Samantha Richards - Not Tourists
Samantha Richards
(( Briefing Room – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
For the first time since arriving in the briefing room, Sam took a pause from her pocket poofs to ask a question of her own.
Richards: Has it been confirmed the Kobyar and the Grunden are the only two intelligent native species?
MacKenzie: We don’t know much about the world, but I have to imagine that with these two large factions, if there was another native species to contend with on the panet, one of them would have mentioned it.
Tho’Bi: ::Still looking at table:: Captain. We need a baseline ::looks up at the Captain:: If we have the ship scan for i- ::tilts head on way and then other:: Stable isotope ratios (beat) Isotope ratios v-vary from planet to planet (beat) ::counts on his fingers:: Oxygen Carbon Nitrogen Iron Magnesium Titanium Zinc (beat) Copper (beat)(beat) Nickel. ::looks at the table:: …there’s more but… They each indicate sp-specific planetary conditions. ::looks at Captain:: If the ship scans for st-stable isotope ratios it (beat) it gives us a b-baseline…
Sam blinked hard a few times, wondering if Tho’Bi even knew what he was trying to say.
Tho’Bi: If the ship’s scans (beat) dont match our Tricorder scans (beat_ we know the raw material (beat) or the weapon (beat) or the equipment (beat) didn’t come from their planet.
MacKenzie: ::nodding:: A good strategy, but I guarantee they won’t make any evidence easy for us to find. That’s its own issue.
Nodding her head in agreement, Sam knew the Captain was right. If there was any type of off world support, they wouldn’t be flaunting it.
MacKenzie: We’ll be arriving at Galaric IV in the hour. Commander Dakroa will lead the away team to work with the Grunden, along withLieutenant Vailani, Doctor Sadar, Lieutenant Gnai and Ensign Tho’Bi. Their territory is rural. Rugged. Let that inform your preparation.
With a nod from the Captain, Talos and his team got up to leave. Sam wasn’t about to make things weird in front of the whole crew, so she stared at Talos until he looked at her. She focused her thoughts towards him. oO Be safe… I love you. Oo
Once Team Baby Daddy departed, the Captain focused back on the rest of the crew that sat with her.
MacKenzie: The rest of you will be with me heading to the Kobyar capital. Their urban centers are highly developed and readily display their technological ability. With that in mind, are there other questions I can answer before we arrive?
Silveira: I assume we are allowed to carry hand phasers, right Captain?
Jovenan: I would imagine the Kobyar facilities are reasonably safe. Still, our technology and personnel would be too valuable in either of their hands to be left undefended. Even if the both sides are as amicable towards us as they say, I don’t think we should give them a reason to fall into temptation.
Sam sat back in her chair, her hands instinctively coming to rest on her stomach.
Richards: I think no matter what we do we need to keep our eyes peeled. Who knows what either side could have up their sleeves knowing we are coming.
MacKenzie: It’s an active war zone, after all. The last thing I want is for us to find ourselves without the ability to defend ourselves.
She wondered if that included her. There hadn’t been many conversations about when or if Sam could or should carry a phaser. Silently she shrugged to herself and listened back in on the conversation.
Silveira: Captain, are we also allowed to scan Kobyar weapons? After all, each faction has claims of outside interference…
Imril: Not just their weapons, but their vehicles, surveillance gear, communications systems. Molecular analysis could help determine what’s being produced in-housefrom what isn’t. Progressive changes to computer coding could show the same. I’d also suggest taking a thorough look at the logistics of manufacture, from the collection of raw materials to roll-out of the end product.
Jovenan: Agreed. Even the best industrial replicators leave identifiable patters, and too high quality is suspicious as well. I’m just concerned that the side in fault – if either – knows this, and we might have trouble gaining access to sufficient data without their cooperation. Hopefully, both sides are as eager to clear their own reputation as they are of blaming the other.
It was a legitimate concern. Something they would have to be cognizant of to help find out the truth.
MacKenzie: If they’re serious about getting to the bottom of this, that’s a non-negotiable for me. They’ll have to allow access to all their materials. Any act of subterfuge is reason for suspicion.
Bergmen: They can hide all of that from our sensors, especially if they have outside help who would know we will definitely scan the planet to search for abnormalities. But still, there will be a paper trail. Logistics. Energy consumption. Black spots on the map. As they always say in those old holodramas - follow the latinum.
Richards: I will be honest. I don’t think you are giving them enough credit. This conflict has been going on for decades. I bet they’ve learned how to cover their tracks by now.
Vitor frowned, leaning back on his seat. A frown was something Sam wasn’t used to seeing on Sil’s face, but all things considered, it made sense.
Silveira: This feels like running on the edge of a blade.
Imril: One of the questions we should find an answer to is how far from Galaris IV the Koybars or Grunden have travelled since they’ve achieved warp capability. Which alien vessels or societies, and media, they’ve had regular contact with in and out of the Federation. The outside influences they are absorbing of their own initiative.
Silveira: If they share that information.
