The Mystery Ship:  Part 2

   Four more of the battle droids were found and taken down, with minor casualties taken by the marines. Having completed their search of the ship, the Marine Lt. reports all clear, the Tiraxian ship is safe to board and investigate...
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain, send over the science teams, but do have some security officers accompany them."
Captain Tarna nods, saying, "Aye Ma'am.  I'll see to it.  Is there any place in particular you would like them to start?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "The room in the center of the ship."
Mindwave turns to Bruno, "Doctor, I think that room might be of interest to you..."
Bruno nods and shrugs, "I suppose that would be the logical place to start... seems to be the nerve center of the ship..."
Captain Tarna asks, "Will you be joining the science team as well, Warlord?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Yes, I think I shall, at least for a little while."
Captain Tarna nods and says, "Very well. I will send Commander Brenna with you as well, then.  Advise me when your team is ready and we'll drop out of warp long enough to get you over to that other ship."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Very well, Captain."
Mindwave motions for Cheshire Cat to follow her as she turns and leaves the Bridge.

A short time later, in the central chamber of the alien vessel...

The ship is still dark, though some power has been restored.  The central chamber seems to be the only area of the ship that still has power.
Mindwave moves to the central chamber...
Lt. Kaar moves around the chamber with a hand-held scanner, trying to make sense of the alien technology. She looks up as Mindwave and company enter, saying, "Good afternoon, Warlord."  She then continues about her scanning.
Mindwave says in Basic, "Good afternoon, Lieutenant.  Anything to report?"
Lt. Kaar says, "Not much yet, Warlord.  From what I can tell, this... node" she motions to the tanks with the humanoids suspended in them, then continues, "... as well as most of the machinery in this room seems to be some sort of computer or control center.  Very strange stuff."
She continues, "The ship itself seems to be mostly robotic.  Our Marines found a number of destroyed robots on what we think is the bridge... these were much smaller, definitely not combat units though."
Mindwave turns to look at the humanoids in the tubes, then back to Lt. Kaar, "Could it be that they were used to somehow run the ship?  Perhaps they were psionic...?"
Bruno sighs and nods, "That's what I felt, but it's hard to prove any such thing at this point, ne?"
Lt. Kaar nods, saying, "That is a possibility, Ma'am, but we're uncertain at this time.  The machinery connected to them would seem to indicate that if they were controlling the ship, it was through actual neural interfaces rather than psionics"
Mindwave turns to Bruno, "Yes, we will need more research."  Mindwave turns back to Lt. Kaar, "Could it be that the machines controlled the ship, and used the humanoids as "tools" or "machines"?"
Lt. Kaar nods again, saying, "That was another possibility I was looking at, Ma'am."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Were any other humanoids found anywhere else on the ship?"
Lt. Kaar shakes her head, saying, "No Ma'am.  These are the only lifeforms aboard."
Bruno sighs, "Are any of them left alive?"
Lt. Kaar nods, saying, "They all appear to be alive, Doctor, but their brain activity is almost nonexistent."
Mindwave turns to Bruno, "I scanned them, Doctor, and they are all "empty vessels.""
Lt. Kaar suggests, "If we can get this computer on-line, we may be able to determine more."
Mindwave turns back to Lt. Kaar, "That would be the most logical course of action."
Lt. Kaar nods, then asks Bruno, "Care to assist, Doctor?"
Bruno nods, "I would be delighted.  I wouldn't dare guess, however what happened to their brain activities... and what's really running the show?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "The answers, or at least clues, might just lie in the computer system on this ship..."
Lt. Kaar nods and says, "We will see."  She sets about trying to get the 'computer' back online

Empress says, "Bruno, roll 3 dice, please"

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 3 5
Body: 4
Stun: 14

Empress says, "What's your skill?"
Bruno says, "Computer skill is 15."
After some work, Bruno and Lt. Kaar are able to restore the computer to working condition and get it running.
Mindwave looks on...
Bruno uses lots of paper clips, ironically.
As the computer comes online, scanners begin to report that the brain activity of the ten humanoids in the tanks begins to pick up.
Bruno nods, "So their consciousness resides within the computer itself?"
Mindwave turns to the tanks and begins to scan via telepathy
Mindwave says in Basic, "That could very well be, Doctor.  I will try to make telepathic contact.""

Empress says, "Roll your telepathy dice, Mindwave. No need to roll to hit"

Mindwave rolls 12 dice and gets: 4 5 1 6 4 3 3 3 2 3 2 5
Body: 12
Stun: 41

Brain activity has indeed picked up, but there still isn't anything in the way of surface thoughts or independent thought in any of the subjects.  The subconscious portion of their minds seem to have gone into overdrive, though.  You can 'see' their thoughts... battle plans, damage control readouts, ship status... planetary information even.
Mindwave relays the information...
Mindwave says in Basic, "Hmm, interesting..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "It could very well be that they are "tools"..."
Mindwave continues to maintain contact via telepathy.
Mindwave says in Basic, "It could be that this is the way they control the ship and travel in space...."

