[sb118-ops] LT. JG S'zurak - Heavy Coat Required
Alex Leatherman
(( MFT Maximum Thrusters ))
S’zurak: We’ll keep the drone ssscanning to hunt for other optionsss. Perhapsss I am being too paranoid, but I do not think so.
Munshi: ::Monitoring the return delay as the pulse bounced off the frozen riverbeds:: I’m modulating the frequency now. If there’s a vacuum-sealed laboratory under that rock, the delta in the return signal will be unmistakable. Rock is consistent; a hollow laboratory with reinforced bulkheads creates a specific acoustic resonance.
Munshi: It’s a bit like mechanical archaeology, really. We aren't looking for a building; we're looking for the gap where a building should be. If I find a section of that cliff that isn't vibrating in sync with the vapor ocean’s kinetic output, we’ve found our 'still' spot. It’s the only logical way to hide the heat-sink requirements of an active forced quantum singularity.
McLaren: Ingenious. And if we needed to how would we get down to the planet.
S’zurak noted how the ensign was talking excitedly. He seemed to have something figured out.
S'zurak: Did you already have a plan, Ensssign?
Munshi: ::His hazel eyes brightened with the challenge:: We don't park, Commander. We 'fail.' I can introduce a controlled surge to the port impulse manifold. It’ll make the ship look like we’ve suffered a guidance failure due to atmospheric interference. If we drift toward the coordinates in a tumbling descent, it gives us a logical reason to land near the facility. We’re just a 'clumsy' Lurtz Enterprises freighter trying not to crash into the ocean.
McLaren: If we need to go down there we wont be using the Thrusters to do it.
S’zurak: We’ll take a transssport?
The zealous ensign kept on his train of thought, not seeming to acknowledge the commander.
Munshi: Exactly, sir. The 'clumsy merchant' is the most stable variable we have. I’ll start prepping the manifold surge script—just in case the drone finds what we’re looking for.
The ship rocked as it settled onto the Temurian asteroid.
McLaren: If you think thats the best way, I'd make your calculations for the Angry Pigeon... we'll use the shuttle to get down there if we have to.
S’zurak: Aye Sssir. We can have the… Pigeon suited up.
The Angry Pigeon was new to S’zurak. He found the name silly, but tried not to show it.
Sol nodded slightly.
McLaren: Not that I'd be looking forward to it... the planet's weather doesn't leave much to desire. High winds, and not exactly the warmest place we'll have ever been.
S’zurak: I do not like the cold. It affectsss me more than most humanoids. ::looking to the others to see if he needed to elaborate:: Cold blooded.
He didn’t elaborate much.
Munshi: Response?
Sol was about to speak again when the comm chirped.
Ross: =/\= Ross to McLaren. Am I interrupting? =/\=
McLaren: =/\= Not at all. What up, Evan? =/\=
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: =/\= Sounds like a lot of hardware... anything we should be looking for? =/\=
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: =/\= Good to know... we'll keep an eye out for that. Thanks, Evan. =/\=
Ross: =/\= Great. Let me know if you need anything else from us. Good luck! =/\=
McLaren: =/\= You too. =/\=
Sol cut the comm channel and looked to Alok and S'Zurak.
McLaren: Well with what Evan just told us, does that narrow anything down?
S’zurak: The cliff face remainsss our strongest lead. It may be difficult to completely masssk all signals completely suggesting our weak signal we found may be a good lead.
Munshi: Response?
S’zurak: But. We’ll need to take the… Angry Pigeon through the minefield sssafely.
S’zurak was beginning to feel a bit silly repeating the name Angry Pigeon. Its name did not strike fear into his imaginary foes.
McLaren/Munshi: Response?
S’zurak: I think it’ll work. Agreed. Sssame plan. We’ll match the vectors and thermal sssignatures of the surrounding debris.
Alok was explaining this process the whole time, but only now did S’zurak realize how practical it would be.
McLaren/Munshi: Response?
A low rumble escaped S’zurak’s throat.
S’zurak: I’ll need to replicate a heavy coat.
McLaren/Munshi: Response?
Lieutenant JG S'zurak
Tactical Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
O240205S13