Conversation with #ussatlantis at 12/8/2010 9:53:08 PM on VAdmBlackthorne@opus.il.us.darkmyst.org (irc)
(9:53:08 PM) ChanServ [services@darkmyst.org] entered the room.
(9:53:08 PM) mode (+o ChanServ) by ChanServ
(9:53:08 PM) ChanServ has changed the topic to: McKnight's team has erected a seal to prevent any dormant pathogens from escaping the airtight ruins as they proceed downward. Meanwhile, Harper has made a breakthrough and determined the pillar contains a record of art, religion, science, and literature.
(9:53:09 PM) mode (+ntro VAdmBlackthorne) by ChanServ
(9:58:09 PM) ColDougMcKnight [Mibbit@dm-27274.hsd1.ma.comcast.net] entered the room.
(9:58:15 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Evening.
(9:58:20 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Hiya
(10:00:39 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Rachel will be along. It's her turn to cook, and she's preparing some chicken to go in the oven.
(10:00:53 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: You two realize that most folks eat dinner before midnight, right? :)
(10:01:57 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Yes, yes, we're aware.
(10:02:51 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Attacking Carre with spam to get her back
(10:03:47 PM) DrRoxanneCarre [Mibbit@dm-28554.tukw.qwest.net] entered the room.
(10:03:49 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: YAY
(10:03:50 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: IT WORKED
(10:03:51 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: omg nag nag nag
(10:03:52 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :D
(10:03:57 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: sheesh
(10:04:09 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Ya little nagger.
(10:04:16 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Can you blame me?
(10:04:17 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: "Reported for spamming!"
(10:04:20 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: lol
(10:04:48 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Wouldn't you spam you to get you back?
(10:05:06 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Hmmm perhaps.
(10:05:14 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: See.
(10:05:16 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Wait wut...airtight ruins.
(10:05:31 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: this doesnt look promising!
(10:05:56 PM) LtJGAlexisWright [Mibbit@dm-2442.hsd1.or.comcast.net] entered the room.
(10:06:08 PM) ColDougMcKnight: It's cool. The entrance we found was just an airtight seal. McKnight's being military style paranoid.
(10:06:10 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: And there's the jr nagger.
(10:06:14 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :p
(10:06:20 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Reading the document?
(10:06:26 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Admiral's orders
(10:06:29 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Thanks for the help Lexy <3
(10:06:39 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: <3
(10:07:01 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: So you know how, like, I promised I'f write a log before tonight? I totally meant next week.>>;
(10:07:04 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: *whispers* Brownnoser.
(10:07:05 PM) Percy [Mibbit@dm-27274.hsd1.ma.comcast.net] entered the room.
(10:07:06 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Ohhhhhhhh.
(10:07:09 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Hiya Percy
(10:07:27 PM) Percy: Hi. And it's a full two hours before midnight! :-P
(10:07:33 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Hahaha
(10:07:49 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: You turn into a pumkin then?
(10:08:06 PM) Percy: Nah. I just turn into a Rachel with a full stomach.
(10:08:24 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Our Vulcan is having technical difficulties getting in.
(10:08:29 PM) Percy: Oh no!
(10:09:51 PM) CdrHarper [Mibbit@dm-10730.rcmdva.fios.verizon.net] entered the room.
(10:10:11 PM) TKirr [Mibbit@dm-7635.16.118.70.cfl.res.rr.com] entered the room.
(10:10:18 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Yay
(10:10:27 PM) TKirr: I'm confused.
(10:10:30 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Important question: Can someone describe a PADD for me? Do they all look the same? How big are they? Do they attach to your body, or are they carried?
(10:10:42 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Think an iPad :V
(10:11:16 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: omg federation r apple fanboyz
(10:11:33 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: What's confusing T'Kirr?
(10:12:29 PM) TKirr: Whatever's going on with my connecting
(10:12:35 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: I still see CdrTKirr online
(10:12:39 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: But anyway, good to go?
(10:12:46 PM) TKirr: I guess.
(10:13:23 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Alrighty
(10:13:40 PM) TKirr: :: TWEEET :: Attention!
(10:14:01 PM) ColDougMcKnight: ::AA::
(10:14:01 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: AA ::
(10:14:03 PM) Percy: :: AA::
(10:14:11 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: aa ::
(10:14:39 PM) VAdmBlackthorne has changed the topic to: The Marines have breached the ruins and proceed to explore, while SCIENCE is performed at the fallen pillar.
(10:14:43 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Easy. Questions?
(10:14:56 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Will there be cookies?