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason to what goes through the subconscious of these beings, other than the fact that it all seems to be stuff that would be in a ship's computer. As experiments progress, it becomes more and more obvious that these beings are nothing more than a mass storage system, performing much the same function as a hard drive.
Mindwave looks up at the beings in the tubes, "You poor souls..."
Mindwave turns to Lt. Kaar and Bruno, "The Empress will want a full report on this."
Lt. Kaar nods, a little shaken by the discovery.  She says, "Aye Ma'am."
Bruno nods, "As to be expected."
Mindwave turns to Commander Brenna, "Commander, the responses we got from the conversation I had with the Tiraxians..."
Brenna motions to the tanks, saying, "If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably something stored in their memories."
Mindwave says in Basic, "...looking at it now, could I have been talking with a computer? Did the reaction it had to our presence and conversation seem like the reaction a computer would have?"
Brenna considers that for a moment, saying, "Perhaps the computer or the robots are able to utilize more functions of these beings' brains than just storage... What is one of the most difficult tasks for a computer to perform?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Dealing with something unknown, or not in its parameters?"
Brenna nods, saying, "Or more simply put, pattern recognition." She looks to Kaar, who nods in turn. Lt. Kaar says, "Perhaps our adversaries need these beings to handle more abstract concepts for them?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "That could very well be..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "But if that were the case, these being would have to have something more than just data in their minds..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "They would have to have some sort of individual thinking..."
Lt. Kaar says, "Unless the machines are able to plug in data and somehow force their minds to process it, and return something that the machine can understand..."
Lt. Kaar says, "I will continue to investigate this.  I should have that answer by the time we reach Earth."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Very well, Lieutenant.  Do keep me posted on any progress.  If their minds should become more active, contact me right away."
Lt. Kaar nods, saying, "Aye Warlord."
Mindwave proceeds to investigate other parts of the ship.

The rest of the investigation doesn't turn up a whole lot. Most of the systems are in pretty bad shape, between the pounding the ship took from the Star Fist's particle accelerators and the ensuing battles inside the ship with the combat droids. One thing is for certain, though, there is no evidence that anything else 'alive' is or was aboard the ship.
Mindwave returns to the Star Fist.

Back on the bridge of the Star Fist...

Captain Tarna looks up as Mindwave enters the Bridge. He says, "We're back under way toward Earth, Warlord.  Barring any complications, we will be there in two weeks."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Excellent, Captain. It will be good to see Earth again."

Mindwave says, "Mindwave will want to read up on what has transpired in her absence."

Mindwave turns to the communications station, "Send a message to the Imperial Palace.  Inform the Empress of our ETA and that we will have a Tiraxian ship in tow and a report of what we have found."
Ens. Par'tagh nods, saying, "Aye Ma'am." and sets about sending the message.
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain, I will be in my quarters."
Mindwave turns to leave the bridge, motioning for Cheshire Cat to follow her.

Catching up on current events on Earth, things are progressing well. There are still a few  splinter groups that are refusing to accept Imperial occupation, but for the most part, things are well under control.  There still has been no sign of Dr. Destroyer since your last encounter with him.  Most of the other groups of super criminals are laying low as well.
CLOWN continues its antics, and Merry Andrew finally got around to holding elections for Galactic Emperor.  (He was trounced in the elections, having lost to Grond in a landslide... literally).
Mindwave chuckles at CLOWN's latest antics.

Bruno is trying to locate the exact location of the alien "consciousness" in the computer system. Figure it will be able to talk to these people once we know where they are.
Empress says, "Roll computer programming"

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 3 4
Body: 3
Stun: 9

You've dug through every piece of equipment that you can find.  You have found a variety of routines for everything from the simplest ship functions all the way up to navigation and piloting.  The computer itself is just that, a computer.  Scattered around the alien ship are what appear to be some sort of interface jacks, presumably the alien droids plug into these and send and receive data through them.  There are several routines for communicating with the beings in the tanks as well, from simple file storage and retrieval up through analysis and speculation... among the Tiraxians, it appears that the roll of sentient and computer are reversed, the computer and droids using the beings' intellects to assist in running the ship.
It appears that these routines are the only way to communicate with the beings in the tanks.
Bruno sighs, "Damn... gonna have to start translating this stuff..."
Empress says, "Roll Computers one more time for me, Bruno..."

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 4 6
Body: 4
Stun: 12

Bruno, you don't have a whole lot of difficulty translating the information.  The Beings' don't seem to be aware that it's not the computer initiating the data transfers and what not.  Something occurs to you as you're working though... the routines are all there to get the minds of these beings working... they're just all disconnected from each other.
Bruno wonders idly if there's any way to get these folks to communicate back to him... a memory recall or some such?
  It's possible... Maybe by tying the appropriate routines together, and maybe a little telepathic help from Mindwave, you just might be able to kick-start these brains to function on their own.
Maybe...
Mindwave is willing to give it a try.
Bruno hrrrrmmmmms, "Well I GUESS it can be done..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "What do you have in mind, Doctor?"
Bruno sighs, "I'll try to route the commands properly and you try to read their minds... maybe they'll tell us who they are, why they attacked, etc."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Very well... anytime you are ready..."

