Conversation with #ussatlantis at Wed Nov 14 20:57:59 2012 on VAdmBlackthorne@packetstorm.va.us.darkmyst.org (irc)
(20:57:59) mode (+nt ) by packetstorm.va.us.darkmyst.org
(20:57:59) ChanServ has changed the topic to: The Atlantis crew awaits word from Prefect Raneijia of the Horathians of their decision as to how to proceed with the offered solution of genetic adaptation to an M-class environment. A solution to the "energy wraiths" on the desiccated planets are being looked into by Science and Engineering.
(20:57:59) ChanServ [chanserv@services.darkmyst.org] entered the room.
(20:57:59) mode (+o ChanServ ) by services.darkmyst.org
(21:01:39) ColDougMcKnight [Mibbit@ufig-17-84-17-36.bstnma.east.verizon.net] entered the room.
(21:01:46) VAdmBlackthorne: Hiya
(21:01:53) ColDougMcKnight: Evening.
(21:02:21) CdrTKirr [TKirr@90-43-96-75.res.bhn.net] entered the room.
(21:02:21) mode (+o CdrTKirr) by ChanServ
(21:02:27) CdrTKirr: Hey, just got home. =x
(21:02:56) LtJGAlexisWright [Mibbit@w-11-876-382-46.hsd1.wa.comcast.net] entered the room.
(21:03:00) VAdmBlackthorne: Evening
(21:03:16) LtJGAlexisWright: Hi, sorry I'm late
(21:03:45) VAdmBlackthorne: Only slightly late.
(21:03:54) ColDougMcKnight: Evening.
(21:04:30) CdrTKirr: Tav's on his way home
(21:04:36) VAdmBlackthorne: Cool
(21:05:21) CdrTKirr: Will Percy be joining us tonight?
(21:06:09) CdrTKirr: I know Wright wanted to involve her
(21:06:09) ColDougMcKnight: Yeah. She'll be a few minutes, though.
(21:06:16) CdrTKirr: Okay great.
(21:06:41) VAdmBlackthorne: Wooohooo!
(21:11:09) LtCmdrBusard [Mibbit@ufig-17-84-17-36.bstnma.east.verizon.net] entered the room.
(21:11:14) VAdmBlackthorne: Percy!!
(21:11:19) LtCmdrBusard: Hoya!
(21:12:45) CdrTKirr: Hey ^_^
(21:14:55) CdrTKirr: Tav's about five minutes out, but we'll get started in the meantime.
(21:15:24) LtCmdrBusard: Okay.
(21:15:40) VAdmBlackthorne: :: unearths the Ancient Whistle of Earsplitting Doom +12 :: TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!
(21:16:00) ColDougMcKnight: ::AA::
(21:16:07) LtCmdrBusard: ::AA::
(21:16:43) CdrHarper [Mibbit@vmwi-298-5-24-109.rcmdva.fios.verizon.net] entered the room.
(21:16:43) LtJGAlexisWright: :: AA ::
(21:16:57) CdrHarper: :: AA ::
(21:18:02) CdrTKirr has changed the topic to: Atlantis enters into orbit of the planet Vrissk, her crew continuing to formulate a defense against its "inhabitants" for use while trying to establish communications.
(21:18:17) CdrTKirr: Questions?
(21:19:08) LtJGAlexisWright: :: ponders ::
(21:19:51) LtJGAlexisWright: PMing you a question.
(21:19:58) CdrTKirr: Sure.
(21:21:35) LtCmdrBusard: Can we EAT the inhabitants? :-P
(21:21:45) LtCmdrBusard: Or make batteries of them?
(21:21:47) LtJGAlexisWright: omnomnom
(21:21:59) VAdmBlackthorne: Batteries made of... people?!
(21:22:09) LtJGAlexisWright: Soylent Battery?
(21:22:12) LtCmdrBusard: Soylent Green Energy!
(21:22:17) LtCmdrBusard: It's the Greenest!
(21:22:23) VAdmBlackthorne: Can't argue with that.
