Conversation with #st_missionroom1 at Wed Jan 17 20:59:02 2018 on CaptHarper@chat.startrekengage.com (irc)
(21:15:44) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:15:45) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:15:46) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:16:17) CO_CaptHarper: :: enters the bridge from the ready room, coffee in one hand and the morning's reports on a PADD in the other ::
(21:17:46) CO_CaptHarper: Bridge: Good morning, everyone. Status reports?
(21:18:02) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: walks onto the Bridge ::
(21:19:15) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::walks onto the bridge behind Kuari, balancing a cup of rak in one hand and a pile of padds in the other::
(21:20:07) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: still vaguely sleepy :: CO: All systems nominal. Long-range scans in progress.
(21:20:48) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Propulsion and navigation are nominal.
(21:21:53) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: gathers her tea and PADD and moves from the center seat to her station ::
(21:22:11) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: CO: Sickbay systems nominal, and all physicals finished and reports completed, Ma'am. ::hands her a couple of the padds and then finds her station and signs in::
(21:22:13) CO_CaptHarper: :: smiles at Wright as she passes the center seat ::
(21:22:31) CO_CaptHarper: :: takes the PADDs for the read later pile :: CMO: Thank you, doctor.
(21:23:52) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::takes a sip of the coffee and settles in at her console, also still waking up::
(21:24:16) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: lies across her backless seat and takes stock of departmental reports. At first glance, everything looks good, except for incidents that usually stop with the XO :: CO: All departments report ready, Captain.
(21:25:08) CO_CaptHarper: XO: Thank you, Commander. :: inclines her chin toward the helm :: NAV: If my clock is correct, we can return to slipstream, yes?
(21:25:45) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: NAV: Yes ma'am, that's twelve hours.
(21:25:59) CO_CaptHarper: XO: Make the ship ready for slipstream flight.
(21:27:13) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: brings long-range scanning operations to a close with a twinge of regret ::
(21:28:00) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Tail flicks side to side in agitation as he finishes a night shift, filled with equipment repairs, testing, and reprogramming. He yawns and collects the PADD containing the updated data sequencing he needs to input at the bridge::
(21:28:35) XO_LCdr_Kuari: CTO: Configure shields for slipstream.
(21:28:57) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: activates shields and configures geometry for slipstream. :: XO: Aye.
(21:29:00) XO_LCdr_Kuari: CTO: Yellow Alert.
(21:29:21) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: XO: Aye. :: activates yellow alert ::
(21:30:19) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: makes the requisite shipwide announcements, once exciting, but now entirely routine ::
(21:31:25) XO_LCdr_Kuari: CO: Ready, Captain.
(21:32:12) CO_CaptHarper: XO: Thank you, Commander. NAV: Begin the next calculated slipstream leg.
(21:33:13) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Aye, capitana. :: engages the slipstream drive on the pre-calculated solution ::
(21:35:31) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Slipstream in one minute. :: watches the readouts, though they have also sadly become routine ::
(21:36:02) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Thirty– :: sees an anomalous reading :: Slipstream instability being detected. Aborting flight.
(21:36:43) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: looks over at Navarro in surprise ::
(21:36:55) CO_CaptHarper: :: stands :: NAV: What sort of instability?
(21:37:34) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::frowns a bit, looks over to NAV::
(21:38:01) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: The generated slipstream geometry wouldn't have been stable. Perhaps there is something misaligned with the drive?
(21:38:17) CO_CaptHarper: :: turns toward engineering :: ENG: Anything?
(21:38:34) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: perks her ears up and raises her head, looking towards Navarro ::
(21:38:37) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: looks down at her console, attempting with inexpert eyes to locate what Navarro is seeing ::
(21:39:01) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: looks to Ilaihr, then at her console ::
(21:40:12) CO_CaptHarper: :: wanders back toward Ilaihr's station :
(21:40:19) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: :: shaking his head at the readouts ::
(21:41:31) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: rechecks the shields and they look fine from his console. ::
(21:45:54) CO_CaptHarper: :: looks over his shoulder and frowns at the instability present on the manifold :: Hmmmm, that could take hours to recalibrate. Perhaps it could be from how much use the slipstream drive has gotten recently.
