Qob: Tranquility 5/22/11

[Joe Manning 0]

Joe Manning -> We've finally arrived at Zoalus IV and we're going to launch a probe down to the surface.

Joe Manning -> Fortunately, Xorax colony provided us with six probes, so we've got a few to waste frivolously

Joe Manning -> BEGIN SIM

rosetto -> ::To Macen::DO you think these things present any danger?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::in engineering, studying the QoB's engine schematics::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::catching up::

Joe Manning -> ::Standing next to the command chair looking over the last reports on his ODRI::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::in galley getting a drink::

Pher -> :: at the security console at the bridge, sightseeing a bit ::

Troy Parson -> ::wanders into engineering in search of a pack of filters for the bridge coffee machine, notices Zaphod:: 'Ello, there.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> Troy> Hey. Quite a bit of modifications to this old ship.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks around and notices that Troy is nowhere to be seen::

Joe Manning -> Pher, I assume you're handling the controls on the probe?

Pher -> :: blinks ::

Byblos -> Back...

Troy Parson -> ::slight laugh:: You can say that again. By the way, I don't believe we've met yet...Troy Parson, scientist at large. ::holds out hand::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::gazes around galley, thinking::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> Zaphod nice to meet ya. ::shakes Troy's hand.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::

Pher -> Me? Um... I'm better at.. well... other stuff that doesn't need to be done right now.

Pher -> :: Wonders if Chris needs treatment. ::

Byblos -> ::puts away scratch n' sniff Byblos Cardboard poster::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::turns back to the monitor, whistling at the modifications to the plasma flow regulators:: Hmm, this is interesting.

Joe Manning -> It'll be like flying a remote controlled shuttle toy. And the colony provided it, so we can blow it up without feeling much of a sense of loss.

Alex Macen -> :Looks back at Sal:: Uh - not really sure... ::speaks as he toys with his sensor readings:: they certainly are impeding on our preliminary sensor results but I cannot say if they emit anything hazardous to us necessarily.

Troy Parson -> 'Interesting' is one word for it...have you seen a pack of coffee filters around here anywhere?

Ethan Neufeld -> ::recalls brief, very brief conversation with Zaphod; wonders if the half-Caitian is harboring ill-feelings over what happened::

Pher -> Hmm... Well. If I pretend it is kind of like a submarine.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> Look in the equipment locker Troy.

Pher -> :: Starts punching buttons to call up controls ::

rosetto -> Well, I have passed on some priliminary info to the captain. We should get on the bridge, now. He'll want to send a probe down...

Pher -> Got an initial target in mind?

Joe Manning -> Just aim it for the volcano, in that case.

Troy Parson -> Eh, there's no way they'd be somewhere so obvious. ::looks between some plasma coils:: So what brings ya to our merry vessel, anyway?

Pher -> Volcano? :: Considers a 'hard and hot' joke, but reconsiders.

rosetto -> ::gets up and moves toward the door that leads onto the bridge::

Joe Manning -> ::Looks up from his ODRI and frowns a bit. Puts up his hands:: No, wait. Don't aim for the volcano. Don't want to cause a premature eruption ...

Byblos -> ::arrives and stands behind Pher::

Pher -> Hmm. OK.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::grins at Troy:: I was drafted by our galiant captain. It';s looking like a good career move though.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::shrugs to himself::

Pher -> Hello, Byblos.

Joe Manning -> Just send it somewhere in the general vicinity of the island. If lasers pop out anywhere, be ready to evade. We want to want to see what those weapons are capable of targeting wise.

Pher -> :: Scans island ::

Byblos -> Pher, I know you have been wanting to talk to me..::looks at screen::

Pher -> You want to provoke them?

Troy Parson -> Ah, the old drafting maneuver. I'm here by accident myself, so you're in good company.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::pulls out data slate from cargo pocket::

Joe Manning -> That's the idea.

rosetto -> ::holds door open for Macen::

Alex Macen -> Right - sounds good to me - we'll need to modify our primary sensor calibrations to accomodate for the lack of the Delta Bandwidth otherwise our scans might be come back incomplete.

Troy Parson -> Oh, by the way...if you need coffee, be sure to use the machine in the bridge, not the one in the corridor.

Alex Macen -> ::Follows::

Joe Manning -> We'll take scans en route, of course. But probe 1 is meant to give us an idea of the defense grid's capabilities.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::grabs a spanner and adjusts a conduit in the wall:: I'll remember that troy.

Troy Parson -> The one in the corridor has some...less than successful experimental modifications. In fact, it's probably better to avoid touching it altogether.

Troy Parson -> And erm...

