Conversation with #st_missionroom1 at Wed Jun 6 20:57:17 2018 on CaptHarper@chat.startrekengage.com (irc)
(21:20:25) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:20:26) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:20:26) CO_CaptHarper: BEGIN SIM
(21:21:53) CO_CaptHarper: :: on the bridge, awaiting a few confirmations before the tractor beam is cut and their new friends are on their way ::
(21:22:39) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: on the bridge, waiting for the order to cut the tractor beam. ::
(21:23:01) CO_CaptHarper: XO: First of all, we have all of our people back aboard?
(21:23:02) SCI2_Ens_Jude: :: has returned to the bridge after spending time in the lab ::
(21:23:34) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: :: is back on the Bridge after the meeting with the Voth ::
(21:24:00) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: steps out onto the bridge when the turbolift doors open and waits for Commander Kuari to have a moment ::
(21:24:22) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: from her seat next to Harper, looks up from her console :: CO: Your timing is impeccable, as they say. Everyone is now aboard.
(21:25:15) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: sees Wright beyond Harper and smiles ::
(21:25:57) CO_CaptHarper: XO: Wonderful, thank you. :: turns to follow Kuari's gaze and finds that Lexy has returned, and involuntarily brightens ::
(21:26:34) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: returns the smiles before giving her reports, standing at parade rest :: XO: The object has been crated for protection and secured in the cargo bay for the time being, sirs.
(21:27:39) ENG2_Ens_Razyn: :: steps out of the turbolift onto the bridge, whistling ::
(21:28:03) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Brilliant. I cannot wait to hear your analysis of it, but first, we need to let our new friends get underway. Hail them and confirm they are ready to detach.
(21:28:08) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: perks an ear instinctively to the whistling sound and takes note of Razyn's arrival ::
(21:29:48) ENG_Lt_Ilaihr: ::Plods through the corridor to the turbolift, humming to himself as he does, thinking about the Voth ship.::
(21:30:12) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::humming a tune to herself in her corner, still feeling a happy little glow from how well the dna news was received ::
(21:31:00) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: nods smartly :: CO: Aye, Sir. :: moves to her station and slides into the seat, tapping away at the screen :: *Mesmir* Mesmir, Atlantis. Please confirm that your preparations are complete for tractor beam detachment.
(21:31:57) XO_LCdr_Kuari: Jaspir> *CSO* We are ready, Atlantis!
(21:33:41) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Captain, Mesmir is ready to detach. Permission to terminate tractor beam on my mark?
(21:33:44) ENG_Lt_Ilaihr: ::Moments later, step off of the turbolift, onto the bridge; before quickly taking up his console.::
(21:35:01) CO_CaptHarper: :: looks over to tactical ::CTO: Terminate tractor beam on Commander Wright's mark.
(21:35:26) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO: Standing by, Captain.
(21:37:37) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: nods and contacts the other vessel again :: *Mesmir* Mesmir, the connection will be terminated on my mark. :: waits for acknowledgement before proceeding :: *Mesmir* 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Mark.
(21:38:29) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: :: disengages the tractor beam ::
(21:39:18) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> Mesmir lags behind Atlantis for a moment as the tractor is cut, but then her own engines take over and she's flying in formation with us under her own power!
(21:40:04) CSO_LCdr_Wright: *Mesmir* Successful detachment, Mesmir, looking good.
(21:40:27) CO_CaptHarper: :: gives a slient cheer toward the viewer as this is apparent, but refrains from a fist-pump ::
(21:40:32) ENG2_Ens_Razyn: :: grins, as the Mesmir flies on her own ::
(21:41:08) ENG_Lt_Ilaihr: Aloud: Ah, what an excellent show of things.
(21:41:54) XO_LCdr_Kuari: Jaspir> *Bridge* Atlantis from the Mesmir. On behalf of the Voth, we thank you and your crew for your assistance. We are ready to return home. You will not be forgotten. In fact, I regard you as new friends and will tell of your deeds. Far away, yet spinning around the same black hole...if you will.
(21:42:00) CEO_LtQuinn: :: In Engineering, observing all this via an auxiliary sensor display console:: And they’re away! Good work, people!
(21:42:55) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: looks back at the Captain to see if she'd like to speak personally ::
(21:43:01) CO_CaptHarper: :: stands with a bright smile to the main viewer :: *Jaspir* We feel likewise, and please, stay in touch. Our hypersubspace relays will be here, and you have their frequencies.
(21:46:08) XO_LCdr_Kuari: Jaspir> *CO* Thank you. Safe journey to you. Mesmir out.
