LtCmdr Kettick: Best laid plans of bugs and apes
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Darwin Awkward
Jul 27, 2025, 5:10:39 PM7/27/25
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((SOS Labs, Deck 10, USS Eagle ))
The Engineer cleared the display of his PADD and held it out for the other officers to see, drawing rough shapes with a finger on the nebula map as he spoke.
Kettick: We could install our buoy with the data collection and transmission equipment here, just outside the field, and then extend a completely passive sensor further in, at the end of a tether that would transmit the signal.
Drex leaned in, eyes narrowing as he studied the improvised layout Kettick had sketched across the nebula map. The doctor, for her part, kept her peace.
Drex: I see… :: Drex murmured :: A passive sensor would be less likely to provoke a response. And with the buoy remaining outside the main field, we reduce the risk of full system failure or contamination.
The Remmilian nodded.
Kettick: Yes. Of course, if the problem comes from the sound frequencies, transmitting them as is would only extend the effect to our probe. A piezoelectric transducer at the "microphone" end should do the trick. Unless the effect persists once converted, or inhibits the conversion into current, but that would be information in itself.
Lim: ::Looking to Drex:: And that information will be useful?
The Denobulan nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on the diagram.
Drex: Right. We won’t have the results we are looking for, but it will still tell us something useful.
Lim: At this point anything would be useful if only to help narrow things down.
The Remmilian let the scientists in the room discuss the relevance of the data they would get; his was to tell them what was possible, and make it happen.
Drex: Do you think it is possible to run a transmission test first? Maybe simulate what we expect to be the worst-case scenario... well, nearly the worst. We do not need to destroy one of our buoys.
The Engineer cleared the display of his PADD and held it out for the other officers to see, drawing rough shapes with a finger on the nebula map as he spoke.
Kettick: We could install our buoy with the data collection and transmission equipment here, just outside the field, and then extend a completely passive sensor further in, at the end of a tether that would transmit the signal.
Drex leaned in, eyes narrowing as he studied the improvised layout Kettick had sketched across the nebula map. The doctor, for her part, kept her peace.
Drex: I see… :: Drex murmured :: A passive sensor would be less likely to provoke a response. And with the buoy remaining outside the main field, we reduce the risk of full system failure or contamination.
The Remmilian nodded.
Kettick: Yes. Of course, if the problem comes from the sound frequencies, transmitting them as is would only extend the effect to our probe. A piezoelectric transducer at the "microphone" end should do the trick. Unless the effect persists once converted, or inhibits the conversion into current, but that would be information in itself.
Lim: ::Looking to Drex:: And that information will be useful?
The Denobulan nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on the diagram.
Drex: Right. We won’t have the results we are looking for, but it will still tell us something useful.
Lim: At this point anything would be useful if only to help narrow things down.
The Remmilian let the scientists in the room discuss the relevance of the data they would get; his was to tell them what was possible, and make it happen.
Drex: Do you think it is possible to run a transmission test first? Maybe simulate what we expect to be the worst-case scenario... well, nearly the worst. We do not need to destroy one of our buoys.
Lim: Then what would be the worst case scenario? The nebula is alive, sapient and hostile?
Kettick cocked his head sideways, looking with a calm amusement at the other two officers.
Kettick : You will need to narrow the perimeter of your request. You will find that I have quite the fertile imagination when it comes to worst-case scenarios.
The Denobulan’s fingers returned once again to the console, calling up the sensor specs for the Eagle’s run through the nebula.
Drex: If it is alive and if it knows we are watching it may try to speak again. ::He paused::
The doctor looked and sounded unconvinced enough for the resident insectoid to pick up.
Lim: Guess we’ll see.
Lim: Guess we’ll see.
Kettick : Indeed. Unless I am mistaken, that was one of the avenues you wanted to investigate to begin with.
Drex rubbed his temples, then with a slow, deliberate breath, he straightened and turned from the console. A ritual of sorts, Kettick supposed.
Drex: Let us hope this leads us somewhere. :: He started moving towards the exit. :: I’ll view the updates as soon as the Head Counsellor releases me. See you later.
Drex rubbed his temples, then with a slow, deliberate breath, he straightened and turned from the console. A ritual of sorts, Kettick supposed.
Drex: Let us hope this leads us somewhere. :: He started moving towards the exit. :: I’ll view the updates as soon as the Head Counsellor releases me. See you later.
Lim: See you. :: The doctor waved and made to leave as well ::
Kettick : Have a good day. I will update you as soon as I have the buoy ready for launch.
Kettick : Have a good day. I will update you as soon as I have the buoy ready for launch.
The Remmilian took a moment to jot down the requirements of the project on his PADD and send them to Engineering before he left, shutting down the light and the door after him. The concept was simple, as befit a first step in a research project. He would have everything designed and fabricated within a couple of days at best, more realistically five given the repairs that took precedence. And after that... actually launching the device anywhere near the nebula was in the hands of the Captain and Ops.
End
Lieutenant-Commander Kettick
Chief of Engineering
USS Eagle
G239107LR0
Your Engineering department kindly reminds you that you are supposed to read the flakking manual.
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