Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - a warm warm breeze melted metal and steel
12 views
Skip to first unread message
Don K
Mar 23, 2026, 9:53:58 AMMar 23
to sb118...@googlegroups.com
((Lab 2, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
It was always a risk asking a joined Trill to share information from a past host. Not all past hosts were as forthcoming as others. Some things were readily shareable, while others were simply beyond the current hosts comprehension. V'Len had managed to inherited Shojua Kel's guitar playing ability, but there were 15 other instruments the man had played that V'Len had no clue how to even approach. In a similar way, Karrod had always been curt when it came to discussing Sencha Radiation and V'Len suspected the man was simply unsure. Karrod was a leader, but not necessarily a scientist. Still he was as close as they could come to an authority on Sencha radiation and V'Len could not simply leave that resource unutilized.
Zh'taan: G-Good morning, Captain. ::straightens into an official posture:: Uh… I am Ensign Zh'taan, we would like to speak with you about Sencha radiation.
Kel: ::nodding his head:: Morning Karrod, Ensign Wren. Ensign Zh'taan and I were just trying to break down some of what we experienced on our last mission.
Wren: Good morning, sir. And it's nice to meet you, Zh’taan, I heard good things about your work on the last mission.
Wren seemed eager to assist, the Captain seemed to need coaxing.
Niac: I was promised drinks, V'Len. I don't see any drinks, V'Len.
Kel: Given the nature of the phenomena, namely that it was a Sencha generator, you seemed uniquely qualified to give us some insight.
Wren: :: excited:: Yes, I've been curious about how Sencha radiation is formed.
Niac: Fair enough, I was just going over some of the mission reports. Well done, all of you...there's a part of me that feels particularly at blame for what you went through. I've gone over the sensor logs but that system was such a mess many of the readings are gibberish. Take me through what you've found.
Kel: Ensign Zh'taan, perhaps you can bring the Captain and Ensign Wren up to speed on our discussion.
V'Len felt slightly bad throwing Kelor into the deep end. Then again V'Len had been the acting CMO on a starship crashing into an ocean, and it had been a growth experience for him. Sometimes growth came in the heat of the moment.
Zh'taan: ::quickly checks his PADD:: Th-the Lieutenant Commander Kel and I, we… um… were trying to figure out how the Alliance managed to emit so much Sencha radiation without… um… it damaging the generator.
Niac: Relax Mr. Zh'taan, you're not giving a lecture at the Academy. You were both there and I wasn't...talk me through what you're thinking. That goes for you as well Ensign Wren...I need to understand as much as I can so we can figure out how to prevent it from ever happening again.
Kel: My key question is how the hell were they doing it. How did they generate Sencha will still using subspace to pull energy to pull energy from a star in another universe?
Zh'taan: We… we also think that Tholian technology is… could be involved.
Niac: That's troubling, Ensign. Go on.
Wren: ::encouragingly:: what we currently know about Tholoan technology is unfortunately limited to mostly offensive weaponry, but I've heard records of them manipulating space-time before.
Zh'taan: If… if I rely on Starfleet’s various documentation about the Tholians… uh… they are capable of creating structures that can alter space-time. We think that… that this ring ::he points at the ring on the schematic:: was built using Tholian technology, or at least contains part of… of that technology.
While the group chatted V'len moved to a cabinet and entered a code to open it. He withdrew the contents, a bottle of amber Saurian Brandy and 4 glasses. He set one on a bench near where Karrod stood and poured the liquid into the cup until it was about half full.
Niac: Sencha's original research was about tapping into subspace as a potentially infinite energy source, using focused particle beams to tunnel through and open a gap between an energetic layer of subspace and normal space. It would've been self-sustaining once the gap was established. It never quite worked that way but it seems like the anomaly in that system gave them a head start. The existing damage to subspace ::He stopped typing, Sencha's thoughts growing pained.:: They got close. Much too close. If you hadn't stopped them when you did...well, beings in the Andromeda galaxy would've gotten quite the light show. We'll have to confirm your theory.
Kel: ::happily:: Your drink, sir.
Zh'taan: So, we… we could almost think that this ring acts as an alignment point between our universe and the other one.
Wren: what if it's partially constructed from materials from that other universe? It's a bit of a longshot, but if the ring was constructed out of materials from this universe, maybe it would only be able to draw energy inwards from here. But if it was constructed from materials from that outside universe, even partially, maybe that would allow it to resonate at a frequency that would allow it to draw energy from both sides?
V'Len poured himself a glass and then set the bottle on the bench beside the glasses. He nodded at the two Ensigns indicating they should help themselves.
Niac: That's...one hell of a theory...::He gestured towards his gut:: you two even managed to shut the slug up and that never happens. The Tholians figure out some way to manipulate the anomaly, focus it, and use it to extract materials from another universe. It's...it's what Sencha was trying to do but on a radically larger scale. The instability problems...I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did without blowing apart most of the quadrant.
V'Len raised an eyebrow. It certainly put a lot of the pieces together.
Zh'taan: This theory could make sense… Tholian technology is known for stabilizing space-time, even freezing it. Sencha radiation does the exact opposite. The combination of both could very well allow alignment with a distinct, yet nearby, reality.
Kel: Very good thinking, is there any data available to help us prove that hypothesis?
Wren: The records aren't complete, but if it was able to draw energy from both universes simultaneously, that would….. I guess that would mean it could run indefinitely…. If it runs out of energy from one universe, it could just pick up the slack from the other one until its original source is replenished?
Niac: Infinite energy. In the hands of the Lattice Alliance.
V'Len shifted uncomfortably. There were already ample supplies of energy and V'Len was not sure he believed that energy production was the key thing the Alliance was interested in. They had already utilized a Sencha device as a weapon. Much like Terran Nuclear power, there was a possibility that the biproducts of the Sencha reactor could be put to unpleasant uses as well.
Zh'taan: But this hypothesis opens the door to even more questions… I think… Because if the Alliance established a bridge between two realities, they did it knowingly, fully aware of what they were dealing with.
Kel: ::skeptically:: Or maybe they figured they'd do it, consequences be damned.
It wouldn't be the first use of technology where the consequences were not fully considered.
Wren: :: getting a little anxious:’ It's just a hypothesis, of course. I really think we need to find a way to negotiate for further information. If the Jem’Hadar and the Tholian aren't options, maybe we can get a full picture from tr’Kharis.
V'Len shifted. As far as he know tr'Kharis was still on the ship, but he was reluctant to involve the man. Firstly, V'Len was not convinced tr'Kharis or Akudo fully understood the system they'd been operating. Second was not sure they could be trusted.
Niac: Fortunately your clever little legal maneuver has lead to the Ferengi Alliance taking a vested interest in the system, so short of assembling a full scale armada I don't think the Alliance is going to make its way back into that system any time soon. We've got time to debrief them further or have Starfleet Security do it for us. My question is...did we stop it in time?
Zh'taan: I couldn’t say whether we intervened in time or not… But I think the Alliance, thanks to Tholian technology, would be capable of reproducing their bridge to another universe… provided they can recreate a Sencha radiation generator.
Kel: That reactor, as far as I know is still going. It's under control for the moment, but we just barely averted a disaster. We can't allow the Alliance to regain control of it, or worse, replicate it.
V'Len was surprised at the passion that had come out of him, but he felt it all the same. The image of Karrod and Toryn being consumed in flames was enough to make him want to avoid a similar future in this universe or another.
Wren: Response
Niac: I mean, do you think they harvested enough of this extra-universal material to try this again somewhere else? Somewhere deeper in their territory where we wouldn't know about it until they were successful or until there was a big hole in subspace where our galaxy used to be.
Zh'taan: I don’t have all the information on this subject. ::He briefly glanced at V'len:: But from what I saw on Moon Sigma, the Romulan technology used was rather outdated. I think they could make do with older, even abandoned complexes to deploy their technology.
Kel: Could we detect such a facility? When we entered the system there was nothing unusual until the Kurosawa arrived and that lid blew off.
V'Len wondered what they could do.
Wren/Niac: Response
Zh'taan: I would recommend that we store the results of the anomaly signature analysis and compare them with the Starfleet database. It might allow us to detect other sites with similar characteristics… I think.
Kel: Good thinking Ensign. We could also use the sensor array Starfleet has placed in the Alpha Isles, see if we can detect anything.
Wren/Niac: Response
V'Len considered his options.
Kel: What about the Argus Array? Could we aim that at Alliance Territory? See what it sees?
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
V'Len finished the rest of the drink he hand poured. He gave Niac a serious look.
Kel: What about a covert mission into Alliance Territory? See what we can find? I could get Kos to lend me the Foxy Lady. It's an unassuming freighter, perfect for something like this.
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
Kel: I've done this sort of thing before Karrod it's nothing new to me. If the Alliance is building other reactors like this Starfleet needs to know.
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
Tags/TBC
--
It was always a risk asking a joined Trill to share information from a past host. Not all past hosts were as forthcoming as others. Some things were readily shareable, while others were simply beyond the current hosts comprehension. V'Len had managed to inherited Shojua Kel's guitar playing ability, but there were 15 other instruments the man had played that V'Len had no clue how to even approach. In a similar way, Karrod had always been curt when it came to discussing Sencha Radiation and V'Len suspected the man was simply unsure. Karrod was a leader, but not necessarily a scientist. Still he was as close as they could come to an authority on Sencha radiation and V'Len could not simply leave that resource unutilized.
Zh'taan: G-Good morning, Captain. ::straightens into an official posture:: Uh… I am Ensign Zh'taan, we would like to speak with you about Sencha radiation.
Kel: ::nodding his head:: Morning Karrod, Ensign Wren. Ensign Zh'taan and I were just trying to break down some of what we experienced on our last mission.
Wren: Good morning, sir. And it's nice to meet you, Zh’taan, I heard good things about your work on the last mission.
Wren seemed eager to assist, the Captain seemed to need coaxing.
Niac: I was promised drinks, V'Len. I don't see any drinks, V'Len.
Kel: Given the nature of the phenomena, namely that it was a Sencha generator, you seemed uniquely qualified to give us some insight.
Wren: :: excited:: Yes, I've been curious about how Sencha radiation is formed.
Niac: Fair enough, I was just going over some of the mission reports. Well done, all of you...there's a part of me that feels particularly at blame for what you went through. I've gone over the sensor logs but that system was such a mess many of the readings are gibberish. Take me through what you've found.
Kel: Ensign Zh'taan, perhaps you can bring the Captain and Ensign Wren up to speed on our discussion.
V'Len felt slightly bad throwing Kelor into the deep end. Then again V'Len had been the acting CMO on a starship crashing into an ocean, and it had been a growth experience for him. Sometimes growth came in the heat of the moment.
Zh'taan: ::quickly checks his PADD:: Th-the Lieutenant Commander Kel and I, we… um… were trying to figure out how the Alliance managed to emit so much Sencha radiation without… um… it damaging the generator.
Niac: Relax Mr. Zh'taan, you're not giving a lecture at the Academy. You were both there and I wasn't...talk me through what you're thinking. That goes for you as well Ensign Wren...I need to understand as much as I can so we can figure out how to prevent it from ever happening again.
Kel: My key question is how the hell were they doing it. How did they generate Sencha will still using subspace to pull energy to pull energy from a star in another universe?
Zh'taan: We… we also think that Tholian technology is… could be involved.
Niac: That's troubling, Ensign. Go on.
Wren: ::encouragingly:: what we currently know about Tholoan technology is unfortunately limited to mostly offensive weaponry, but I've heard records of them manipulating space-time before.
Zh'taan: If… if I rely on Starfleet’s various documentation about the Tholians… uh… they are capable of creating structures that can alter space-time. We think that… that this ring ::he points at the ring on the schematic:: was built using Tholian technology, or at least contains part of… of that technology.
While the group chatted V'len moved to a cabinet and entered a code to open it. He withdrew the contents, a bottle of amber Saurian Brandy and 4 glasses. He set one on a bench near where Karrod stood and poured the liquid into the cup until it was about half full.
Niac: Sencha's original research was about tapping into subspace as a potentially infinite energy source, using focused particle beams to tunnel through and open a gap between an energetic layer of subspace and normal space. It would've been self-sustaining once the gap was established. It never quite worked that way but it seems like the anomaly in that system gave them a head start. The existing damage to subspace ::He stopped typing, Sencha's thoughts growing pained.:: They got close. Much too close. If you hadn't stopped them when you did...well, beings in the Andromeda galaxy would've gotten quite the light show. We'll have to confirm your theory.
Kel: ::happily:: Your drink, sir.
Zh'taan: So, we… we could almost think that this ring acts as an alignment point between our universe and the other one.
Wren: what if it's partially constructed from materials from that other universe? It's a bit of a longshot, but if the ring was constructed out of materials from this universe, maybe it would only be able to draw energy inwards from here. But if it was constructed from materials from that outside universe, even partially, maybe that would allow it to resonate at a frequency that would allow it to draw energy from both sides?
V'Len poured himself a glass and then set the bottle on the bench beside the glasses. He nodded at the two Ensigns indicating they should help themselves.