(21:48:39) CO_CaptHarper: :: quietly :: And to you. All: Wonderful work, all around.
(21:49:06) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: hesitates, feeling awkward, then takes a moment to key out a quick farewell note as a text-only message wishing the Mesmir safe voyages and a brief personal note expressing that this cousin from Earth hopes to cross paths again, then feels more awkward ::
(21:49:48) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: sends it before she can change her mind ::
(21:52:23) CO_CaptHarper: All: We have made friends across a galaxy, and even shown a distant familial link, for some. I think we will be hearing from them again.
(21:52:51) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: sitting on the beach at their home near Cabo San Lucas, sipping idly at a glass of whisky and looking at the band of the Milky Way, bright in the rural sky ::
(21:52:57) XO_LCdr_Kuari: ACTION> Over time, messages from varous crewmen of the Mesmir filter in, being relayed through the hypersubspace relay, one in particular a fond farewell from Jaspir to Wright.
(21:53:19) CO_CaptHarper: ACTION> Mesmir turns away, and after a few seconds, goes to warp.
(21:54:01) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::can't help but feel a little wistful, hoping that they will cross paths again::
(21:54:43) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: reads it and wells up a little, quickly dabbing the moisture from her eyes and suppressing a smile ::
(21:55:35) CO_CaptHarper: :: watches them warp away and also hopes that they meet again, friends from so far away ::
(21:56:58) CdorTKirr_HQ: :: wanders out to the beach chair next to Blackthorne's with a tea in hand, a common practice of hers, knowing he can stay out here for hours ::
(21:59:18) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: looks to others on the Bridge with finality of their latest mission, meeting eyes with those that look back ::
(22:01:09) CO_CaptHarper: :: meets Kuari's big eyes, feeling quite contented and proud of her crew's accomplishments :: XO: We still have a job to do here.
(22:02:59) ENG_Lt_Ilaihr: ::Smiles back at the commander, before looking back to his console.::
(22:03:09) XO_LCdr_Kuari: CO: Yes.
(22:04:03) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: his eyes stay focused on the bulge of the Milky Way near the horizon as his wife sits next to him :: T'Kirr: Almost five months with no word from our ship.
(22:05:45) CEO_LtQuinn: ::Patches in to every engineering’s comm save for Ilaihr, who gets a text message so as not to disrupt Bridge functions::
(22:06:36) CO_CaptHarper: :: steps up toward the front consoles :: CSO: Now, tell me more about the Gencodian object.
(22:08:55) CEO_LtQuinn: Quinn to departmental. A good deed is its own reward...but those scans we took don’t hurt! We have an interesting correspondence with the Corps if Engineers coming up. Team leaders, I’d like your reports on my desk for forwarding by 0800 tomorrow. Well done. Quinn out.
(22:09:04) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: turns in her seat :: CO: Well, I can tell you the dimensions of the object and the fact that it appears to be the same age as the rest of the Gencodian artifacts, but beyond that I couldn't learn much else. It's a perfectly round sphere with no inscriptions, no seams, no joints, nothing... totally smooth. :: takes a breath before continuing ::
(22:09:27) CO_CaptHarper: :: listens closely, eyes wide at the prospect ::
(22:10:04) CdorTKirr_HQ: :: settles in and takes in a deep, calming breath :: Ian: There is no timetable for this mission. They could still be all right.
(22:10:08) CMO_LtJG_Tailor: ::looks over to Wright with interest, not having heard much about this object since she's had her attention focused elsewhere ::
(22:11:03) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: I'm not sure if it's solid metal, or if the external metal shell is just thick enough that I can't penetrate it with scans. I'd like to attempt to collect a small sample of the metal to analyze it in the lab, but I didn't want to damage it without orders. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed with it, Sir. I'd like to discuss it with my staff, but..
(22:11:24) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: I'm open to other input and ideas as well. :: spreads her hands in a small gesture of uncertainty ::
(22:13:10) CO_CaptHarper: All: Could we increase the power of the sensors to attempt to penetrate farther into the object?
(22:14:39) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: It depends on what's keeping the scans from penetrating - some metals have particle scattering properties. But it's certainly worth a try.
(22:14:44) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: T'Kirr: I know. I understand the time dilation problem from their last dispatch, and that the months for us have been minutes for them. Despite knowing all of that, I worry. :: finally breaks his gaze off from Sagittarius to look at her :: Us illogical Betazoids.
