Once alone with Boko, Nicholas turns to face her with a serious face and says, "We are alone. Nobody can hear us. Now. What is there to report and why were you so afraid to report that you nearly cried? Is someone threatening you? Because I assure you: If you are being quiet due to someone threatening you, keeping quiet will endanger everyone's lives, including yours. But if you tell me, I can protect you and the person who threatened you will be sorry they ever did."

---

Commander Skyrise watches Tyrandis and Kra converse. It seems harmless enough, so she doesn't comment and instead just faces forward again with a smile.

The ship is already in the Haven sector and almost at the solar system Jeenose is in. Kra's sensors pick up more data on the energy reading: It is electrical in nature. If still huge enough to amount to a nuke's level of energy (Four Quadrillion joules of energy)*.

*For comparison, a lightning bolt produces One Billion joules of energy. So a nuke's worth of energy would be approximately Four Million lightning bolts all at once.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:36, Fri 15 Dec 2017.

Boko is crushed by the terrible first impression she's made.  She hides her downcast face behind her tail, crying softly.  She offers her day's notes to the Captain, and with trembling hands taps playback on a recording she has.



"S... sorry, Captain.  J-just... nervous."

A derisive snort informs Kra Kel and the rest of the bridge crew what Tyrandis thinks of the possibility of the surge stemming from a natural phenomenon. However, having little choice but to wait until they emerge within view of the planet, he waits, glancing between Kel's screen and the window of the bridge.

  Kra can understand the dismissal, a natural disaster would probably have been much larger.  "Readings are getting somewhat clearer, it appears primarily electrical."

  See, this is why Kra is trying to look up info on the planet ahead of time before the captain starts making announcements.  How outlandish this is would depend on 'oh, it's a planet that's constantly getting storms anyways' or 'freak murder lightning on desert planer' territory.

The captain looks relieved, sighs in relief, then smiles at Boko, motioning back to the bridge. "OK... good. But if you ever do wind up threatened, can you promise me you will come straight to me or Commander Skyrise?"

---

Speaking of the commander, Angela looks over at the conversation again.

Kra's research on Jeenose brings up the following:

It is an inhabited planet, where the Jeenosians* come from.
It has a population of about 10 billion.
It has a tech level that puts them on the low end of inter-star-system travel.
It has normal weather patterns for a habitable planet with oceans.
Chances of the electric energy surge being natural are, in fact, nearly nonexistent.

*Jeenosians look kinda like anthropomorphic monkeys, complete with prehensile tail they can hang from.

Boko nods vigorously, still hiding her face behind her tail.

"Y-yessir!"

With practiced speed, she wipes her tears dry and blows her nose.

Tyrandis narrows his eyes at the screen as they draw nearer to Jeenose, his brow furrowing. He says nothing further, however.

  Kra wondered if someone was either doing really poorly, or really successfully in their attempts to build a weather machine.  The end result in either case is usually quite similar, except the off switch is still working in one case.

  But it probably wouldn't be that, as it would be too straightforward a problem to deal with.

  "While I assume you came prepared Tyrandis, if you lack appropriate attire for such weather conditions I'm certain some will be provided for you, should you visit the surface personally." Ah yes, the royal galoshes.  How regal.

  Kra keeps a morbid update tracker of the rough estimate of planetary life signs, to see how quickly they are dropping.   Once they get close enough, he shall scan to see of the local waffle house equivalents are open or closed.

OOC: Waffle house index. Real standards are crazy.

Just as the sensors indicate to Kra that the energy surge has suddenly vanished, Nicholas returns to the bridge. "Any updates?" he asks as he enters.

Angela says, "Lt. Kel reported that the energy surge was electrical in nature." she then looks at Kra, as if to see if he had news as well.

The ship slows down and Planet Jeenose is in view.

Lifesigns don't seem to be dropping, but the planet does seem devoid of artificial electricity and all the lights are out on the dark side of the planet.

Ensign Boko returns to the bridge as well, doing her absolute best to not draw attention to herself.  But self-consciousness quickly gives way to concern for the people of Jeenose.  She immediately tries to tune into the local news on her high-tech gizmo in hopes of getting helpful info on what's going on.

Tyrandis strokes his chin thoughtfully as he turns his attention from Kel's viewscreen to the planet of Jeenose outside the bridge window before them. He does not offer any opinions, instead waiting for the better informed members of the bridge crew to speak.

