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08:56, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Destination: Unknown.

Posted by StarMasterFor group 0
StarMaster
GM, 814 posts
Sat 12 Aug 2017
at 00:00
  • msg #99

Destination: Unknown

Sharik can't really contribute to the sensor scans because there's either nothing to scan, or else it's obvious. The sensors can't penetrate the hull of the pyramid, and they confirm the status of the Scout ship--the lanthanum grid has been 'damaged'... actually, the reading indicates that about a square meter of it is missing. The missing section is on the underside of the ship, so no visual is possible.

Neutrinos can still pass through the ship, but they are being distorted, which is why you think the hull is neutronium. That's at least 3 tech levels above what you have access to.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 334 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sat 12 Aug 2017
at 00:13
  • msg #100

Destination: Unknown

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 99):

OOC: 3 Tech Levels ... so, then its probable that we might have a clue about "neutronium" as a theoretical concept, but no practical experience; we can make some "educated guesses", but just don't know ^_^
StarMaster
GM, 815 posts
Sat 12 Aug 2017
at 00:26
  • msg #101

Destination: Unknown

As with a lot of science fiction writing, you get a creative, imaginative author who comes up with a fictional concept, and then scientists start figuring out how to make them a reality. Once you had the idea of a neutron star, figuring out what it was made out of was the next logical step.

Actually, there are several different types of neutronium; it was a convenient name for a couple of different concepts.

First you have to find neutronium, then you have to extract it (from the neutron star), and then you have to figure out how to work it. All three things generally require greater manipulation of gravity than what is currently known... like the planet-sized gravity field of the pyramid. Overcoming it is easy; generating it is 'impossible'.
StarMaster
GM, 816 posts
Sun 13 Aug 2017
at 19:46
  • msg #102

Destination: Unknown

Sam has no problem piloting the Long Shot up to a sufficient distance that there's room for the Scout ship to exit the pyramid, then slide sideways so that it can be docked atop the Long Shot.

Vonon directs 4 of the drones to maneuver up to the top of ship and fasten the Scout ship in place.

Unfortunately, there is no ventral hatch on the Scout ship, so it can't line up and dock with the dorsal hatch of the Long Shot. That means Serge will have to go EVA in his vacc-suit in order to board the Long Shot.

It's pretty much a short, routine EVA, so no roll is going to be necessary. Serge is directed to the starboard airlock aft that leads to the former control room of the Jump Shuttle.

Someone will meet you there--namely Pablo and Kaengarr.

The Vargrr Kaengarr's attitude seems to be one of 'go ahead--give a reason to shoot you', while Pablo's attitude seems to be that he doesn't need a reason.
Serge Baklanov
player, 6 posts
Marine/Scout
Tue 15 Aug 2017
at 08:06
  • msg #103

Destination: Unknown

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 102):

- Good morning, gentlemen, - Serge greeted meeting party with Vulcan salute. Jumpiness emanated from Pablo and Kaengarr, so Serge moved slowly and held hands visible.
- Can I speak with captain, after I fill cargo manifest?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:07, Tue 15 Aug 2017.
Sharik Kaagira
player, 281 posts
Freelance: ex-IISS, ex-IN
Serious about recreation
Wed 16 Aug 2017
at 19:16
  • msg #104

Destination: Unknown

"The Captain is listening, ..." came the dulcet tones of the Longshot's navigator over the ship's PA system routed through her p-comm earbud.   There is an obvious pause as Sharik reviewed whatever she could pull up on IISS scout Serge Baklanov - the last known recipient of the Type S Elusive -  from the library files and to see if any pictures matched the visage of the man on the sensors.  She stared at the augmented reality overlay in her shades next to the interior sensor images in the airlock.

