Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Lets take K9 for a walk
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Joel Cannistraro
5:08 PM (5 hours ago) 5:08 PM
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((Bridge, Deck 3, USS Ronin, Nearly Three Hours Later))
Serving aboard three different ships prior to coming to the Ronin, Jack had seen quite a bit that would help explain what was happening on the Ronin but it almost all involved some form of artificial device or equipment. This creature seemed to be for the moment the genuine article. A space born biological lifeform and for Jack while this was intensely fascinating it also meant his experience was limited. He never encountered a space born lifeform on this magnitude and this was going to prove to be another set of challenges. The current challenge was what the natural biologics of this creature was doing to the ship and crew. Jack strained against the pain to focus on his movement, trying to find something to help protect the ship and crew. So far, he found nothing that helped reduce the effect of whatever it was they were feeling or being bombarded by.
Tucker: =/\= Commander Tucker to the bridge, did ya’lls lights just flicker? =/\=
Raga: =/\= You could say that. The creature just focused some sort of energy surge on us. Has more than a few of us out of sorts. =/\=
Niac: =/\= For the moment we're secure and operating under the assumption that was a polite, if loud, 'hello.' Panels still resetting down there? =/\=
Tucker: =/\= Commander Tucker to the bridge, did ya’lls lights just flicker? =/\=
Raga: =/\= You could say that. The creature just focused some sort of energy surge on us. Has more than a few of us out of sorts. =/\=
Niac: =/\= For the moment we're secure and operating under the assumption that was a polite, if loud, 'hello.' Panels still resetting down there? =/\=
Tucker: =/\= Yeah, same here and I’m assuming the rest of the ship, we’ll try to track it down but I’m pretty sure it’s an electrical systems thing, which my best guess is ‘surging’. =/\=
Even as Chief Tucker reported Karrod could hear his team working our particulars close behind him.
Cabrillo: =/\= So now we need a ship wide surge protector whale sized? =/\=
Nakada: =/\= Perhaps, but where would we install it? =/\=
Tucker: =/\= We also installed the new deep space package. It was going to be used by stellar cartography, but I’m guessing it might be better to get a good look at the beastie without probes that could get damaged or be seen as hostile. =/\=
Niac: =/\= Well done Chief, we'll put it to use immediately. Mr. Kel, Lieutenants...tie into the deep space sensor package and begin scanning as much of the region as you can. Might be nice to know why our friend out there is swimming through this area. =/\=
Raga: =/\= We already have a class 2 probe drifting behind us. We tossed it out the flight deck. Be sure to tap into its feed when you can. But good to know. The more data we can get the better. =/\=
Niac: Did you find a way to compensate for the turbulence or did that… ::he nodded towards the viewscreen and corrected himself::....or did our friend out there decide to give us a break?
Kel: ::breathing deeply and raising his head:: Whatever was happening has stopped.
Even as Chief Tucker reported Karrod could hear his team working our particulars close behind him.
Cabrillo: =/\= So now we need a ship wide surge protector whale sized? =/\=
Nakada: =/\= Perhaps, but where would we install it? =/\=
Tucker: =/\= We also installed the new deep space package. It was going to be used by stellar cartography, but I’m guessing it might be better to get a good look at the beastie without probes that could get damaged or be seen as hostile. =/\=
Niac: =/\= Well done Chief, we'll put it to use immediately. Mr. Kel, Lieutenants...tie into the deep space sensor package and begin scanning as much of the region as you can. Might be nice to know why our friend out there is swimming through this area. =/\=
Raga: =/\= We already have a class 2 probe drifting behind us. We tossed it out the flight deck. Be sure to tap into its feed when you can. But good to know. The more data we can get the better. =/\=
Niac: Did you find a way to compensate for the turbulence or did that… ::he nodded towards the viewscreen and corrected himself::....or did our friend out there decide to give us a break?
Kel: ::breathing deeply and raising his head:: Whatever was happening has stopped.