  Well, that's... Bad, but not as bad as he was expecting.  Unless you prefer a planetwide flash fry over being kicked back several notches down the tech tree.

  "Captain, while the surge has stopped there now appears to be a planetwide blackout.  I would suggest sending out a probe first and not going anywhere near the planet just yet, in case the event is simply dormant rather than over."

  The ship was JUST built, it wouldn't do anyone any favors to immediately get drained dry and crash into the planet they had wanted to help.

Nicholas nods to Kra. "Good thought. Commander?"

Angela nods and sends out a probe.

Boko gets a relatively ominous blank from trying to tune into the news. However, she does begin to pick up on a weak signal coming from the surface of Jeenose. The comms expert could probably pinpoint the precise location the signal is coming from, but it sounds like a conversation between a pair of elderly men in the Jeenosian language.

Meanwhile, the probe is able to go all the way to the atmosphere and down to the surface without issue. Seems whatever knocked out the planet's electricity is done doing so and will not immediately suck the energy of any foreign object approaching the planet.

Nicholas says, "We need to find out the source of the problem, but with the power outage, our only option is to take a shuttle to their capital building and hopefully get a few answers there. Kra, I'll need you on the shuttle to monitor any changes in energy fluctuations via the probe so that if we see danger coming, we can return to the Synchronizer. Tyrandis, you are welcome to come and experience what we do if you wish. Lieutenant J'la, Ensign Owens, you're with me. Commander, you have the bridge again."

Pic of J'la: https://timothius.deviantart.com/art/J-la-724619464

And with that, Nicholas heads for the door to make his way to the shuttle bay.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:09, Tue 09 Jan 2018.

Boko inhales sharply when she picks up the communique.  It was a shot in the dark, so she really wasn't expecting to pick anything up.  She sends the frequency to the communications officer via instant message since more important people are talking.

Boko is then startled by another unexpected thing.  Being ordered to go on the away team!

Why me?! she's thinking behind her rigid salute, I'm just a secretary!  Wait.  Capitol building.  Maybe the Captain expects me to cut through the red tape for him?  Oh dear!  I have no idea how...

She quickly begins reviewing the emergency procedures manual as she follows along.  Maybe there's a chapter for planet-wide power outage?  Oh my.  There is!

"C-Captain.  A phone conversation was detected on the surface.  That means that some battery-operated tech is still operational.  Procedure says that the Com officer is supposed to initiate a specific emergency broadcast message.  I've already forwarded a reminder... u-unless you don't want it broadcast?"

Oh wow... says here that Nicholas legally has temporary planetary dictator levels of authority until a crisis coordinator arrives in a diplomatic ship...  Eep!  'License to terminate any city that refuses to cooperate?!'

  "Of course, captain." Kra would have had to go either way had his career path focused on shuttles more than sensors, rather than the other way around.

  He follows after, hoping things are only twice as horrible as he expects once they reach planetside.  Though it remains to be seen if Tyrandis is the sort to be appalled at standard issue transport rather than shuttles with a personal buffet.

Not possessing a copy of the emergency procedures manual, Tyrandis is unaware of Nicholas' 'planetary dictator levels of authority' and is thus spared any feelings of envy or covetousness. He inclines his head graciously in acceptance of the Captain's offer, and follows the others toward the shuttle.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

Nicholas says, "Good job, Ensign Owens. While we are away from the ship, I want you to keep in touch with Coms."

When the group enters the shuttle, J'la makes sure to sit herself closest to the shuttle entrance so that if someone barges in, she would be between the attackers and the people aboard the shuttle.

Nicholas actually has a shuttle pilot already in the shuttle whose entire purpose of being there is to pilot the thing. He won't be leaving the shuttle when the others do.

Tyrandis receives a notification on his phone. It is a message that is titled "For the Prince's eyes only".

Meanwhile, the Comms Officer tells Boko, "Planet Jeenose actually had a technology for communications that used Audilite, a crystal natural to the planet that was a conduit for audio transmissions without the need of electricity. It is an outdated technology because the range wasn't anywhere near the range of the electric-run communication systems, so whoever is using the communication you picked up is likely using antiques to communicate with each other..."

On Kra's end of things, nothing is currently changing on energy readings.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:33, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

Boko replies with a crisp salute.

To the Coms officer Boko whispers, "The Captain has ordered that I keep in touch with you during our mission.  Thank you for the clarification.  Pretty safe to assume they won't be able to pick up our emergency broadcast until we tie into one of these Audilite transmitters ourselves, then.  I'll inform The Captain."