(21:47:17) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Leans against the wall of the turbo lift as he makes his way up to the bridge, focusing on the re-calibrations and staying away with a frustrated huff and sharp shake of his head::
(21:48:28) CO_CaptHarper: :: turns away from engineering with a smile, looking on the bright side :: Bridge: So, we will be staying in this area for most of the day, it would seem. CSO: Anything interesting on long range sensors that warrants scientific investigation?
(21:50:22) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: seizes the opportunity and pulls up long-range scan data :: CO: Let's see.... There's a pulsar that's relatively nearby, those are always interesting.
(21:51:46) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Great! Send the coordinates to the helm and we can take the opportunity to check it out.
(21:52:16) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: takes on keeping watch over their Engineering issue, since it's their priority, and waits for incoming reports, but is interested in a side mission as well ::
(21:53:56) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: spends a few moments ensuring that her data is correct, and then sends the coordinates to the helm ::
(21:54:02) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::perks some interest at a side mission. Exploration would be fun ::
(21:54:13) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Done, Captain. :: smiles at Navarro ::
(21:54:24) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Steps onto the bridge and walks to a side console, making idle chatter with an ensign as he inputs the data. His eyes sweep over the rest of the crew as he does so, brain registering somethingabout a side mission::
(21:55:02) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CSO: Thank you, ma'am. :: gets the coordinates, and adjusts course :: CO: We will arrive in thirty minutes, present speed.
(21:55:26) CO_CaptHarper: NAV: Increase speed to warp eight.
(21:55:58) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: glances at Harper knowingly ::
(21:56:21) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Warp eight, aye. New ETA is ten minutes.
(21:58:26) CO_CaptHarper: CTO: Keep the shields up. The radiation environment near the pulsar is certain to be intense.
(21:59:06) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO: Aye. Keeping shields up. Would you like to stand down yellow alert?
(21:59:13) CO_CaptHarper: CTO: Yes, stand down.
(22:00:49) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: cancels all alerts :: CO: Aye, Captain. All crewmembers resuming normal duty.
(22:01:37) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: makes shipwide announcements cancelling slipstream alert ::
(22:02:12) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: :: monitors their warp flight while eyeing the data coming from the slipstream drive ::
(22:03:36) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Notices how warm the side of the console is next to him. The ensign he conversed with seems to have forgotten his presence as he sinks down, leaning against it and clutching his PADD as he starts to drift off::
(22:04:51) CO_CaptHarper: :: sits back down, eager to see this pulsar ::
(22:05:17) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: focusing long-range scans on the target system, hoping to gather more data prior to arrival ::
(22:06:26) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Dropping out of warp, captain, at a respectable distance from the star.
(22:07:23) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: initiates closer-range scans immediately upon leaving warp to confirm her suspicions ::
(22:07:24) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: keeps an eye for Engineering updates on her panel, but looks to the main viewer in curiosity ::
(22:08:25) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> Atlantis drops out of warp at a distance of 4AU from the pulsar, a 30km neutron star surrounded by a disk of accreted debris, blasting out x-rays and other energetic particles, the largest in regular pulses from the tiny, dense star's poles.
(22:08:58) CO_CaptHarper: CTO: Put it on screen, Major.
(22:09:24) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: complies, and the pulsar appears on the main viewer. ::
(22:09:46) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::keeps an eye on shipwide radiation levels; doesn't expect much to leak through the shields, but just in case ::
(22:10:57) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Starts back awake when the ensign next to him lets out a noise of amazement. He peaks out over the console at the Pulsar and gives a small, stunned smile::
(22:12:30) CO_CaptHarper: :: looks to Wright in anticipation of the report she's sure to provide ::
(22:12:31) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: This appears to be a magnetar, Captain, with magnetic flux density of 10^9 tesla. It's orbited by four planets, two tiny terrestrial worlds and two super-Earths, one with a very dense atmosphere.
(22:13:32) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::looks in amazement at the pulsar, it's not something she's seen very often, especially being in sickbay much of the time::
(22:14:07) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Note the slow rotation of the pulsar, as it's powered by that monster magnetic field.
(22:14:25) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: watches the view on screen, then looks to her console for the details, excited by the information ::
(22:14:44) CO_CaptHarper: :: looks at the tiny star on the screen as she hears the report :: CSO: Interesting. How close can we safely get?