(10:15:00 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: ...or cake?
(10:15:05 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: They'd be 20000 years old.
(10:15:13 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: A bit stale.
(10:15:25 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Just past the freshness date then.
(10:15:31 PM) ColDougMcKnight: I figured maybe medical, or at least some of them could position themselves inside the seal, testing air samples for these hypothetical pathogens?
(10:15:45 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Up to them, obviously, whether any such thing actually exists.
(10:15:53 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR DOCTOR BACK, sure
(10:15:58 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: *cough*
(10:16:08 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: And we also sent records of the interesting medical history discoveries up to you too, Roxy.
(10:16:16 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: Hypos for everyone!
(10:16:34 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Alrighty then, let's get going.
(10:16:35 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: BEGIN SIM
(10:16:38 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: BEGIN SIM
(10:16:40 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: BEGIN SIM
(10:17:23 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: checking out the area of the pillar a bit more, looking at the sky and back at the ring of stones as he walks around ::
(10:17:58 PM) Percy: :: Looks at the readings being transmitted from the teenie robots as they slowly record a three dimensional model of the ruins :: Man, I kick ASS at archaeology. Who knew?
(10:19:31 PM) CdrHarper: :: still combing the pillar ::
(10:19:34 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: sets up the medi-scan air sampler ::
(10:20:10 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: has stepped away for a moment and is conferring quietly with Ensign Lucas Taylor, her science second-in-command, reviewing new surveys and maps on a PADD and discussing where the secondary science team should begin ::
(10:21:16 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Still looking around with his Mark 1 eyeballs...well, Mark 1 eyeballs assisted by his helmet's night vision and the occasional dropped glow stick. :: Fine, fine, you rock. But if you trip over something because you get caught staring at a schematic, I may or may not snicker.
(10:21:34 PM) ColDougMcKnight: And you'll never know. Because I have this nifty faceplate to hide behind.
(10:22:17 PM) CdrHarper: :: looks up at talks to no one in particular :: I am almost at the point where I need to read the underside...
(10:22:52 PM) The account has disconnected and you are no longer in this chat. You will be automatically rejoined in the chat when the account reconnects.
(10:23:26 PM) VAdmBlackthorne left the room (quit: Killed (NickServ (KILL requested by VAdmBlackthorne1))).
(10:23:26 PM) You are now known as VAdmBlackthorne
(10:23:49 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: looks around trying to visualize the previous inhabitants, keeping an eye on the results on her (i)PADD ::
(10:23:54 PM) ColDougMcKnight: (WB. Some tech nical difficulties of your own?)
(10:24:03 PM) CdrHarper left the room (quit: Exit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(10:24:11 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: I(Repeat any lines if possible between my exit and entrance for the chatlog please)
(10:24:18 PM) TKirr: :: stands overseeing the deployment of construction materials at the pass, the transporter quite busy ::
(10:24:29 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: ears perk at Harper's words :: Hold that thought for a moment if you would, Commander, I have an idea... :: hurriedly makes some decisions with Taylor and sends him down to the lower site with the secondary science team, which is heavy with archaeologists and surveyors ::
(10:25:16 PM) CdrHarper [Mibbit@dm-10730.rcmdva.fios.verizon.net] entered the room.
(10:26:03 PM) CdrHarper: Perhaps some antigrav lifts...
(10:26:31 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: sends several smaller teams to set up satellite medi-scan units :: Lets see if there is anything here to worry about.
(10:26:47 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: scampers back over to Harper :: So Commander, I've been considering this and I have a couple of options for you, and I suspect you'll probably wish to employ them both to some degree... First, the rock this pillar was quarried from is different enough from the rock that it's laying on, that it's possible for us to do some fine scanning to reveal...
(10:28:03 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: ...portions of the underside without moving the pillar. Second, I think we should actually remove some of the material from BENEATH the pillar and only SUPPORT it with lifts, rather than actually repositioning it with lifts.
(10:28:36 PM) CdrHarper: :: nods :: That makes sense. Clear it with Commander T'Kirr.
(10:28:47 PM) Percy: :: Squints:: Pulling the mirrored sunglasses trick on me again, I see. :: Takes special care not to trip, looking around the chamber they're in :: I notice a pleasant and distinct lack of giant man-eating bats or ancient evils, though. That's good.