Boko timidly clears her throat and braces herself for addressing Nicholas.

"Sir?  The transmission I picked earlier was Audilite crystal-based that does not run off electricity.  Our broadcast won't be heard until we transmit from one of these short-range Audilite systems after which the listeners will have to relay it to others."

Whew!  Summarized to as short as possible without a single stutter!

  Things may not be better, but 'it didn't get worse' is a good runner up on the detection department.

  "We can already receive their audilite transmissions, so hopefully getting our hands on a sample would speed up the process of being able to transmit with our own equipment than it would take without it."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Wed 17 Jan 2018.

Tyrandis is only half listening to the conversation taking place about him. He spares his companions a surreptitious glance before examining the notification on his phone.

The note to Tyrandis reads: "From the King's Advisor: An assassin was caught last night attempting to murder the King in his sleep. While normally, his Majesty would not worry you with such matters, the assassin was discovered to be hired by an off-worlder. This has brought to light the urgency of diplomatic ties, and so you will be receiving a list of potential suitors that would be politically advantageous for Lornst. -For the Majesty of Lornst and its King."

To Boko and Kra, with a ponderous look in his eye, the captain says, "It should..."

J'la only gives Tyrandis a glance, but goes back to minding her own business rather then peer over his shoulder.

The shuttle lands in front of the capital building and Nicholas exits with the others. The sounds of panicked people can be heard in the distance, but there are a few panicked here as well. It is night time on this side of the planet and no lights are on. From the look of things, though, personal batteries work, what with some people using functional flashlights. "Lt Kel, keep an eye out for us to make sure we don't get separated. Boko, hold our light. J'la, be ready for danger, but keep it low profile." he hands a flashlight to Boko.

J'la nods and pulls out a stun baton. She does have a gun on her hip, but it remains there for now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Thu 18 Jan 2018.

Good thing for Boko she has no idea what's going on with Tyrandis' messages.  With everything else going on, she might burst into tears to hear about the prince's dad being attacked.  She's thankful for the simple task she's given by Nicholas and answers with a crisp salute.

"Please keep the doors locked till we return," Boko whispers to the pilot before exiting and lighting the way.

Wouldn't do for the pilot to have to fend off looters all by his lonesome.

  "Yes, sir." There is no cool sounding way to phrase 'use the buddy system', even in the sci-fi future.  But at least Kra can keep an eye on his job and where he is going at the same time.

  He's also very thankful J'la is here to beat up anyone who makes Boko cry... Wait, no, J'la would have already beaten up the Captain if that were the case.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:01, Sat 20 Jan 2018.

Tyrandis does not appear particularly phased by the note. He is not particularly adverse, after all, to the prospect of becoming King a little earlier than natural causes would dictate. While he waits for the list of potential suitors to come through he turns his attention to the panicked people about him, unclasping what appears to be a metal cylinder around the size of a baton. His gloved thumb hovers over a small switch on the device, but he refrains from pressing it for the time being.

OOC: Assuming the GM is all right with it, Tyrandis Vein carries a weapon similar to a Force Pike when extended. It is made of a special metal which is very strong, and extends in a way similar to an extendable antenna or a plastic lightsaber, tier by tier, with four tiers in total.

(GM sees nothing wrong with Tyrandis having the weapon he described.)

The group makes it inside the building without issue. It isn't long before the group sees one of the monkey-looking people.*

*Went ahead and uploaded the old sketch. Lower left corner of the pic shows a Jeenosian: https://timothius.deviantart.c...s-concepts-727239265

The jeenosian the group sees before them is male and looks possibly middle-aged. He is holding a lit candle and, upon seeing the group, looks hopeful. "Wow... we didn't even have the ability to send out a distress call yet and you guys are here? The federation really are on top of things!"

Nicholas nods and says, "We're looking for the people in charge so we can get started sorting things out."

The jeenosian nods excitedly and says, "This way!" before leading the group towards a room.

Assuming nobody objects to going there, the jeenosian leads the group inside the room and inside are jeenosians wearing important-looking clothing. They were in the middle of debating when the group enters, causing the jeenosians to go quiet upon seeing them.

The room they are in is lit with many candles.

Soon, the group learns what the Jeenose leadership knows: There was power, then suddenly, a huge surge of power, then no power. The leadership is both literally and figuratively in the dark as to what is going on.