(21:24:11) CdrTKirr: BEGIN SIM
(21:24:12) CdrTKirr: BEGIN SIM
(21:24:13) CdrTKirr: BEGIN SIM
(21:24:43) VAdmBlackthorne: :: in the ready room, readying ::
(21:24:55) CdrHarper: :: at the helm, helming ::
(21:26:09) LtCmdrBusard: :: In engineering, considering how best to approach a possible energy mass to organic mass transporter conversion::
(21:26:17) CdrTKirr: :: on the Bridge, captaining, again ::
(21:27:43) LtJGAlexisWright: :: in the lab, labbing ::
(21:27:57) CdrHarper: :: would rather be baconing ::
(21:28:12) LtJGAlexisWright: :: would rather be sailing ::
(21:28:14) DoctorTav [Bryan@90-43-96-75.res.bhn.net] entered the room.
(21:28:22) VAdmBlackthorne: (Hiya Doc!)
(21:28:32) DoctorTav: (Good evening)
(21:28:48) LtJGAlexisWright: ( Percy, PM - in case you haven't seen it )
(21:29:36) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> :: Having spotted the chief, makes his way over, clutching a spherical machine roughly the size of a grapefruit in his hands. :: Chief! I've been working my angle of the problem, like you asked. Can't guarantee the end result, but it should take some crew risk element out of the next attempt at contact.
(21:34:28) VAdmBlackthorne: :: looks out the window at the planet which he doesn't know is named Vrissk ::
(21:35:20) LtCmdrBusard: :: Looks at the object, analyzing it. :: Interesting. How will it manage this?
(21:38:27) ColDougMcKnight: :: Turns the device on and steps away when it starts to hum, leaving it hovering there. :: Well, this is your basic marine recon drone. I've done what I could to upgrade the scanning resolution, so if it gets close enough, I'm hoping it'll give us some more useful data on these creatures. And to facilitate that...
(21:39:44) ColDougMcKnight: :: Trailing off, he activates his omni-tool, painting Percy up and down with a visibvle set of scanning lasers. A moment later, the hovering metal grapefruit is suddenly hidden, surrounded by a holographic image of the chief engineer that the drone is now emitting. ::
(21:41:04) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> I threw in my own specialty. These holo-emitters are fully compatible with any holographic comm unit. Admiral Blackthorne could carry on a conversation with them from his ready room if he really wanted to.
(21:41:49) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> I mean, after we install the scanning ring. They never went in for those on this ship, I guess.
(21:42:53) LtCmdrBusard: Wonderful! You'll have to work with the Comm officers to make sure what the universal translator functions through it, but I'll approve it's use effective immediately.
(21:43:07) LtCmdrBusard: :: Gets on the comm:: +Blackthorne+ Busard to Blackthorne.
(21:43:58) VAdmBlackthorne: +Busard+ Blackthorne here.
(21:46:50) LtJGAlexisWright: :: in the lab creating a huge list of mods for the UT, slowly banging her head on the table because they might ALL be useless crap :: I wish I had more data....
(21:47:43) LtCmdrBusard: +Blackthorne+ Lt. Quinn has come up with a clever device that will better facilitate communication with the energy beings. I'm bringing him and the device up immediately, since he is the resident expert on this particular technology. We'll likely need Wright and Harper's help with it. Could we use the conference room for this endeavor? It seems the most
(21:47:45) CdrTKirr: :: watching the planet roll on the viewscreen, wondering just how many people were down there ::
(21:47:48) LtCmdrBusard: appropriate space for it.
(21:48:09) VAdmBlackthorne: +Busard+ Certainly, bring it on up.
(21:51:49) LtJGAlexisWright: :: scrubs her fingers through her hair, sighs, then makes a call :: +Tav+ Wright to Doctor Tav.
(21:52:18) DoctorTav: +Wright+ This is Sickbay.
(21:54:35) LtCmdrBusard: +Blackthorne+ Yes, sir.
