so she could she how he did things as a way to better understand him. But just incase he decided to leave and not bother with her thinking she just called for no reason she was ready to tell him, though she would rather he figure it out with the clues she left all around the room.

Rayne: "I was wondering if you had a plan for Warrent Officer Langly and I while we all search though the Sirion crewmember's rooms something besides looking around in them. Any secondary thinngs you want us both to do? Forgive me if I have annoyied you by bringing you all this way for that but I wanted to be sure on what to do."

With that a few lights blinked on Sara's portable computer terminal just as they had been programmed to do, giving a hint towards the desk and the PADD sitting there ontop. Sara smiled knowing that soon he would figure it out one way or another.

NEW:

Mark noticed each item around the room and one thing caught his eyes, The SFI:9 logo in a PADD. He made mental note to remember to check some sources regarding the shadowy agency. He knew little about, only, that they used to do more counter espionage than anything, but, he didn't know how many they were, how worked their SOP and more importantly, why they were so interested in the Malinche crew?

Rayne had already proved to be very efficient, so Mark doubted all that small things were there by accident. "Playing mind games, huh, ensign?", thought Mark. "I know how to play too". He sat down in a chair.

He decided not to answer her question. "First you call me to report new information, only to ask me about MY plan of infiltration. Funny." Mark's face closed. "Need to know basis, ensign. You'll know what you need to know when the time comes. Not before." He looked around the room and opened his arms wide. "Why this charade, ensign?", asked him. "You knew I would look around this room when I came in and yet, you let your things around. So, I have to conclude you wanted me to know something. Like your involvement SFI:9 and all these other items, especially some non standard equipment that you're not supposed to have?" Mark shook his head in disappoiment. "I must say I was expecting a more mature play from you."

OFF: Tag Rayne

[Rayne]

ON:
<Hotel Diredi, Room 52, 1255, Day 3>

Sara continued to smile even though she didn't need to now.

Rayne: Desperate times call for desperate measures Mr. Grayson, If I hadn't been authorized by my Mission Director I wouldn't even be speaking to you about what I am going to now and knowing how you like to keep things in check I bet I know something you haven't realised yet. There is a mole or spy which ever you want to call it aboard the Malinche or atleast he or she was if they haven't already gotten planetside. I was sent to track down this spy and remove him or her from the works before something extremly sensitive gets in the wrong hands. I put those things there so I knew you would notice them, I had to make sure I could keep you here long enough so I could explain my problem. As for that non-standard stuff Mr. Grayson that is all standard issue for a SFI:9 agent, I'd even be willing to give it to you if you want as I am suppost to be getting a new set of equipment at somepoint so I won't need it after I get that new set. Of course I will have to wipe the equipment but you are welcome to have it if you are willing to help me with my investigation and hunt for that spy. I need someone who the spy won't be expecting to help me and after doing several background checks on you I was hoping you will help. If not I'll understand but I'll ask that you keep it quiet, and I trust that you will.

Sara stopped smiling and put on a very serious face. Too much was at stake here and there was so many things that could go wrong. She really hoped that Grayson would help after all she did offer some to give him so really awesome tech as a thank you gift.

Rayne: As for what I said earlier I already know what I need to know, and if there is anything you want me to know I can count on you letting me know. I might be a little rusty from lack of action but even a rusty sword can still cut.

With that Sara stopped speaking and waited for Grayson to speak.

OFF: Tags Grayson