Jack looked around at the rest of the bridge crew swiftly trying to make a mental note on everyone's status while letting the pain in his own head subside best he could. He wanted to lean back and just close his eyes for a moment, to buy a brief respite of relief but there was no way he was going to take his eyes off his console or that creature.
Raga: I did, partially, the turbulence is still there. The creature is moving at a constant speed. The probe picked up energy discharges along its body. Most highly concentrated at the aft and bow. There’s a pattern to it. If I’m being honest, it’s almost like our friend is perfectly matching forward thrust enough with the thrust its movements are creating to keep its speed constant. It’s safe to assume something that size has enough of a gravity well that it can’t just rely on the laws of motion to keep it going without having a means of thrust?
Kessler: It might be worth noting, during whatever that was, I rotated the shield's harmonics thirty-seven times and not a single rotation yielded anything that blocked the emissions coming from our friend over there. Shields were useless.
Raga: I did, partially, the turbulence is still there. The creature is moving at a constant speed. The probe picked up energy discharges along its body. Most highly concentrated at the aft and bow. There’s a pattern to it. If I’m being honest, it’s almost like our friend is perfectly matching forward thrust enough with the thrust its movements are creating to keep its speed constant. It’s safe to assume something that size has enough of a gravity well that it can’t just rely on the laws of motion to keep it going without having a means of thrust?
Kessler: It might be worth noting, during whatever that was, I rotated the shield's harmonics thirty-seven times and not a single rotation yielded anything that blocked the emissions coming from our friend over there. Shields were useless.
Velis: Response
Niac: Either way I'm going to take it as a good sign. The question now becomes...how much do we want to test our luck today? Mr. Raga, Chief Kessler...based on the data we've recovered so far...do you think we could safely get an away team or two aboard that vessel? Lt. Velis, Lt. Venn...got any good spots picked out yet?
Venn: Not yet, Captain. Are we sure it’s even safe to go there?
Kel: ::regarding his console:: Believe it or don't the passages inside the creature show atmosphere. Slightly different composition than your average M-Class planet, but nothing we'd necessarily need EV suits for.
Raga: I doubt it’s any less safe than most of the things we do on any given mission. But you two are the mission specialists. And the fact this creature has such cavities suggests it’s partially artificial. Standard away team protocols then, every armed just in case?
Kessler: I agree with the XO, we still do not know what this thing is or how to defend against it.
Niac: Either way I'm going to take it as a good sign. The question now becomes...how much do we want to test our luck today? Mr. Raga, Chief Kessler...based on the data we've recovered so far...do you think we could safely get an away team or two aboard that vessel? Lt. Velis, Lt. Venn...got any good spots picked out yet?
Venn: Not yet, Captain. Are we sure it’s even safe to go there?
Kel: ::regarding his console:: Believe it or don't the passages inside the creature show atmosphere. Slightly different composition than your average M-Class planet, but nothing we'd necessarily need EV suits for.
Raga: I doubt it’s any less safe than most of the things we do on any given mission. But you two are the mission specialists. And the fact this creature has such cavities suggests it’s partially artificial. Standard away team protocols then, every armed just in case?
Kessler: I agree with the XO, we still do not know what this thing is or how to defend against it.
Velis: Response
Venn: Captain, I don’t really relish the idea of killing something so magnificent, but it did just attack us. And it seems it didn’t even try that hard. What if we really and truly provoke it? Then what happens to us? What if…
Jack looked back to Niac and then to Venn. oO Tried to kill us? We have no idea what that was. Could have been a warning, could have been an attack, could have been communication. Oo Jack did not like the idea the SFI officer jumped to a theory the creature was hostile right out of the gate. Clearly showed the lack of actual field experience this person had and left Jack wondering why someone with just a lack of experience was even out here if Starfleet deemed this so urgent.
Venn: Sorry, Captain. I just think we need to be a bit more cautious about this. But, your command, sir, and if you want me to go over there, I will.
Kel: Captain Niac, I don't believe that was an attack. If it wasn't actually communication it was likely the creature sensing the environment around it. We should approach with caution of course.