(21:55:07) LtJGAlexisWright: +Tav+ I'm looking for some ideas. Throw out anything that comes to mind. What methods can I use to communicate non-hostility without language? Do you know of methods that were used with like, lab animals? Any studies I should look at?
(21:55:35) LtCmdrBusard: :: Turns to Quinn:: Alright, let's head up to the bridge. :: Sends a message on her PADD requesting T'Kirr, Tav, Wright, and Harper's presence in the conference room. She gives them basics of the subject of the meeting as well.::
(21:57:14) CdrTKirr: ((McKnight is on the Bridge?))
(21:57:30) CdrHarper: :: gets the message and looks to T'Kirr ::
(21:57:33) ColDougMcKnight: (No, actually. Working on a post with him now.)
(21:57:49) LtJGAlexisWright: :: pulls the PADD from her pocket and reads the summons, then saves her work and stuffs her PADD and various other gadgets back in her pockets on her way out the door ::
(21:58:00) CdrTKirr: :: stands, leaving the Bridge to...someone who's now in charge ::
(21:58:28) ColDougMcKnight: :: In the armory, inspecting a row of phaser rifles. Nodding, he turns to Syvek. :: Well, no complaints about whoever shined them. But they've all been modded with the anti-holographic field disruption specs I gave you?
(21:58:30) CdrTKirr: :: to Harper :: It seems you're with me.
(21:59:06) CdrHarper: Yes ma'am.
(21:59:23) VAdmBlackthorne: Syvek> They have, sir.
(21:59:35) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> ::Nods and taps a few holographic keys, directing the drone to follow him so he doesn't have to follow it. After a moment's consideration, he also turns holo-Percy off before following the real one. ::
(21:59:36) DoctorTav: +Wright + Hmm. It would help if we knew a thing or two about these people. Every species has different language, from body language to verbal... some even communicate through pheromones. Do we have any ideas what kind of people these were? Generally, humanoid races have certain things in similarity, but very different from, say, a reptilian race.
(21:59:42) VAdmBlackthorne: :: exits the ready room and crosses toward the conference room ::
(22:00:01) CdrHarper: :: secures the helm since they're orbiting anyway, and joins the procession toward the CR ::
(22:00:41) LtJGAlexisWright: :: alone in the TL :: +Tav+ I think we've concluded that they're reptilian, but that's based on limited visual data. Lets operate under the assumption that they are reptilian.
(22:00:47) VAdmBlackthorne: ("I'm Percy Busard, and this is my favorite bar on Atlantis!")
(22:01:38) LtCmdrBusard: (Oh no! I'm a Percy VI! Someone stop Quinn from making my VI personality into a clown!)
(22:02:04) ColDougMcKnight: Good. I want every one synced up with the armor scanners and our emergency transport beacons. We'll have shuttles doing flyover, just in case of interference with the ship. If we have to use these and it doesn't work, I want that registered immediately, and the entire away team beamed out of the way. Think you can make that happen?
(22:02:41) DoctorTav: + Wright + Alright. Check out the work of Doctor Leonard Cooper from the K-2 Space Station. I believe he worked extensively on how reptiles communicated nonverbally. While it would be no guarantee that all things would be equal, it would be a start.
(22:02:53) VAdmBlackthorne: Syvek> :: pauses a moment, thinking :: With the Sharks adding to the coverage, yes.
(22:03:43) ColDougMcKnight: I'll put in a request immediately. What else do you need?
(22:04:40) LtJGAlexisWright: :: nodding to a crewman who enters the lift :: +Tav+ A place to start is much more than I had 5 minutes ago. Thanks!
(22:05:15) VAdmBlackthorne: :: enters the CR and looks to T'Kirr as he sits ::
(22:05:20) LtCmdrBusard: :: Enters the Bridge, heading to the conference room, and enters quickly::
(22:05:39) VAdmBlackthorne: Syvek> Nothing else, I believe. It is a complex interaction of systems, but it can be done.