It took some gumption to not introduce yourself and instead demand an immediate audience on a foreign ship that was responsible for rescuing you.  But the IISS was never that big on protocol, Sharik could attest to that first hand.  Hell, the diminutive socialite might well have responded the same way as Serge under similar circumstances.  Still, she glossed over that, "Permission to come aboard, ... ah,  Mr. Baklanov."

She muted the PA link for a moment and glanced around the bridge.  "Who wants to be 'Captain'" Shar prompted the assembled as a half-joke - Darrel was the usual suspect and the name on the registration.  Plus, he seemed to relish the role sometimes amongst the herd of cats that was this crew, "We probably need to head down to the lounge; wouldn't due to pow-wow here on the bridge."  Another tap on her p-comm opened the crew channel. ++Escort our guest to the lounge.++ Shar let Kaer and Pablo know.

With her console already locked, she tapped Vo on the shoulder and made ready to see Serge in person potentially.  "Staying or going?" Sharik asked as she straightened the pleats and collar on her jacket.  Her glance with the raised eyebrow eventually extended the question to everyone on the bridge and not just her vargr friend.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 725 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Wed 16 Aug 2017
at 23:08
  • msg #105

Destination: Unknown

"I suppose I'm not technically the captain, but I did play one in a holo-vid," the Count said with an attempt at a joke.

"I tend to be the spokesperson for our ship, so that also qualifies. Besides, I don't see any reason to deceive him. It's not like he's an alien wearing human skin, right?"

"Okay, so I'll go meet him in the lounge. Everyone shouldn't go, though. I'll take Walter and... Sharik. That's not a slight, Khea and Vonon, but you both can be rather intimidating. Of course, that probably doesn't hold true if he's really a Scout."


Darrel heads off the bridge to the lounge.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 335 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Thu 17 Aug 2017
at 05:59
  • msg #106

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Darrel Cromwell (msg # 105):

"Nah, interrogation was never my thing." Vonon responds, "Well, unless you count kicking in a doorpanel, shoving my pistol in some perps face and growling 'who the frack is running this operation?' at 'em."

Vonon sighs and grins - a far-away look on his face.

"Ah...good times...good times..."

"Anyway, somebody's gotta keep an eye on the kids..." Vonon points to the drone controls, "Never know what they might find next. I think they found some more port covers; maybe weapons ports, maybe garbage ports, I dunno. I'm kinda hoping they might locate a sensor port, or something like. Maybe we could set up an interface to any onboard systems, if we found a way to transmit past the hull." Vonon shrugs in his space armor, "Hope springs eternal..."
Samantha Kilgore
player, 368 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Thu 17 Aug 2017
at 07:40
  • msg #107

Destination: Unknown

Sam acknowledged Darrel with a slight nod.

She turned to Vonun "Can you get the drones to go inside the open part of the ship and have a nose around? Even if their sensors aren't great we could see stuff better possibly?"

Apart from that Sam, concentrated on keeping them in a steady location to the Pyramid, and also now the Scout ship, whilst scanning the sensor data to see if she can pick up anything else of interest about either ship

ooc

08:39, Today: Samantha Kilgore rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 1,4.  Checking Sensors data on both ships for any new info Int +1 Sensors +1.

Kheaiftouaw
player, 511 posts
Aslan outcast
Thu 17 Aug 2017
at 21:59
  • msg #108

Destination: Unknown

Khea doubtfully looks at Count. After all the possibility that this was not a real humanity was there. But they made it very clear that they don't intend to kill the newcomer, so it is a risk she has to take.

Going back to her previous place of standing right behind Vonon and look over his shoulders she watches him controlling the droids.
"Can you bounce the signal from one droid to the next to form a chain? That would allow us to get them inside while still maintaining a link.

We should probably also get a copy of the sensor logs from the scout ship.

