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:: standing on the bridge, staring at the planet below on the main viewer, wondering how in the hell a human got here and what they're doing ::

CSO: Can you isolate the signature to a specific location?

:: sits in her office finishing up some work. She checks the time, and makes final notes ::

:: is surprised, waiting for orders between checking scans ::

:: gets up and dusts herself off, heading for the turbolift ::

CO: Let me see what I can do. :: taps at her console, working to isolate the signature ::

:: appears on the bridge, sensing tension before the doors even open. Her first step onto the bridge is tentative, and she looks to Tailor with a raised brow ::

:: hears the TL doors open and turns to see Acacia enter :: MED: Doctor.

:: zooms in on the location, which looks, from their orbital perspective, like it could be an open-air market ::

:: nods to Harper as she takes her seat, her reply automatic :: CO: Captain.

:: turns back to look at the viewer and seeing the zoomed-in scene, she narrows her eyes to examine it ::

:: smiles back at Emily as she enters, then returns to watching their orbital parameters, ensuring they don't drift from stationary ::

:: lies on her seat on the bridge, monitoring things as usual at her console, looking to the main viewer when interesting images come up ::

CSO: How many people are in that area?

:: taps at her console to sign in, raising an eyebrow at the scan data ::

::Closes his eyes and concentrates on the planet below, to see what emotions he can pick up from the surface; any clues about the situation down there.::

CO: I'm reading several dozen life signs in the vicinity.

:: paces a bit and ends up back at her chair :: XO: That rules out just beaming them up, at least for now.

:: casts a worried glance at the Captain as she realizes what they've found, then follows her eyes to the viewscreen ::

CO: There is always the possibility that this is not the only human - or part human - on the planet, as well.

:: nods at Lexy :: CSO: Indeed. At least rule out any others in this town.

CSO: Or any other aliens at all, for that matter, not just humans.

:: sends the biosignature information back to the doctors, and then rescans the area for alien life signs ::

:: examines the scans of the aliens with interest, then compares them to the human scan and frowns ::

::His antennae twitch, and he lets out a contented sigh, as his mind bathes in a river of emotions.::

CO: Another anomalous life sign, in a different area. It... It's not quite human, but definitely not NOT human. Scans indicate that the lifeform is likely a child.

:: Doesn't mean to comment, but it comes out :: Self: Hm.

:: glances back at Emily, knowing her professional interest in such things, and sends her the biosignature ::

A child? :: sits down :: This may complicate things further, if that child is half human.

:: frowns, considering the implications ::

:: casts a knowing glance at Wright, then pulls up the scan data and begins scrolling through it ::

:: listens quietly to the other conversations ongoing ::

:: exhales softly, shaking her head. She looks at Harper :: CO: No 'ifs' there.

:: looks back to Acacia :: MED: The child is definitely half-human?

:: nods, tagging parts of the scan as she goes and sending the marked scan back to Wright's console :: CO: Definitely. This sequence can't be the native species because of this marker. See? :: she looks at Wright ::

:: turns forward again, swearing sharply under her breath in Mandarin ::

:: keeps tapping at her console, double and triple checking as she's clearly baffled ::

:: looks over the marked scan, then slowly nods :: CO/MED: I agree, there can be no doubt.

CSO: Tag those biosigns and track their movements.

CO: Already underway, Captain.

CEO: Commander Ilaihr, can you get us anything else out of the sensors?

::Opens his eyes again, and turns in his seat back to his console.:: CSO: Commander, can you send me any images you have of the surface; I'd like to see their architecture.

NAV: Mr. Navarro, take us back to standard orbit so that we can scan for further human life.

:: keeps comparing the scans, more thoroughly marking all the spots where the native and human signatures are alike and different. She can hardly believe it ::

CO: Standard orbit, aye capitana. :: lowers Atlantis and the planet begins to appear to move on the viewer once more ::

CEO: All I have are the orbital views like we can see on the main viewer, but I'll be happy to send them to you. :: does so with a tap ::

CSO: See if they are alone, Commander. :: gestures to the rotating world on the viewer ::

XO: While we orbit, we need to discuss options, Kuari.

:: turns her head to face Harper ::

CO: Aye, Captain. :: Initiates a deep scan searching for anomalous life signs as they move over the planet ::

XO: If we cannot beam them up, then we will have to go down there and find out why they are there. The Prime Directive may have already been violated.

