>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TRANSMISSION FROM USS HECTOR <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
FR: Lancia, Scott, Commander, CO USS HECTOR
TO: Ruane, Graeme, Captain, CO DS 101
RE: Reporting In
Captain Ruane,
At the time of writing, I am holed up in sickbay under the watchful eye
of the one person on the crew who *Can* give me orders.. Needless to say I
have ample time for paperwork that might otherwise be "dealt with later,"
and your message comes as a welcome distraction. (Not to say that our CMO
isn't charming in the least, but she has other duties to perform besides
entertaining me.)
I have attached a copy of our crew manifest and ship specifications to
assist your Operations staff in preparing for our arrival, but please do
not rush to lay out the welcoming mat. Our current mission has taken us
into the Nandran System in pursuit of a missing transport. Our initial
investigation has located what appears to be a Dyson Sphere - hopefully our
preliminary study of the object will turn up clues as to the transport's
whereabouts.
At this point in time, I would place our estimated time of arrival at
Deep Space 101 at twelve to fourteen days - will advise further at a later
date.
Lt.Col. Scott Lancia,
Commanding Officer
USS HECTOR (NCC-92097)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< END TRANSMISSION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Scott finished tapping out the communique and transferred it from the
PADD to the sickbay terminal. He was finding it extremely difficult to
remain focused with so much happening outside sickbay. For the Nth time
that day he wished Dr. Cameron would hurry up and pronounce him fit to
return to duty, but he knew better than to ask. In his short time dealing
with Alana, he'd found her to be thoroughly competent, extremely
meticulous, and annoyingly precise. She's said twelve hours observation and
twelve hours it would be.
"Computer, please transfer next batch of paperwork to this station,"
ordered Scott from his biobed. As he shifted uncomfortably beneath the
shiny fabric of the space-age sheets, Scott wondered again why it was still
called paperwork. The only people who still used paper were diehard artisians.
[Unable to comply] replied the computer.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
[The are no administrative procedures outstanding at this time] explained
the computer dispassionately.
"Uh-Oh," thought Scott. He'd done the impossible. Despite the healthy
survival of bureaucratic red tape well into the 25th century, he was now
*fully* up to date on everything that could be done. Unfortunately in his
enforced predicament, that presented its own dire consequences. "Computer,
active Emergency Medical Hologram program."
A swirling beam of photons and light flashes announced the arrival of the
EMH. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
"Acute boredom. Patient in danger of developing serious psychological
disorders due to having nothing to do," said Scott wryly.
The EMH picked up a medical tricorder and began scanning the CO, clearly
missing the joke. "I see you've recently suffered a serious gastroenteritic
disruption. A particularly noxious form of Salmonela it appears. But you've
been treated for that."
"I can see I should've activated the Emergency Psychological Hologram.
The one that has a sense of humour," observed Scott.
The EMH frowned, concluding that it wasn't needed for medical treatment.
"You really should try and get some rest," Em said as a parting remark.
Scott grinned, realising the EMH had found an excuse not to hang around.
Who said they weren't sentient!
The analogue clock hand moved another notch and Scott started twidling
his thumbs...
NRPG:
As Irony would have it, there's been some rather nasty outbreaks of
Salmonela poisoning in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne close to where I
live recently. Nearly six hundred people have been admitted to hospital
after eating pork rolls from a largely asian populated neighbourhood.
Needless to say I've not gone near my usual takeout food for quite some
time. I don't think I've eaten this much fresh fruit and vegies and
homecooked roasts ever!
Stardate:90408.1536
Scene: Console Room
Roberts looked over the schematics of the relay charts. Dergrad
technology was indeed different, despite being indferior to Federation
technology.
"Computer, display a map of this sector. Note all anamolies.",
said Roberts. He studied the map as it appeared on his console.
"Computer, display all sensor information on anaomlies."
Reading the data, Roberts became a bit perplexed. Some of the
information did not seem to make sense.
"Alyza. Could you come over here and take a look at this?", asked
Roberts to the Vulcan/Bajoran. Alyza joined him at the ops console.
