Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - Risky business
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Don K
Mar 30, 2026, 1:48:47 PM (2 days ago) Mar 30
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((Lab 2, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
V'Len finished the rest of the drink he hand poured. He gave Niac a serious look. All the data from probes and telescope arrays would not give them the certainty they needed. There was another way. One that the Jack Kessler's, Avander Promontory's and Wes Greaves' of Starfleet normally advocated, but it would work here as well.
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.
Zh'taan: That would allow us to gather enough data to complete our database!
Niac: The Lady might be non-descript but it's also a...and with all respect to Kos...a rusty bucket of a thing. If you get in trouble out there V'Len...if you run across anything from an asteroid with an attitude up to a Consortium cruiser we're not going to be in a position to support you.
As V'Len expected, Karrod seemed extremely skeptical, but V'Len was determined. He'd done enough off the books missions in Zet space to feel surprisingly confident that he could pull off a cruise into Alliance space to do some scans.
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: ::thinking back to her childhood anatomy lessons:: What if we created a sensor that could detect Sencha radiation like it’s a virus?
Zh'taan: That’s a good idea, the radiation should be easily detectable by medical sensors given the effects it has on certain organisms.
Niac: I never...::he jabbed at his gut and regained himself before starting over:: Sencha never considered applying that kind of...diagnostic approach...to detecting this form of radiation. She wasn't a biologist or a medical doctor and none of this...::He sighed as he gestured towards their findings on the weapon::...was part of what she intended. Do you really think it could work?
V'Len watched Karrod poke himself in the stomach in a way he knew meant a previous host was being problematic. V'Len had been forced to tamp down Xam Kel often enough.
Kel: ::nodding to Zh'taan and Wren:: Their reasoning is sound.
Wren: I’ve been through the records of what we know about the radiation, and Starfleet computers simply don’t have enough data to properly recognize what it’s detecting. It’s like suddenly exposing a population to a completely alien pathogen. Sometimes there are survivors, but what usually happens is the population is quickly killed because their bodies have no frame of reference for what they’re fighting.
V'Len nodded. Epidemiology was certainly an area he was well versed in.
Niac: Go on Ensign, you've got me interested.
Zh'taan: And this radiation can “contaminate” both people and equipment.
Ensign Wren was becoming more excited. V'Len couldn't help but think back to the time he'd created an interface to communicate with a cosmozoan life form. It was one of those things that had just struck him, but
Wren: ::Talking a little faster now:: Exactly. But when a population is slowly acclimated to the pathogen over a long period of time, eventually they gain herd immunity. What I’m suggesting is that we gather as much information about the Sencha radiation as possible, active Sencha radiation, and expose our system to that raw data in increments in a simulated program. Over time, the computer acclimates, and can detect both the radiation, and the side effects. We’d be able to detect strong surges in Sencha radiation within a matter of days if we have multiple people working on it.
Zh'taan: We could also examine the data collected by the infirmary. The medical staff must have treated many people who were exposed to the radiation, they should have information in their database that we do not have.
Niac: Alright alright...just for a second lets pretend I agree to authorize this...reconnaissance. How exactly do you intend to proceed? How would you confirm your findings? Lastly, and most importantly...how would you get back out once you're done?
V'Len had to think carefully. Though stated last he know Karrod's last question was the most important one.
Wren: Well, we’d still need that raw data, which means… I think that a trip into Alliance territory might be necessary to see if there is another reactor. oO Don’t overstep here, Della. Oo We need to see Sencha radiation actively in use. If they’ve built another reactor, then we could gather as much as we need just by observing.
Zh'taan: ::Turns toward Kel:: We should perhaps examine what the ship’s probes collected when the Ronin first arrived in the system and the incident with Captain Niac occurred. That might allow us to detect other similar anomalies?
Kel: ::gesturing toward the ensigns:: I concur. We need to develop an algorithm but as Ensign Wren suggested we could simply try to observe what we can from as close as possible.
Niac: I've tried looking through that sensor data myself but it's...well, a mess. It may be enough to give you a baseline...or at least an idea of what to look for. Otherwise you'll just be wandering around in the dark in a very small ship.
Kel: ::smiling at Karrod:: You forgot to mention the ship was poorly armed as well.
Wren: Response
Zh'taan: Yes, and with all this information, we will be able to better prepare ourselves to enter Alliance territory.
Karrod chuckled and crossed his arms.
Niac: If I happen to authorize this little excursion, Ensign. You still haven't told me the most important part of the plan...the part where you come back in one piece.
Kel: The Foxy Lady was modified for the Denali Invitational a few years back, so it had more under the hood than a standard freighter. We'd have to hope we can run like hell or hide if we ran into trouble. Kos may have some allies in the region I could ask.
Wren: Response
Zh'taan: However, we must not forget that this radiation can prevent warp travel. If we are to travel into Alliance territory, we must be sure we can leave quickly. I can try to work on a solution if you wish. ::He turns toward Kel::
The warp drive of the Foxy Lady had not been changed much. The Talaxian freighter and salvage ship was not fast at warp speed. What had been modified was the impulse system, the tractor beam system and the maneuvering thrustors. All had been improved to make the Lady faster and more maneuverable out of warp.