:: looks up at that, feeling a chill ::

:: nods :: CO: It may be necessary. I should not go...as I wouldn't be able to blend in.

:: brow furrows with concern ::

:: feels a shiver down her spine at the captain's words, keeping her gaze on her console ::

:: frowns and nods :: XO: Yes, if a human is blending in, we must assume they are bipedal.

XO: But we will need more information than that on what they look like and how they dress.

::Types some commands into his console.:: CO: Our sensors were upgraded when we were last in spacedock. I can increase power to them, and filter out background interference from other more omnipresent biological sources; but there is only so much information we can obtain from sensors alone.

CO: Can we not simply beam them aboard from their sleeping quarters?

CO: Yes, the basics. Cultural information would be nice so behavior doesn't seem odd, but short of observation from orbit, we have no data.

:: stands and starts flitting around the bridge as they talk :: CEO: Can you get us more detailed imagery from them?

:: nods in agreement ::

CSO: Suppose they do not sleep alone? Likely if a child is involved.

CO: We need an up-close look at the appearance of a native, it could be any of them.

::Looks over the images, zooming in as much as he can on them; surveying all of the buildings and their designs.:: CO: Captain... the imaging sensors are already more than capable of that. I believe such technology was already active during the Warp 5 program.

:: frustrated, believing that they have not yet explored all of the alternatives to physically going down there and risking untold harm ::

:: nods to Acacia :: Exactly, yes.

:: is also uneasy :: CO: We could also.. wait for the human to be alone.

CO: you cannot judge a culture from a sample of one. It's just bad science.

CEO: Of course. I mean even more detail, down to the intricate patterns on their clothing.

MED: That would be ideal, yes, but we must be prepared if no such opportunity presents itself.

CO: I agree with Dr. Acacia. We should be patient and willing to wait.

CSO: We will. For a time.

CO: Surely the human will need to see to private biological needs at some point.

:: exhales, going with the flow :: CO: Well, if we beamed down just a tricorder into a sleeping native's room, set to auto, it scans them in their sleep, then we beam it back?

:: her idea became a question at the end ::

CSO: And if someone is waiting on them? The opportunity must be perfect.

MED: Transporters make noise and light, so it could wake them.

Self: Among other things.

:: nods slowly, still thinking ::

ACTION> The planet turns below. More settlements pass by, but no human biosigns show up.

::Swings in his seat.:: CO: I am not seeing many indicators that their society has changed much, with the presence of an alien. Coupled with a hybrid child, I would surmise that this human, used the story of a traveller from a distant continent, to ingratiated themselves into the culture.

:: agrees, now thinking aloud :: CO/CEO: Yes, if a human blends in...

:: smirks :: CEO: Clearly they have ingratiated themselves quite well, yes. So there is no sign of armies suddenly fighting with phasers, for example?

All: We have no idea of this human's appearance. Hair color, eye color, skin color... Any combination of these could be completely unknown on this planet. We have no idea what would blend in and what would stand out.

::Shakes head.:: CO: I could not sense any unifying emotion on the planet; such as the anger and rage that comes with an armed force. I am currently trying to locate any unusual structures... one's that do not belong, that would indicate cultural interference.

:: paces a bit more, thinking ::

CO: With the advances of human technology, you could imagine them potentially portraying themselves as a god. And there would be places of worship.

CSO: When we come back around, we will get a closer look and at least find that out.

CEO: Ah yes, indeed. And why would a god be shopping in the market?

All: Even if we physically blend in, we have no idea how their society works. Is it strongly patriarchal such that an away team of women would be seen as inferior and it would be socially wrong for them to talk to men, as in Classical Greece?

:: nods in agreement, uneasy :: CSO: That's a good point.

:: thinks about the issue posed, frowning slightly ::

:: nods along as she looks around the bridge and starts to notice the gender imbalance ::

::Sighs.:: CO: I have some experience in these matters... ::Stares off for a moment.:: Sometimes people want to go back, to a simpler time with simpler technology and less grandiose worries.

:: taps her fingers on the edge of her console, mulling over the possible options ::

CEO: If that were the case... where is their ship?

CO: Perhaps crashed?

CEO: They were dropped off, perhaps?

CO/MED: Maybe... ::Redirects more power to the sensors.:: CSO: I am sending out a tachyon stream, in case of a cloaked vessel....

ACTION> The planet continues to slide by beneath us, but still offers no sign of other human biosigns.

CO: No further anomalous life signs.