(10:28:49 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: is talking with her hands a lot, in case you couldn't tell. ::
(10:29:37 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Aye, Commander. :: peers around, not wanting to call T'Kirr on the communicator if she's still standing over here somewhere ::
(10:30:37 PM) TKirr: (She's not nearby)
(10:30:37 PM) CdrHarper: :: starts eyeing spots around the pillar that are likely candidates for excavation ::
(10:30:55 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: examining the stone opposite where the pillar would have stood ::
(10:30:58 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: (Damn. I honestly don't remember the format for communicator-talking. ))
(10:31:07 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: ( +T'Kirr+ )
(10:31:33 PM) ColDougMcKnight: It certainly is. Having never seen a human before, I'd probably have to stop and explain to them that this is not what we're supposed to look like, but rather the distinct appearance of a badass not to be fucked with.
(10:31:37 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: sends a PADD memo to her groups reminding them to take samples and bio-scan them ::
(10:31:55 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Stops as the passageway they're walking along forks. :: Percy, number between 1 and 10.
(10:32:08 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Wright to T'Kirr. Do you have a moment?
(10:33:36 PM) TKirr: +Wright+ :: taps her badge, watching a kit being unpacked :: What can I do for you, Lieutenant?
(10:33:55 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: walks back to the approximate center of the circle ::
(10:36:17 PM) CdrHarper: :: waits as the excited young officer spiels her idea to the XO ::
(10:36:19 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Commander Harper and I have some ideas that will allow us to have access to the obscured underside of the pillar with minimal artifact disruption. I'd like to attempt to use some heavy-detail scanners to see if we can get a look at any of it without moving it, and failing that, to support the pillar in place with antigrav lifts...
(10:37:18 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ ...and excavate beneath it to get access to the underside without disturbing the pillar itself. Do we have your approval to proceed?
(10:38:53 PM) TKirr: +Wright+ :: pauses in thought :: I believe I understand what you're attempting. I'm confident you're capable of handling the situation. Proceed at your discretion.
(10:39:24 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Thank you, Commander. We'll keep you apprised of the situation as it develops.
(10:40:08 PM) TKirr: +Wright+ Very good. T'Kirr out.
(10:40:13 PM) TKirr: (Mike, PM)
(10:40:31 PM) ColDougMcKnight: (Yep, saw that a minute ago. Answered.)
(10:40:36 PM) Percy: Er....six? :: Wonders what the number will direct them to::
(10:41:58 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: starts pulling mobile sensor modules out of her many pockets and constructing a miniature array of at least a dozen scanners, all focused on the obscured portion of the pillar :: There we go... :: hums tunelessly to herself as she activates the scanners and syncs them with her PADD, glancing back and forth and nudging a module here and there....
(10:42:12 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: this takes several minutes. ::
(10:42:31 PM) CdrHarper: :: smiles :: Very good, Lieutenant. :: directs some crewmen to bring in some antigravs ::
(10:43:24 PM) ColDougMcKnight: ::Points:: Evens means right. Let me know if the robots find out I passed up something cool. Got a good feeling about this one, though. As good a feeling as one ever gets in dark alien caverns, anyway. Still! Haven't seen one body yet, so I'd say our odds are looking better and better that the place isn't haunted.
(10:44:25 PM) CdrHarper: :: finds T'Kirr as he walks and surveys :: How are we proceeding?
(10:44:28 PM) CdrHarper: DAMMIT
(10:44:40 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: finds T'Kirr as he walks and surveys :: How are we proceeding?
(10:45:16 PM) CdrHarper: :: stares at the pillar, hoping the name of this place is written on the underside ::
(10:46:09 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: blows a wisp of hair out of her face, focused on her PADD :: Okay, so, I've finished analyzing the structural components.. we'll need to put sets of lifts on each side of these 3 spots to maintain structural integrity... :: dives into pockets again...
(10:46:48 PM) TKirr: :: turns to look at him, brightens :: Well. I expect living conditions will be ready by nightfall.
(10:46:59 PM) Percy: :: Looks at the model:: Well, so far they've found....walls, floor and ceilings. Looks like in chamber 3B they found something that looks like it could be a socializing area...but it could just as easily be a toilet or a storage depot. :: Walks carefully forward towards the right-hand fork. ::
(10:47:33 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Excellent! I don't quite think I'm ready to move in yet, though. :: chuckles ::
(10:47:46 PM) CdrHarper: :: directs the antigravs to those spots ::
(10:48:14 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: ..and pulls out six little skittery spidery robots and uses a remote pointer to direct them to specific spots, where they sit and stay, their "bodies" slowly pulsing with a soft red light ::
(10:48:34 PM) TKirr: :: nods in a way that suggests "Aren't you, though?" ::
(10:48:41 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: Kinda is ::
(10:48:48 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Keeps his rifle leveled as they round the next corner, even though hid HUD detects no discernable heat or EM signatures up ahead, and the only life signs in range are groups of three in the distance belonging to other search teams. His eyes do pick up something a little more promising, though. ::
(10:50:28 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: reads the medi-scan reports, doesnt find anything out of normal parameters :: Dust, plant matter, insect bits... *sighs*
(10:51:03 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: puts a geologist together with several other crewmen and points them at where to begin excavation once the lifts are in place :: Okay, Commander, we can start getting those lifts in the right spots. I've got a geologist with the team to make any on-the-fly adjustments we need. Let me recalibrate the scanners one more time to get fine detail...