Niac: We can have Major Singh and a few of her pilots shadow you from a distance...it won't be much protection but it will be low profile...they can loiter nearby and be there in a few minutes if you find yourself dealing with something the Foxy Lady can't quite handle.
Kel: We'd have to make it back to them. We can't risk them crossing the border and making it look like the Federation is invading. That said I think we could do it. With luck we won't be noticed at all.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Karrod chuckled and nodded.
Niac: Fine, you've convinced me...to consider this.
He turned his attention towards V'Len.
Niac: Put together a plan. Work with Major Singh and Chief Kessler, I want contingencies and backups for those contingencies before I'm going to let you take the Foxy anywhere near something like that.
V'Len nodded. Jack was sure to have some ideas and would no doubt wish to join the excursion, Major Singh might as well. The Foxy Lady was not large however, so only the most key personnel could come.
Niac: And you two.
He turned his attention towards Ensigns Zh'taan and Wren.
Niac: Be sure you understand what you're signing up for if you want a place on this mission. You'll be in open space, far from support, in a ship that is far less capable than even a runabout...but if you're convinced it can be done and you can show me a reasonable chance of making it back alive...I'll authorize it. If Mr. Kel here agrees, that is. This is his idea...that makes it his mission and that means he chooses the team.
Kel: At this point these are my two best experts, but this mission would be strictly voluntary.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Karrod nodded to them and turned for the door but stopped and turned his attention back to them before leaving.
Niac: Don't make me regret this...I'd hate to lose you V'Len...or two very promising junior officers. I'll expect that mission plan on my desk...if you can find a spot for it...tomorrow.
For his part V'Len was not particularly anxious to get himself killed either, but he did feel finding out the extent of these Sencha Reactors was important. If what they found was just a prototype, there was less to worry about, but if it had been duplicated there was a real potential for calamity.
Karrod was out of the room in whirl of what V'Len could only guess was resigned frustration.
Kel: I need to get contact my brother Kos and talk to Lt. Kessler. We've got a start. I suggest we pick this up in the morning.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
V'Len looked back at the pair.
Kel: I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do. But these types of operations are not for the faint of heart. ::pausing:: I've been on some ::beat:: where not everyone comes back.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Kel: Let's meet tomorrow. Even if this gets approved it will still take some time to reach Kos and find a way to link up with him.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Like Karrod before him V'Len headed out the door. What had started out as idle curiosity had now grown to a possible covert mission, something V'Len had never expected to recommend as a course of action.
[End Scene for V'Len]
--
V'Len finished the rest of the drink he hand poured. He gave Niac a serious look. All the data from probes and telescope arrays would not give them the certainty they needed. There was another way. One that the Jack Kessler's, Avander Promontory's and Wes Greaves' of Starfleet normally advocated, but it would work here as well.
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.
Zh'taan: That would allow us to gather enough data to complete our database!
Niac: The Lady might be non-descript but it's also a...and with all respect to Kos...a rusty bucket of a thing. If you get in trouble out there V'Len...if you run across anything from an asteroid with an attitude up to a Consortium cruiser we're not going to be in a position to support you.
As V'Len expected, Karrod seemed extremely skeptical, but V'Len was determined. He'd done enough off the books missions in Zet space to feel surprisingly confident that he could pull off a cruise into Alliance space to do some scans.
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: ::thinking back to her childhood anatomy lessons:: What if we created a sensor that could detect Sencha radiation like it’s a virus?
Zh'taan: That’s a good idea, the radiation should be easily detectable by medical sensors given the effects it has on certain organisms.
Niac: I never...::he jabbed at his gut and regained himself before starting over:: Sencha never considered applying that kind of...diagnostic approach...to detecting this form of radiation. She wasn't a biologist or a medical doctor and none of this...::He sighed as he gestured towards their findings on the weapon::...was part of what she intended. Do you really think it could work?
V'Len watched Karrod poke himself in the stomach in a way he knew meant a previous host was being problematic. V'Len had been forced to tamp down Xam Kel often enough.
Kel: ::nodding to Zh'taan and Wren:: Their reasoning is sound.
Wren: I’ve been through the records of what we know about the radiation, and Starfleet computers simply don’t have enough data to properly recognize what it’s detecting. It’s like suddenly exposing a population to a completely alien pathogen. Sometimes there are survivors, but what usually happens is the population is quickly killed because their bodies have no frame of reference for what they’re fighting.
V'Len nodded. Epidemiology was certainly an area he was well versed in.
Niac: Go on Ensign, you've got me interested.
Zh'taan: And this radiation can “contaminate” both people and equipment.
Ensign Wren was becoming more excited. V'Len couldn't help but think back to the time he'd created an interface to communicate with a cosmozoan life form. It was one of those things that had just struck him, but
Wren: ::Talking a little faster now:: Exactly. But when a population is slowly acclimated to the pathogen over a long period of time, eventually they gain herd immunity. What I’m suggesting is that we gather as much information about the Sencha radiation as possible, active Sencha radiation, and expose our system to that raw data in increments in a simulated program. Over time, the computer acclimates, and can detect both the radiation, and the side effects. We’d be able to detect strong surges in Sencha radiation within a matter of days if we have multiple people working on it.
