Commander V’Len Kel - Reel Big Fish
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Don K
Apr 30, 2026, 5:36:42 PMApr 30
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((OOC - views are the characters not the writers))
((Conference Room, Deck 03, USS Ronin))
The crowd in the Conference room had grown, but the conversation had just gotten interesting. Ever since he'd met Beverly the Space Whale during his first mission on the USS Thor V'Len had been nearly as interested in cosmozoan life forms as he was in fungi, perhaps even more interested. His recent encounter with Millie the space jelly had further heightened his interest. No it seemed they were heading for an encounter with a third cosmozoan life form. V'Len pulled his stylus from his padd so he could take careful notes. He was less than satisfied with Venn's contribution. It seemed like there were two agendas, one out in the open and one more cryptic.
Kel: The spaceborne life form the Starfleet has encountered communicate in a variety of ways. I'd suggest a long range scan of the creature's magnetic field and EM emissions. Maybe there's a way we can let it know we're not a threat.
Beck: That's assuming the thing would even notice us to begin with.
Tucker: ::looking at his former roommate:: I’m sure if you got out and waved your arms frantically, maybe it’d notice? In all seriousness, why would you want to get noticed by something that is, ::using air quotes:: “very large”.
Raga: I would assume it will. Based on the Lieutenant’s comment about none of the previous vessels being able to get close to it. Suggests either it has a natural hazardous defense to deter predators, or it actively deterred them. Is that likely?
Venn: Again, those details are uncertain. It’s definitely one of the things we’re being tasked to find out. But maybe Velis has more information than I do on the biology of the creature?
Niac: By all means Lieutenant, enlighten us. Too many vague details make my beard itch.
Velis: Response
Kel: ::looking at Velis:: Do you suppose it would respond to a standard hail?
Beck: That would depend greatly on whether this thing is alive or not. I find it hard to believe something this immense is alive, let alone sentient, but I'm sure people said the same thing about blue whales back on Earth a few centuries ago. Just because I'm having trouble conceiving of it doesn't make it impossible.
Tucker: If this thing is still alive, then what? It’s like the dog chasing the car, it finally caught the car, now it has no clue what it’s going to do with it. I mean, what is the ultimate goal here?
Venn: I believe Lieutenant Velis and I have two different purposes here, as we’ve mentioned. I’m here for threat assessment. Both if it’s threat to us, and the threat that the Lattice Alliance or the Consortium might utilize the creature against us. Considering the size of the creature, I don’t think moving it is going to be a viable option, but maybe that’s a call the Captain will need to make once we have more data.
V'Len gave Venn a long look and then returned to his padd.
Niac: Assuming this thing doesn't try to blow us out of space or, I don't know...mate with us because it likes the color of the hull plates. Although that would lead to a very interesting threat assessment...'not specifically hostile but problematically romantic.' Lets put a pin in the 'what are we going to do about it' side of this discussion until we know a little bit more about what it is and if we can even get close enough to it to find out. I assume standard reconnaissance with probes or small craft like runabouts is completely out of the question?
Kel: Without knowing exactly what the other ships that have investigated have experienced, I would be cautious about sending in any small craft. We may have to take the whole ship in on this one.
Raga/Velis: Responses
Beck: Okay… so let's assume this thing is alive, it can respond to us somehow, and it does notice us when we show up. What if, by doing so, we just piss it off?
Tucker: I know this might be silly, but do we have a plan B? And really what is plan A?
Raga: Hopefully we can avoid that, but the concern is valid. We should keep our shields up while we’re attempting to study it.
Kessler: I agree, Commander.
V'Len was unsure about the best way to approach. Most space born life forms Starfleet was familiar with seemed to be purely in survival mode, but there were others that had more complicated mental abilities.
Niac: This situation could straddle the line between exobiological discovery and first contact protocols...if it's alive, we have no idea what sort of stimulus it reacts to. If it's intelligent at any level, we have no idea what it perceives as a threat. But somehow I doubt it'll fail to notice a starship hurtling towards it wrapped in an intense energy field. That alone could be enough to trigger a...problematic response. Especially if our goal is to study this...whatever it is...at close range. Chief Tucker...I'll have us drop out of warp a reasonable distance from the unknown so we can approach it nice and slowly. I'll like you to do what you can to limit our EM emissions, keep our power signature low. I wouldn't want to run up to a Ligorian mastodon waving torches and shouting Klingon opera at the top of my lungs. Commander Kel...since I know this is a particular interest of yours, I'll be looking to you for insights on how the interactions have gone historically. Anything another Starfleet crew has learned could benefit us...::He glared in the direction of both their guests::...since we have so little to go on.
Tucker/Velis: Responses
Kel: ::looking at Karrod:: I can get my team looking on long range sensors. Maybe we can come up with something before we arrive.
Beck: I mean, what if this thing has the same capabilities of a planet killer? What if, by contacting it and making it aware that the ants are studying it, it decides it doesn't like that very much and we become barbequed Roninites?
Tucker: I’d like to hear more from our Mission Specialists, what’s your thoughts on a possibly armed and maybe hostile entity?
Raga: I refer to my previous comment about the Ronin being rugged. Including the Khitomer, we’re the most powerful starship that Starfleet has in the Isles at the moment. Which stands to reason that’s part of the reason we were sent on this mission. If we piss it off, I imagine the reasoning is that we have a better chance of surviving any violence it might unleash.
Kessler: I have a few tricks up my sleeve, Commander. The Ronin is ready defensively if needed.
Karrod nodded towards their Chief of Security & Tactical in appreciation.
Niac: I sincerely hope that won't be necessary Mr. Kessler but I appreciate the ship being as prepared as possible. If we cannot study this creature safely I have no intention of picking a fight with it and I'm more than happy to let it continue on its way. If it's tough enough or ill tempered enough to seriously threaten the Ronin then I doubt the Alliance or the Consortium would be willing or capable of fielding enough of a force to endanger it.
Kel: The Alliance and the Consortium might be more willing to apply aggressive force.
Velis/Beck: Response
Tucker: So what do we know for sure?
Raga: The urgency of this, the secrecy, and the location. Is Command concerned this creature is endangered and in need of protection, or do they think it might not be natural?
Kessler: We know very little but when does that stop a Starfleet crew from completing their mission? ::looking at Niac:: My departments are ready for whatever you need Captain.
Niac: I appreciate that...but lets get back to the matter at hand. We've spent a lot of time discussing what we don't know...a truly vast amount, as it turns out. Yet Starfleet sent you two all the way out here just to tell us what they could've covered in a five line subspace message? I don't accept that Lieutenants. Do better or I'm calling this little errand off.
V'Len had similar questions and decided to let their guests respond.
Velis/Beck: Response
Tucker: Well, the Engineering department is more than willing to lend a hand. I’m sure we could come up with something.
Raga: You voiced concern about whether it has planet killer capabilities. There was at least one other entity that was sentient but not entirely part of the natural order. Do you remember reading about Gomtuu at the Academy? Not a planet killer but it was alive, sentient, powerful, and artificial. ::to V squared:: We’re supposed to confirm if it’s artificial or not, yes? What are our orders if it turns out to be just a giant space whale? Go home? Or does the mission become one of conservation?
Kessler: I remember that class well Commander. ::staring at their guests:: As I recall, the Romulans lost a D'Deridex warbird and her entire complement during that encounter.
Niac: And a Galaxy class vessel was badly damaged...and they weren't even the target of that particular attack. Our ship may be robust but it has lasted this long because we tend to avoid taking foolish risks...when we can.
Kel: With all due respect if this was a planet killer I think we'd know by the missing planets. ::beat:: Gomtuu offered a unique situation, but I'd like to think we can use it as a learning experience to make this contact easier.
V'Len was ever the optimist.
Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
Raga: We don't know enough at this point. I think our first priority should be to get to the creature, at a safe distance and find out just how 'very large' it happens to be. Then go from there. Normally I'd recommend sending a shuttle to scout ahead, but with the uncertainty of its size and temperament I'm hesitant to send out what might be seen as food if it's big enough. How long until we arrive at its last known location?
