pNPC Ensign So'Mior - Time Crunch

[Jamie LeBlanc]

((Stellar Cartography Lab – USS Constitution-B))

The more data they collected the more curious this whole mystery became.  SydT’s observations held scientific merit in So’Mior’s researched based, theoretical mind.  Some source of radiation – quite possibly an outside source - had changed the known properties of chrondite into what they were observing. Small particles of intensely dense, magnetic mineral suspended as dust.

So’Mior: There is no known detrimental effects of Chrondite because we have never encountered it in this form before. Federation records only have data on large masses of Chrondite such as asteroids or planetoid cores. We are witnessing a new form of a known element.

Every encounter with chrondite previously in the Federation databanks was of a large mass of densely packed material. But in this form it could present a whole host of new problems.

So’Mior was reminded of Silicosis – a ‘disease’ or more rightly an affliction caused by mining or digging through crystalline rock such as silica with low technology implements such as drills or explosives. It had happened in the history of Earth, Qo’noS, Beta Centauri and Draxin IV, and likely other planets, though the Earth name stuck. Basically, in the natural form the hard crystalline minerals present no danger to the lifeforms around. But when they were destroyed by a violent method, especially in a dry climate, the rock was turned into a fine dust.

Breathing that dust caused catastrophic lung damage that was irreversible at the time. The tiny crystalline shards would embed into the lung tissue, causing microscopic damage which destroyed the lungs over time.

So’Mior was not worried that the crew would be breathing in chrondite dust, in this day and age they had the technological blessings of advanced air filtering.

But he was worried that the Constitution’s metaphorical lungs – its outer sensor systems and ports might become clogged or contaminated with the dust leading to internal systems failures on the ship.

SydT: Fascinating.  ::She looked closer. It was hypnotising.:: This sample... ::She was lost in her own thoughts now.:: Do we have any newer samples? 

So'Mior: No, this is the first sample we have gathered.

SydT: I think it would do us good to get one then.

He watched SydT’s antennae rise and his gaze turned to see Lieutenant Shimisi.  So’Mior offered a polite nod of acknowledgement to their superior officer.

Shimisi: How's it going?

SydT: Well, I think. 

So'Mior: We have discovered an unusual concentration of chrondite dust that is not forming a larger mass.  This could be connected to our sensor issues.

Shimisi: Motha and S'Rrrrell informed me that something is covering the sensors, maybe even part of the hull. Does any of your analysis show if it has any magnetic properties?

So’Mior offered the softest polite nod, while inwardly thinking SydT and he had not only been right, but they were in alignment with Motha and S’Rrrrell, which was good for their investigation progress – but not especially good news for the Constitution.

SydT: Yes, at least so far. 

So'Mior: The chrondite dust appears to maintain the same heavily magnetic properties that it has in a larger mass, proportional to the size of the particle.

Which was still plenty magnetic enough to adhere to something moving through it.

Shimisi: If there's a way we can repel those, it might improve our chances. Maybe we can use, either the shields or deflector to move them away and clear our path.

He considered it.

So'Mior: I would caution against using the shield without precise attunement. If we introduce energy without attuning it we could encourage the chrondite to bond with the hull of the Constitution which would likely have a detrimental effect. The deflectors are a distinct possibility, but may have a more beneficial preventative effect.

SydT: It might be possible. ::She hadn't thought of that.::

Shimisi: Response

Motha/S'Rrrrell: Response

So’Mior: In the best-case scenario we would replicate a section of the hull and introduce it to the sample containment area. Allow it to gather chrondite particles and then run energy tests to see what effect various shield modulation frequencies have on the chrondite.

Which, of course, was both the safest option and the one that would take the most time.

SydT: How much time do we have?

Shimisi: Response

Motha/S'Rrrrell: Response

Ba'el: =/\= Motha, S'Rrrrell, SydT, I hope you got what you needed, because I am out of time.=/\=

So’Mior looked to those around him.

So’Mior: We have enough sample matter to conduct the experiments we need. But the more time we have to determine how to remove the chrondite, the safer it will be to attempt and test those theories.

Shimisi/SydT`: Response

Motha/S'Rrrrell/(Ba’el): Response

His Vulcan eyebrows knitted as he heard the news. An unknown ship approaching certainly escalated both the timeline and the need to deliver an answer.

So’Mior: How soon do you require a theory to test removing the chrondite dust?

AKA how fast did SydT and himself have to work, and what safety margins would they been looking at?

Shimisi/SydT`: Response

Motha/S'Rrrrell/(Ba’el): Response

~*~
tags/tbc
~*~

pNPC Ensign So’Mior
Science Officer (Geologist)

USS Constitution-B

"Why do we fly? Because we have dreamt of it for so long that we must"

~Julian Beck
E239010ST0