LT Tamio K'Wara - 20 Questions in a Pod

[LT Tamio K'Wara]

(( Sensor pod - USS Artemis-A ))

They were starting to get the hang of this Beholder. While the controls felt a lot more sensitive than the standard shuttle helm, it was also a lot more intuitive and responded better to the innate reactions of an experienced helmsman than a console did. It was a shame the TOV suit was such a rare piece of equipment - they’d be a splash at the QSPC, even if just as a half-time show.

K’Wara: Heading 248 mark 090. Frequency is... ::brief pause as they get closer to the target, examining it:: Ultraviolet, 32,4 PHz.

Jovenan didn’t respond, but did turn off the emitters of that particular target, so Tamio presumed that was a confirmation and turned the Beholder about as it aimed at the next target, right between the nacelles.

K’Wara: How often is the TOV suit utilized for projects? It sounded to me that it's rare enough that on the occasion it does happen, it's a big deal.

Jovenan: You would be right. It could be used whenever decisions need to be made in quick order after receiving data, such as when combing for interesting spots for closer study in a larger area. Or entering a subterranean cavern of a planetary body, although I’ve never seen that done in practice. Do you see the next target?

K’Wara: I do. ::references readouts:: Gamma rays, 2,6 EHz.

Jovenan: Correct. ::pause:: Should I take your willingness to chat as an indication that you find the exercise too easy?

Something about the way Jovenan said that made Tamio want to turn their head, but they didn’t - the suit was too sensitive for that - but they registered it.

K’Wara: I could just be a chatterbox. ::flippant smile:: You know what they say about pilots.

Jovenan: I think we’re ready to move to the second stage.

K’Wara: No, that’s not it - oh!

The HUD in front of them changed as the targets moved about slightly, and the inactive ones started transmitting signals again. But this time, the electromagnetic sensor readings didn’t immediately translate to anything that Tamio recognized, and they pursed their lips, amused. And now, they saw a whole host of HUD elements to give them different sensor abilities.

Complexity was definitely up.

K’Wara: That’s different.

Jovenan: All types of scanners are go, you can choose which to use. Just note that some of them are obviously wrong choices. ::pause:: Which one do you prefer, sports or music?

Tamio knew that telling jokes was what landed them in Hard Mode, but their reaction was still immediate. You can take a pilot out of the pilot’s seat, but can’t make them leave their gab behind.

K’Wara: We have scanners for those? ::chuckles:: Depends on what you consider sports. I was on the Performative Shuttle Piloting team in the Academy. Your turn: Hiking or sailing?

Jovenan: Response

They came up on the first target, and went through the sensors in the logical order they would if they were in the piloting seat of a shuttle. First, determine the presence of dangerous radiation to decide whether approach was safe. It was. Then, check whether the target is emitting the latent radiation of a warp technology. Negative. Then, determine whether the unknown phenomenon’s energy emissions were constant or in flux. Steady.

K’Wara: Hmm... ::silent focus:: small S-type asteroid, 68% magnesium-silicate, 0.58 μm wavelength.

Jovenan: Response

This time, Tamio’s response didn’t even bear thinking about as they turned the probe around to head for the next-closest target.

K’Wara: Oh, metropolitan, definitely. Nature is beautiful, but not for sleeping in. Planet or Spacestation?

Jovenan: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Tamio K’Wara

Chief of Operations

USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1