Kessler: ::looking to the wall display:: ETA to intercept is three hours nineteen minutes Commander.
Kessler: Given your previous attempts at this failed, I am sure all related data will be made available to our mission? No redactions?
Venn: I cannot speak to the information Lieutenant Velis will be providing. However, as you’ve no doubt surmised, I was - until this operation - assigned to Starfleet Intelligence as an analyst. I’ve studied these cosmozoans, although I am sure my interest does not match that of the Doctor. I’ve prepared a full briefing of why I am here, if I may? No redactions. At least, none that I am aware of.
Niac: By all means Lieutenant. I'm sure everyone here is all ears.
V'Len glanced at his padd. He'd drawn what seemed to be a tiny fish on the screen. He had no idea why and quickly refocused on the Intelligence Officer's presentation. He hardly expected any suprises. He'd studied most of the cosmozoan contact reports after his encounter with Beverly and again after they'd discovered Millie. He would need to get hold of Rhodium as soon as possible. Though her training was botany, she'd no doubt have some experience to lend.
Tucker/Velis/Beck/Raga: Response
Venn: First, just to give a perspective on the size, since there seems to be some conjecture, here’s what long-range scans have been able to deduce.
The view was blurry, but it was clear the object was big and fairly solid. Truly more of a whale than a jellyfish or vapor cloud. It could clearly encompass the Ronin so it was possible that it was related to Beverly who had swallowed the Thor whole. He'd need to look back to know for sure.
Venn: This image is not clear because our sensors were so far away that was the best resolution they could get. Given the impressive range of our sensors, that should help give you an indication of just how large this thing is. This is in addition to the fact that, as Lieutenant Veris has mentioned, it’s hard to get sensor readings in the first place.
Venn: As I am sure the doctor can confirm, there have been a few different kinds of cosmozoans spotted over the years. One of the first was encountered by the USS Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk.
V'Len nodded his head to one side.
Venn: In that incident, an entire crew of Vulcans was killed by a very large space amoeba. The crew of the Enterprise narrowly escaped, but only as a result of having to destroy the amoeba.
That was Kirk for you.
Venn: Please note that Captain Kirk considered destroying the creature a viable option to preserving the life of his crew.
V'Len held his tongue. He wanted to note that while Kirk might have felt that way, they had 100 plus years of advancement that should make such a think unnecessary.
Venn: And then there is the planetkiller, as was already mentioned. Not necessarily a living organism that we can tell, but equally a threat. Please note that Captain Kirk and even Commodore Decker determined its destruction was necessary.
Niac: Beyond the size of this creature...does Starfleet have a reason to believe it represents a threat of that ::He nodded gravely towards the monitor::...scale?
V'Len turned to Karrod with a furrowed brow.
Kel: ::forcefully:: The Planet Killer was a machine not a living creature and again I would state that if we had such a construct in the Alpha Isles we would know about it by the destruction in its wake.
Raga/Kessler/Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
V'Len shook his head, but he had to admit to himself it was a fair point.
Venn: I am only pointing these out, because as some have mentioned, towing this thing is going to be impossible. And if it truly is a threat, we may have no other option. Considering that one of the main purposes of Starfleet is to seek out new life, destroying it when we find it almost seems anathema to us. However, sometimes it just becomes necessary as the crew of the Enterprise found. Now,I have more examples where a less fatal option was found. Shall I continue?
Niac: Very well Lieutenant...continue. I think you've got our full attention.
Raga: Response
V'Len glanced at the Captain, happy to see that he was not ready to blow anything out of the sky just yet.
Venn: Gomtuu. Commander Raga has already mentioned this one as well, and as the Chief of Security has pointed out, it destroyed a Romulan Warbird.
Niac: As I recall the only reason they made it through that particular encounter was due to the involvement of a civilian diplomat who made...contact with the creature somehow. The mission reports I read were never particularly clear on that point but I believe telepathy was involved. Mr. Kel, Lt. Velis...fill in some blanks here if you could.
Kel: Indeed there was an intelligence there, and contact was made by a Betazoid via telepathy. Many of the "complications" of that mission could be attributed to the hostilities between the Romulans and the Federation.