Pher -> :: Pats a seat not far her own and glances at Byblos. ::

rosetto -> Yeah, we can do that up here.::Enter bridge and nods to captain, making his way to the science console::

Troy Parson -> It might be best not to look at it for too long, either. ::extracts a package of coffee filters from underneath a section of exhaust ducting::

Troy Parson -> There we are!

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::looks back at troy:: I've had some really bad coffee before.

Pher -> OK. Well. Sure. Mind if I take my time getting to the get shot at point?

Joe Manning -> +Shane+ We're about to launch the probe, Shane. You'll want to have a look at the readings, keep an eye out for energy readings.

Byblos -> ::takes the hint..the Tall Nausicaan takes the seat and adjusts it to accomidate him::

Pher -> You know I'm a make love not war sort of girl.

Troy Parson -> Ohh, the coffee is the least of yer problems with *that* machine. ::faint smile::

Troy Parson -> Anyway, it's been a pleasure meeting ya. ::waves with the coffee filters:: See you around!

Joe Manning -> Just make sure the scientists don't have to wait too long.

Byblos -> ::Byblos chuckles...then realizes he's on the bridge and shuts up::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::laughs:L: I'll watch out for that machine. See ya.

Alex Macen -> ::Follows closely behind Sal, a short nod to the Captain as he mentally visualizes the computer viewscreen, thinking ahead of the necessary modifications required:: Makes sense - it's all software based, we just have to increase the frequencies on the Alpha and Beta Bandwidths and extend the wavelength of the Gamma Bandwidth

Pher -> :: pushes the run diagnostics button. That one is usually safe. ::

Joe Manning -> ::Follows Sal and Alex over to the science station::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::gets comfortable in galley, waiting to see what kind of results the probe might get::

Troy Parson -> ::heads back onto the bridge with the coffee filters:: Here we go.

Shane -> ::coming back to ENG from the cargo bay, a box in his hands full of random equipment::+Joe+ Yeah, I'll be back in ENG in a sec.

Joe Manning -> Interesting stuff you found down there, gentlemen.

rosetto -> We should route the modification to the Weapons control computer as well...Just in case... Agreed?

Shane -> ::heads up the stairs, his big boots clanging on the metal::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::adjusts his tool belt and crawls into a maintenance duct under the core, just his back paws sticking out::

Pher -> :: To Byblos :: You know anything about remote flying probes?

Joe Manning -> ::Sal:: You'll want to run that by Shane, first.

Pher -> :: Looks for a good flight plan ::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::hums as he inspects the regulators::

rosetto -> ::turns to Manning::Thank you sir. We're going to do some modifcations to the sensors to offset the Delta Bandwidth issues...

Byblos -> So Noted Pher. Odd my Father's ship was actually I think newer than this one..No. We only carried Torpedoes..no probes...

Troy Parson -> ::scrapes the layer of moldy particles off of the top of the package of coffee grounds and is about to throw them out, but then thinks twice about wasting coffee, puts them in the machine instead, and starts it::

Shane -> ::enters ENG the the hatchway, looks around and growls angrily:: to Will cut-out:: Where is that quo engineer?!

Joe Manning -> Where you see an issue I see an opportunity.

Alex Macen -> ::Nods to Sal:: Will have to accomodate for the processing power ::hears Joe over his shoulder and - not noticing him follow - turns in surprise:: we'll have to find a way to accomodate power on the probe as well - adding all the power to make up for the lost bandwidth will need a little extra juice - what class probes are these again?

rosetto -> ::catches Manning's comment::Aye sir. Do you know where he is?

Shane -> ::shakes his head, mumbling and drops the box on a shelf::walks to the main console::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::hears Shane and calls out:: Under here boss. I'm inspecting the plasma flow regulators.

Joe Manning -> Your colony provided them, Macen. The one we're sending now is mostly intended to test the defense grid. You can modify the next one.

Byblos -> I know a Nausicaan who made a remote control Guardian look a like bomb defuser...that was funny...heheh.

Joe Manning -> ::Sal:: Probably down in engineering, but you can get him on the comm.

Shane -> ::yells back to him:: We did that already! Get yer furry butt back in here!

Byblos -> ::quiets noting Pher's seriousness::

rosetto -> ::taps his console::+SHANE+Hey big guy, you down there?

Pher -> OK. I'm figuring going down to water level, going in low behind the volcano, then playing strip tease games polking in and out of sensor range.

Troy Parson -> ::looks over at what Rosetto and Macen are doing as the machine starts brewing:: All well and good with the probe?

Byblos -> Uh...our probe can do that?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::finishes his work and crawls out of the duct:: Sorry Shane. I noticed a .03 percent variable. What's up?