(10:52:12 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: tweaks things :: Therrre we go. :: hands her PADD to Harper :: This section up here isn't coming through because it's got an air pocket between it and the earth below, I think, but you can see this part fairly well, I think? Anything I can make clearer...?
(10:53:02 PM) CdrHarper: :: points at the area near the top :: I think we are more likely to find significant detail here, yes?
(10:53:05 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: The chamber they enter is large and spherical with a walkway wide enough to accomodate about two human sized people walking abreast leading to the center of the room, where a console of some sort is housed on a platform about 8 feet in diameter. ::
(10:54:04 PM) TKirr: ( For reference, T'Kirr is just over two miles from the pillar )
(10:54:30 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: (Ian wandered a bit then :V )
(10:54:32 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Mmm... yes. :: carefully repositions a couple of the mobile scanner modules, one micron this way, one micron that way, fine-tuning and focusing :: Is that any better?
(10:55:02 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Sweet. So, us two being amateur archeologists of apparently no small talent, I believe the proper protocol is to approach the artifact, and look for buttons we could start pressing randomly. Possibly to the mantra of "eenie meeney miney moe".
(10:55:54 PM) CdrHarper: Mmmm, yes.
(10:56:38 PM) Percy: Absolutely. But if there's a big red one, we have to push that one last. Or first, depending on how daring you are.
(10:56:51 PM) Percy: :: Realizes what she just said:: And...I really shouldn't have just planted that idea.
(10:57:28 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: anxiously watches the lifts being set into place, waiting to give the signal to the excavation team, trying not to pester Harper while she looks at the scan results ::
(10:58:19 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Grins as he approaches the console...and his grin then dies. There appear to be no buttons. :: This...is problematic.
(10:58:23 PM) CdrHarper: :: studies the results, deep in thought ::
(10:59:04 PM) TKirr left the room (quit: Exit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(11:01:10 PM) Percy: :: Steps forward to actually look at the console, and instantly the jackassery leaves her head. The console itself is entirely devoid of buttons, as McKnight noted, but does have all manner of seemingly useless etching. And considering that the size of the chamber indicated that this was the focal point of the room, that seeming was probably false. Percy
(11:03:01 PM) CdrTKirr [Mibbit@dm-7635.16.118.70.cfl.res.rr.com] entered the room.
(11:03:02 PM) Percy: searches for some kind of activation switch, or indication of what the console does, blowing across the surface to remove its dust. A thick layer removes itself, revealing the etching to be much deeper than it first seemed, and accompanied by what looks like the impression of a strange, three digited handprint.:: Whoa...
(11:03:10 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: (WB)
(11:03:17 PM) CdrTKirr: (Thx)
(11:03:46 PM) CdrTKirr: (Did you receive my last msg, talking about the path?)
(11:03:55 PM) CdrHarper: (No)
(11:04:50 PM) Percy: :: And, in cinematic non-archaeologist fashion, struck by curiosity, Percy moves her fingers together so that they form the closest they can to the alien handprint, and fits her hand into the impression::
(11:05:08 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: (thats never a good idea Percy!)
(11:05:31 PM) CdrTKirr: :: nods towards the path leading eastward into the forest :: You no doubt passed two crewmen on your way here. I have them securing the route and clearing it of any hazards.
(11:05:57 PM) Percy: (But it ALWAYS happens in ancient ruins exploration!)
(11:06:01 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: We'll need a team to that river as well; it'll be useful.
(11:06:44 PM) CdrTKirr: :: bows her head :: Agreed.
(11:07:05 PM) CdrHarper: If I am reading this correctly... :: debates a moment in her mind how to pronounce it ::
(11:07:19 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: At first, McKnight notices no change in their surroundings. The last use of this room was at a time undetermined, but if the rest of this planet is any indication, the builders didn't just lock up for the summer. Soon, however, the very soft whirr of power begins to emanate from the walls around them, and equally subdued lighting begins to flicker on
(11:07:51 PM) ColDougMcKnight: all about them. And that's when McKnight notices a SECOND weird shaped hand impression. :: Fuck it. Live long and prosper.