Raga/Kessler/Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
Venn: It is true that this ended well for our people, but the Romulans didn’t fare so well. And that is a nice segue into the other possible threat here. The Lattice Alliance and the Consortium. Take the incident with Gomtuu. Why were the Romulans there in the first place? Because they saw the opportunity to secure a weapon. Oh, they claimed interest in First Contact, but have no doubt that they were seeking an edge against us. Do any of you have any doubts that the Lattice Alliance or the Consortium would see a similar opportunity here? There are a few more examples, like the Crystaline Entity, the Space Jellyfish encountered by the Cerritos, or even the creatures at Farpoint Station. I don’t think anyone here will argue that the Crystaline Entity was peaceful. The reality that this creature poses a risk exists, and if our enemies get ahold of it first, that risk increases exponentially. And that’s why I am here. Threat assessment. The final risk determination will be yours, of course, Captain Niac, but I’m tasked with bringing my expertise to advise on a course of action.
V'Len could not hold his tongue.
Kel: ::angrily:: The crystalline entity acted purely on instinct, there was no malice. It's no different than me eating an apple and killing the bacteria on the surface. Starfleet was eventually able to communicate with the creature.
Karrod stopped further conversation.
Niac: Thank you Lieutenants...what your information lacks in depth it more than makes up for in grave implications. Something tells me we're all going to lose some sleep over this in the next few days...but I am determined not to become another statistic in the 'failed first contact' ledger. So here's what we're going to do. Lieutenant Velis...you're to work with Commander Kel. He's our Chief Science Officer and for the purposes of this mission you're to report to him. Get the science and medical teams together...I expect everybody who isn't already an expert in astrobiology to become one in...::he glanced at the chrono::...about three hours. Doctor Beck, if anyone from your team has relevant expertise I want them working with V'Len's people.
Beck/Velis: Response
V'Len nodded.
Niac: Lt. Venn, you work for Lt. Kessler now. Mr. Kessler, I want your team to start developing tactical contingencies assuming the full spectrum of possible responses to our presence from 'big space fish wants a hug' to 'it just ate a nacelle and it still looks hungry.' Pull in Major Singh's people if it'll help...although I'm hesitant to even consider deploying our fighter craft in proximity to something like that. I want all the options you can give me before we try to make contact with the unknown creature. Understood?
Kessler/Venn: Responses
Karrod glanced back towards the blurry image and crossed his hands over his chest, deep in consideration before speaking again.
Niac: Mr. Tucker...get back down to your people, see if any of them have expertise in biomechanics. If we can study this thing we'll need to understand it in a biological and a mechanical sense. Guess which side of that coin you get to focus on while you're working to make the good ship Ronin look as nonthreatening and...unappetizing as possible. That just leaves us, Mr. Raga...and we get the fun job.
Tucker/Raga: Response
Niac: Well I've got a symbiote in my guts that won't shut up and you're telepathically bonded with an owl who you keep telling us is housebroken. I think we're about as close to first contact experts as we're likely to find in the next three hours...so lets setup shop in here and go over some of the mission reports from those other crews, see if we can figure out a way to avoid ending up in one of these slideshows some future crew is scowling at. Alright...questions?
Karrod surveyed the room with an optimistic gaze.
Niac: Lt. Venn, Lt. Velis...for the duration of this mission you are a part of this crew and I will expect you to perform your duties with that in mind. There is a plaque on the bridge which bears the words 'for their tomorrows...we give our today.' It has become a rallying cry for this crew because that is our level of commitment...to one another, to the mission, and to the people we serve. I'll expect the same from you. If for one moment I feel like you're holding out on us, if you're withholding information or working with some agenda of your own, you'll spend the mission in your quarters or in the brig. Am I clear?
Venn/Velis: Response
Karrod glanced around the room once more and nodded.
Niac: Then get to work. Dismissed. We've got three hours to intercept and I intend to be ready.
V'Len rose and headed out of the conference room where he caught up with Velis. She seemed somehow familiar, but he could not place her.
Kel: Lieutenant. I hope you'll forgive my outburst. I'm a medical doctor by training and I have a difficulty with the thought of harming such a unique life form doesn't sit well with me.