(22:16:40) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Well, if we get closer than 1,000km, we'll be literally torn apart at the atomic level. The super-Earth with the dense atmosphere is orbiting at about 0.8AU, and I wouldn't suggest taking Atlantis any closer than that.
(22:17:43) CO_CaptHarper: :: nods to Navarro :: NAV: Take us to that planet then, Mr. Navarro.
(22:19:31) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Aye, captain. :: fires up the impulse engines to full ::
(22:20:28) CO_CaptHarper: All: In the meantime, we will endeavor to not be torn apart at the atomic level. Also, the regular pulses from the poles would likely ruin our day.
(22:20:56) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: nods gravely ::
(22:21:10) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: sends a note to Engineering to consider de-magnetizing the hull while in proximity to the magnetar ::
(22:21:19) CO_CaptHarper: CTO: Keep an eye on those shields. The radiation will be increasing.
(22:22:12) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO: Aye, Captain. Shields holding steady.
(22:22:51) MED_Ens_Velekh: ::Falls back asleep, rumbling slightly and making the ensign next to him stifle a giggle. She strokes one of his ears while she works at her console, making him shift and sigh slightly, still hidden from view by the console::
(22:23:31) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Approaching the planet, captain.
(22:24:27) CO_CaptHarper: NAV: Take us into orbit.
(22:25:18) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: tuning in to the terrifying star's harmonic frequencies, putting on her earpiece to listen ::
(22:25:19) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: CO: Aye. :: settles the Atlantis into orbit ::
(22:25:49) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: pays less attention to their Engineering issue and looks towards their route. Engineering will alert her in due time, after all ::
(22:26:02) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> The planet seems huge, compared to the tiny 30km star, but the star is incredibly dense comparatively, so its gravity dominates the system.
(22:26:46) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: listens in fascination through her earpiece for a moment before routing the sound of ringing starquakes to the Bridge at low volume ::
(22:27:15) CO_CaptHarper: :: eyes widen as the sound fills the bridge :: CSO: What... is that?
(22:27:37) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: responds at first in alarm, then realizes the sound is coming through the speakers, and listens intently ::
(22:28:03) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: The harmonic resonance of the star translated into sound. That monster, singing to the universe.
(22:28:17) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: All: That's amazing..
(22:28:41) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: increases the volume slightly, since people seem interested ::
(22:28:43) CO_CaptHarper: All: It is eerily beautiful, in its own way.
(22:30:08) CSO_LCdr_Wright: All: Magnetars have the most powerful starquakes ever recorded from Earth.
(22:30:51) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: I assume that you are recording that?
(22:31:19) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: stares, listening intently at the sound, wondering if she could mimic it ::
(22:31:58) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: continues monitoring shields for anything that might note the beginning of a problem ::
(22:32:03) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: :: nods appreciatively at the unearthly sound ::
(22:32:41) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: grins :: CO: Naturally, Captain. These objects are among the most frightening things in the known universe, it would be a shame to waste an opportunity to be this close. And to understand how such a planet as this could persist in its orbit.
(22:33:05) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: What are the characteristics of the planet?
(22:36:14) CO_CaptHarper: :: eyes the roiling atmosphere on the main viewer, which is an interesting shade of deep blue ::
(22:37:01) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: tests a small sound through her lips, but the spectrum is too difficult to mimic ::
(22:37:02) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: It's a terrestrial planet, about 6.3 Earth-masses, with a dense nitrox atmosphere blanket that keeps it pleasantly warm. That's a liquid water ocean down there, and the pressure at sea level is about 15000 bar.
(22:38:04) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: That pressure is intense, but... liquid water? :: surprise registers in her expression :: Any signs of marine life?
(22:38:56) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: All: I wouldn't be surprised if there were at least microorganisms down there.
(22:39:08) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Planets with atmospheres are rare around pulsars, as the extreme environment tends to strip them away. :: running a second scan to confirm :: Scans are positive for organic life, Captain.
(22:39:49) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::smiles:: CSO: Any signs of what type?
(22:39:53) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: is distracted from her internal musings by mention of life and pays attention ::
(22:40:11) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: obviously absolutely thrilled to have access to such a rarity, signals the labs to collect and analyze data on the planet and its terrifying star ::
(22:40:30) CO_CaptHarper: Life in such a place... magnificent!