(11:08:03 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: I wonder if there are any fish. McKnight would be pleased to find them.
(11:08:43 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Shaping his hand into the same Vulcan-style three digited hand, he places his hand into the impression. Much the same as before, but faster, louder, brighter. Until the platform begins to vibrate softly at their feet. ::
(11:08:49 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: pays instant attention to Harper, making the crewmen actually have to touch her shoulder to get her attention in order to tell her that the lifts are in place and active, does not yet signal the excavation team ::
(11:09:00 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: (*cues scary music*)
(11:09:52 PM) CdrHarper: :: turns to Wright :: We stand on Gencodia.
(11:09:54 PM) Percy: :: Freaking out a little:: Oh, please tell me we didn't just blow this place up. Please tell me we didn't just blow this place up.
(11:09:55 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: note she is getting some odd fluctations in her medi-scan reading ::
(11:11:08 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Oh, come on. No self respecting aliens would build a planet's self destruct switch with such little ceremony. Where's the loudspeaker counting down in dramatic monotone, huh?
(11:11:17 PM) LtKuari [Mibbit@dm-7635.16.118.70.cfl.res.rr.com] entered the room.
(11:11:22 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: LOUDSPEAKER> :: does something in dramatic monotone :;:
(11:11:50 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: wraps her mouth around the word, with a few false starts :: Jenkoda. Jen..... :: eventually arriving at :: Gencodia.
(11:12:03 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Stumbles a little, fortunately catching himself on the safety railing that conveniently rises out of the floor around them as the platform itself begins to rise toward the center of the room.:: Okay, we MAY be fucked.
(11:12:23 PM) CdrHarper: More or less. Having no native reference, I have to guess at pronunciation.
(11:12:24 PM) LtKuari: :: trots up behind McKnight and Busard, catching up, her ears alternating between attention and flat-back-scared :: What did you do?
(11:12:52 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Glares at Kuari :: That's "What did you do, SIR."
(11:13:05 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: (Reminds me of SHELEV, WHAT DID YOU DO?! )
(11:13:38 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: giddy :: I need to give the Commander an update. Do you mind if I pass this information along? Or would you prefer to do it yourself?
(11:13:55 PM) LtKuari: :: stops short of the rising platform, quickly backing away in alarm ::
(11:13:56 PM) CdrHarper: You go ahead, Lieutenant. I have some reading to do!
(11:14:01 PM) Percy: :: Freaking out more now:: You know, in a really bad movie, this would be the moment where I say I don't want to die a virgin. Oh hi Kuari, we might have just commited fantastical ancient alien homicide.
(11:14:04 PM) CdrTKirr: ( rofl )
(11:14:22 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Mutters under his breath :: Yeah, little late for that.
(11:14:41 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Wright to T'Kirr with an update and some information I think you and the Admiral will be interested in.
(11:14:47 PM) Percy: :: Punches McKnight in the arm...before remembering that he's armored:: Ow!
(11:15:50 PM) CdrTKirr: +Wright+ :: diverts her attention, audibly all business :: He's with me. Go ahead.
(11:16:05 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: listens in ::
(11:16:27 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Frowns on account of under-estimating the sensitivity of his helmet mic. He does have the presence of mind, however, to rub his bicep a little for Percy's benefit. And that's about when the loghts finally reach full illumination, and a gigantic holographic display of the surrounding solar system comes to life. :: Oh, hey. I, uh...I knew it!
(11:16:59 PM) Percy: You did no-Whooooooooa. Cool.
(11:17:34 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: LOUDSPEAKER> :: Dramatically says something that sounds like it's finished :: :toot:
(11:17:49 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Very well, Commander, Admiral - We have the lifts in place and the excavation team is waiting on me for a "go" to begin, which I will give them unless you have any objections. In the interim, we were able to get fine detail on scans on portions of the underside of the pillar, which allowed Commander Harper to determine that...
(11:18:08 PM) Percy: :: At the toot :: Wait a minute, I KNOW THAT SOUND.
(11:18:14 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :: notes the fluctuations have stopped and have now evened out ::
(11:18:22 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: (rofl)
(11:18:23 PM) Percy: :: Waits a minute :: Although...it might mean something different here. Maybe.
(11:18:26 PM) Percy: ...I hope.