(22:15:05) CTO_Maj_Wolfe: CO/CSO: Other than the Mesmir, there are no other ships around anywhere. No threats. We could pull power for a short time from Tactical.
(22:15:33) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Failing that, well... I do not want to risk damaging it. The researchers on Gencodia may be able to help, and we can stop there on our way home.
(22:16:57) CdorTKirr_HQ: :: overlooks Ian's misuse of language, as it's clearly not related to the subject :: Ian: I'm worried, too. :: tips her glass to her lips gently ::
(22:17:35) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: I might be able to modify some microscopic equipment to get a better look at the atomic structure that way, though I'm not certain how helpful that will be if it's identical to the metal we scanned on Gencodia.
(22:19:37) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Mmmmm... if it is identical, then that would just confirm it, so no, it may not be so helpful. With the additional power from Tactical that the Major offered, perhaps the sensors can get farther in.
(22:20:50) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Either way, I captured the coordinates and spatial relation information at the time of collection, in case that turns out to be relevant.
(22:23:27) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: It could be. Imagine if they had sent it here as a time capsule before they transceneded.
(22:24:01) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: chuckles :: T'Kirr: I know you are. Just going with the cliché for the easy joke. I can't imagine not being worried... they're still our people, after all.
(22:24:02) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Or a communications relay to another Gencodian world.
(22:24:39) CO_CaptHarper: :: eyes widen at the thought :: CSO: What a find that would be. But let us not get too ahead of ourselves.
(22:25:02) CdorTKirr_HQ: Ian: They're further away than we've ever been from here.
(22:26:55) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Reroute power from tactical to the scanners and see what they can see... and also, what else we can see out there. :: gestures to the main viewer, stll showing the object of their journey ::
(22:27:12) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: nods at Kate :: CO: Aye, Captain.
(22:28:21) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: T'Kirr: Or anyone, except for the Voyager crew. But time dilation and a supermassive black hole, with the risks of a rescue mission... that is a level of risk that is new to me.
(22:28:54) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: sips at his scotch, looking back toward Sagittarius ::
(22:29:19) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: reroutes power from Tactical to internal sensors and bombards the object with as much scanning power as she possibly can ::
(22:36:42) XO_LCdr_Kuari: ACTION> The sensor onslaught is powerful, but scans refuse to yield anything other than another centimeter deep of the same material.
(22:39:32) CdorTKirr_HQ: Ian: The furthest we have intentionally traveled, yes. There are many possible scenarios we wouldn't even know how to predict for. :: is aware she isn't helping to soothe Ian's fears, but she must look at the situation logically ::
(22:40:31) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: turns back to her with a wry grin :: T'Kirr: Part of me still wishes we were there.
(22:42:49) CdorTKirr_HQ: :: turns to Ian as well :: Ian: I am not at all surprised.
(22:45:11) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: :: takes her hand and gives it a squeeze :: Not that I would actually trade what we have going on here, of course. But that lure remains strong.
(22:45:35) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: sighs :: CO: The molecular structure seems to be scattering the scans, Captain. I'll turn the scanning power outside the ship. :: reroutes borrowed power to the sensor arrays and begins scanning after entering a parameter to look for that molecular structure especially ::
(22:45:46) CdorTKirr_HQ: Ian: You are an explorer at heart.
(22:46:21) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: It would be nice to make a ship out of that stuff. Maybe they have learned something on Gencodia that can help.
(22:46:50) ENG_Lt_Ilaihr: ::Hums away as he works on something or other.::
(22:47:02) CSO_LCdr_Wright: CO: Planet-based scanners may be able to supply enough power to overcome the scattering effect.
(22:48:09) CO_CaptHarper: CSO: Perhaps. It will remain a mystery for now, then. :: returns to her seat and perches on the front edge ::
(22:48:11) CSO_LCdr_Wright: :: sends the difference in scan penetration and the power supply parameters down to the lab for someone else to calculate ::
(22:48:33) CO_CaptHarper: :: leans in to Kuari :: Commander... have all the optical data on this region transferred to the holodeck computers.
(22:49:35) HQ1_AdmBlackthorne: T'Kirr: Aye. Even so, explorers must eventually step back and let a new generation do the exploring. Besides, we have a new frontier of our own to visit.
(22:49:38) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: blinks at Harper ::
(22:51:57) CO_CaptHarper: :: nods conspiratorily ::
(22:52:45) XO_LCdr_Kuari: :: when blinking yields no answers, she begins to tap on her console :: CO: Aye.
(22:55:38) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM
(22:55:38) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM
(22:55:39) CO_CaptHarper: PAUSE SIM