(22:40:50) CO_CaptHarper: :: turns back to tactical :: CTO: Major, can you get a transporter lock on... well, anything down there?
(22:41:00) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: They must have evolved incredible resistance to radiation.
(22:41:35) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: begins scanning :: CO: Not at this range, Captain. Perhaps if we got closer.
(22:41:56) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: looks excitedly from Wright issuing orders to Harper speaking to Wolfe, and the general excitement around the Bridge ::
(22:42:23) CO_CaptHarper: :: turns back to the front of the bridge after thinking a moment :: CSO: Perhaps the atmosphere and seawater offers protection?
(22:44:22) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Perhaps? I believe the existence of such a planet and the life upon is very nearly theoretically impossible, so... it's hard to say.
(22:44:24) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> An enormous firestorm rages through the atmosphere, visible on the main viewer.
(22:44:45) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: turns her head towards Wright, speaking quietly :: CSO: Organic resistance to radiation could be a significant scientific study.
(22:45:10) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: nods solemnly at Kuari, but looks at the firestorm in alarm ::
(22:45:40) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: stares at the fire in surprise ::
(22:45:42) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::looks in fascination at the firestorm::
(22:45:49) CO_CaptHarper: :: the brightness of the firestorm causes her to look up at the main viewer :: Whoa.
(22:46:48) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: looks at the readouts :: All: That... appears to be the result of oxygen pockets destabilizing in extreme atmospheric pressure.
(22:46:52) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: looks up at the firestorm across the planet ::
(22:48:37) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> The firestorm eventually withers, perhaps blown out by the strong wind denying it any further oxygen.
(22:48:58) XO_LCdr_Kuari: All: Wow.
(22:49:38) CO_CaptHarper: All: This place is a significant find. I would love to get a sample of the life in that sea–any ideas to make that happen?
(22:50:42) NAV_LtJG_Navarro: NAV: I would certainly not recommend flying very far into that atmosphere. :: frowns, imagining trying to fight those winds ::
(22:50:51) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: 15000 bar is equivalent to approximately ... over 15,000kg per square centimeter. I'm not sure we could provide an appropriate habitat.
(22:51:37) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO: Even as we move closer, I don't believe we would be able to get a transporter lock on anything down there.
(22:52:19) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: All: Is it possible to send down a probe?
(22:53:31) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: frowns :: CMO: I'm not sure our probes are rated for that kind of pressure.
(22:54:22) CSO_LCdr_Wright: All: For reference, the pressure at the bottom of the ocean on Earth is just over 1,000 bars. We're talking 15,000 bars AT sea level, for this world.
(22:54:27) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: We may not be able to keep the sample alive, no, but many organisms have given their lives for science.
(22:54:43) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: CSO: Not even an extreme environment probe?
(22:56:02) CO_CaptHarper: CTO: Could a probe be used as a transporter relay?
(22:57:10) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: It's not just that it would die, it's that it might die in a very.... messy and painful way that would make it both difficult to study and inhumane.
(22:57:58) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: stares at the planet on the viewscreen, attempting to wrap her head around the amount of pressure down there ::
(22:58:21) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO: Let me check into it. Anything we send will be crushed - think the first probe sent from Earth to Venus. Same time frame.
(22:58:47) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: I recommend flagging this system for further study by a Science vessel that's properly equipped. And we'd have to lower shields to transport, which is... not advisable.
(22:59:54) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: feels disappointment it appears they won't be studying this place further, but at least they can point Science towards it, and that's good enough of an accomplishment for now ::
(23:00:01) CO_CaptHarper: :: frowns, looking at the viewer :: CSO: We do not have any science vessels with quantum slipstream, and our distance from home precludes standard warp travel.
(23:00:36) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Be that as it may, my recommendation stands. The radiation exposure alone from having shields down long enough for such a transport is sufficient, even without my ethical concerns.
(23:00:40) CO_CaptHarper: :: listens to Wright's recommendation and looks longingly at the tumultuous atmosphere, wanting to know what lives down there ::
(23:00:55) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM
(23:00:56) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM
(23:00:57) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM