Lt. Commander Ross - Group Calls

[Hannah S]

((Provisional Science Lab - MTF Maximum Thrusters))

While Ross' mind was still busy with Intel affairs - questions about the origin of these cores, their production, their meaning and intention - Lyra and A'Mayri were digging deeper and deeper in their scientific function and traits. They probably were a perfect example for all those inter-disciplinary visions the Fleet did not tire to promote in workshops lately. 

Voss: Until we get our hands on new cores, we should open up these inert ones and try to figure out how they’re generating such a staggering amount of power. ::gesturing for the rest of the team to come over:: When we pop open the casing, we can see all the fused circuits, but it looks like everything is routing toward this section. The first question is - does this core generate a micro-black hole when it’s first powered on? Or are they creating them in a lab and then transferring them in?

A’Mayri: ::Carefully stepping to the side of Voss to allow for Ross to step in closer when he was done:: If they are using mirco-black hole technology, it would be unlikely that it would produce its own singularity. ::carefully pointing to fused circuits, reaching over to grab a multimeter to confirm it’s powered down status once more:: Because the other powercores are still active with no single location to power down, it can only be deduced that the power source is transferred in at its creation, then somehow maintained until either damaged or a fault because exploited.

Ross: So... the thing that powers them is also leading to its end? 

A circle of creation and demise?

Voss: Exactly. Regardless of the method of creation, what is generating power? Heat energy as it consumes matter? Rotational energy as it spins? Harnessing the Hawking radiation it emits? Something else entirely?

Ross crossed his arms in front of his chest as he listened to the back and forth between both officers. 

A’Mayri: ::leveled but quiet voice:: It could be a combination of all or parts of your theories. A black hole in itself does not produce much energy on its own, it’s what surrounds it that does. We should be mindful of potential matter warping effects if it indeed does use such methods. It could be a reason that its hardware is failing.

Ross: That might be an explanation for their destructive tendencies. Not only destroying themselves, but also... - manipulating the matter and energies around it? 

Voss:  Maybe if we can clear out the mess, the rest of the components will be a little –

Lyra didn't get to end her sentence. Ross' head shot up as their pilot's voice sounded through the room - 

sh’Sonora: =/\=This is your pilot speaking. Please secure all loose and vital equipment, secure yourselves, and hold onto your butts ‘cause things are about to get interesting in the Tamarian proverb kind of way. Sparrow out.=/\=

Lyra was the first to move: quick-witted, she began reaching for lose instruments. In the meanwhile, Ensign A'Mayri turned around towards him.

A’Mayri: Lieutenant, the discharged power cores are still relatively dangerous, but there may not be enough time to secure them before–

He hated to cut her off, but before she even finished her sentence, he had already grabbed one of their test objects.

Ross: - ...where to?!

Voss: Dome or ionization chamber - either one! Just lock it down before we get –

But the Vulcan had been right: It was too late. Ross let out a suppressed curse, as the whole ship lurched, forcing them to grab onto whatever was next: A’Mayri instinctively gripped the bolted down work station and Ross stumbled to the nearest wall, still holding one power core in one hand.

While Voss gathered some loose tools into her arms, A'Mayri maneuvered around the uneven deck towards the infamous dome, tore off her scarf to carefully wrap around the core and delicate exposed core parts to then shunt the said wrap into the dome to secure the opening with a loud and heavy THUD! Ross let out a sigh of relief before quickly pushing his core into the Ionization chamber as demanded. 

Ross: A bit of a warning would have been nice. 

A’Mayri: ::steady steps back towards the group, side stepping a loose tool slowly and almost comically sliding down the way.:: Our helmsman is quite enthused in their flight arrangements-

Ross hadn't worked with their Andorian pilot yet, but she sure had earned a reputation since her assignment to Ops. He tried to balance his way back to the workstation, saving his PADD from falling last minute. 

Voss: ?

Ross: I'm sure this wasn't it. Prepare for a rough landing. 

As if the ship had heard him, a deep groan went through the hull off the MTF, as the whole ship trembled under the force of its thrusters. It was such a familiar voice and yet he hadn't heard it in so long - it greeted Ross like the voice of an old friend. ...a very old friend, who was struggling very hard with gravity. 

A’Mayri: ::Quick scan over Voss and Ross:: Are you both alright?

Ross: All good. Hold on tight!

His legs almost acted on their own - it was a bit like surfing, compensating for the shaking and movements of the floor, as the ship lowered down. Ross had experienced countless landings like this, and his body seemed to remember even better than himself how to handle the rough takedown. 

Voss: ?

With relief he watched how the other two officers helped each other towards the mounted seats - Ross stepped back to the Ionization chamber, and even though he was struggling for balance himself, he made sure to give the huge crate some extra support by leaning against it. They were taking no chances today. 

Ross: Steady now...

Voss/A'Mayri: ?

He threw a gaze towards the ceiling, silently counting backwards inside his head: He didn't know the MTF as a model specifically, but most freighters were built roughly the same. He could hear the howling of the thrusters, slowly powering down, the floor supports dismounting... - 4... 3... 2... 1...

- as if on cue, the whole ship ached and groaned as it touched ground and gravity and ground stabilised again around and underneath them. Ross let out a single breath and detached from the chamber, standing back upright.

Ross: Everything in one piece? ::he threw a quick gaze around the room, but apart from a few crates and tools, everything seemed to be in order:: Excellent. I'll connect with the ground teams to make sure we'll get our hands on some fresh resources. 

He smiled at Lyra and A'Mayri, who were probably dying to get back to work, before stepping aside.

Voss/A'Mayri: ?

(OOC: Take as many tags here as you like, I'll jump back in!) 

((Corridor - MTF Maximum Thrusters))

Ross took a few steps from the provisional lab and tapped his commbadge.

Ross: =/\= Ross to McLaren. Am I interrupting? =/\= 

McLaren: =/\= ? 

Ross: =/\= I just wanted to let you know that after some first examinations it's pretty safe to say we'd have to expect some excessive resources from the Temurians if they are crafting these cores. It looks like you'd need Electron Beam Furnaces and loads of space with constant monitoring. We're talking an elaborate setup. Just something to consider while searching for the origins of these things. =/\=

McLaren: =/\= ? 

Ross: =/\= It looks like good indicators would be disruptions in environmental readings. Heat production, geographical changes, readings from electromagnetic wave detectors. That sort of stuff. =/\= 

McLaren: =/\= ?

Ross:  =/\= Great. Let me know if you need anything else from us. Good luck! =/\=

McLaren: =/\= ?

He took a deep breath - and prepared for the next call.

Ross: =/\= Ross to Sylvax. Are you ready to get out there? =/\= 

Sylvax: =/\= ? 

Ross: =/\= Any chance we can get our hands on one of their traders soon? We need more samples to make progress. =/\=

Sylvax: =/\= ? 

--

***

Lt. Commander Evan Ross
Intelligence Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240009ER2