Vonon Ronkunu
player, 336 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Fri 18 Aug 2017
at 02:37
  • msg #109

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 108):

"I've still got the one drone sitting on the edge of the bay door, emitting the magnetic signal to keep the bay door open, but I'll send a pair of drones down into the bay, now that Elusive is out of there." Vonon responded,

"The relay chain is a good idea Khea - and if we find a way deeper into that ship I'll probably do that. But right now, that landing bay isn't much larger than the open hatch, so there aren't any comm-shadowed areas. Or, at least, what few spots there are, are tiny bits of the outer corners, inside the bay."

"But we definitely should have the drones search inside that bay. The scout pilot didn't detect the magnetic fluctuations we did, so he didn't find any doors. We know what range of magnetic frequencies to search for, so we might find doors he didn't."
Vonon issues orders to two drones to return to the bay, enter it, and search it - that puts three drones staying at the open bay, and three others continuing to search the outer hull of the pyramid.

"Actually, if the design logic for that boat bay is anything like the Imperial model, the drones should find lots of doors, hatch covers and sealed ports - hiding all kinds of things."
Serge Baklanov
player, 7 posts
Marine/Scout
Fri 18 Aug 2017
at 14:57
  • msg #110

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 104):

> Permission to come aboard, ... ah,  Mr. Baklanov.

- Thank you, Ma'am, - Serge removed helmet now.

While being escorted to the lounge, Serge with a jove-like serenity ignored gimlet gazes of those two grunts behind him.
In the lounge, Serge made himself comfortable and waited till "captain" and "officers" arrived.

- Serge Baklanov, - he introduced himself. - Marine corporal from Garrison, in retirement. And... Scout.
- You probably have many questions. Well, the short part of my story: I was assigned by IISS to find out that gravity anomaly. I did not find anything; instead, the ship was attacked by Ihateisho. Hroal Gaarkal. Damned Aslans! I repelled the attack but my ship was badly damaged; I had to abandon her at Traineer. IISS assigned me to bring back the "Elusive". I returned with supplies, found the ship, repaired it, and was on the way to Grendal, then my previous mission found me - this Pyramid. Unable to jump, I powered down the ship and put myself into coldsleep. Then you appeared.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Fri 18 Aug 2017.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 726 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Fri 18 Aug 2017
at 16:01
  • msg #111

Destination: Unknown

"Greetings, Serge Baklanov, and welcome aboard the Long Shot. I am Count Darrel Cromwell, acting captain," Darrel said to Serge when he reached the lounge.

"We pretty much deduced most of your story, Serge. My concern is how your lanthanum grid got damaged. Other than that, your ship seems space worthy."

"We were knocked out of jump, too, from the gravity anomaly."

"Is there anything you can tell us about that pyramid?"

StarMaster
GM, 817 posts
Fri 18 Aug 2017
at 16:35
  • msg #112

Destination: Unknown

With memory storage not being an issue any more, most data files have extensive depth to all entries. Sharik calls up the IISS data on the Elusive and on Serge. There isn't just a picture, but several, including vids, as well as DNA profile.

Since nothing about his 'retired' assignment was classified, it's all in the file. It matches exactly what Serge said... up to his encounter with the gravitic anomaly.


The drones keep working like busy little bees, finding numerous 'hatches' on the surface. They aren't able to open any of them, however. It's like they get a 'busy' signal when they try the frequency.

They find 4 rather large ones on the base at the corners.

Once they enter the bay, they also detect several dozen 'hatches' on the walls and floor of the bay. These respond to the pulse of the drones, though. With each one, a device seems to grow out of the spot (rather than a hatch open). About half of them are recognizable--water, power, fuel, sprayer, scanner, maintenance.... the function of the others are unknown.

One, however, turns out to be an airlock/hatch. It does open, providing access to the interior.
Serge Baklanov
player, 8 posts
Marine/Scout
Fri 18 Aug 2017
at 20:12
  • msg #113

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Darrel Cromwell (msg # 111):

> My concern is how your lanthanum grid got damaged.

- Most probably, structural damage after combat caused fast deterioration; field repairs were not sufficient; misjump added critical amount of stress.