Velis: Response
Kel: Let's get down to my lab on deck 9. See what kind of plan we can develop.
Velis: Response
Kel: =/\= Kel to Wells. We have a guest Rhodium. Can you meet us in the life science lab? =/\=
Velis/Wells: Response
Tags/TBC
Kel: The spaceborne life form the Starfleet has encountered communicate in a variety of ways. I'd suggest a long range scan of the creature's magnetic field and EM emissions. Maybe there's a way we can let it know we're not a threat.
Beck: That's assuming the thing would even notice us to begin with.
Tucker: ::looking at his former roommate:: I’m sure if you got out and waved your arms frantically, maybe it’d notice? In all seriousness, why would you want to get noticed by something that is, ::using air quotes:: “very large”.
Raga: I would assume it will. Based on the Lieutenant’s comment about none of the previous vessels being able to get close to it. Suggests either it has a natural hazardous defense to deter predators, or it actively deterred them. Is that likely?
Venn: Again, those details are uncertain. It’s definitely one of the things we’re being tasked to find out. But maybe Velis has more information than I do on the biology of the creature?
Niac: By all means Lieutenant, enlighten us. Too many vague details make my beard itch.
Velis: Response
Kel: ::looking at Velis:: Do you suppose it would respond to a standard hail?
Beck: That would depend greatly on whether this thing is alive or not. I find it hard to believe something this immense is alive, let alone sentient, but I'm sure people said the same thing about blue whales back on Earth a few centuries ago. Just because I'm having trouble conceiving of it doesn't make it impossible.
Tucker: If this thing is still alive, then what? It’s like the dog chasing the car, it finally caught the car, now it has no clue what it’s going to do with it. I mean, what is the ultimate goal here?
Venn: I believe Lieutenant Velis and I have two different purposes here, as we’ve mentioned. I’m here for threat assessment. Both if it’s threat to us, and the threat that the Lattice Alliance or the Consortium might utilize the creature against us. Considering the size of the creature, I don’t think moving it is going to be a viable option, but maybe that’s a call the Captain will need to make once we have more data.
V'Len gave Venn a long look and then returned to his padd.
Niac: Assuming this thing doesn't try to blow us out of space or, I don't know...mate with us because it likes the color of the hull plates. Although that would lead to a very interesting threat assessment...'not specifically hostile but problematically romantic.' Lets put a pin in the 'what are we going to do about it' side of this discussion until we know a little bit more about what it is and if we can even get close enough to it to find out. I assume standard reconnaissance with probes or small craft like runabouts is completely out of the question?
Kel: Without knowing exactly what the other ships that have investigated have experienced, I would be cautious about sending in any small craft. We may have to take the whole ship in on this one.
Raga/Velis: Responses
Beck: Okay… so let's assume this thing is alive, it can respond to us somehow, and it does notice us when we show up. What if, by doing so, we just piss it off?
Tucker: I know this might be silly, but do we have a plan B? And really what is plan A?
Raga: Hopefully we can avoid that, but the concern is valid. We should keep our shields up while we’re attempting to study it.
Kessler: I agree, Commander.
V'Len was unsure about the best way to approach. Most space born life forms Starfleet was familiar with seemed to be purely in survival mode, but there were others that had more complicated mental abilities.
Niac: This situation could straddle the line between exobiological discovery and first contact protocols...if it's alive, we have no idea what sort of stimulus it reacts to. If it's intelligent at any level, we have no idea what it perceives as a threat. But somehow I doubt it'll fail to notice a starship hurtling towards it wrapped in an intense energy field. That alone could be enough to trigger a...problematic response. Especially if our goal is to study this...whatever it is...at close range. Chief Tucker...I'll have us drop out of warp a reasonable distance from the unknown so we can approach it nice and slowly. I'll like you to do what you can to limit our EM emissions, keep our power signature low. I wouldn't want to run up to a Ligorian mastodon waving torches and shouting Klingon opera at the top of my lungs. Commander Kel...since I know this is a particular interest of yours, I'll be looking to you for insights on how the interactions have gone historically. Anything another Starfleet crew has learned could benefit us...::He glared in the direction of both their guests::...since we have so little to go on.