Raga: Lieutenant, you’re assuming that was an attack. I’m inclined to agree with Mister Kel. The probe telemetry shows the energy discharge seemed to fall off drastically after the initial impact but lingered a bit and covered the entire ship. ::he glanced at the viewscreen:: I’d be surprised if something that advanced would have weapons so ineffectual against our ship. It could have been nothing more than a scan. ::to Karrod:: Though, it wouldn’t be the first time a weapon was designed to incapacitate a crew rather than destroy a vessel. We just don’t know enough.
Niac: Lieutenant...I appreciate your concern but someone once said, quite correctly, that risk is our business. We don't take those risks randomly...and we don't make assumptions about what we find after we do. We probed the life form...have you considered the possibility it did exactly the same thing in return? That was the risk we took...and now we know more than we did before.
Kessler: ::pointing to the viewscreen:: So if we are going over there, anyone found a safe beam in point?
Venn: Captain, I don’t really relish the idea of killing something so magnificent, but it did just attack us. And it seems it didn’t even try that hard. What if we really and truly provoke it? Then what happens to us? What if…
Jack looked back to Niac and then to Venn. oO Tried to kill us? We have no idea what that was. Could have been a warning, could have been an attack, could have been communication. Oo Jack did not like the idea the SFI officer jumped to a theory the creature was hostile right out of the gate. Clearly showed the lack of actual field experience this person had and left Jack wondering why someone with just a lack of experience was even out here if Starfleet deemed this so urgent.
Venn: Sorry, Captain. I just think we need to be a bit more cautious about this. But, your command, sir, and if you want me to go over there, I will.
Kel: Captain Niac, I don't believe that was an attack. If it wasn't actually communication it was likely the creature sensing the environment around it. We should approach with caution of course.
Raga: Lieutenant, you’re assuming that was an attack. I’m inclined to agree with Mister Kel. The probe telemetry shows the energy discharge seemed to fall off drastically after the initial impact but lingered a bit and covered the entire ship. ::he glanced at the viewscreen:: I’d be surprised if something that advanced would have weapons so ineffectual against our ship. It could have been nothing more than a scan. ::to Karrod:: Though, it wouldn’t be the first time a weapon was designed to incapacitate a crew rather than destroy a vessel. We just don’t know enough.
Niac: Lieutenant...I appreciate your concern but someone once said, quite correctly, that risk is our business. We don't take those risks randomly...and we don't make assumptions about what we find after we do. We probed the life form...have you considered the possibility it did exactly the same thing in return? That was the risk we took...and now we know more than we did before.
Kessler: ::pointing to the viewscreen:: So if we are going over there, anyone found a safe beam in point?
Velis: Responses
Venn: Aye, sir. Then I think we need to start with some place that seems a bit safer, furthest point away from that energy source in the center.
The main viewscreen changed to reflect scans they’d taken earlier.
Kel: There's a chamber here ::highlighting a small area:: in the anterior, dorsal space. Might be an interesting nerve cluster.
Raga: If that’s a nerve cluster should we beam directly next to it? While we have no way of knowing what the purpose of any of those chambers is from here, I suggest we try and go for something that might be the equivalent of a non-critical area. Just in case that thing has internal defenses. If the nerve clusters are similar to our console or optical network it might be considered a vital system.
Niac: That...chamber is completely empty but it's nearly a hundred meters across and seems to connect directly to the hull...maybe their version of a shuttlebay? It would be a bit of a hike but a team could get to that nerve cluster from there...and it makes a good fallback point if things go sideways. What do you think Mr. Kessler...want to take a walk?
Kessler/Velis/Venn: Responses
Another portion of the creature on the posterior, ventral surface was highlighted next.
Kel: This seems to be a large chamber. Unclear what's there, but it might be another jumping off point.
Raga: That might be the optimal beam in site.
The image rotated around almost completely to show a chamber below and on the opposite side of the vessel. Like the first it was removed from anything that looked critical...but it would allow a team to make their way into the ship from a reasonably safe jumping off point.