Pher -> Can you watch for signs of sensors? Let me know where the sensors are and if they are tracking us and such like?

rosetto -> I think so Troy.. Just wanna make some last minute mods...

Alex Macen -> ::Looks flustered :: Oh right - of course, ::mumbles to himself about where else the ship would get its probes:: I'll think of something,

Pher -> I hope so.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::wonders how many people have grouped on the bridge now::

Pher -> What's the sense of getting a probe shot at if you can't probe the defense systems?

Shane -> ::holds up his real hand to Zaphod, motion silence:: +Sal+ Yeah, what do ya want?

Byblos -> ::rolls chair forward:: I'll try..my Klingon isn't perfect..but I should make out the graphics.

Troy Parson -> ::nods:: There's picture wire and duct tape in the science lab if you need it.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::whipes the grease off his paws, then checks to flow variables on the screen::

Joe Manning -> ::Troy:: I'm interested in these snake things down there. If they feed off delta-band radiation, we might be able to follow them back to an energy source on the planet.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::waits for the chief::

Pher -> :: Sets up a limit on the altitude the probe will fly at so she doesn't accidently land in the ocean. ::

Troy Parson -> ::looks over at what Joe is indicating:: Hm...

Alex Macen -> ::Looks to the Captain:: Or what they emit in their place Captain - we haven't full diagnostics on them yet, we had trouble, due to all that radiation absorption , pinning down what makes them tick

Alex Macen -> run full Diagnostics**

Byblos -> How encrypted is our link...I mean those are ancient weapons systems...but they won't be able to track our probe command signals to qob?

rosetto -> +SHANE+Captain just wanted me to let you know we're gonna do some modifications to the sensor arrays..

Byblos -> ::to Pher::

Shane -> +Sal+ What modifications?

Troy Parson -> I'm not a biologist by trade, but I know a thing or two about experimentation...d'ya think you can get me one of these?

Pher -> :: Pokes at controls ::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::reflects that this reminds him of his days in Starfleet; waiting while others work out the all-encompassing details::

Joe Manning -> If we aren't given reason to believe they're dangerous to keep around ...

Pher -> We are encrypted... but not super fancy.

rosetto -> +SHANE+Just modifying the Delta Bandwidth output.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks over at the combat station and Pher:: Do we have a plan of approach set?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::sees that the plasma flow is at 98 percent and happily grins::

Shane -> +Sal+ How much? I gotta keep the power flow steady up there and this ain't no Soveriegn Class, ya can't change stuff so jyking easy.

Byblos -> ::keeps quiet::

Pher -> I think so. Mostly I intend to wing it. Head to the surface well away from island. Approach from the direction of the volcano. Find out if they defend from the volcano side, away from their buildings. Probe in from there depending on what we find.

Pher -> Should I start her down?

Joe Manning -> ::Nods:: Fire away

Alex Macen -> ::looks to Rosetto:: Are we good to start modding the proves calibrations?

rosetto -> +SHANE+We'll send down the details once we've worked them out up here, okay?

Shane -> +Sal+ You do that. Shane out.

Pher -> :: Glanes at Byblos :: I'll fly. You watch for trouble.

Shane -> ::turns to Zaphod:: What's yer name again?

Ethan Neufeld -> ::mentally corrects himself; 'ship-size, fleet-size details'::

rosetto -> ::looks back at Macen::Chatting with the Engineer. We need to let him redistribute the power allocation matrix..

Byblos -> ::watches the Orion at work...talented..very talented for her species..everyone thinks Orions are just whores..Pher is clearly not the stereotypical Orion::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::looks up from the console:: It's Zaphod. And, you're Shane, the chief engineer.

Pher -> :: finalizes the checkout before firing sequence. ::

Alex Macen -> ::Nods to Rosetto:: It's not rocket science... is it?

Byblos -> Aye Pher..checking for active scan beams from the surface.

Pher -> :: Not the fastest and smoothest at this, but seems to know basically what she's doing it. ::

Joe Manning -> ::Crosses his arms, looking down at the science station:: Here's hoping the thing don't get fired on 'well away' from the island.

rosetto -> ::looks at Macen::no. protocol, sir.

Pher -> About to launch...

Shane -> ::glares at him:: What do you think yer funny? GPull up the forward power grid and redistribute the power for a 30% increase on the sensor array.

Alex Macen -> ::nods to Rosetto, preferring the protocol of "What Science says, goes" on his last posting::

Pher -> Releases, then starts breaking the probe, slowing it down to lose orbital velocity.

Byblos -> ::notices where "launch" button is...that would also work for torpedoes Byblos thinks::

rosetto -> ::Across to Pher::What is the estimated 'Time On Target'?

