Ensign Saavei - Secret Agent Vulcan Part 2
Tara W
((Warp Ship Assembly Platform))
(On mobile and doing my best to catch all the tags across multiple groups; I can back sim it if I missed anything))
After a cursory look over some of the upper labs, the group had wound their way back down the various levels of the domed building’s catwalks to the heart of the operation – the spacecraft.
Saavei: It is... truly remarkable work, Program Lead.
Galanis: Yes… the science and engineering that must have gone into it is amazing.
Greeta: Response
Saavei saw Commander Hopper feigning disinterest. She was sure this was difficult as the situation was inherently quite the opposite.
Hopper: Well, it certainly sounds impressive. I’ll have to defer to my technical experts’ opinions, of course.
Saavei nodded to Hopper's look then saw her glance to Commander Rosek-Skyfire.
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
As they got closer to the action – where the warp drive and spacecraft were being assembled – they suddenly found themselves amidst far more activity. A variety of scientists and engineers moved to and fro, some with parts in hand, others with documents and tablets.
Saavei: ::as if to herself:: To be chosen as a pilot for this ship would be a great honor.
Galanis: Has the pilot been chosen at all yet?
Rosek-Skyfire/Greeta: Response
Hopper: Well, an announcement will surely need to be made soon. After all, by the looks of things you must be almost finished putting this thing together.
Saavei, having subtly taken a closer look at one of the terminals, raised an inquiry – a very specific inquiry.
Saavei: Would it be possible to view the most recent stress tests for the engine,. Program Lead? ::indicating her head towards the terminal:: I recall the project initially had a problem with the infusion stimulators? Your reports since then have been more than adequate but I was hoping you could show me how you and your team compensated for the power shifts. It seemed a creative solution.
Galanis: If it’s acceptable to you, I’d like a moment to discuss where we’ll begin with the Minister and her Assistant.
Hopper: As interesting as this topic is, I do feel far below the canopy on these subjects. Lae’Selle, if we can steal you away for a moment, we can review our checklists, make sure no leaf remains unturned?
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
With a pleasant nod, Robin gestured for Saavei and Greeta to continue their very technical conversation.
Hopper: You two have fun discussing – what was it? “Infusion stimulators”? Sounds fascinating.
Saavei: Indeed. ::her attention fully on Greeta now:: Please, if you would share? Complete reports aside, I find it refreshing to speak to the individual.
Greeta: Responses
The others moved off, leaving Saavei with the project lead for the time being.
oO Learn more, don't violate the Prime Directive, and detect a bomb if there is one. What was to be concerned about? Oo
Galanis: It’s the same here as it was in the corridor. Steady, faint traces of that pollen-like substance in the air.
Hopper: ::Explaining to Lael:: A pollen-like substance that may well serve as a reactant in some sort of… explosive release of energy.
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
((Meanwhile, by the spacecraft))
Saavei: Your team deduced that in such short order? It was quite a... leap of intuition.
She looked at the terminal screen with all the attention warranted. The Uwezo project was effective, given their current level of technology, and they'd been working under fewer constraints than Cochrane had been while building the Phoenix.
Greeta: Response?
Galanis: I can’t say for certain what it is. Only a potentially very high energy reaction, if concentrations of the dinitrogen pentoxide become high enough to act as a kind of solid-state oxidizer on the hydrogen. There’s no telling how quickly that may or may not happen until we know the source. Whether it’s some kind of recurring propellant leak or something more nefarious, like a thermobaric weapon, I will be blunt - it’s a potential threat to the entire facility.
Hopper: We need to tread carefully here. If the warp project scientists are using it in their work and this is some sort of accidental contamination, if we tip them off to it we could be significantly altering the trajectory of their technological and societal development. On the other hand, if this is coming in from some outside source, or indicative of tampering of some sort, we should look into it further.
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
((Meanwhile, by the spacecraft))
Saavei: Yes, I can see how that would have complicated matters. The diagram here...
Saavei leaned in towards the screen a moment, one hand lightly resting atop the terminal, a slim finger pressing her miniscule device to the back of it.
Saavei: It would have been an honor to work this project. I am unsure if I possess the full, necessary design skills, but I am glad there are others who do.
Greeta:
Galanis: Should we press Project Lead Greeta more directly on any suspicious activities? He does seem rather… on edge.
Hopper: Are you suggesting that Greeta might know more than he’s letting on, Niev? I don’t know. I think any of us would be on edge in his position… All these scientists have poured their all into this project. I don’t think any of them would do anything to endanger its success.
Still, Robin wasn’t above admitting that she could be wrong.
Hopper: What are your assessments?
Galanis/Rosek-Skyfire: Response
((Meanwhile, by the spacecraft))
Saavei: Thank you, Program Lead. This has all been very satisfying. I am anxiously awaiting the next step.
Saavei said nothing about what the next step would be, as she didn't wish to inadvertently direct any of the Uwe. It was true that she was interested in seeing what came next for them. Until they successfully broke the light speed barrier, she could say little openly. Even if successful, she was not a senior officer to initiate anything formally.
Greeta: Response?
Hopper: Alright, let’s keep an eye on him then. He’s a good person to stay in touch with here at the project, at least, helps to justify our presence here if we’re keeping in touch with him. But I think we need to consider other possible sources as well. ::To Lael:: I’ll see if I can raise Commander Stros, share what we’ve found, see if they’ve learned anything relevant.