"What can I help you with Mr. Roberts?", asked Alayza in her calm
demeanor.
"I've been looking at anamolous readings of the sector. I noticed
an unusual pattern. The Dergrad reported that their territories have areas
of voided space. I noticed an unusual large concentration on the Dergrad
border, and even some in neutral space close to the Empire."
Alyza made a few inputs. "I see some of the same voided space
readings in Vurtedion territories as well as the Neutral area surrounding
the station."
"Computer, download the Dergrad relay schematic in the Runabout
located at docking port one.", said Roberts. He looked at Alyza with a
smile. "How about we go and look at one of these voided space anamolies up
close?"
Respectfully submitted
Robert Stadnik
Ensign John Roberts
Specialist, currently Assistant Operations Officer
Deep Space 101
stadnr01@student.ucr.edu
NRPG:PHIL: The anamolies are actually relay beacons the Dergrad are using
to scan Warp Driven vessels. They have the ability to conceal these
beacons, to both sensors and the naked eye.
GETCHEN: Go ahead and post Roberts and Alyza's trip to the nearest anamoly
on the runabout. There's a component listed on the schematic chart that
Roberts has yet to identify. Maybe Alyza will figure out what it is
(perhaps the cloaking device hiding the relays)
SCENE: DS 101 Follow the yellow brick road
SD 90409.0028
"I'm sorry ... Captain", Lynn stammered, taken by surprise by Ruane's
sudden appearance, "You sure visit often here", she splurted to cover for
the guilty discoloration of her cheeks.
"Erm", Graeme made smartly, "I guess?" He looked around, finding M'Beya
didn't appear to be in.
"Where can I find the good doctor?", he inquired.
"He ... has a date", Lynn shot.
"Oh. Most interesting", the CO said, nodding to himself as if he had found
a long nourished and secret theory confirmed finally. "Do you think he will
be back in later?"
"I doubt it", Shimura said, shaking the icy grip of being found out, "If
the doctor takes time for a date he .. takes his time." She cursed herself
secretly over this, but it was for a good cause.
"I understand", Graeme said, attempting a non-threatening smile, "I will
try to see if someone else can answer my questions. Thank you." He turned
and left the shop, much to Lynn's relief.
SCENE: SS Gremlin
"Computer, remind me to invest a little bit into an upgrade for the sensor
arrays", Jefferson said, trying to enhance the weak signals he was
receiving. It didn't help much that he couldn't get any good maps from the
astronomy department without raising questions he preferred not to answer,
all he could rely on was a declassified scientific report from the late
USS Adrent and a good signal from DS 101's navigation beacon.
"It sure would help if they had published the areas that are under Dergrad
attack", he mumbled, suspecting he was either dreadfully close to these
sectors or maybe in the plain middle of them, who could tell?
"This sure is insane", he growled, his mood detoriating visibly.
"Computer, see if you can dampen our EM emissions some more, I don't want to
spin through Dergrad space like a homing beacon."
Later ...
The foggy source of a warp trail slowly condensed to a single sharp blip
on the screen as Jefferson approached it in the wake of it's own subspace
disturbance. The ship didn't seem to take notice of him, which was what he
had suspected when he had decided for the approach; the Dergrad sensor
technology seemed to strongly focus on sublight frequencies while their
subspace detectors were clumsy devices, mostly just out of the laboratories
as they had no more than a few decades of warp technology to base them upon.
"Warp 6 ... computer, how long at this speed until we intercept the
target?"
<12 minutes and 26 seconds>
"Calculate an approach at maximum warp"
<3 minutes 42 seconds>
M'Beya's long sleek fingers danced across the terminal for a few seconds
when he entered a list of tasks for the computer to follow through the
moment they were within a few hundred meters range of the vessel.
"This better work and be the right ship", he mumbled under his breath,
"Otherwise the Dergrad Empire might want to have a word with us ..." The
Gremlin lurched forward.