Troy Parson -> ::looks at Rosetto:: If he takes too long, you could just make the changes yourself...if he asks, just tell him Nickles said it was all right.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::turns back to the console:: Ok. ::pulls up the power grid and redistrubutes the power to the sensors::

Pher -> :: Slowing it down quite a bit so it doesn't have all that much velosity. No sense in generating a big heat bloom during reentry. ::

rosetto -> ::to Troy::Yeah. I could, but this shouldn't take that long...

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> Power level increased 30 percent. They should have enough power now.

Pher -> Slow slow slow. Don't get hot yet, little guy. Just foreplay....

Byblos -> ::Grunts montioring the tracking screen::

Pher -> :: Checks flight controls, confirming everything is working, that it is doing as she says. ::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: The probe makes its slow descent through Zoalus IV's atmosphere

Shane -> ::turns back to the main console, his real hand flying across the screen:: And don't waste your time on individual flow readin's. We just installed new auxillary power condits on most of the grid, so everythin's out of wack until we can fix the auto regulators.

rosetto -> ::sends report to SHANE's console concerning needed power::

Pher -> Dropping altitude, trying to put the volcano between the probe and the most built up areas of the island.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::notes the probe has been launched::

Troy Parson -> ::observing the probe's progress::

Shane -> +Sal+ You've got a 30% increase to work with.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks over at Pher:: Usually, ships get targetted as soon as they enter the atmosphere ...

Pher -> Anything looking like active probes at all?

Joe Manning -> Either size matters ... or things not getting too hot matters.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> Ok. I'll remember that. Just getting a refresher course in BOP engineering.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::briefly reflects that terminal velocity in free-fall on Earth was 55m/s::

rosetto -> +SHANE+Thanks, dude.. ::to Manning::We're good on power, Sir. Sending updates to probe...

Joe Manning -> I'm not sure if probes have been used by past Xorax expeditions ...

Pher -> Or getting close matters. I'm not heading right at a built up area.

Alex Macen -> ::peers over at Joe eavesdropping on his conversation with the Security Chief:: Or weapons, Captain. That Probe isn't exactly a threat to any security grid.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::monitors power readings::

Byblos -> Nothing emitting anything at the moment. Is that probe Good at fore play? No one appears to be watching.

Shane -> ::to Zaphod:: It won't do ya much good. Pretty much nothin's original on this scrap heap, so just keep yer eyes open.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Alex:: But how would that be determined? There are no signs of active sensor sweeps ...

Pher -> :: notes the speed isn't near critical, and starts some mild evasives. No sense in making it easy. ::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::to shane:: I've noticed that. It's a learning experience.

Joe Manning -> It would have to rely on passive scans. Something obvious like a hot entry. Or a noticeable visual anomaly.

Shane -> +Sal+ Relay the probes readings down too, I want to know what's goin' on.

Pher -> Not watching? How rude... But this once I'll accept it.

Byblos -> Uh Confirmed sir from Tactical station...No signs of active sensor sweeps Boss (to Joe) ::

Alex Macen -> ::shrugs his shoulders:: Weapons do usually meit a certain bandwidth, like how Disruptors are usually near the Delta or Gamma Wavelengths. It might be like a trip, as opposed to a sweep. Some sort of reaction in the environment from weapons, or something like that.

Pher -> OK. Getting close to the water.

Joe Manning -> ACTION: A number of tight sensor beams shoot out from the island and begin sweeping around wildly

rosetto -> +SHANE+No problem... Sending telemtry your way.:routes probe telemetry to Engineering console::

Troy Parson -> ::sees the beams appear on the scanners:: Oh, my.

Joe Manning -> ACTION: They all center on one region, near the probe, and begin closing in

Pher -> :: starts pulling up. Gently easing into low to the water flight mode ::

Byblos -> Woah..okay you got stagelights on you...begining to focus on you Pher.

Shane -> ::watching the data flow across the screen::

Pher -> Got something?

Joe Manning -> ACTION: The sensors lock on the probe

Pher -> :: Tries to get below the horizon ::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::sees what progress he can of the probe; wonders who's flying it::

Joe Manning -> ::Turns and raises an eyebrow at the combat station::

rosetto -> ::looks over at Troy::Whatcha got?

Byblos -> Pher they are horney for you...

Pher -> Have they got a sensor on this side of the volcano? Or high up the volcano?

Troy Parson -> ::looks at rosetto with a wild grin:: Looks like our probe is about to be blasted into little probe-y pieces.

Joe Manning -> ACTION: Major activity sweeps over the planet as several concealed hatches open in the side of the volcano and large machines emerge from various points in the city

Byblos -> Uh Boss...they've got the probe tracked from what I can gather.