(22:05:51) CdrTKirr: :: returns the look before Busard enters, drawing her attention ::
(22:06:35) CdrHarper: :: sits down in a random chair as everyone files in ::
(22:08:28) VAdmBlackthorne: :: knows he wasn't called to this meeting, but the engineer in him is curious, and he's the Admiral, dammit ::
(22:08:36) LtJGAlexisWright: :: walks into the conference room, reading the article on the study Tav suggested on her PADD, almost sitting on Harper because she's not used to that particular chair being occupied ::
(22:09:34) CdrTKirr: (( lol ))
(22:09:38) LtCmdrBusard: :: Places the spherical object on the table lightly :: Thank you all for coming. I've called this meeting because Mr. Quinn has discovered a possible way to communicate with the energy beings down on the planet without anyone getting their arms cut off. Mr. Quinn, :: She gestures him forward:: you have the floor.
(22:09:47) CdrHarper: :: looks up with a start :: Hello!
(22:10:31) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> :: Coughs awakwardly, not expecting to be given the floor. :: Um...hi, all. Sirs.
(22:10:42) VAdmBlackthorne: :: looks to Quinn expectantly ::
(22:10:42) LtJGAlexisWright: :: blushes and makes apologetic noises at Harper, putting down her PADD and sitting in the chair NEXT to her instead. ::
(22:11:25) CdrHarper: :: pays attention now that she's not being mistaken for a chair ::
(22:11:41) ColDougMcKnight: :: Grins :: Well, do a good job, or I'll ask Percy and see if engineering can spare Puddington to lend a hand.
(22:11:50) CdrTKirr: :: watches Quinn dispassionately ::
(22:12:04) VAdmBlackthorne: Syvek> That... was a joke, sir?
(22:12:09) LtJGAlexisWright: :: watches Quinn passionately ::
(22:12:20) ColDougMcKnight: Yes, Syvek. That was a joke.
(22:12:54) LtJGAlexisWright: :: but, like, "deep interest in the subject" passion, not "i wnt ur bod" passion ::
(22:13:36) LtCmdrBusard: (She lies. She wants him bad.)
(22:13:54) LtCmdrBusard: (:: nods sagely::)
(22:14:02) VAdmBlackthorne: Syvek> :: nods, satisfied that he recognized it :: Excellent. Should I need any assistance, I will contact Mr. Puddington immediately.
(22:14:08) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> Right. So, you're looking at what used to be a standard short range recon UAV that security was willing to lend me. They don't use these much, since they traditionally have Atlantis in orbit providing real time battlefield scans. But since that's not quite enough this time, I took this, and...well, as they used to
(22:14:45) CdrHarper: :: wonders if security will be getting it back ::
(22:16:07) ColDougMcKnight: say back home on Vesta, I've pimped it out. I've upgraded the scanners, hopefully enough to provide useful data. And I've also installed 360 degree holographic emitter nodes.
(22:16:52) CdrHarper: :: notes this phrase, "pimped it out," for future use ::
(22:17:22) ColDougMcKnight: :: Looks to Percy. :: May I? For demonstration?
(22:18:16) LtCmdrBusard: :: Sighs :: Sure, why not. Just no reprogramming it to say anything embarassing.
(22:20:00) VAdmBlackthorne: :: watches with interest ::
(22:20:57) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> :: Grins somewhat sheepishly before activating the holographic interface on his diagnostic/repair/everything else tool, and activates holo-Percy again. :: This is from a scan I took before we came up. And I actually haven't made any sort of personality matrix. But it CAN transmit audio, and if its connected with a holo-terminal up here or
(22:21:15) CdrTKirr: :: is once again fascinated by Human ingenuity ::
(22:23:03) ColDougMcKnight: any other secure location you like, its onboard scanners can simulate all your basic senses. So...if we did this on the holodeck, it'd effectively be just like your were on the planet's surface, taking a stroll. Walk, talk, and best of all, NOT risk getting flash fried.
(22:23:30) VAdmBlackthorne: Impressive.
(22:23:36) CdrTKirr: (( zomg someone made Avatar ))
(22:27:08) LtCmdrBusard: (Just fyi, Mike has to feed the cats quick. He'll be back in a few minutes)
(22:28:37) ColDougMcKnight: (And the kitties are fed!)