(11:18:33 PM) LtKuari: :: after a moment of uncertainty, leaps to catch the platform, using her wings as it sounds far enough ::
(11:18:54 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ ...that the name of this satellite in the language of these people was.. :: pauses to pronounce carefully, glancing at Harper to make sure she's getting it as right as we can figure :: ...Gencodia.
(11:18:59 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: +Blackthorne+ Carre to Blackthorne.
(11:19:25 PM) CdrHarper: :: nods in approval ::
(11:19:33 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: grins at Harper ::
(11:19:39 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: +Carre+ Hold on a moment, doctor.
(11:19:46 PM) ColDougMcKnight: ACTION> Abruptly, the display freezes and begins flickering again, the image changing subtly a few times, then speeding up with rapidly diverging positioning. This goes on for about two minutes until finally, it settles on a single image, and bright flashing alien script lies suspended in mid-air. McKnight, naturally, has no clue what any of this means. ::
(11:20:14 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Gencodia. Then that is what we will call it as well, respecting their name. Same goes for the planet, and the star, and any named moons.
(11:20:18 PM) CdrTKirr: +Wright+ :: tests the word :: Gencodia. Interesting. You have permission to proceed, Ms. Wright.
(11:20:42 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: +T'Kirr+ Aye, Commander. We'll keep you posted. Wright out.
(11:21:00 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: signals the excavation team to begin ... carefully! ::
(11:21:02 PM) CdrTKirr: :: nods to Blackthorne, as if in agreement ::
(11:21:08 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: :: smiles at T'Kirr :: Nice to know the name of the place. I wasn't about to rename it when I knew it already had one, somewhere.
(11:21:44 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: +Carre+ Go ahead, doctor.
(11:21:48 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: +Blackthorne+ We just recorded some anomolus readings. I have no idea what they mean, but they have evened out. *eyes her PADD* Another spike and back to even again.
(11:21:59 PM) Percy: :: Looks at it perplexedly, then has a brilliant idea:: Hey! Why don't we transmit the image of this to Harper? Maybe she has some idea of what the crap this means.
(11:22:02 PM) CdrTKirr: :: quietly :: Very insightful of you.
(11:22:39 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: +Carre+ What's going on down there?
(11:22:44 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: uses a mini-PADD to send memos to her team with the name of the satellite, instructing them to use it in any sample labeling, surveying, and cartography data. ::
(11:22:59 PM) LtKuari: :: having scrambled up the edge of the platform, turns and looks like she's ready to pounce something in a defensive posture, turning her head to stare at the image with one eye ::
(11:23:00 PM) Percy: :: Sends an image to Harper's PADD, with the following message attached:: "Are we boned? Please translate"
(11:23:17 PM) CdrHarper: :: her reading suddenly interrupted by the message ::
(11:23:41 PM) Percy: :: While she's at it, she sends the current model uploaded from the bots to T'Kirr and Wright::
(11:24:06 PM) CdrHarper: :: studies the floating script carefully ::
(11:24:27 PM) CdrTKirr: ( :: grabs for her pocket... damn beeper, always going off... )
(11:24:55 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Nods and taps a few commands into the mini-computer built into his armor's gauntlet, activating video mode and taking a sweeping look around to provide some more context. If nothing else, she's likely to find it of interest.::
(11:25:04 PM) CdrHarper: :; seeing a lot of numbers and what might be a question mark ::
(11:25:20 PM) ColDougMcKnight: +Harper+ Commander, sending supplementary material to the last transmission.
(11:25:47 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: +Blackthorne+ No idea sir but its giving me some odd readings. I'll let you know once they've been completely analyzed.
(11:25:49 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: takes her PADD back from where she sat it next to Harper, having forgotten in her excitement that Harper could just look at the scan results from her own PADD, and pulls up the model that Percy just sent over, but can't help but look over Harper's shoulder instead ::
(11:25:52 PM) CdrHarper: +McKnight+ Aye, Colonel, trying to read now. I am still a bit slow at this language.
(11:26:14 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: +Carre+ Thank you, doctor.
(11:27:34 PM) CdrHarper: :: does some quick math, correlating years here to standard years ::
(11:28:09 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Places a hand on Kuari's...scales? :: At ease, Lieutenant. One way or another, I have a feeling whatever's going on is out of our hands now.
(11:28:35 PM) CdrHarper: +McKnight+ It is a computer prompt, saying that it has been nineteen thousand, five hundred twenty two years, sixty-four days, sixteen hours, fifty three minutes, and twelve seconds since last system access.