Pher -> Well, that's just proper. Have to play hard to get for a while.

Byblos -> ::looks what the...::

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::watches the readouts on his screen twitching his tail::

Alex Macen -> ::watches the readings with Troy:: Did someone say open sesame?

Joe Manning -> Evade as long as you can, Pher.

Pher -> OK. Hiding is no go.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at the scientists:: Grab as many readings as you can before we lose this thing.

Pher -> And they are high enough up that we can't hide below the horizon. Rats.

Troy Parson -> It's goodnight, sweet probe, goodnight...::downloading data at maximum compression::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: Major energy spikes coincide with the locations of the hatches and machines

Alex Macen -> ::Epiphane:: Are we monitoring for any communications? Any wavelengths akin to a hail or warning message? Usually you get a warning shot or message or something to tell you to leave first

Pher -> :: Starts working closer to the island, but not flying straight towards it and giving it some evasives ::

Byblos -> Pher...looks like one on our side of the Volcano...and there are more...I just saw.....woah numerous energy spikes....weapons I think Pher!

Shane -> ::grunts at the energy spikes, perplexed::

Troy Parson -> ::steps away from the console, on a hunch, and takes out a stopwatch from a pocket, starting the timer right away::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: Three of the laser turrets near the volcano's peak manage to get a clear shot and fire red lances of energy

Pher -> How rude. Show is just beginning.

rosetto -> ||is having LAG issues||

Pher -> Gains altitude and starts getting widely evasive.

Alex Macen -> ::Blinks:: Those look like phaser fire,

Byblos -> YOu got some incoming..err advances...at least three...very hot.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::sees the energy spikes and hisses:: Darn, there it goes.

Joe Manning -> ACTION: The beams follow the probe and it's only two seconds (give or take) before it's fried by one of them

Pher -> :: Increases range ::

Alex Macen -> ::Starts racking in the data of the phaser's reaction to the outside air. monitoring how the nitrogenic-rich environment reacts to the lances of energy

Byblos -> ::swears in Nausicaan::

Troy Parson -> ::Notes the loss of probe telemetry:: That's all, folks.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::thinks it's curious that there are fortifications in the side of a supposedly active volcano::

rosetto -> ::looks at his controls and sees that there really isn't anything he can do to help::

Pher -> Well... That wasn't very polite.

Alex Macen -> Was it something we said?

Pher -> :: indignant ::

Joe Manning -> So we lost the probe?

Troy Parson -> At long last, yes.

Pher -> So it seems.

rosetto -> ::sighs::

Joe Manning -> ::Grins at Pher:: You got it further down than any ship we know of. Progress.

rosetto -> And the data?

Troy Parson -> ::pats the science console, prompting an angry hiss from the now-almost-overflowing coffee machine::

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Sal, then at Troy:: Butt heads with engineering. I want plans proposed for dealing with the grid.

Pher -> :: Grins :: Never did care that much for machines. They just don't show proper appreciation or affection.

rosetto -> Aye, Sir...

Shane -> ::grunts again at the probes loss, turns from his console:: Well what do ya jyking expect?

Ethan Neufeld -> ::wonders how many other defenses are cleverly hidden on the planet::

Joe Manning -> Alex, check in with your people. Find out if probes have been sent by previous expeditions and what their shelf-life was planetside.

Byblos -> ::looks to Pher:: Okay...I have the turrets mapped that struck you. Also...if this button meant what I believe it does...we have the event recorded...you might be able to get a read on the defense grid we tried to penetrate.

Byblos -> ::looks at Pher and laughs at his choice of words::

Pher -> Wasn't even close, though, Joe. Tagged well out. Smaller and more evasive isn't going to do it.

Alex Macen -> ::Nods to Joe:: I think the Montisque ran by a few years ago - It was a very preliminary report, might have only been a Class II probe for mineral scans. I'll connect to their database and start sweeping

Pher -> OK. Let's look at the replay and note position of the sensors and weapons.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Pher:: What triggered the sensor sweep, I wonder?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::turns from his console:: One down.

Pher -> Good question. Might want to ask a scientist. Some sort of passive sensor at a guess.

Joe Manning -> @Maxwell> +Com+ Qob, this is Verbistul. Our arrays were all churning out sensor scans during your probe. We'll feed you our data and start brainstorming over here.

Troy Parson -> ::nods:: Most likely...it wouldn't do to underestimate what a good passive network might pick up.

Byblos -> Aye Pher....

Ethan Neufeld -> ::looking over data slate wondering if proximity is the only thing that triggers a response::

Alex Macen -> It comes down to how their security system works: I got a feeling that probe set off some sort of reaciton that caused it to be labeled a threat.

Troy Parson -> What interests me is the amount of time that passed between detection of the probe and opening fire.

Alex Macen -> What that was... You'll have to get back to me on,

Pher -> I could try coming down even slower and less hot. If we are already thinking outside the box, could we build a submarine probe?

Troy Parson -> Once the weapons opened up, the probe didn't last long...

rosetto -> ||that was rude||

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Troy:: Some kind of identify-friend-foe system, maybe? Or pure data collection?

Byblos -> Vestibule should have some stuff for that right? ::to Pher::

Troy Parson -> All sorts of hatches had to open, things had to physically...move around quite a bit before they could fire.

Pher -> Maybe. I didn't look too much for what they have for supplies.

rosetto -> Sir, I wonder how these snakes avoid the defense systems...

Joe Manning -> ::Morbid grin:: Which says a lot in itself, doesn't it?

Alex Macen -> ::taps Troy on the shoulder:: What if we collected no data - that'd be a way to troubleshoot if this was a physical detection or detection from our sensor sweeping.

Troy Parson -> A good passive grid will pick up any probe I can think of, be it underwater, in the air, quiet, noisy...

Joe Manning -> The weapons aren't intended to deter. They're intended to ambush.

Byblos -> I know this is very simplistic thought..but I am still trying to figure out what the heck powers their systems.

Pher -> Yah.

Troy Parson -> Look at 20th century Earth submarines, for instance. They fought almost entirely on passive sensors.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::turns back to his console and monitors ships systems::

Byblos -> jyke with their power grid...we could do something.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Sal:: That's what I'm wondering myself. I don't think the lasers would be after them. I think they only target vehicles approaching the surface. By how do they avoid the drones?

Troy Parson -> ::looks at Macen:: That's good thinking, but we probably shouldn't waste a probe on that...

Pher -> Enough sensor arrays and enough turrets that we aren't going to find an uncovered angle, I'll bet.

Troy Parson -> Can you rig up a simpler device that we can use for that test?

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Troy:: These probes are made to run very quiet. And Pher was taking it slow to avoid too much burn.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::wonders what kind of response they'd get over a less-developed area::

Troy Parson -> ::nods:: And yet...they still registered the probe.

Troy Parson -> What if we take the opposite approach, though?

Alex Macen -> ::thinking aloud:: The most effective passive sensor for this planet is its electromagnetic field.

Byblos -> I should of studied this mission more...whoever built this...Zoalus defense grid seriously did not want to be disturbed.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Troy:: How do you mean?

rosetto -> Perhaps they avoid it because the weapons systems also use a passive mode scanning?

Troy Parson -> Go in fast, blast a bubble in the ocean with weapons so we don't slow down until we're already beneath the surface...

Joe Manning -> ::Nods slowly at Alex::

Ethan Neufeld -> ((Nice science there, Alex.))

Troy Parson -> It

Troy Parson -> would be very risky, though...

Pher -> How about power level? They sure had enough kick to kill a probe, but they will burn through shields too?

Alex Macen -> <<Hey thanks :) >>

Alex Macen -> ((Thanks ))

Byblos -> ::The Nausicaan reclines interlocking his fingers behind his neck stretching a bit...revealing his..not so pretty physique::

Byblos -> (well smelling)

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Pher:: Check with Shane. He should have readouts of the energy output and how shields would react.

Troy Parson -> If we can get through the defense grid in a more...peaceful manner, it'd make more sense.

rosetto -> We need to 'appear' an non-threatening, eh?

rosetto -> ^as

Alex Macen -> The easiest thing to do in that case is to not appear at all.

Troy Parson -> My vote is that we try Macen's test with a dummy probe of some sort, so that we don't waste all those sensors", and if those fail, we think about the meteoric approach.

Pher -> +Shane+ Silly question. Was that fire hot enough to burn through Qob's shields?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::monitors ships power levels::

Alex Macen -> I have an idea that might work.

Shane -> ::starts picking through the sensor data:: They're gonna be calling down here with strategies here in a sec. I wouldn't expect them to want us underwater soon.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Alex:: Let me hear it.

rosetto -> ::looks to Macen::Shoot

Troy Parson -> ::nods for Macen to speak::

Alex Macen -> The high nitronic environment causes a slight index of refraction in all waves and energy - light, radio waves, and so on. If we make the probe match the index, all energy will pass through unobstructed and it will appear invisible.

Shane -> +Pher+ Not induvidually. But a sustained fire from several would eat through our shield in a minute or so.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::grins::

Alex Macen -> Unless someone down there saw the probe, it'd go through all scans as just air

Pher -> +Shane+ Not surprised. Thanks.