Empress says, "Roll computer programming, Bruno, then Roll Telepathy, Mindwave"

Mindwave rolls 12 dice and gets: 5 3 5 3 4 2 3 1 4 1 2 5
Body: 10
Stun: 38
 

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 3 2 4
Body: 3
Stun: 9

  You sense a spark of consciousness... confusion follows...
"Invalid Input" echoes across Bruno's terminal screen... then again, and again.  The computer seems to be trying to process what's going on...
Bruno flips the figures in the tank the bird for no other reason than frustration.  Frowning,  he observes how it blocks him out. "Well that's a new one."
Mindwave sends via telepathy, "Do not be afraid.  My name is Mindwave, you are in no danger.  Do you have a name?"
The terminal screen starts going crazy, "Invalid input... error... error... error..."  The being in the tank seems more confused to Mindwave... it's receiving input that it doesn't recognize... input not coming in through the neural links.  Finally, a thought... it's nothing more than a number, but it's a thought... "0x348c2a8f:38c2d3ff"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "I do not understand what that means, can you speak?  Do you know a language?"
More garbage crosses the terminal screen as Mindwave continues to place thoughts into the Being's mind.  The being seems to be calling for more data from the computer, but the computer has no idea what data it's looking for.  The being continues to try to access the computer, and failing that, begins sending out data to the other beings in the node.  A moment later, the being thinks, "I.... am.... 0x348c2a8f:38c2d3ff"
The same output begins rolling across the terminal screen.
Mindwave thinks to the being, "What is your primary purpose?"
Another wave of confusion in the being's mind prompts another outburst of garbage on the terminal screen. System calls are once again made to the computer, and when it fails to respond, to the other beings in the node. One word prints on the screen, "Service."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Can your body function outside of the tube it is currently in?"
The being responds a moment later, "Body intact but not functional. Power at 10%:  Hull Structure at 50%:  Internal systems operating at 15%:  Internal sensors off-line"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "No, not the ship, but your individual organic body."
  The being seems confused again.  It repeats its previous diagnosis.  You get the impression that these Beings don't realize they're organic.
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Do you have information on a ship launched from your system called "Voyager?"
Information begins to flow, "Voyager:  A project aimed to colonize a different system through the use of a slower than light generation ship.  All other information is classified."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "What would you do if you encountered "Voyager?"
The Being responds, "Voyager was never launched."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "It was launched.  It succeeded in it's mission to colonize another planet."
The being repeats, "Voyager was never launched."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "It was launched.  My vessel encountered it in deep space."
Mindwave says, "I want to telepathically send it a picture of it, and my thoughts recalling the encounter"
  The being seems confused again.  You're noticing that it's having an easier time with communications as well.  As you project the picture of the Voyager craft to the being, it responds, "Information conflicts with database information.  Voyager project deemed low probability of success and discontinued. Voyager never launched."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Your data is in error.  I encountered it.  It was launched."
The being seems to be confering with the others again.  It is 'silent' for a long period of time as it trades information with its companions...
Mindwave thinks to the Being, "What is standard procedure for encountering an unknown vessel?"
The being thinks, "Unknown."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Can you see me?"
The being responds, "Internal sensors off-line."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Can you see me with your eyes?"
Another conference with the other beings ensues, then the being responds, "Unknown method."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Who is the leader of your government?"
The being responds, "Omega-1."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "How do you receive new data?"
The being responds, "From the computer."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Can data be entered via another way?"
The being responds, "Currently receiving data from unknown source."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "What is the composition of your naval forces?"
"Unknown." is the only response.
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Do you have the technology to create a wormhole?"
The being considers for a moment, then says, "More information required.  Define wormhole"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "An anomaly in the time/space continuum."
The being asks, "For what purpose?"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "To travel a great distance quickly."
The being thinks, "No record of such technology."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Is there a record of encounters with other spacefaring races?"
The Being responds, "Encountered Alien vessel designated 'Star Fist.'"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "any other encounters?"
The being responds, "Encountered alien probe device.  Target terminated."
The Being says, "No other encounters."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Any record of intercepted alien communication signals?"
The Being responds with, "No records."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "How many others are there of your kind?"
The being responds, "Information Classified."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Who created Omega I?"
The Being responds with, "Omega-1."
Mindwave thinks to the being, "Where is Omega-1."
"Omega-1 is on Tirax-3"
Mindwave thinks to the being, "How long has Omega-1 been functional?"
The Being says, "Unknown."
The Being says, "Omega-1 predates all known records."
  The conversation with the alien being continues for some time.  It seems that the Being is only aware of what it has been told by the ship's computer, and the computer seems to hold some information from the being.  As time goes on, the being seems to have an easier time picking up on what you're asking.  It also seems to be developing some initiative, as it's started asking you questions as well, mostly to clarify your requests, but they're still questions that it came up with on its own.
  You work with the Being for the majority of the trip back to Earth.  The being seems to have a hard time grasping the fact that it's an organic, not part of the computer. You're finding that it honestly doesn't have a personality of its own, it seems to have been plugged into the ship's computer since it can remember.  No matter how deep you dig, you can't find any recollection of any kind of life other than as part of the computer.

Next stop:  Earth.