Zh'taan: We could also examine the data collected by the infirmary. The medical staff must have treated many people who were exposed to the radiation, they should have information in their database that we do not have.
Niac: Alright alright...just for a second lets pretend I agree to authorize this...reconnaissance. How exactly do you intend to proceed? How would you confirm your findings? Lastly, and most importantly...how would you get back out once you're done?
V'Len had to think carefully. Though stated last he know Karrod's last question was the most important one.
Wren: Well, we’d still need that raw data, which means… I think that a trip into Alliance territory might be necessary to see if there is another reactor. oO Don’t overstep here, Della. Oo We need to see Sencha radiation actively in use. If they’ve built another reactor, then we could gather as much as we need just by observing.
Zh'taan: ::Turns toward Kel:: We should perhaps examine what the ship’s probes collected when the Ronin first arrived in the system and the incident with Captain Niac occurred. That might allow us to detect other similar anomalies?
Kel: ::gesturing toward the ensigns:: I concur. We need to develop an algorithm but as Ensign Wren suggested we could simply try to observe what we can from as close as possible.
Niac: I've tried looking through that sensor data myself but it's...well, a mess. It may be enough to give you a baseline...or at least an idea of what to look for. Otherwise you'll just be wandering around in the dark in a very small ship.
Kel: ::smiling at Karrod:: You forgot to mention the ship was poorly armed as well.
Wren: Response
Zh'taan: Yes, and with all this information, we will be able to better prepare ourselves to enter Alliance territory.
Karrod chuckled and crossed his arms.
Niac: If I happen to authorize this little excursion, Ensign. You still haven't told me the most important part of the plan...the part where you come back in one piece.
Kel: The Foxy Lady was modified for the Denali Invitational a few years back, so it had more under the hood than a standard freighter. We'd have to hope we can run like hell or hide if we ran into trouble. Kos may have some allies in the region I could ask.
Wren: Response
Zh'taan: However, we must not forget that this radiation can prevent warp travel. If we are to travel into Alliance territory, we must be sure we can leave quickly. I can try to work on a solution if you wish. ::He turns toward Kel::
The warp drive of the Foxy Lady had not been changed much. The Talaxian freighter and salvage ship was not fast at warp speed. What had been modified was the impulse system, the tractor beam system and the maneuvering thrustors. All had been improved to make the Lady faster and more maneuverable out of warp.
Niac: We can have Major Singh and a few of her pilots shadow you from a distance...it won't be much protection but it will be low profile...they can loiter nearby and be there in a few minutes if you find yourself dealing with something the Foxy Lady can't quite handle.
Kel: We'd have to make it back to them. We can't risk them crossing the border and making it look like the Federation is invading. That said I think we could do it. With luck we won't be noticed at all.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Karrod chuckled and nodded.
Niac: Fine, you've convinced me...to consider this.
He turned his attention towards V'Len.
Niac: Put together a plan. Work with Major Singh and Chief Kessler, I want contingencies and backups for those contingencies before I'm going to let you take the Foxy anywhere near something like that.
V'Len nodded. Jack was sure to have some ideas and would no doubt wish to join the excursion, Major Singh might as well. The Foxy Lady was not large however, so only the most key personnel could come.
Niac: And you two.
He turned his attention towards Ensigns Zh'taan and Wren.
Niac: Be sure you understand what you're signing up for if you want a place on this mission. You'll be in open space, far from support, in a ship that is far less capable than even a runabout...but if you're convinced it can be done and you can show me a reasonable chance of making it back alive...I'll authorize it. If Mr. Kel here agrees, that is. This is his idea...that makes it his mission and that means he chooses the team.
Kel: At this point these are my two best experts, but this mission would be strictly voluntary.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Karrod nodded to them and turned for the door but stopped and turned his attention back to them before leaving.
Niac: Don't make me regret this...I'd hate to lose you V'Len...or two very promising junior officers. I'll expect that mission plan on my desk...if you can find a spot for it...tomorrow.
For his part V'Len was not particularly anxious to get himself killed either, but he did feel finding out the extent of these Sencha Reactors was important. If what they found was just a prototype, there was less to worry about, but if it had been duplicated there was a real potential for calamity.
Karrod was out of the room in whirl of what V'Len could only guess was resigned frustration.
Kel: I need to get contact my brother Kos and talk to Lt. Kessler. We've got a start. I suggest we pick this up in the morning.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
V'Len looked back at the pair.
Kel: I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do. But these types of operations are not for the faint of heart. ::pausing:: I've been on some ::beat:: where not everyone comes back.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Kel: Let's meet tomorrow. Even if this gets approved it will still take some time to reach Kos and find a way to link up with him.
Wren/Zh'taan: Response
Like Karrod before him V'Len headed out the door. What had started out as idle curiosity had now grown to a possible covert mission, something V'Len had never expected to recommend as a course of action.
[End Scene for V'Len]
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
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