Tucker/Velis: Responses
Kel: ::looking at Karrod:: I can get my team looking on long range sensors. Maybe we can come up with something before we arrive.
Beck: I mean, what if this thing has the same capabilities of a planet killer? What if, by contacting it and making it aware that the ants are studying it, it decides it doesn't like that very much and we become barbequed Roninites?
Tucker: I’d like to hear more from our Mission Specialists, what’s your thoughts on a possibly armed and maybe hostile entity?
Raga: I refer to my previous comment about the Ronin being rugged. Including the Khitomer, we’re the most powerful starship that Starfleet has in the Isles at the moment. Which stands to reason that’s part of the reason we were sent on this mission. If we piss it off, I imagine the reasoning is that we have a better chance of surviving any violence it might unleash.
Kessler: I have a few tricks up my sleeve, Commander. The Ronin is ready defensively if needed.
Karrod nodded towards their Chief of Security & Tactical in appreciation.
Niac: I sincerely hope that won't be necessary Mr. Kessler but I appreciate the ship being as prepared as possible. If we cannot study this creature safely I have no intention of picking a fight with it and I'm more than happy to let it continue on its way. If it's tough enough or ill tempered enough to seriously threaten the Ronin then I doubt the Alliance or the Consortium would be willing or capable of fielding enough of a force to endanger it.
Kel: The Alliance and the Consortium might be more willing to apply aggressive force.
Velis/Beck: Response
Tucker: So what do we know for sure?
Raga: The urgency of this, the secrecy, and the location. Is Command concerned this creature is endangered and in need of protection, or do they think it might not be natural?
Kessler: We know very little but when does that stop a Starfleet crew from completing their mission? ::looking at Niac:: My departments are ready for whatever you need Captain.
Niac: I appreciate that...but lets get back to the matter at hand. We've spent a lot of time discussing what we don't know...a truly vast amount, as it turns out. Yet Starfleet sent you two all the way out here just to tell us what they could've covered in a five line subspace message? I don't accept that Lieutenants. Do better or I'm calling this little errand off.
V'Len had similar questions and decided to let their guests respond.
Velis/Beck: Response
Tucker: Well, the Engineering department is more than willing to lend a hand. I’m sure we could come up with something.
Raga: You voiced concern about whether it has planet killer capabilities. There was at least one other entity that was sentient but not entirely part of the natural order. Do you remember reading about Gomtuu at the Academy? Not a planet killer but it was alive, sentient, powerful, and artificial. ::to V squared:: We’re supposed to confirm if it’s artificial or not, yes? What are our orders if it turns out to be just a giant space whale? Go home? Or does the mission become one of conservation?
Kessler: I remember that class well Commander. ::staring at their guests:: As I recall, the Romulans lost a D'Deridex warbird and her entire complement during that encounter.
Niac: And a Galaxy class vessel was badly damaged...and they weren't even the target of that particular attack. Our ship may be robust but it has lasted this long because we tend to avoid taking foolish risks...when we can.
Kel: With all due respect if this was a planet killer I think we'd know by the missing planets. ::beat:: Gomtuu offered a unique situation, but I'd like to think we can use it as a learning experience to make this contact easier.
V'Len was ever the optimist.
Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
Raga: We don't know enough at this point. I think our first priority should be to get to the creature, at a safe distance and find out just how 'very large' it happens to be. Then go from there. Normally I'd recommend sending a shuttle to scout ahead, but with the uncertainty of its size and temperament I'm hesitant to send out what might be seen as food if it's big enough. How long until we arrive at its last known location?
Kessler: ::looking to the wall display:: ETA to intercept is three hours nineteen minutes Commander.
Kessler: Given your previous attempts at this failed, I am sure all related data will be made available to our mission? No redactions?
Venn: I cannot speak to the information Lieutenant Velis will be providing. However, as you’ve no doubt surmised, I was - until this operation - assigned to Starfleet Intelligence as an analyst. I’ve studied these cosmozoans, although I am sure my interest does not match that of the Doctor. I’ve prepared a full briefing of why I am here, if I may? No redactions. At least, none that I am aware of.