SCENE: Dergrad border sectors
The Dergrad held the carved club in a ritual stance, then, as if he was
following through a dance or tai chi exercise, swung it around towards the
target, the writhing, bound body of Ip'sc Carbo. A shrill shrieking noise
threw him off balance and almost made him tumble, the club only barely
brushing the pained human body.
"What is this?", he scowled, "What disturbs this holy ceremony?"
"A collision alert!", one of his minions shrieked. The shrieking turned
into a scream of rage when the prisoner disappeared in a blue haze before
their very eyes, leaving behind nothing but a few sprinkles of blood on the
cold metal floor. A scream of frustration and plain blood thirst followed.
SCENE: SS Gremlin
"You look like shit", Jefferson said when he cut the ropes off the chair,
the Gremlin in an headaching tight 180 degree turn under maximum warp,
heading towards DS 101 at flank speed, sending out distress calls on all
frequencies.
"I am sure shit doesn't hurt as much", Ip croaked. He wasn't sure if he
didn't prefer being tied over having to support his body by power of his own
muscles, he was rather certain he'd rather have his circulation cut off still
in some places, that much was very obvious.
"We have to get you to a medic as fast as possible", Jefferson said after
a quick check with a medical tricorder, "I am not qualified to give you the
treatment you need. Anyone I should notify if you don't make it?" He
carefully picked the small human off the floor and moved him to the bunk in
the bed, trying to ignore the sounds Ip made and the feeling of tissue and
bones that didn't feel like they should.
"Water ..", Ip croaked.
"You wish", Jefferson said, "Your tongue and mucous membranes would swell
up like an inflatable toy and suffocate you." He headed to the replicator,
but was tossed off his feet when the Gremlin shook.
"Computer, initiate evasive patterns." He quickly replicated a few things.
"I hope I can still find a vein here", he said, trying to place an
infusion syringe in Ip's arm. The ship shook again and Jefferson almost
poked the needle in his own hand.
"Dammit", he said, slipping it into the vein after all, then quickly
hanging the bag with the infusion liquid to the top of the bunk. He quickly
administered a hypospray to the neck of the small human.
"Nice drugs", he said, "They'll knock you out in a minute." Ip made a face
that could be taken for gratitude, "You'll excuse me, we're under attack."
respectfully submitted
Dr. Jefferson M'Beya
ds101@fenris.inka.de
NRPG - Houston ... we have a problem
**SD: 90409.1920** Backpost
**Scene: The Mall**
Ruane left M'Beyas shop with a sceptical glance back at the young lady
behind the counter. His supicions seemed grounded from her reactions to
his query about M'beya, it took a communication from Alyza to fully
confirm them. As Alyza spoke, Ruane chose his course of action.
"LtCmdr, I'd like the BANGALORE ready for launch at a moments notice,
as soon as we get a fix we'll need to jump to action."
[Understood Captain.] The link closed. Graeme took a step towards
the turbolify and tapped his comm pin.
"Ruane to Captain Jackson."
[Jackson here, what can I do for you Graeme?]
"A civilian has decided to take the rescue of Ip'sc into his own
hands. I'm wondering whether you can have the GALAXY prep'd for launch
should we get any contact from him. I'm guessing the civilian has a
lead so I'm not going to try and recover him, but if he runs into
trouble..."
[Got you Graeme. We'll be leaving tomorrow however so this better not
take too long.]
"Understood, I'll see you before you leave probably. I'm off to
bed."
[Goodnight then Graeme.]
**Scene: Captain Quarters**
Ruane jumped out of bed as he heard his communicator.
"Ruane here, what do you want?" He said grogily.
[Captain, we're recieving a broad band distress signal from the
Runabout SS Gremlin.] Lt.Harrison reported.
"M'Beyas ship?"
[Aye sir.]
"I'm on my way." Graeme headed for his uniform rack and dressed, as
he left he grabbed one of his more conservative hats. He hoped to a God
he didn't believe in that M'Beya and Ip'sc could be saved...
**Scene: Console Room**
"Harrison, where is LtCmdr.Alyza?" Graeme asked as he walked to stand
above the central 'trench' that contained engineering and navigational
control.