Galanis/Rosek-Skyfire: Response?
Hopper: We also can’t rule out the possibility yet that there could be external involvement… We aren’t the only outsiders capable of determining the Uwezo are developing warp technology. ::Shrugging:: Something else to chew on. Okay, you two go rescue Saavei. I think it’s about time we made a polite exit and figured out our next steps.
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
Galanis: Our apologies for taking so long to return, Project Lead Greeta. Aide Sa’Vey, have you finished getting to the root of your curiosity?
Saavei: I have for now, yes. ::then to Greeta:: I was just about to apologize for taking up so much of your time. You are very patient and I appreciate your experience.
Greeta: Response
Hopper: =/\= Hopper to Stros… You there? =/\=
Stros: =/\= Yes, Commander, go ahead. =/\=
Hopper: =/\= We’ve detected potentially concerning substance traces in the warp labs. Some sort of pollen rich in dinitrogen pentoxide… Have you learned anything that might link to that? =/\=
Stros: =/\= We may have encountered a…less than savory element within the anti-warp faction. We are currently monitoring– =/\=
Galanis: I’ll make sure the Senior Minister has gathered her thoughts, so we can move on to the next branch promptly. A moment, please?
Saavei: Of course.
Then she took her undercover acting skills into an entirely new realm... the corners of the disguised Vulcan's mouth turned upwards and Saavei actually gave Greeta a small, polite smile. The Program Lead didn't need to overhear any of Robin's conversation by mistake. She didn't want him wandering over by Hopper just yet. Saavei was more at ease no longer being alone with the Uwe.
Saavei: ::to Greeta:; Selfishly, I cannot regret doing so as this project has so long captivated the imagination. ::to La'el:: It has been a very satisfying visit.
Greeta/Rosek-Skyfire: Response
Stros: ::Asking anyone listening:: =/\= What reactions from dinitrogen pentoxide should we be watching for when mixed with other chemicals? =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Response =/\=
Niev returned to Robin and Saavei remained by Greeta, lest the Commander's and Niev's conversation be intruded upon.
Galanis: ::muting their incredulity with great effort: =/\= Mixed? If the dinitrogen pentoxide in the pollen reaches a high-enough saturation level and is exposed to a reactive hydrogen polymer, you won’t want to stay and watch. We could be looking at a high-energy thermobaric reaction, assuming we don’t find the source… or sources. =/\=
Saavei heard the remark about high-energy thermobaric reactions. If there was a risk of such, and it were intentional, then logic dictated it would be nearest to or even inside the vessel... well, as she'd heard more than one human express, 'here went something'... or was it 'here went nothing'?
Saavei: Program Lead, is there any possibility we could just see the inside of the ship?
Greeta/Rosek-Skyfire/Hopper/Galanis: Response
Stros: =/\= Response =/\=
Galanis: ::To Robin, quietly:: I think it’s safest to assume we’re potentially dealing with some kind of bomb or otherwise destructive sabotage. Whether we question Greeta further or start hunting for wherever the hydrogen polymer signatures are coming from… I believe we should be quick.
Saavei: I truly appreciate this, Program Lead. Naturally I will not touch anything, just to see is enough.
She followed Greeta closer to the hatch on the side of the nascent warp vessel, making sure there was room for La'el to come with also. Greeta didn't need to hear anything about 'bombs' or 'destructive sabotage'. Indeed, Saavei was unsure what their team could do if such were found. Preventing a bombing would be interfering in the Uwe's cultural development.
Greeta/Rosek-Skyfire/Hopper/Galanis: Response
As the hatch was opened, Saavei's hands returned inside her sleeves as if to show good faith on not touching anything. Her fingers pressed a button on her hidden tricorder, triggering its passive scanning functions. If there was anything inside the ship to be worried about... she snuck a glance at the device behind Greeta's back for a half-moment. Yes, the concentrations within the ship were higher... Saavei was relatively certain any device, if one existed, would be located within. She forwarded the data to the teams devices as well.
Returning her attention fully to the moment, she peered inside at the small space within. It was a small pilot chamber, a single seat surrounded by different buttons, displays, and the vine-like cabling organized into clumps which led back into the depths of the vessels hull. Saavei gave a thoughtful nod.
Saavei: Fascinating. May this ship see bright-skies and beyond.
Greeta/Rosek-Skyfire/Hopper/Galanis: Responses?
Saavei didn't push her 'luck' any further for the moment. Being unsure what to do, even if a bomb was discovered, she needed to confer with her partners. She also needed to complete her secondary objective. Stepping back, so La'el could also look through the hatch, she pressed another clandestine button on her tricorder. The device she'd planted on the terminal connected and her tricorder began automatically bypassing security systems to give her access to the Uwe's internal data files and systems. Even if the bug were later discovered, it had a kill switch built inside which would render it little more than a burnt-out novelty of circuits inside. Nothing which would contaminate their culture beyond an oddity.
Saavei: Thank you once more, Program Lead. ::she glanced back towards the others then to La'el:: Unless you had further questions, perhaps we should continue on?
Greeta/Rosek-Skyfire/Hopper/Galanis: Responses?
TBC
Engineering Team
Amity Outpost
Writer ID: A240208S13