Byblos -> ::looking at all the weapons points the Qob's limited sensors picked up:: Pher...we'll need data from Vestibule..but these guys were clearly the most paranoid petaqs I would of ever met.

rosetto -> ::To Macen::THAT may just work

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Alex:: There may be visual scanners that can identify anomalies ... but it -would- rule out a lot of possibilities.

Joe Manning -> Get started making the modifications to the probe.

Alex Macen -> Maybe tar and feather it, sir?

Troy Parson -> Interesting...it's not foolproof, since they might pick up the probe by atmsopheric or magnetic displacement, but it's worth a try.

Byblos -> (forgot to pull up Klingon curse list tonight..doh)

Pher -> Well, the island might bive the Vestibule crowd a run for the paranoid petaq title, I think.

rosetto -> ::turns to his console::Aye, Sir... Let's get to it, Alex.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::running some simulations on his board::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::puts feet up and relaxes, wondering what their next plan of action will be::

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Alex:: We ain't had a chicken on this rig in years ... ::Frowns::

Byblos -> Wasn't this the least expected point of ...resisitance from what we determined? Good grief.

Pher -> (give)

Alex Macen -> ::Joe:: Figure of speech - Visually, if we make the probe look like a local species of bird it might also help with any visual distortions

Joe Manning -> ::Looks over at Byblos::

Shane -> ::glance at Zap's comnsole, get a puzzled expression::+Bridge+ Have yall figured somethin out yet?

Joe Manning -> ::Blinks:: Are there any birds that ain't been shot out of the air?

Shane -> console*

Pher -> I'm not sure this is the least resistant possible point. The continents are big. We don't know that they have every land mass covered this well.

Byblos -> ::Byblos clearly looks like he needs new clothes..to Joe's glance::

Joe Manning -> +Shane+ Any input you could provide would be helpful, Shane. I want to know as much as I can about that turret system.

Alex Macen -> We haven't seen any fly nearby - but that may just be out of coincidence.

Pher -> :: Turns to Joe :: That might get interesting. Either you let birds through or your turrents get a lot of use.

Alex Macen -> ::Looks to Sal:: Any ideas about handling the electromagnetic interference the probe's alloy will make?

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::looks up at Shane:: Just running some simulated runs for the probe. Altitude, speed and such.

rosetto -> I don't remember seeing any flying animals in the list of species...

Byblos -> I need to think this over...like I am trying to break into something. ::Byblos mutters::

Troy Parson -> They could just wipe them out in advance to keep the turrets from going crazy...

Pher -> Swimming? We could do a fish.

Joe Manning -> ::Pher:: If only we had the slightest idea what these people were trying to do with this grid. And whether it's still carrying out the agenda or it's gone way outside it.

Troy Parson -> A virus here, some pollution there, and you've got clear skies and good shooting all day long.

Shane -> +Bridge+ From what I could tell, the turrets were each on an individual targeting system.

Joe Manning -> The turrets may already have gone crazy, Troy. And we've got to put the straight-jackets on.

Alex Macen -> Yes... But that seems so unlikely - you wouldn't want a turret system to go off over a balloon someone let go of or toy airplane flying around.

Byblos -> I tell you what it is...it's overkill...weapons per square decakilometers is riduclous..::Byblos blurts out and regrets it::

rosetto -> ::to Alex::We could mask it using a holographic emitter

Byblos -> ::looks to Pher:: (w) Sorry ..forgot I was on the bridge.

Alex Macen -> ::Nodding over to Sal:: That takes a lot of juice - but if we only use it to mask the electromagnetic aspect of the alloy around the probe it shouldn't take too much.

Joe Manning -> ::Looks at Alex:: Let's just worry about masking the EM signature for now. We can take other factors into consideration if test #2 fails.

Pher -> Hey. No problem. Speak up. We need ideas at this point.

Pher -> ( To Byblos )

Shane -> +Bridge+ If yer wondering how the guys that made this thing got through, I'd say it was with a code or signal that they constantly relayed. Somethin' that identified them as the good guys.

Troy Parson -> ::looks at Pher and Byblos:: It is an interesting question, though...

Alex Macen -> ::Nods to Joe:: Yes sir - but each modification will take time, The less the better.

Joe Manning -> +Shane+ Where's the nearest Codes R Us?

rosetto -> I also like Pher's idea; fish. If we can get to the ocean...

Pher -> Well, they got wiped out, so they had reason to be paranoid.

Byblos -> I don't get this..How can long dead aliens..build such a network....die..and still works like a charm. Like they are guarding their own bones...

Troy Parson -> If you think about the expense of so many weapons, and the restrictions on everyday life that they would have imposed...

Shane -> +Bridge+ Shoot, it could be anything from a comm transmission to an energy output like radiation.