Bergman: We should scan warp trails around their planet. That could actually give us some information, right, ma’am? ::gaze at Richards::
Sam recoiled visibly.
Richards: If the information you want is just an arrow pointing away from the planet, maybe.
Imril: Either side or both could be developing new technology on their own, or reverse engineering it, based on what they’ve been exposed to in the Borderlands and beyond. The presence of bad actors could be a mistaken impression drawn from gaps in what each side knows about what the other side is working on. Being at war so long, it’s reasonable to expect that they’ve both got robust spycraft operations going on. Getting a look at some intelligence data could prove helpful in zeroing in on suspect items or persons, if any.
Good points were being made, but so much speculation wasn’t particularly helpful. After all, it was mostly speculation, nothing confirmed.
Jovenan: If they are fully open to us, we might get lucky with gaining access to the relevant data. But if not, is there any indication we should look for to prove reverse engineering? Less advanced solutions where they couldn’t bypass encryption, for example.
Silveira: Aside from some direct action I don’t think so. I think we better wait and see how things unfold on the surface.
Bergmen: I agree, sir. We need to keep our eyes and minds open. Everything is possible until we can rule it out.
The idea of “guilty until proven innocent” wasn’t necessarily the way Sam thought they should be looking at things.
Imril: Response
Jovenan: Hmm. We are very dependent on the sides to provide us with evidence and access to their own equipment and data, then. Making them feel like we’re accusing them or even being suspicious of them would undermine the mission.
MacKenzie: That’s true, but it’s up to us to be clear about our intentions and the need for the information if we are all to proceed in good faith – assuming they actually want us to get to the bottom of what’s happening on the planet.
Silveira: Hopes and best wishes. Somehow I would like a little more than that before beaming down.
She sat quietly, pondering her own thoughts as others said their peace aloud.
Imril: Response
Bridge: =/\= Captain, we’re approaching Galaris IV. =/\=
MacKenzie: =/\= Standard orbit. =/\= ::to the team:: Let’s get moving.
(( Xal-Kor’Za City Center – Kobyar Capital, Galaris IV ))
Beaming in was one of her least favorite things to do since being pregnant. A feeling she wasn’t fond of since Frontier Day.
The air was thinner than what she was used to, making her very aware of the breaths she was taking. The cool air felt nice despite the smell being similar to an overly sanitized room.
The Kobyar capital was a high-tech wonderland with tall intricate buildings that had sleek curves and adorned with Kobyar script that shifted to show real time data. The ground beneath them was also different from anything Sam had seen before, it was soft and felt like it moulded to her feet, but making it easier to walk.
Everyone but Sam was in their field jackets, thankfully hers was already similar, making it so she didn’t stick out too much from the rest of the group.
MacKenzie: ::pointing:: The Kobyar central government is in that building over there. The Kobyar have a robust surveillance network, so we should assume that our movements are always being monitored… I guarantee they are already aware of our presence, but before we go in, let’s get some readings. What can you tell me?
Silveira: A major Capital that is away from the war front. People feel safe, but they are constantly monitored and information is continuously displayed. I have a feeling they might be war news or propaganda.
Ollie stared into the sky at the drones above them.
Bergmen: It seems those are merely reconnaissance drones; I detect no armament signature. But given the distance, it’s more of a guess than certainty. ::shrugs shoulders::
Sam held her tricorder, making a vain attempt to find anything around them that was organic, but came up short.
Richards: They weren’t kidding with this high-tech stuff. It’s literally everywhere.
Imril/Jovenan: Response
As they went over what little readings they had gotten, a female Kobyar in military uniform approached them. The Captain took the lead with introductions.
MacKenzie: You must be Major Indeethl Oolwi. I’m Captain MacKenzie of the Artemis.
Oolwi: Response
Silveira: Lieutenant Silveira. A pleasure to meet you, Major.
After Vitor's introduction, Bergman took his opportunity next.
Bergmen: Lieutenant Junior Grade Olliver Bergman. I am honored to meet you, Mai-jor Oolwi.
Richards: Samantha Richards, Planetary Sciences.
Imril/Jovenan: Response
After quick introductions, Sil had more to say, jumping right into the deep end with the hard questions.
Silveira: Your Capital looks very safe. Have there been any recent attacks?
Oolwi/MacKenzie/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Silveira: It’s like a personality traits, being a Tactical Officer I tend to look more at the martial subjects.
Sam smirked, if Sil was anything, at least he was confident.
Oolwi: Response
Bergmen: How far is the front line from here?
Oolwi/MacKenzie/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Bergmen: No, no. I look forward to touring your beautiful city and seeing what else you have to show us, Major.
It almost made it sound like the team was just there for some sight-seeing and fun having. She didn’t like speaking up when she felt so far out of her element, but something urged her to step forward.
Oolwi: Response
Richards: ::Clearing her throat:: If I may… ::Looking at Oolwi:: We are going to do everything we can to help. Where do you think we should begin?
Oolwi/MacKenzie/Imril/Jovenan: Response
Tags/TBC
Samantha Richards