Niac: I agree and with the two teams converging from opposite directions, they'll have the opportunity to link up in the middle of the ship if the need arises. Mr. Kessler...do I remember correctly that your holo-canine has some reconnaissance capabilities? You may want to take your dog on this walk, Chief.
Venn: Aye, sir. Then I think we need to start with some place that seems a bit safer, furthest point away from that energy source in the center.
The main viewscreen changed to reflect scans they’d taken earlier.
Kel: There's a chamber here ::highlighting a small area:: in the anterior, dorsal space. Might be an interesting nerve cluster.
Raga: If that’s a nerve cluster should we beam directly next to it? While we have no way of knowing what the purpose of any of those chambers is from here, I suggest we try and go for something that might be the equivalent of a non-critical area. Just in case that thing has internal defenses. If the nerve clusters are similar to our console or optical network it might be considered a vital system.
Niac: That...chamber is completely empty but it's nearly a hundred meters across and seems to connect directly to the hull...maybe their version of a shuttlebay? It would be a bit of a hike but a team could get to that nerve cluster from there...and it makes a good fallback point if things go sideways. What do you think Mr. Kessler...want to take a walk?
Kessler/Velis/Venn: Responses
Another portion of the creature on the posterior, ventral surface was highlighted next.
Kel: This seems to be a large chamber. Unclear what's there, but it might be another jumping off point.
Raga: That might be the optimal beam in site.
The image rotated around almost completely to show a chamber below and on the opposite side of the vessel. Like the first it was removed from anything that looked critical...but it would allow a team to make their way into the ship from a reasonably safe jumping off point.
Niac: I agree and with the two teams converging from opposite directions, they'll have the opportunity to link up in the middle of the ship if the need arises. Mr. Kessler...do I remember correctly that your holo-canine has some reconnaissance capabilities? You may want to take your dog on this walk, Chief.
Jack turned back to Niac with a bit of surprise on his face. The last time he and Niac discussed K9 and the use of the tech aboard the Ronin it seemed as if Niac felt the tech a bit too unorthodox to use. Especially given the nature of it's development. On the other hand, any chance to get to use K9 and demonstrate the abilities of the program Jack was all for and would eagerly jump at.
Kessler: aye sir. K9 is specifically designed for just that purpose.
Kessler: aye sir. K9 is specifically designed for just that purpose.
Velis/Venn: Responses
Kel: We could easily fly a shuttle through the opening on the ventral surface, but I'd propose beaming teams in instead. That would likely be less invasive.
Raga: Fair point. I know if I was simply flying through space minding my own business I would be a little upset if some random stranger decided to fly up inside me.
Jack looked from Niac to V'Len and then to Raga. He wanted to verbally agree that flying unwanted into a living creature might certainly get an induced response that they did not want but he was sure everyone on the bridge was thinking that already.
Niac: Plus, that leaves the shuttles as a fallback option...if for whatever reason our people can't beam out, they evacuate to either of the insertion points...::He tried not to glare as someone snickered in the background::...the beam in coordinates and we extract with shuttles.
Kessler: It does give a fall back point for sure but regardless, I would still recommend each team carry a set of transport enhancers with them as a backup. Given what that creature's assumed probe just did to us there is no guarantee a shuttle could launch if the creature sent out another pulse like what we just experienced.
Kel: We could easily fly a shuttle through the opening on the ventral surface, but I'd propose beaming teams in instead. That would likely be less invasive.
Raga: Fair point. I know if I was simply flying through space minding my own business I would be a little upset if some random stranger decided to fly up inside me.
Jack looked from Niac to V'Len and then to Raga. He wanted to verbally agree that flying unwanted into a living creature might certainly get an induced response that they did not want but he was sure everyone on the bridge was thinking that already.
Niac: Plus, that leaves the shuttles as a fallback option...if for whatever reason our people can't beam out, they evacuate to either of the insertion points...::He tried not to glare as someone snickered in the background::...the beam in coordinates and we extract with shuttles.
