Lt. JG Kivik: A Bad Time
Lt. JG Kivik
(( USS Kitty Hawk - Deck 5, Science Lab ))
As Kivik allowed the computer to simulate the effect of warp field interference on the benamite-induced gravity well, ne waved a hand to move the demonstration from the console screen to a holographic projection overtop of the central console. This allowed the two officers to watch, in three dimensions, as the subspace pocket ‘splooshed’ outward before rippling back-and-forth… A kinetic displacement that would, in reality, take several hours.
Ward: So we actually played a significant role in the situation that's unfolding here, but just didn't know it. That's astonishingly bad luck.
Kivik: Well, as fascinating as it is, it also tells me that the tachyon bursts will come in predictable wave patterns. As the ‘ripples’ come together, they’ll produce massive bursts along these.. ::tapping the console to send data to Ward’s console:: ..frequencies. When that happens, the gravitational forces are significant enough to damage the fabric of spacetime and release tachyon radiation within those same bands. ::Breathing a huge sigh:: I think that means we have what we need to synthesize your treatment, Doctor.
Kivik turned nir head to look at Ensign Ward with a smile. Nir enthusiasm over the discovery was, understandably, tempered by the reality of the situation – and the likely threat facing the crew of the Independence-B – but all the same, ne couldn’t help but feel a little giddy over witnessing such a rare and unrecorded phenomenon.
Ward: At least I have the basics of how we got here - thank you. And this is absolutely the data I need to isolate the most likely SRD toxins and sequence a -
At that moment, the astrophysics console chirped once again. Kivik spun to look at the incoming data from the probe. As ne watched, nir fascination changed to shock – and nir shock to horror as the probe was ripped apart by the gravity well’s tidal forces, sending hundreds of probes hurtling at high-velocity into the subspace pocket. Almost immediately the signals multiplied into an overwhelming surge of virtually-unparseable data.
Kivik: Oh no…
Ward: What is it? Does the probe's data disagree with the modeling?
Kivik: Not exactly. ::Grabbing the back of nir neck and squeezing:: Actually, it may be way worse than that. ::Tapping the console, then pointing at the holographic representation of the gravity well:: The puddle metaphor, while cute, unfortunately does not account for the scale of the forces we’re dealing with here… ::Watching the ‘playback’ of the probe’s launch:: See, as the probe enters the gravity well – moments before the readings become garbled… This. ::Pausing::
The marker indicating the probe had suddenly multiplied into several markers. Kivik resumed the ‘playback’ and a moment later, the signal became too convoluted for the system to make sense of it.
Kivik: If I am understanding this correctly then it looks as though the tidal forces within the mouth of the gravity well are actually splitting spacetime so fundamentally that they’re fracturing entering objects into… temporal duplicates? Many many duplicates.
Ward’s mouth hung slack. Kivik inadvertently checked to make sure nir own wasn’t.
Ward: So, does that mean that ... if the Independence, well, in there -
Kivik: Possibly. We might be looking at dozens of Independence-B’s in there… ::Blinking in shock:: …And I can’t even begin to guess what effect that sort of temporal rift would have on the crew. ::Pacing nervously:: Tachyon exposure at these levels could be… well we don’t exactly know what they could be, do we? And then what if there are multiple of ::waving hand, unsure who to name:: everyone walking around? ::Stopping, wide-eyed:: And the probes…
There was a moment of stunned silence in the Science Lab before Kivik decided nir next move.
Kivik: I need to have a word with the Captain. ::Crossing nir arms:: Oh dear…
Ward: I'm...I'm going to try and sequence and synthesize this vaccine.
While Ensign Ward set about working on a tachyon vaccine for the crew of the Kitty Hawk, Kivik stepped aside and tapped nir combadge.
Kivik: =/\= Kivi– Lieutenant Ki– Acting Chief Science Officer Kivik to Captain Rahman. =/\=
Rahman: Response
Kivik: =/\= Captain, the probe we just launched– =/\=
Rahman: Response
Kivik: =/\= I’m afraid those readings are more accurate than they seem, Captain – or at least, I think so. The situation is worse than just tachyon emissions. If my theory is correct, matter entering the gravity well is being split along its fourth dimension, creating temporal duplicates. Though… it is just a theory. =/\=
Rahman: Response
Kivik: =/\= Ensign Ward is currently working on the vaccine for our crew. But we’re going to need help to distribute it. I’ve planned a route for dispersal, but we’ll need Engineering’s help on this one. I recommend we reconvene once we’ve synthesized a prototype of the treatment to discuss options for… well, everything, I suppose. =/\=
Rahman: Response
Kivik: =/\= Understood. One moment… =/\=
Kivik stepped back over to Ward as they looked up from their console.
Ward: Lieutenant, our vaccine is as ready as I can make it. I can create as much as we need from the medical replicators in sick bay -
Kivik nodded. Ward made quick work of the vaccine once they had the necessary frequency data. Ne hoped the solution was as simple as they had deduced. The situation had certainly gotten more complicated already.
Ward: I just don't have even the slightest idea about how to administer this. If it isn't medical tech, I can't use it. Honestly, someone is even going to have to show me how to get food out of a standard replicator at some point. Either way, if you're ready we can tell the Captain we're set. Then, I guess we're as ready as we can be for whatever comes next...
Kivik: ::Exhaling:: Right. We’re going to need to work with Chief Hoffman’s team to set up distribution. But, as I’m sure you’ve already figured out, we may have a whole new problem on our hands. Let’s synthesize a sample – I’ll assist you. Any bit of good news would be welcome at this point.
(( 30 Minutes Later – Captain Rahman’s Ready Room ))
While Commander Ch'thikrith kept an eye on the situation from the Bridge, Captain Rahman, Kivik, Ensign Ward, and Chief Hoffman ((OOC – and any others deemed relevant)) met in the Captain’s Ready Room to share information and work out the details of their plan.
Rahman/Hoffman/Any: Response
Kivik: Ensign Ward and I have managed to synthesize two samples of an inoculation against the effects of the gravitational wave emissions that can be dispersed via aerosol. One we can scan into the replicator pattern synthesizer and the other we can test prior to dispersal. I’ll allow our Medical Officer to elaborate.
Ward/Rahman/Hoffman/Any: Responses
Kivik: ::To Hoffman:: That’s where your team will come in, Chief. We’ll need assistance modifying the necessary systems to disperse the treatment.
Ward/Rahman/Hoffman/Any: Responses
Kivik: Then there’s the matter of the probe data…
Ward/Rahman/Hoffman/Any: Responses
TBC
