USS Excalibur, 03/23/25, 10:30 PM ET

March 24

Star Trek Simulation Forum

Holodeck / excalibur

USS Excalibur - Sundays 10:30 ET - Command Staff: (CO) Cptn Swain, (XO) CdrMirandaHawthorne

Between 3/23/2025 9:36 PM and 3/23/2025 10:47 PM

MISSION BRIEF: Excalibur is en route to their first survey system, Straben Tau. Several different projects have been planned, including a survey of an M-Class planet's unusual alpine zone and coniferous forests, a security training exervise in the same area, and a survey of an Helium-rich J-class planet with odd sensor readings.

9:37 PM

Because we're a tiny ass crew I shouldn't have split us up into groups but you know. Tonight we'll focus on one of the three missions, which will be the survey of the planet. Irene your folks will have already been dropped off at the biology fare planet, so if you don't mind grabbing an npc for "will learns science" that'd be swell.

Fun fun

questions

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9:40 PM

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9:40 PM

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In astrometrics, with a thermos of tea and the latest spectral analysis of the planet on the giant screen

:: Getting a selection of medical supplies together ::

ACTION> On the screen is a live shot of the planet, Straben Tau - Beta VII. It is roughly twice the size of Earth, and owing to the helium rich atmosphere, is white and grey in color with swirling purple and blue accents that make it look a bit like a marble.

William was down in Astrometrics as well, with multiple PADDs of “Spectral Analysis for Dummies” “So, you want to learn Astrophysics” and “Astrometrics for Engineers” as well as a cup of tea that looked like it came from Deep Space Nine.

Ensign Ayers, a young, dark-haired blueshirt, is in Astrometrics poring over the scans of the planet with them.

Its unusual for a helium giant to form in the "cold zone." They're generally closer to their star. It's possible this planet's transit has been shifted.

9:46 PM

Typically, they're thought to form by the hydrogen in the typical J-class planet boiling away, which also leads to a depletion of methane.

Ayers> “The star’s unusual particle emissions could be depositing helium in the atmosphere over time.”

Glances over to Ayers Ensign, I'd like you to assist Mister Chocox here in setting up a scan of the the upper atmosphere. That's really why we're here, isn't it.

William is brought back to reality. “Ah, yes, aye sir.”

Ayers looks confused. “Is there a problem with the sensors that needs an engineer, sir? I didn’t know there was anything wrong with them.”

He's doing a little bit of cross-training.

“I am here to learn.” (edited)

I am bringing up the scans we took from a probe on the Cassini. It's a shame we didn't have more time to study this system.

Ayers> “Oh. All right, then.” She slides over to the computer terminal nearest Will. “Let’s start with the basics… do you know how to use the hyperspectral multivariant terahertz-band scanner to penetrate an ionized atmosphere?”

“Somewhat, but a lot of that was just cursory stuff from the Academy.”

ACTION> As they bring up the scans, the computer models immense, ragged planes of shadow drifting across the planet's lower atmosphere. They do not appear to be entirely random enough to be created by the drifting clouds in the planet's upper atmosphere.

“Huh…Is that normal?”

Lifts a brow. Impressive.

:: Walks up to see what Mincine and Co, are observing ::

Ayers> “No. See the separation between the upper and lower cloud layers? It’s more like there’s something in there casting the shadows other than random cloud formation.”

But what?

“Like, something artificial?”

Possible. How should we proceed? His tone was bordering on the edge of 'Academy Instructor,' but was hardly terse.

Ayers> “I suggest an atmospheric probe to sample the composition of the upper cloud layer along here where the odd shadows are being cast, sir.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Could we also use the sensors on a different setting?”

Takes a drink of tea We could do both, yes.

“Directing a sample return probe with spectral analysis of the cloud layer?”

Nods We can also adjust our sensor pallatte to do a multi-spectral scan of the same area to create a cross-reference.

“I see.”

So, what our theories on what is creating the shadows?

Shadows? Hmm.

“It could be clumps of heavier elements suspended in the upper layer from the stellar emissions coalescing.”

“Could be an artificial construct, though I think that’s unlikely.”

Takes another drink of tea All solid conjecture.

10:18 PM

Let's find out shall we?

“Aye sir.”

Nod. “It should only require a standard atmospheric sample probe, so we can focus on the sensor modifications.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Tell me where you need me.”

Asher leaned forward in his chair and brought up the visual of the planet's dancing shadows again on astrometrics huge viewer. I am going to also do a cross-reference on the database to see if there's any known similar phenomena on Helium-primary gas giants. (edited)

“Thank you sir.” William was typing away at the sensors.

“Okay, so you need to set it up like this…” And Ayers is helping with the sensor programming.

There's not a ton of them in the database so it shouldn't take too long. We could also expand it to other gas giants. I am not sure if it being helium is enough to create this.

“That’s what the sample return probe is for.”

“Thank you Ayers.” He continues working on the sensors “And then we do this?”

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10:32 PM

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10:32 PM

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Fun stuff!

10:36 PM

We can probably pick up there next week, or shuffle over to one of the other three plot lines, or whatever y'all want to do next week.

10:36 PM

Have a good one!

Yeah! You too!

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USS Excalibur, 03/23/25, 10:30 PM ET

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