Kessler: It does give a fall back point for sure but regardless, I would still recommend each team carry a set of transport enhancers with them as a backup. Given what that creature's assumed probe just did to us there is no guarantee a shuttle could launch if the creature sent out another pulse like what we just experienced.
Velis/Venn/Kel: Responses
Raga: Innuendos aside, I think beaming in is the better option until we have more data. I would recommend that the away teams bring pattern enhancers or wear transport armbands in case we trip any countermeasures against intruders. ::he added:: With a shuttle on standby in case we need alternate retrieval options.
Niac: Agreed...something tells me Major Singh already has the entire airwing on standby so I'm certain we're covered there...although I want a little more confidence in our analysis of the internal atmosphere before I'm going to forego EVA suits. What do you think Mr. Kel, Lt. Velis...would you want a lungful of whatever is in there? Lieutenant Venn...feeling any more ready to take the next risk?
Kessler: After the Compass Rose, I am sure my lungs can pretty well handle anything.
Raga: Innuendos aside, I think beaming in is the better option until we have more data. I would recommend that the away teams bring pattern enhancers or wear transport armbands in case we trip any countermeasures against intruders. ::he added:: With a shuttle on standby in case we need alternate retrieval options.
Niac: Agreed...something tells me Major Singh already has the entire airwing on standby so I'm certain we're covered there...although I want a little more confidence in our analysis of the internal atmosphere before I'm going to forego EVA suits. What do you think Mr. Kel, Lt. Velis...would you want a lungful of whatever is in there? Lieutenant Venn...feeling any more ready to take the next risk?
Kessler: After the Compass Rose, I am sure my lungs can pretty well handle anything.
Jack was making light of the fact that the Compass Rose mission left him and others exposed to the most insidious and deadliest virus ever conceived. If it had not been for some very skilled crewmembers, Jack might not be sitting here facing this situation today.
Velis/Venn/Kel/Raga: Responses
Niac: Very well then get your teams prepped. Mr. Raga, ask Chief Tucker to put together an engineering away team as well...I want his technological perspective on this creature. We'll beam in all three teams at the same time. Learn everything you can...we need to find some way to communicate with this creature without giving half the people on this ship a headache.
Kessler: ::turning to Niac:: Captain, I recommend Lieutenant T'Fearne head up security of one of the other teams. I want senior officers protected at all costs.
Niac: Very well then get your teams prepped. Mr. Raga, ask Chief Tucker to put together an engineering away team as well...I want his technological perspective on this creature. We'll beam in all three teams at the same time. Learn everything you can...we need to find some way to communicate with this creature without giving half the people on this ship a headache.
Kessler: ::turning to Niac:: Captain, I recommend Lieutenant T'Fearne head up security of one of the other teams. I want senior officers protected at all costs.
Three away teams meant senior staff on all three. Jack could cover one team and while he knew these officers were capable of handling themselves he felt much better knowing that his security teams would also be there to provide any real defense should it arise.
Velis/Venn/Kel/Raga: Responses
Kessler: Agreed.
Niac/
Velis/Venn/Kel/Raga: Responses
Jack waited a moment listening as the rest of the team decided how to best to handle the away mission.
Kessler: ::tapping his combadge:: =/\= Kessler to T'Fearne. Gear up for away team assignment. I want you with Commander Kel's team. =/\=
T'Fearne: =/\= response =/\=
Kessler: Sir, I can link K9 directly back to the Ronin. In surveillance mode, as long as that thing over there does not affect the signal, you'll get real time feeds from K9.
Niac/ Velis/Venn/Kel/Raga: Responses
Kessler: ::looking to the others:: Even in EV suits, K9 will respond only to me unless I become immobilized. Then K9 has secondary command protocols and to fall back on, but I do not see that becoming a needed condition.
Niac/ Velis/Venn/Kel/Raga: Responses
[Tags/TBC]
[Tags/TBC]
--
Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Chief Tactical/Security Officer
USS Ronin
T239901JK1
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