(22:29:54) ColDougMcKnight: Thank you, sir. Two Academy semesters at Jupiter station. I did some work on the EMH Mark 5 program. Came in handy here.
(22:30:05) ColDougMcKnight: (^Quinn)
(22:32:23) VAdmBlackthorne: I imagine so.
(22:34:02) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> That said, it doesn't have UT software installed yet. I've been asked to offer what assistance, if any, is necessary to help implement that.
(22:34:12) CdrTKirr: :: looks to Wright :: We will have to boost power to the deflector dish and sensor array to support a holographic transmission.
(22:35:04) CdrHarper: :: starts thinking about the translation interface :
(22:37:27) LtJGAlexisWright: :: thinks :: Atmospheric disturbances might interfere. We might be able to put some kind of buoy into a low geostationary orbit and use it as a repeater.
(22:38:23) VAdmBlackthorne: There is, of course, no such thing as a low geostationary orbit. But we could put Atlantis into a geostationary orbit.
(22:38:47) CdrTKirr: :: thinks a moment, then nods :: Agreed.
(22:39:48) LtJGAlexisWright: :: blushes again :: You're right, of course. My apologies. I'm afraid I'm more focused on some ideas I have on how to initiate a non-hostile interaction.
(22:41:11) LtCmdrBusard: We could. We could also beam down a receiver of similar make in a known populated area. Regardless, I think it would be prudent for Science and Medical to be present upon activation, so they can take readings of what the drone is recieving.
(22:41:12) LtJGAlexisWright: Unfortunately, I'm not sure how compatible they are with a human form... the holography was not something I expected.
(22:42:48) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> :: Frowns, again a bit uncomfortable at that exchange. :: When I went to get the drone, I think I heard something about security planning to use shuttle flyovers to support a ground team. They could probably help with boosting the signal, Lieutenant.
(22:43:09) LtJGAlexisWright: Is the goal of this device merely to get more detailed scans of the beings, or to actually facilitate direct communication?
(22:43:22) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> Both.
(22:45:03) LtJGAlexisWright: Then I think we need to consider how to initiate non-hostile interaction - otherwise communication would be essentially impossible. I think we can accomplish something using basic reptilian non-verbal communication, but I'm not sure how that'll translate to a human form since our bodies are not physically capable of some of those things.
(22:46:19) CdrHarper: Perhaps the holographic emitter could be reprogrammed to emit a reptilian form?
(22:46:42) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> Oh. Um...yeah. With your help, I imagine I could probably cobble together something like that.
(22:47:22) CdrTKirr: (( Lizard-Wright! ))
(22:47:48) LtJGAlexisWright: and we can program in a limited set of non-verbal signals that we could control from a panel, perhaps. Mr. Quinn, please don't take this as a slight, I think what you've thought up here is absolutely remarkable
(22:48:26) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> It's all good, ma'am.
(22:49:22) CdrHarper: :: likes that one ::
(22:50:01) LtJGAlexisWright: I've spent too many years in the lab. :: flashes a grin :: How hard do you think it would be to create a reptilian holo-image that translates body movements and input from a pre-programmed panel?
(22:50:09) CdrTKirr: (( Ten minutes ))
(22:50:45) LtJGAlexisWright: I can mimic the head movements myself, for example, but I don't think I can puff up my neck ridges or flick my tongue or lash my tail.
(22:51:44) VAdmBlackthorne: Practice.
(22:51:52) CdrTKirr: :: perks an eyebrow ::
(22:52:11) VAdmBlackthorne: :: smirks ::
(22:52:27) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> :: Looks from Wright to Percy and back, and shrugs. :: Honestly, I personally couldn't tell you. I think we'd need a more complete rundown of what all you need this thing to do and how.
(22:52:42) LtJGAlexisWright: :: bites her tongue against a giggle ::
(22:52:59) CdrHarper: Well, there are many commonalities between reptilian species with respect to non-verbal communication.