:: nods to Lexy :: NAV: Zorro, take us back to synchronous orbit above that town.

CO: Synchronous orbit, sí. :: raises their orbit, matching its period to the planet's rotation ::

ACTION> The planet recedes as we climb, appearing to slow down in its rotation until it stops, with the town directly below. The waters of the ocean nearby glint in the late-afternoon sun.

CSO: What is our human friend up to?

:: watches the viewscreen, deep in thought ::

CO: They appear to be walking toward the child, but it's a bit of a walk.

CSO: Alright. Zoom in on them.

:: does so ::

::Shakes his head.:: Self: Hmmmmm.... ::Disengages the tachyon stream.:: No cloaked vessel as far as I can see. ::Changes the scan parameters, scanning for advanced alloys such as tritanium and tertaburnium.::

::walks along the street viewed from above, carrying a large bag, evidence of produce showing out the top. She has dark hair and is wearing a simple blue tunic and tassled pants that appear to be made of both cloth and cured hide. ::

:: watches the viewer intently, frowning ::

ACTION> The woman can be seen walking alone along a cobbled road in the late afternoon sun.

CSO: Can you adjust the angle to get her face?

CO: I can help with that. :: translates the ship sideways along their orbit to generate an angle :: CSO: There you go.

NAV: Thank you.

:: makes some tweaks, assisted by Navarro, to get the picture the Captain wants ::

:: can be seen more clearly now on the main viewer, her arms and face a dark tan, a series of markings and ridges on her face that don't look human ::

CO: Her appearance has been altered.

CSO: Run her through the Starfleet database and see if the computer can get a match, despite the alterations.

CO: On it.

CO: No matches, Captain.

:: watches the woman on the screen :: So who are you, then?

CSO: Is she alone?

CO: Relatively. There's no one in the immediate vicinity; hard to say if anyone could see her from a distance.

:: takes a deep breath :: We may not get a better chance.

:: nods ::

CO: Captain... do you recall the cloaking device aboard the Rixx?

CEO: Of course.

:: taps over to the transporter screen, ready ::

CO: Perhaps we should attempt a more covert method of contact.

CEO: I think this is our best shot, for now.

CSO: Lexy, you have the bridge. Give me time to get to the transporter room and then beam her up, if she is still alone. XO/MED/TAC2: Kuari, Acacia, Grey, you are with me. :: heads to the TL ::

:: nods once, standing up and following behind the Captain ::

:: watching like a hawk for any life signs to come along and mess this up ::

:: jumps off her chair and bounds over to the transporter ::

:: enters the TL and waits for the rest ::

:: files into the turbolift behind Harper and turns around, exhaling sharply ::

:: leaves her console, following the Captain into the turbolift with a quiet sigh ::

CO: Please hurry.

::Frowns, but says nothing, turning back to his console.::

:: directs the TL to transporter room one, a quick ride, and they all are soon assembled by the pad ::

:: after giving them time to get there, checks the vicinity one more time and energizes ::

ACTION> The woman is beamed aboard, groceries and all.

:: stands by, hands folded and expression offering sympathy for the woman ::

::Grimaces as he feels an intense spike of panic.::

:: watches to make sure there are no alarmed reactions ::

:: stands at the ready, expression unreadable as she watches ::

:: appears out of the shimmering light on the the transporter pad. Her bag of groceries falls, produce tumbling off the pad, a glass jar shattering on the pad, but she pays it absolutely no mind. Her first distraction is the clearly non-bipedal form, but the sight isn't the strangest thing to happen today. She looks at everyone in surprise before she frowns, angry, and hones in on the captain :: CO: What right do you have to kidnap me, Starfleet? I was minding my own business!

:: blinks, looking to the Captain ::

:: extends her palms toward the woman, trying to de-escalate :: Easy. We just wanted to find out if you were stranded here. I am Captain Kathryn Harper and you are aboard the Atlantis.

:: startles, hand falling to her holster as she moves slightly, making sure to keep the doorway and the woman in her line of sight the entire time ::

:: huffs, crossing her arms, but she makes an effort to calm down :: CO: No, I am not stranded. Thank you. I would... :: looks down at her bag and crouches, tossing things back into the bag, other than the jar and its contents :: CO: I would appreciate if you would return me and I can be on my way.

:: still trying to appear friendly :: Of course, but before that, please tell me... who are you and how did you find yourself living in a pre-industrial society?

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