Niac: By all means Lieutenant. I'm sure everyone here is all ears.
V'Len glanced at his padd. He'd drawn what seemed to be a tiny fish on the screen. He had no idea why and quickly refocused on the Intelligence Officer's presentation. He hardly expected any suprises. He'd studied most of the cosmozoan contact reports after his encounter with Beverly and again after they'd discovered Millie. He would need to get hold of Rhodium as soon as possible. Though her training was botany, she'd no doubt have some experience to lend.
Tucker/Velis/Beck/Raga: Response
Venn: First, just to give a perspective on the size, since there seems to be some conjecture, here’s what long-range scans have been able to deduce.
The view was blurry, but it was clear the object was big and fairly solid. Truly more of a whale than a jellyfish or vapor cloud. It could clearly encompass the Ronin so it was possible that it was related to Beverly who had swallowed the Thor whole. He'd need to look back to know for sure.
Venn: This image is not clear because our sensors were so far away that was the best resolution they could get. Given the impressive range of our sensors, that should help give you an indication of just how large this thing is. This is in addition to the fact that, as Lieutenant Veris has mentioned, it’s hard to get sensor readings in the first place.
Venn: As I am sure the doctor can confirm, there have been a few different kinds of cosmozoans spotted over the years. One of the first was encountered by the USS Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk.
V'Len nodded his head to one side.
Venn: In that incident, an entire crew of Vulcans was killed by a very large space amoeba. The crew of the Enterprise narrowly escaped, but only as a result of having to destroy the amoeba.
That was Kirk for you.
Venn: Please note that Captain Kirk considered destroying the creature a viable option to preserving the life of his crew.
V'Len held his tongue. He wanted to note that while Kirk might have felt that way, they had 100 plus years of advancement that should make such a think unnecessary.
Venn: And then there is the planetkiller, as was already mentioned. Not necessarily a living organism that we can tell, but equally a threat. Please note that Captain Kirk and even Commodore Decker determined its destruction was necessary.
Niac: Beyond the size of this creature...does Starfleet have a reason to believe it represents a threat of that ::He nodded gravely towards the monitor::...scale?
V'Len turned to Karrod with a furrowed brow.
Kel: ::forcefully:: The Planet Killer was a machine not a living creature and again I would state that if we had such a construct in the Alpha Isles we would know about it by the destruction in its wake.
Raga/Kessler/Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
V'Len shook his head, but he had to admit to himself it was a fair point.
Venn: I am only pointing these out, because as some have mentioned, towing this thing is going to be impossible. And if it truly is a threat, we may have no other option. Considering that one of the main purposes of Starfleet is to seek out new life, destroying it when we find it almost seems anathema to us. However, sometimes it just becomes necessary as the crew of the Enterprise found. Now,I have more examples where a less fatal option was found. Shall I continue?
Niac: Very well Lieutenant...continue. I think you've got our full attention.
Raga: Response
V'Len glanced at the Captain, happy to see that he was not ready to blow anything out of the sky just yet.
Venn: Gomtuu. Commander Raga has already mentioned this one as well, and as the Chief of Security has pointed out, it destroyed a Romulan Warbird.
Niac: As I recall the only reason they made it through that particular encounter was due to the involvement of a civilian diplomat who made...contact with the creature somehow. The mission reports I read were never particularly clear on that point but I believe telepathy was involved. Mr. Kel, Lt. Velis...fill in some blanks here if you could.
Kel: Indeed there was an intelligence there, and contact was made by a Betazoid via telepathy. Many of the "complications" of that mission could be attributed to the hostilities between the Romulans and the Federation.