"Alyza and Ensign.Roberts took the Runabout to look at a sensor hole
10 lightyears away." Harrison replied in his usual soft tone.
"Great. Harrison, your with me, Ensign Platt; you have CR."
Lt.Harrison and Captain Ruane rushed to the turbolift.
"BANGALORE." Graeme ordered, the lift started moving towards the
upper pylons.
**Scene: USS BANGALORE Bridge**
The bridge of the BANGALORE was alive with officers who had been
prepared all night should the BANGALORE be needed. Lt.Turik stood
at engineering as Graeme and Harrison walked in; Harrison headed
straight for his chair at OPS and FCO, whilst Graeme took the centre
chair.
"All system check?" He asked.
"All systems are prepared Captain." The Vulcan CEO replied.
"Seal airlocks and release docking clamps."
"Airlocks sealed. We are clear of moorings." Harrison said having
tapped in a few commands. A faint his and clang echoed throughout the
ship confirming his words.
"Ahead one quarter impulse, lay in an intercept course for M'beya,
maximum cruise warp and open a channel to the GALAXY."
"Course layed in and channel open." Harrison spoke with one breath.
The combined position of FCO and OPS was often troublesome for two-
handed species.
[Captain Ruane, is this the call we've been waiting for?]
"That it is Captain Jackson."
[We'll be following you shortly then. Jackson out.] The channel
closed.
"Here we go then." Graeme whispered. "Lieutenant Harrison, Engage!"
The ship bolted forward and jumped into warp, reaching Warp 9.5 rapidly.
Submitted by Phil Long
Capt.Graeme Philip Ruane
Commanding Officer
Deep Space 101, Amgine Sector
Cocoon Fleet
<**NRPG**>
All: Okay, the BANGA and GALAXY are on the way to rescue M'beya and
Ip'sc. Any idea what we're up against? :)
Sherman: If you want to be on the BANGALORE - then make it so. :)
Harry: Well, you're free. :)
-Cheers, Pinky.
SD 90410.1830 EST
Scene: DS 101 Deck 8 computer core
Barak and the human McLeary walked off of the turbolift onto deck 8. All
of deck 8 was filled with the alien computer core. It was, however,
separated into sections, rooms. Some of the rooms were huge, needing
pillars to support the deck above. Other rooms were small cubicles. They
all were connected, forming one computer unit. The computer structure was
different than Federation design, having slightly faster but less dense
memory, for example. This much had been learned in early surveys of the
computer core. Barak briefed McLeary on this as they walked to one of the
rooms with an access port.
Barak thought as they walked the rest of the way in silence. He could not
understand what posessed him to shake hands with a human. Vuclans do not
offer to shake hands, though it is a human custom. As primarily touch
telepaths it took a great deal of control to keep stray surface thoughts
from being learned by a hand shake. Barak had that control, but still,
there was a risk involved. He would not offer his hand to this human, or
any other, again. Only to the one he was bonded to, to Alyza, would he
offer his first to fingers...his hand. Barak was disterbed with his
uncharacteristic behavior. He would most definitely have to meditate on
this, to find its cause and prevent its recurrance.
Barak entered a small room with McLeary right behind.
"This is an access point" said Barak. "Preliminary investigations did not
allow us to access the data in the core, though it continues to function.
The information seems to be protected by a keyword and" he pointed to a
small octaganal pad next to the screen "possibly this. It may require a
identification, perhaps body heat, perhaps DNA. If it is DNA, we have very
little chance of getting access, but body heat we may duplicate."
[NRPG: Okay, Chuck, what next?]
-----
Scene: The runabout [NRPG: Do we have names for our runabouts?]
Alyza and Roberts piloted the runabout at warp 3 towards the anomolous
readings. Roberts constantly scanned for Dergred ships as well as the
anomoly. They want to avoid contact with Dergred rebels if at all possible.
As they reached the nearest anomolous reading, Alyza brought the ship out
of warp after Roberts' scan had shown no Dergred in the immediate vacinity.
There were no planets, or stars in the area, but there were some small
asteroids. Alyza went ran a scan on the area. The amomlies were
appearent, but could not be pinned down. She then scanned the asteroids.
There was something about the asteroids, something unusual, but what?
"Computer" said Alyza, "what is the composition of the asteriods in the area?'
<>
"It is the qutrionium" said Alzya, "it blocks our sensors. Perhaps this
accounts for the anomolous readings, or perhaps the qutrionium was place to
hide something from most sensor scans."
[NRPG: What now, Rob?]
--------
NRPG: I am sending this to the Curie also, as they should know about the
sensor array in Dergred space.
Stardate: 90409-1633
Scene: Small Computer Room - Deck 8 Alien Computer Core
ds101@protv.ro
As both men looked over the control panel McLeary asked.
"Barak, did you notice that on the wall outside was a panel?"
"Yes, they are on other walls throughout the two decks." Barak noted.
"On the one outside I noticed something that looked like buttons with
writing, or at least, designs under each." McLeary pointed out and
motioned Barak to follow him out of the room.
Both men looked closely at the panel . It was octagonal approximately
two meters across from each frame piece. There were 64 different
octagonal buttons each with hieroglyphic type notations under each.
Twenty of the buttons were lighted and red. The next was partially
lit. Barak touched the gliffs. Each was slightly raised. The first
at the lower right of the panel was marked ^| the second was
marked ^|| and so on. Barak lifted one eye and looked immediate at
the top left to see what was written there ^^^^^^^^||||||||.
"Interesting." Barak hummed.
"What?" McLeary countered.
"I have seen these all around this core and occasionally in other
locations but only now do I realize what I am looking at. This is
some kind of numbering system based on eight. The first in the lower
right is 1 x 8. The next is 2 x 8 and so on until you reach the top
of the panel."
"8 x 8 or 64. Fine but 64 what. I have noticed that the octagonal is
seen often around the station. On Earth many cultures used
hieroglyphics and set up counting systems. This may be such a system
and might prove useful as we try to learn more about the alien
culture." McLeary turned and returned to the small room. Barrack
remained to study the panel.
Mick looked at the control panel and the octagonal pad next to the
screen, or he assumed it was a screen partly because Barak said it was
a screen and also because it had that look. He turned to look at the
room itself. Cubical was a misnomer. It to was a small octagonal.
To the right was another wall panel similar to the one outside.
It had 16 buttons, none lit, but each with writing. He flashed a
light on the lower right button and saw the symbols ~~~~<>~~0.
"Greek to me" he thought.
"Barak, come take a look at this."
Barak returned to the room and looked at the symbol then at others
around the panel. Each one was different.
"Make any sense out of these?" McLeary questioned.
"Not now, but I will begin to take a serious look at other panels
throughout the core and the station." Mick noted a slight hint of
excitement in Baraks voice. He liked this cold, calculating Vulcan.
He also noticed that Barak was most discomforted by the handshake.
Mick would not touch him again. This was a human custom
and not at all appropriate for a Vulcan.
"Im going to take a trip to engineering and have a look at the
panels there. Who is the engineering officer?"
"Lt. Radjan" Barak answered.
Both men parted, Barak off to another section of the core and
Mick to engineering. As he headed for the lift he looked at the
core one more time. Absolutely huge. He wondered what was
in the other cubicles and large rooms. This was going to be fun.
Looking for artifacts in a computer core. He hit his com button.
"Lt. Radjan?"
Submitted:
Chuck Stotz
Ensign Michael McLeary
NRPG: I intend to continue with the building of the alien language
with the help of Barak. As I proceed I will want to visit other
areas of the station. I have presented the following scenario to Phil
in greater detail. I hope you will all help me build it slowly
allowing me to gather speed into the game. I will be on vacation the
last two weeks of May.
Short version of my alien scenario: The octagonal buttons on the
panels on the core walls will be energy counters. Other smaller
panels in the cubicles and core rooms will contain the computer
storage. It will be vast. I plan to save and build a rough written
language of the aliens. I will go to different locations in the
station and work with other real players as well as suggested NPCs.