(11:28:44 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: low whistle :: Is that some sort of hologram or something? Did you see anything about that level of technology from the pillar? I wander what the power source could be?
(11:28:46 PM) CdrHarper: +McKnight+ It wishes to know if that is accurate.
(11:29:00 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: nearly falls over when she hears those numbers ::
(11:29:27 PM) LtKuari: ( Plates, yes ) :: jumps at McKnight's touch, but calms somewhat :: That's what I'm afraid of, sir. :: looks watchful ::
(11:29:43 PM) ColDougMcKnight: +Harper+ Uh...I have no idea how to tell this thing "yes". But that's one hell of a standby mode.
(11:30:10 PM) CdrTKirr: ( rofl that's one way to put it )
(11:30:16 PM) CdrHarper: +McKnight+ Yes is roughly, "Kee."
(11:30:54 PM) ColDougMcKnight: +Harper+ We should have Atlantis do some more scans. If the equipment's getting current telemetry, then that must mean some sensors have come back online. They may be visible to our sensors.
(11:30:55 PM) CdrHarper: (Five minutes!)
(11:31:34 PM) CdrHarper: +McKnight+ Either that, or it had a really good battery.
(11:32:02 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: flips back through past calculations on her PADD :: huh..... Um.... Commander? Given the new orbital data numbers we've gotten in the past several hours, ... I don't know if it's coincidence, but the last system access is pretty darn close to being right before one of the planetary/lunar major alignments.
(11:32:59 PM) CdrHarper: I would not think an alignment responsible for the death of their civilization.
(11:33:08 PM) Percy: :: Makes an audible "Phwew" noise:: Yeah....okay, now that I know we're not dead...permission to investigate what makes this thing tick.
(11:33:11 PM) Percy: *?
(11:33:29 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Turns up his helmet mic to try out Harper's suggestion. :: Ahem. Kee!
(11:34:32 PM) LtKuari: :: straightens expectantly ::
(11:34:38 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Not by itself, no, but... it could have been taken as an omen of war, or perhaps a time at which they abandoned this place... sentient beings across the known universe use significant astrological events as omens, signs, or even commands for specific events.
(11:36:02 PM) CdrHarper: I believe they were beyond attributing religious significance to them, though.
(11:36:11 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Not saying it's related for sure, just... possibly, since they built this massive astrolabe here to predict it. :: gestures at pillar and surrounding area ::
(11:37:17 PM) ColDougMcKnight: :: Relaxes when the blinking script disappears, leaving only the holographic display :: For the moment, we'll assume that means it worked. As to your question, if you can get any useful information without actually taking anything apart, you can begin investigating immediately. ::
(11:37:21 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: shrugs :: You're definitely more familiar with their culture than I am, so I defer to you on this one. I just thought it was an interesting coincidence.
(11:37:27 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(11:37:29 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(11:37:30 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(11:37:34 PM) CdrTKirr: :: pauses ::
(11:37:39 PM) ColDougMcKnight: ::Paused::
(11:37:39 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: :: || ::
(11:38:24 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Nice sim folks!
(11:38:42 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: I'm impressed to see the level of enthusiasm for developing this moon.
(11:39:26 PM) CdrTKirr: Great stuff. I'll have the current plot's document updated tomorrow with today's stuff, after whatever you guys wanna update yourself.
(11:39:30 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: I'd like to write up some info on what Ensign Taylor is coming up with down at the lower site. Is there anything in particular planned out?
(11:39:32 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Yeah, I'm having a fair bit of fun on this one.
(11:39:48 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Nope, Wright
(11:39:53 PM) CdrTKirr: Lower site?
(11:40:29 PM) ColDougMcKnight: And as to Wright's question, the startup sequence was initiated by the bio-electric energy of the operators' in this case a pair of humans fiddling with it.
(11:40:31 PM) CdrTKirr: I'd love to see what you come up with.
(11:40:37 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: I wanna know when we move in? I have a nice 64 room dome all planned out, right over there on that ridge. *points*
(11:40:59 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: We identified two ideal settlement sites, one up on a ridge that would make a good overall basecamp, and one down by some ruins near-ish to the pillar that I thought would make a good science base camp
(11:41:02 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Now let's see if we can take advantage of the new website and maybe get some highlights, journals, or logs going! :D
(11:41:29 PM) CdrTKirr: As T'Kirr stated, preliminary living conditions ready by nightfall. ^_~
(11:41:42 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: :D
(11:42:03 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: I think I'm going to have him discover ruins of an actual settlement to give us some real insight on daily life. Is okay?
