For the discussion of science projects, general philosophy, social engineering, and other areas of intellectual advancement in the Nova Age.

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This thread is both IC and OOC.  As normal, OOC should go in spoilers.  I encourage use of OOC here for hammering out specifics of scientific research, as long as such posts are supplemented by some IC postings.

Basically, I hope to see good IC descriptive text, but want to supplement it in more clear terms without forcing people interested in scientific research to actually write/read actual peer reviewed journal articles on the topics of interest.  In place of the rigorous descriptions and back/forth analysis that would be required IC, people can post specific OOC questions, which I will then answer.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Fri 30 Aug 2013.

<Continued from the Teragen thread regarding the discovery of some sort of alien probe>

"Well, move it or not, we need better instruments than are built into our bodies if we're to continue study of the... whatever. Device. I think I'm generally for moving it, though its embedded enough that doing so will be something of a task." His mind raced, considering the possibilities of a Martian research station. "I think I'm also in favor of studying it here, on Mars. An extra-terrestrial, but also planet-side, research facility has a lot to offer. I'd also find the moon acceptable, though at the rate that technology in general, and space technology in particular, is advancing, it seems likely that it will be colonized sooner rather than later."

"Well ... ask yourself something.  Do you want the damn thing anywhere where I could get to it?  If I can get to it, then someone like me could get to it.  I'd like to think that this needs to be about as secret as it can get."

"Well, officially Utopia isn't exploring the solar system, yet.  But there's more than a couple guys I've talked to that are gung-ho to explore without government sanction.  Hell, Zero and I were up here on our time off.  Since Utopia or any earth based government doesn't hold any kind of jurisdiction here this doesn't concern them.  I say we camoflage this, use tarps or netting or something, then upgrade Zero's facility here, or at least bring some equipment up to check this thing out.
This has me thinking, do you think there's anything in Area 51?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Fri 29 Jan 2010.

Comstock scratched his head.  "Well damn ... I mean it's right next door to us.  I'd hope not."

While everyone talks, Zero begins to build a structure that will be the groundwork for a research station around the thing. It digs deep into the soil to allow the structure to be low to the ground, and thus easier to conceal from satellite latter on.

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Fast Tasks and Quickness.

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Over the course of a week the mars base comes together.  With the hyper-intelligent individuals participating, planning is accomplished in a matter of hours.  The raw construction efforts are also enhanced, though limited somewhat by the martian dust and the lack of complex equipment.  While Comstock can make the required construction materials, things like computers, analysis equipment, purification systems for air/water (if nothing else, this removes the clinging martian dust from sensitive lab equipment, and provides a source of pure water for various experiments), and other necessary materials require several trips back to earth, and substantial funding.

Zero and/or Gravitas should make whatever rolls they feel appropriate in order to disguise their purchases and their work on the martian surface (two separate rolls).

Once established, the base will allow for independent research for those able to reach it, and the probe can be further analyzed.

Quentin makes absolutely no effort to disguise his purchases, as he does so with personal funds. He also doesn't really mention his work to anyone. Third parties simply observe Quentin Abernathy, noted nova scientist (as he can no longer simply be called a 'physicist') purchasing laboratory equipment and tools and large amounts of raw construction material. It could easily be inferred what he is doing with all of this, but he simply has all of it shipped to the Nevada T2M base, from whence it disappears.

Similarly Quentin doesn't see much point in disguising their work on the Martian surface. Only a very few people know of its existence in the first place, and Mars's dusty atmosphere keeps prying Earth-bound eyes away. Even if knowledge of the site were wide-spread (which he believes is unlikely) most novas are not even capable of making the trek across the Solar system to distant Mars.

Comstock does as instructed, his talent for engineering nowhere near sufficient to handle the difficulties of manufacturing a complete off-world base on his own.  Still, he's a great source of labor and knows how to make a solid barrier.

He doesn't throw money at the project, though.  His investments remain locked up in his charity work, for the most part.  "If we really need money, I think I could just make gold, though, you know?  Or at least silver.  I don't want to do that unless we really need it, though."

The biggest problem is getting to Mars, something he cannot accomplish on his own.  Making time for the project is something of a nightmare around the rest of his schedule.  Keeping Pax away from the site, however, is well worth the trouble.

Imp, lacking the raw processing power of Grav and Zero, and the brawn of comstock, feels pretty useless when it comes to the actual construction of the base.  Instead he worked on funding the construction, squeezing in as many extra fund raising projects as he could, and since he could go for weeks without sleep that was a fair bit.

The Mars base is mostly complete after roughly a week and a half.  The primary construction goes quickly, but ordering some of the materials and the equipment takes some time, even with large sums of money to lubricate the process.  After that period, improvements will likely be made by those visiting, as needs arise.

The base, as Gravitas knows, is largely sheilded by the red haze of the martian surface, and simple distance.  It is also obscured somewhat by the crags of the mountain it is positioned on (since it was built around the alien device).  It would however be possible, theoretically at least, for prying eyes to spot the base, and if novas were to visit, it becomes much more likely, as it is positioned on one of the higher peaks on the Martian surface (not Olympus Mons, but still a respectable third place in height).

The device is now in a position to be studied.  Also of note, when the device is covered, and its solar panneling not recieving energy, it seems to switch into some sort of alternate mode.  Those with electromagnetic senses note that it switches to a backup generator, though it is difficult even for nova senses to pick up, due to the excessive shielding on the device.  One of the instruments on top of the device also begins to move slightly, re-orienting itself (those with mega-int or perception = or > 2 will note that it is pointing at the area of the cieling with least obstruction to the open sky).

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So, make some more science or engineering roles.  If you want to do anything special, do let me know.

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In reply to Rydi (msg #11):

"My Lord..." comments Zero to Gravitas as the Doctor uses it's electromagnetic senses to observe the devices re-calibrations to sunlight depravation. "Do you see that? Let's see if the equipment can pick that up..." Zero locks at some of the devices Gravitas had just installed. "I've placed several opening windows above to see if any subtle changes in pattern occur. Monitors are on 24/7. This is exciting!"

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Are these extended rolls?

Science Roll: 9 Successes.
21:37, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,7,1. Reroll 10's, Ingenius Quality.  .
21:37, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 7 successes using 13d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,1,7,7,1,10,8,10,1,9,10,5. Science, 3Meg, 1Will.

Engineering Roll: 8 Successes.
21:36, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,3. Reroll 10's, Ingenius Quality.  .
21:36, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 5 successes using 13d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,10,5,3,3,9,9,2,7,4,2,10,5. Engineering, 3Mega, 1Will.

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Imp uses some of the more advanced scanning equipment available to see if he could get a read on the surface structure, he also employed molecular scanning devices to see if there was any trace of explosives, or components that normally were found in explosives,  he also scanned for radiation or any radioactive isotopes.

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2 sux on 11 dice.  awesome.  any equipment bonuses?

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This message was last edited by the player at 01:13, Wed 10 Mar 2010.