I would like the octagonal panels and buttons to appear in
locations that have not been altered by Starfleet. From my reading
I assume that we have taped into the main frame and can run the
station operations. I hope to break into more deeper information as
I progress. If I am needed for a mission or special assignment, l
will just put this project aside until I return or the assignment is
finished.
Also: Phil - I do not understand the use of the stardate opening. I
know what they mean but they do not keep in time with actual role
playing timeing. I might post two messages over a three day period
but the action is happening in just one day and sometimes hours. I
assume that these times are meant to mean current timing expressed in
Star Trek terminology.
Chuck
Stardate: 90413.1323
Scene: Runabout [Phil? How do we name the runabouts?]
"Qutrionium. But wouldn't a modified tachyon surge penetrate the
compound?", asked Roberts perplexed as he was reading the sensor data.
Alyza, looking at the schematics of the Dergrad sensor net, found
the answer.
"Ensign, did you ever figure out what this component does on the
Dergrad relay system?"
Roberts looked at Alyza. "No, why?"
"Quotrionium exposed to a small electrical charge is enough to
block even tachyon scans. I compared the quotrionium described on the
schematic to standard quotrionium. It has been altered by what could be a
small electrical charge."
"Which is perfect for hiding relay satellites, which the Dergrad
need to mobilize their forces effectively.", added Roberts.
Just then the computer blipped a distress call coming in. Roberts
checked the log.
"What is it?", asked Alyza.
"The runabout Gremlin is reportedly under attack by the Dergrad."
"Isn't that Dr. M'Beya's ship?"
Roberts nodded. "Looks like he has a wounded person on board who
needs medical attention." Without missing another beat, Roberts powered up
the engines and set a course to the Gremlin at maximum warp.
"Ensign, sensors show that the BANGLADORE and the GALAXY are also
proceeding to the coordinates of the Gremlin.", said Alyza.
"Will they reach the Gremlin before us?", asked Roberts.
"No, we have a head start." Alyza looked at Roberts. "If the
Gremlin is unable to resist an attack by the Dergrad it is logical to
assume our runabout will fare no better."
Roberts looked at Alyza in a bit of shock. "What? You think we
should wait for the BANGLADORE and GALAXY?!"
"No, I am merely suggesting that we should not approach the
situation with a head on assault. We need to divert the attackers until
reinforcements have arrived."
Roberts grinned in relief. "I thought you were going to ruin our
fun. Ready phasers and torpedoes. Good thing the Captain ordered the
runabouts to have them considering the attacks."
Moments later the Alyza's and Roberts runabout dropped out of warp, facing
the Gremlin and the Dergrad attackers.
"They are continuing to attack the Gremlin.", said Roberts.
Alyza opened a comm channel to the Dergrad. "this is Lt. Cmdr.
Alyza of the Federation outpost DS101. Withdraw your attack from the
Gremlin. That ship is under the protection of the Federation."
No response came over the channel. Alyza looked at Roberts.
"They did receive the signal. They're just not responding."
"Then I guess we will enact your plan.", said Alyza. She opened
the channle to the Dergrad again. "Dergrad rebels, our runabout is
equipped with a molecular destabilizer matrix which we are currently
charging. In five minutes when the matrix is charged we will open fire on
your ships and disappate them immediately."
No sooner did Alyza finish that statement a blast came from one of
the Dergrad ships. Roberts, caught a bit off guard, situated himself and
began evasive manuvers.
"I believe they have fallen for our bluff.", commented Alyza. "All
ships are targeting us now. The Gremlin has a reprieve."
"They don't want us to fire our suppossed weapon. I'll handle
ship manuvers, you handle the weapons. Let's see how long we can hold out
until help arrives.", Roberts said.
Respectfully submitted
Robert Stadnik
Ensign John Roberts
Specialist, currently Assistant Operations Officer
Deep Space 101
stadnr01@student.ucr.edu
(
geocities.com/area51/cavern) (
geocities.com/area51)