(11:42:09 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Good idea!
(11:42:15 PM) CdrTKirr: Sounds great.
(11:42:37 PM) CdrTKirr: And yes I remember what you're talking about.
(11:44:41 PM) Percy: Mike wants to know. By lower site do you mean by the science base camp, or where the marines are?
(11:45:17 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: I mean a set of ruins within about 100 yards of the science base camp, which is I assume still some distance away from the marines.
(11:45:45 PM) Percy: Ah, okay. Cool.
(11:46:05 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Maybe about half a kilometer away from the pillar site? Maybe less?
(11:46:33 PM) CdrTKirr: Well the pillar and domed ruins are 3m away from each other
(11:46:40 PM) Percy: Schweeet.
(11:46:58 PM) CdrTKirr: With base camp right between them
(11:47:01 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Hopefully not too far, since I'm planning to run down there as quickly as possible and would like to not have a massive coronary
(11:47:23 PM) Percy: lol
(11:47:40 PM) DrRoxanneCarre: night guys!
(11:47:43 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Night Doc
(11:47:48 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Glad that you're back!
(11:47:48 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Please tell me we have access to ground transportation. Hover skateboard? Offroad segway?
(11:47:50 PM) DrRoxanneCarre left the room (quit: Exit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(11:47:54 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Just remember she'll have to grab an EV suit and beam in from the ship unless Carre declares the area pathogen free.
(11:47:55 PM) CdrTKirr: You mean lower camp from the pillar or the operation's base?
(11:48:07 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: lower camp from pillar
(11:48:17 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Actually, we've all been hoofing it so far.
(11:48:24 PM) CdrTKirr: We never established it
(11:48:29 PM) CdrTKirr: So do what you awnt
(11:48:30 PM) CdrTKirr: want
(11:48:45 PM) Percy: Alrighty, I'm heading out. Need to do.....exercise! Bleeeeagh. :-P
(11:48:46 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: *points down at feet* I does not has hoof.
(11:49:06 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: What kind of light ground transport is, like, normal?
(11:49:14 PM) Percy: Night all!
(11:49:15 PM) ColDougMcKnight: Sorry, my confusion again. To access the subterranean ruins the marines are investigating, beam in is required. But...yeah, I guess she was talking about the surface ruins again.
(11:49:16 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Or can I just make it up? :P
(11:49:16 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Nice PErcy!
(11:49:21 PM) CdrTKirr: Pssh futurepeople are more fit, miles are nothing!
(11:49:30 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Yes, surface ruins :)
(11:49:58 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: night, I meant
(11:50:11 PM) Percy left the room (quit: Exit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(11:50:37 PM) CdrTKirr: Hey Wright, can I have your phone # so I can text you?
(11:50:47 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Yus. 541-514-4142
(11:50:48 PM) ColDougMcKnight: But anyway, yes. More cool stuff shall show itself in the underground ruins.
(11:51:02 PM) CdrTKirr: Cool. If we ever wanna coordinate to log or something
(11:51:18 PM) CdrTKirr: I look forward to it, Mike. =)
(11:51:44 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: New website can be useful!
(11:51:48 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Totally :) If I don't reply, it's because I missed it, so feel free to pester me when necessary
(11:52:23 PM) CdrTKirr: Noted! :D
(11:54:15 PM) CdrTKirr: And please, I know I've already said, but feel free to update the record in your area on googledocs as you see fit. It's there as a reference for all of us.
(11:54:35 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: Very handy document.
(11:54:45 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: will do! I just saw it today, it's suuuuper-handy.
(11:55:31 PM) CdrTKirr: I took great care to make it as accurate as I could to what's happened so far.
(11:55:40 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: You kicked ass. :)
(11:55:54 PM) CdrTKirr: Heh.
(11:55:58 PM) LtJGAlexisWright: Thank you very much, the attention to detail you put into it really shows. :)
(11:56:11 PM) CdrTKirr: Helped me work it out in my head, for sure
(11:56:31 PM) CdrTKirr: Realized we were really creating something complex and I needed to straighten it out
(11:56:55 PM) CdrTKirr: Or we'd start getting lost!
(11:57:19 PM) CdrTKirr: I don't really have a Vulcan brain, contrary to popular belief. =/
(11:57:34 PM) VAdmBlackthorne: wait WHAT
(11:58:21 PM) CdrTKirr: rofl
(12:00:14 AM) VAdmBlackthorne: Anyway, great time tonight! I'll be around, hope to see folks hanging about the new site.
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