> Is there anything you can tell us about that pyramid?

- Apart from what I already said, only one: I don't like it.
- But IISS knew something is here before they sent me, so that means it has been here for at least some time. That brings us to my assignment: what amount of help can I... I mean, can IISS - represented by me, expect from you? The very least I need to get to civilization, so I could inform IISS, where their ship is stranded... again, - Serge chuckled. - They gonna discharge me for that, that's for sure.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 337 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sat 19 Aug 2017
at 01:55
  • msg #114

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Serge Baklanov (msg # 113):

OOC:


"A-ha! Just as I suspected...yup, power couplings...waste intakes...water replenishment...fuel line..." Vonon suddenly straightens up in his seat, "fuel line - hydrogen?!!"

Vonon has the drone that just activated the fuel dispensing unit do a double check for the presence of hydrogen. He is so focused on that action, he ignores the second drones attempt to get his attention by flashing a picture of what is obviously an airlock on a secondary screen.



OOC: I suppose it's a good thing somebody is watching over his shoulder, huh?


Kheaiftouaw
player, 512 posts
Aslan outcast
Sat 19 Aug 2017
at 22:34
  • msg #115

Destination: Unknown

"Hey, stop that" Khea shouts and unintentionally digs her claws into Vonos shoulder out of anxiety. "They could use antimatter or something worse as fuel. Do not mess with that unless you can scan it."

Leaning over to Vonon she whispers into his ear "Also keep this to yourself. I do not want our guest to know that there is another way leave besides with us."
Pointing at the screen of the 3rd drone next to the airlock she adds "This looks interesting. Do you think you can get a drone through that? But I guess we would lose contact when it closes to cycle."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:35, Sat 19 Aug 2017.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 338 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sun 20 Aug 2017
at 01:05
  • msg #116

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 115):

"I am scanning it! I'm not going to have the drone activate the fuel pump with no ship set to receive. I've got the drone scanning for traces around the nozzle..."

Vonon then gestures around the Bridge, "There's nobody here but us - of course, I suppose our voices might carry down the hallway...through that wide-open entryway into the Bridge. I swear I'm gonna weld a damn blast door in there, one of these days..."

"Any way, what seems interesting...?" Vonon looks at the sub-screen Khea is indicating, "Oh. Wow. Lookee there. Um, in answer to your question, I'm not sure, but probably not. The wall panel that covered that airlock was a neutronium panel...I think. All the neutronium we've seen so far has had that pebbly surface, which that airlock door doesn't seem to have - but that doesn't mean the airlock door metal isn't neutronium. However, if the door is just some alloy similar to our hullmetal, it might allow comm-signals through."

"We could always try to rig up some kind of work-around - maybe an antenna outside, and one inside, connected by a micro-wire small enough to let the door seal, without being cut. Or maybe a transducer stuck to either side of the door."

"Course, another option would be to send one drone into the airlock and let it cycle through. Even if we lose contact, I'll only program the drone to cycle the lock, open the inner door, take a bunch of scans, then come back out and give us a data dump."


"Which reminds me..." Vonon turns in his seat and looks around Khea, towards the pilots station.

"Hey, Sam! You're monitoring these sensor feeds, right? What do you make of the energy signatures the drones found at each of the four corners of the square base of this ship? I'm thinking either really big weapon turrets, or covers for really big sensors, or something to do with propulsion - covered thruster pods, maybe. What do you think?"
Samantha Kilgore
player, 370 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Tue 22 Aug 2017
at 08:50
  • msg #117

Destination: Unknown

Sam had been looking at the sensor feeds, but from a different thread.

"Say what Vonun? I was thinking along different lines." She looked back at the screen. "Could be any of those, but I would go for engines myself. But what I was pondering, if the drones are getting, sort of engaged tones, does that mean only one opening can be open at a time? That seems odd - because if those are engine ports, how would that work? Or weapon ports - that would be tactically a bit restricting, to say the least. I'm thinking theres got to be some sort of overide, or the frequency needs to vary a bit to open more than one. Can we try that with the drones - see if we can get another one open?