Pher -> Anyone see anything that might be a hail or a challenge?

Alex Macen -> The ocean would make the refraction much easier - but also our electromagnetic signature much more prevalent, the water would attract it, make it a giant conductor of our probe

Troy Parson -> I don't see anything on the probe data...

Joe Manning -> ::Nods at Alex:: Make it happen, Mr. Macen.

Byblos -> ::to Troy who he doesn't really know:: Tell me about it I would be a rich jyking gun tychoon..if I installed this grid.

Troy Parson -> The ruins were quiet, then they weren't.

Shane -> +Bridge+ I'd say thos snake thingy-ma-jiggers are the key. Maybe they're emitting something that makes them look like good guys to the turrets.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::wonders about IFF possibilities::

Byblos -> ::hears Shane:: Point. Arent those things like...pests? Why arent they being shot up!

rosetto -> ::helps Alex, typing away at his console::

Troy Parson -> What could they have been fighting against such that a massive stationary net was the solution?

Shane -> ::looks to Zap:: What do you think?

Joe Manning -> +Shane+ The turrets emit too much energy for ground targets, Shane. That's what hazard #2 -- the drones -- are for.

Troy Parson -> If it was a straightforward attack they feared, they'd have needed mobile units as well, to guard against ultra-long-range bombardment tactics....

Pher -> Failed solution, likely.

Byblos -> Well a laser....::to Troy:: would not of done ::expletetive:: against the borg or beholders.

Alex Macen -> The Captain brought up a good point - was it for defense or for ambush? It might be triggered by some secondary system

Troy Parson -> And yet whatever *did* kill them left the weapons behind.

Shane -> +Bridge+ I'm just thinking they'd use the same system, if the same guys built.

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::to Shane:: We could scan the snakes and see if they radiate anything that keeps them from being fried. Mabye even capture one of the smaller ones.

rosetto -> Good question, Troy. They are a bit out of the mainstream out here... Unlikely they had visitors...

Joe Manning -> We're assuming an awful lot when we use words like 'kill' and 'wipe out'. Considering we ain't seen so much as a skeleton.

Troy Parson -> True...perhaps they left. Or died out some other way. Or were even killed off by their own weapons.

Joe Manning -> Alex, our probe bay is that way. ::Nods to a hatch at the back of the bridge::

Troy Parson -> Still, the question of *why* the weapons are there remains...

rosetto -> Troy, we don't even have a visual representation of them...

Alex Macen -> ::Nods to the Captain:: Could I possibly get an engineer to assist me with the integration, and uhh, preferably one with hands, not paws.

Ethan Neufeld -> ::starts to wonder if the absorption of the delta radiation is the key; maybe it's not an IFF transmission, but a lack of reflection in certain bands::

Byblos -> ::looks to Pher:: You know they did put on such a show for just that litle bit of foreplay...I wish I can tell them a whole harem was descending upon them...and see the show that puts on.

Joe Manning -> ::Nods at Alex:: +Shane+ Our guest from Verbistul needs a helping hand, Shane.

Joe Manning -> +Shane+ Might want to send William. Unless he's off duty ...

Shane -> Thats what I was thinking. But we got to get in there first.

Troy Parson -> ::nods at Rosetto:: We know so little about them...it makes it very hard to guess at how the defense network is designed.

rosetto -> Or why...

Shane -> +Bridge+ I'll get the new guy busy.

Pher -> Maybe dropping enough stuff at once could flood the system, but that wouldn't get us down, I think.

Alex Macen -> ...Sensory overload?

Shane -> ::nods to Zap:: Can you handle a annoying, no-it-all scientist?

Troy Parson -> If I only knew what the network is for, I could make a guess at how it's designed, which might give us a clue how to get through.

Byblos -> We don't have the stuff anyways down below.

Joe Manning -> << Last lines >>

Joe Manning -> (( Last lines ))

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::to Shane:: I guess. ::laughs::

rosetto -> Perhaps we need to return to the language for further clues?

Alex Macen -> ::Starts backing off to the hatch, wondering how he will design the first probe::

Byblos -> Shane is right Pher those worms or snails dont get shot at ...we need to be a worm or snail.

Byblos -> Hah what a stupid thought

Zaphod_the_spacebum -> ::puts some tools in his belt, and heads out of the engine room to the bridge::

Ethan Neufeld -> ::stands in galley thinking maybe he should find out what's going on planning-wise::

Shane -> ::points to the stairs down the corridor:: The torpedoe bay is on the bottom level of the bridge section. Go keep him out of my hair::yells after him as he leaves:: And don't mess with the power grid!!

Joe Manning -> PAUSE SIM