Raga/Kessler/Tucker/Velis/Beck: Responses
Venn: It is true that this ended well for our people, but the Romulans didn’t fare so well. And that is a nice segue into the other possible threat here. The Lattice Alliance and the Consortium. Take the incident with Gomtuu. Why were the Romulans there in the first place? Because they saw the opportunity to secure a weapon. Oh, they claimed interest in First Contact, but have no doubt that they were seeking an edge against us. Do any of you have any doubts that the Lattice Alliance or the Consortium would see a similar opportunity here? There are a few more examples, like the Crystaline Entity, the Space Jellyfish encountered by the Cerritos, or even the creatures at Farpoint Station. I don’t think anyone here will argue that the Crystaline Entity was peaceful. The reality that this creature poses a risk exists, and if our enemies get ahold of it first, that risk increases exponentially. And that’s why I am here. Threat assessment. The final risk determination will be yours, of course, Captain Niac, but I’m tasked with bringing my expertise to advise on a course of action.
V'Len could not hold his tongue.
Kel: ::angrily:: The crystalline entity acted purely on instinct, there was no malice. It's no different than me eating an apple and killing the bacteria on the surface. Starfleet was eventually able to communicate with the creature.
Karrod stopped further conversation.
Niac: Thank you Lieutenants...what your information lacks in depth it more than makes up for in grave implications. Something tells me we're all going to lose some sleep over this in the next few days...but I am determined not to become another statistic in the 'failed first contact' ledger. So here's what we're going to do. Lieutenant Velis...you're to work with Commander Kel. He's our Chief Science Officer and for the purposes of this mission you're to report to him. Get the science and medical teams together...I expect everybody who isn't already an expert in astrobiology to become one in...::he glanced at the chrono::...about three hours. Doctor Beck, if anyone from your team has relevant expertise I want them working with V'Len's people.
Beck/Velis: Response
V'Len nodded.
Niac: Lt. Venn, you work for Lt. Kessler now. Mr. Kessler, I want your team to start developing tactical contingencies assuming the full spectrum of possible responses to our presence from 'big space fish wants a hug' to 'it just ate a nacelle and it still looks hungry.' Pull in Major Singh's people if it'll help...although I'm hesitant to even consider deploying our fighter craft in proximity to something like that. I want all the options you can give me before we try to make contact with the unknown creature. Understood?
Kessler/Venn: Responses
Karrod glanced back towards the blurry image and crossed his hands over his chest, deep in consideration before speaking again.
Niac: Mr. Tucker...get back down to your people, see if any of them have expertise in biomechanics. If we can study this thing we'll need to understand it in a biological and a mechanical sense. Guess which side of that coin you get to focus on while you're working to make the good ship Ronin look as nonthreatening and...unappetizing as possible. That just leaves us, Mr. Raga...and we get the fun job.
Tucker/Raga: Response
Niac: Well I've got a symbiote in my guts that won't shut up and you're telepathically bonded with an owl who you keep telling us is housebroken. I think we're about as close to first contact experts as we're likely to find in the next three hours...so lets setup shop in here and go over some of the mission reports from those other crews, see if we can figure out a way to avoid ending up in one of these slideshows some future crew is scowling at. Alright...questions?
Karrod surveyed the room with an optimistic gaze.
Niac: Lt. Venn, Lt. Velis...for the duration of this mission you are a part of this crew and I will expect you to perform your duties with that in mind. There is a plaque on the bridge which bears the words 'for their tomorrows...we give our today.' It has become a rallying cry for this crew because that is our level of commitment...to one another, to the mission, and to the people we serve. I'll expect the same from you. If for one moment I feel like you're holding out on us, if you're withholding information or working with some agenda of your own, you'll spend the mission in your quarters or in the brig. Am I clear?
Venn/Velis: Response
Karrod glanced around the room once more and nodded.
Niac: Then get to work. Dismissed. We've got three hours to intercept and I intend to be ready.
V'Len rose and headed out of the conference room where he caught up with Velis. She seemed somehow familiar, but he could not place her.
Kel: Lieutenant. I hope you'll forgive my outburst. I'm a medical doctor by training and I have a difficulty with the thought of harming such a unique life form doesn't sit well with me.
Velis: Response
Kel: Let's get down to my lab on deck 9. See what kind of plan we can develop.
Velis: Response
Kel: =/\= Kel to Wells. We have a guest Rhodium. Can you meet us in the life science lab? =/\=
Velis/Wells: Response
Tags/TBC
--
Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
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