Sam also started trying to work out a firing sequence for the pyramid thrusters. Assuming the 4 large hatches were engines, what would need to be fired to stablise it so it wasn't rolling
Aimee Lavaud
player, 12 posts
Tue 22 Aug 2017
at 13:58
  • msg #118

Destination: Unknown

"I don't think you've got that right," Aimee speaks up. She was still the newest crewmember, and figured the others knew what they were doing. Until now.

"The only things you've been able to open from the outside are those things that someone on the outside would need to open. Gun ports, if this ship even needs them, would be controlled from the inside."

"Besides, think about how it lands. It probably doesn't land point down, though I wouldn't put it past them. In that case, some of the upper ports would have to be... no, wouldn't have to be, but probably would be... landing pads. Distribute the weight and provide support, rather than the ship having to balance on the point... though I suppose gyros could accomplish that."

"On the other hand, if the ship lands on the base... how would anyone access this... landing bay or cargo bay or whatever it is? The fact that there was nothing else in there is curious. Now, it is possible that the ship was designed only to dock at a station of some sort. I'm picturing a giant cube that could handle six pyramid ships in orbit, or five on the ground. In that case, the cargo bay would line up with the equivalent bay on the station."

"However, if it can land on the ground, then those four corner ports are probably landing pads. Equal distribution of the weight on those four points, keeping the base off the ground so that the cargo bay could be accessed."

"Well, anyway, that would be my guess. Either one of us could be right, or none of us. They could have some function that's so alien to us we'd never even think of it, or understand it when we were told."

Samantha Kilgore
player, 371 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Wed 23 Aug 2017
at 07:49
  • msg #119

Destination: Unknown

Sam looked at Aimee"Good point. But its still worth trying to vary the frequency I think Might be able to over-ride teh controls."
Kheaiftouaw
player, 513 posts
Aslan outcast
Wed 23 Aug 2017
at 20:50
  • msg #120

Destination: Unknown

"We also just could look at the fuel intake and how the corridor is oriented to see which direction is downward."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Wed 23 Aug 2017.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 727 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Wed 23 Aug 2017
at 21:00
  • msg #121

Destination: Unknown

"We're taking you and your ship back to civilization," Darrel said to Serge.

"What else would you like us to do?"

"I have every intention of further investigating this alien vessel. I'm not sure if we can get it out of the space lane, but we'll certainly try."

Serge Baklanov
player, 9 posts
Marine/Scout
Thu 24 Aug 2017
at 07:40
  • msg #122

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Darrel Cromwell (msg # 121):

> What else would you like us to do?

- Thank you, captain. I owe you a favor, - Serge saluted.
- About that Pyramid... If you will find a way to enter it and are going to send a boarding party, I volunteer to participate.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 339 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Fri 25 Aug 2017
at 06:12
  • msg #123

Destination: Unknown

In reply to Serge Baklanov (msg # 122):

LONGSHOT BRIDGE:

Vonon listens to the ladies suggestions,

"All reasonable sounding, but first I'm gonna check and see if we can get hydrogen fuel off this big hunk of spinning space junk, and then I'm gonna have a drone try and get that airlock to let us into the thing."

"With Pilot's permission, of course." Vonon adds, as his Vargr sense of Pack Order kicks in ... and he remembers that the Bridge Recorders are still running...

"Oh, yeah!" Vonon exclaims, then reaches for the intercom panel...



LONGSHOT REC ROOM:

*click*
[Bridge to Captain. The drones have found a second airlock, sir - this one inside the boat bay that scout was trapped in. Oh, and maybe even a source of hydrogen fuel. We're still investigating it. We'll keep you apprised, sir. Tactical, out.]
*click*
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