(22:53:18) ColDougMcKnight: :: Focuses on Percy. :: I think I may also need to set aside some time to watch a nature documentary or two.
(22:53:18) LtJGAlexisWright: :: nods at Harper ::
(22:54:02) CdrTKirr: We may also learn what we need to simply by interacting with whoever we manage to contact.
(22:54:11) LtJGAlexisWright: Then again, it's entirely possible that these beings could be nothing like reptiles and this won't work at all.
(22:54:46) LtJGAlexisWright: Yes, ma'am, I'm just wondering how we can start a dialogue if our interaction goes anything like the last one.
(22:54:53) CdrHarper: I should be able to figure out something, regardless.
(22:55:15) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> Well, based on the report from medical, whatever they do only affected organic matter.
(22:55:43) ColDougMcKnight: Quinn> Which would suggest they could claw at it all they like, and based on what you're saying, that might just give us more to work with.
(22:55:50) CdrTKirr: If that is the case, the worst they can do to us is ignore us.
(22:55:57) LtJGAlexisWright: Indeed, the holograms will automatically give us a leg up from last time.
(22:57:30) LtCmdrBusard: It may be that simply removing the option of attack will force them to consider other options.
(22:58:46) CdrTKirr: ( 2min )
(22:59:07) LtJGAlexisWright: Possible. Reptiles are not known for their pleasant dispositions, so the Commander's thought about them ignoring us is a distinct possibility.
(22:59:39) LtJGAlexisWright: They're not what anyone would call "chatty", I mean.
(23:00:40) CdrTKirr: PAUSE SIM
(23:00:40) CdrTKirr: PAUSE SIM
(23:00:40) CdrHarper: On the contrary, I know of several talkative reptilian species. Their languages are not easy to speak, but most ears can understand them.
(23:00:41) CdrTKirr: PAUSE SIM
(23:00:47) LtJGAlexisWright: I'd like to get one of these down there and start gathering data. In the meantime, I can provide Mr. Quinn with the specs for reptile non-verbal communication if it becomes a likely option.
(23:00:50) VAdmBlackthorne: :: paused ::
(23:00:57) LtJGAlexisWright: :: || ::
(23:01:05) ColDougMcKnight: :: Paused ::
(23:01:08) DoctorTav: :: pauses ::
(23:01:12) LtCmdrBusard: :: Paused ::
(23:01:29) CdrTKirr: Nice idea from Quinn, sounds fun, good progress ^_^
(23:01:57) LtJGAlexisWright: very nice idea, I feel like we have some traction o_o
(23:02:18) DoctorTav: Traction is good. As the ship's current doctor, I LOVE traction.
(23:02:23) CdrTKirr: And of course, Wright and Busard can keep working on the actual conversion process, too.
(23:02:38) CdrTKirr: :: thwaps Tav :: Not that kind of traction!
(23:03:11) LtJGAlexisWright: If this storyline has shown me anything, it's that I'm abysmally bad at being a plot driver XD
(23:03:27) VAdmBlackthorne: Psh
(23:05:36) LtJGAlexisWright: It kinda feels like being a virgin and hoping that the person you're in bed with can't figure it out
(23:05:48) VAdmBlackthorne: :: facedesk ::
(23:05:53) LtJGAlexisWright: XD
(23:06:22) CdrTKirr: o_O
(23:07:32) LtJGAlexisWright: Just sayin'
(23:07:35) CdrTKirr: Well have a good night all, until next week.
(23:07:46) LtJGAlexisWright: Good night and thank you everyone!
(23:08:03) CdrTKirr: Glad to see you here Percy
(23:08:04) LtCmdrBusard: Good night!
(23:08:14) VAdmBlackthorne: G'night folks! I dumped some more cool astronomy stuff on the website, btw.
(23:08:22) LtJGAlexisWright left the room (quit: Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(23:08:24) ColDougMcKnight: Sweet.
(23:09:03) CdrTKirr left the room.
(23:11:06) CdrHarper left the room (quit: Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).