Niac: That's...one hell of a theory...::He gestured towards his gut:: you two even managed to shut the slug up and that never happens. The Tholians figure out some way to manipulate the anomaly, focus it, and use it to extract materials from another universe. It's...it's what Sencha was trying to do but on a radically larger scale. The instability problems...I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did without blowing apart most of the quadrant.
V'Len raised an eyebrow. It certainly put a lot of the pieces together.
Zh'taan: This theory could make sense… Tholian technology is known for stabilizing space-time, even freezing it. Sencha radiation does the exact opposite. The combination of both could very well allow alignment with a distinct, yet nearby, reality.
Kel: Very good thinking, is there any data available to help us prove that hypothesis?
Wren: The records aren't complete, but if it was able to draw energy from both universes simultaneously, that would….. I guess that would mean it could run indefinitely…. If it runs out of energy from one universe, it could just pick up the slack from the other one until its original source is replenished?
Niac: Infinite energy. In the hands of the Lattice Alliance.
V'Len shifted uncomfortably. There were already ample supplies of energy and V'Len was not sure he believed that energy production was the key thing the Alliance was interested in. They had already utilized a Sencha device as a weapon. Much like Terran Nuclear power, there was a possibility that the biproducts of the Sencha reactor could be put to unpleasant uses as well.
Zh'taan: But this hypothesis opens the door to even more questions… I think… Because if the Alliance established a bridge between two realities, they did it knowingly, fully aware of what they were dealing with.
Kel: ::skeptically:: Or maybe they figured they'd do it, consequences be damned.
It wouldn't be the first use of technology where the consequences were not fully considered.
Wren: :: getting a little anxious:’ It's just a hypothesis, of course. I really think we need to find a way to negotiate for further information. If the Jem’Hadar and the Tholian aren't options, maybe we can get a full picture from tr’Kharis.
V'Len shifted. As far as he know tr'Kharis was still on the ship, but he was reluctant to involve the man. Firstly, V'Len was not convinced tr'Kharis or Akudo fully understood the system they'd been operating. Second was not sure they could be trusted.
Niac: Fortunately your clever little legal maneuver has lead to the Ferengi Alliance taking a vested interest in the system, so short of assembling a full scale armada I don't think the Alliance is going to make its way back into that system any time soon. We've got time to debrief them further or have Starfleet Security do it for us. My question is...did we stop it in time?
Zh'taan: I couldn’t say whether we intervened in time or not… But I think the Alliance, thanks to Tholian technology, would be capable of reproducing their bridge to another universe… provided they can recreate a Sencha radiation generator.
Kel: That reactor, as far as I know is still going. It's under control for the moment, but we just barely averted a disaster. We can't allow the Alliance to regain control of it, or worse, replicate it.
V'Len was surprised at the passion that had come out of him, but he felt it all the same. The image of Karrod and Toryn being consumed in flames was enough to make him want to avoid a similar future in this universe or another.
Wren: Response
Niac: I mean, do you think they harvested enough of this extra-universal material to try this again somewhere else? Somewhere deeper in their territory where we wouldn't know about it until they were successful or until there was a big hole in subspace where our galaxy used to be.
Zh'taan: I don’t have all the information on this subject. ::He briefly glanced at V'len:: But from what I saw on Moon Sigma, the Romulan technology used was rather outdated. I think they could make do with older, even abandoned complexes to deploy their technology.
Kel: Could we detect such a facility? When we entered the system there was nothing unusual until the Kurosawa arrived and that lid blew off.
V'Len wondered what they could do.
Wren/Niac: Response
Zh'taan: I would recommend that we store the results of the anomaly signature analysis and compare them with the Starfleet database. It might allow us to detect other sites with similar characteristics… I think.
Kel: Good thinking Ensign. We could also use the sensor array Starfleet has placed in the Alpha Isles, see if we can detect anything.
Wren/Niac: Response
V'Len considered his options.
Kel: What about the Argus Array? Could we aim that at Alliance Territory? See what it sees?
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
V'Len finished the rest of the drink he hand poured. He gave Niac a serious look.
Kel: What about a covert mission into Alliance Territory? See what we can find? I could get Kos to lend me the Foxy Lady. It's an unassuming freighter, perfect for something like this.
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
Kel: I've done this sort of thing before Karrod it's nothing new to me. If the Alliance is building other reactors like this Starfleet needs to know.
Wren/Niac/Zh'taan: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages