"Cassy, I think even my hero would have difficulty breaking through the Byzantine layers of programming on this thing," Gian says. "We need to treat it solely as a resource for information; I don't think we'll ever be able to get it to grant us more access than we already have.

"Personally," he continues, "I think it's interesting that the kopeci attacked our facilities here, then withdrew from our universe all together within a week. Could our presence in the sphere have been the final catalyst to this Vilani abandonment of their bases?"

Without waiting for an answer, he adds, "Regardless, I think we have accomplished at least one important thing: we now know how to converse with the computer intelligences of these complexes, and how to ensure we establish our personnel as researchers on each. I think this is worth a report back to base."

In reply to Shione (msg # 463):

[OOC: Sosal is with Tony, guarding the entry hatch.]

Which way is Shione heading?

Argent had been following along dutifully, observing and recording everything, scanning anything when told or if something intrigued him. For the most part, he felt like he was in over his head.

It was like there was something just out of reach that he couldn't quite grasp that would have it all make sense.

At least he now knew better than to argue with an AI; certainly not one of these, which were far more sophisticated than anything the Federation could produce.

He also doubted that Grandfather was truly immortal, unless they had a different definition for it than he did. To Argent, it meant that the person couldn't die from aging, that, in essence, he stopped aging at some point. Otherwise, he might be 1,000 years old and LOOK LIKE IT!

It also meant that he could be killed, either by an attack or even by accident.

"Are we looking for anything in particular now?" he asked Shione as he followed her into the southeast quadrant area.

"I think I may have spaced out for a bit... but, did we ever find out what happened to this Daneel person?"

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 465):

OOC Southeast Quadrant (Lower right side of the map)
Simply going room to room to make certian she chacks them all

In reply to Argent Merawdr (msg # 466):

"Daneel returned to Vilani space .
We're simply nosing around hoping to discover something interesting,my friend.

Isn't your species a curious one?" She adds with a smile and a wink

Cassy will agree with Shione leaving and then replies to Gian, "A pity really.  I don't believe remaining in a situation like this is ultimately safe for our crew.   Let's continue investigating.  When we're done we can isolate and quarantine.   If the computer here is unwilling to work with us, it will doubtlessly be left, its use being limited."   Is it a threat?  Possibly... indirectly.

"Isolate and quarantine? How could this base not be useful?"

"Yes.   Ultimately the federation is built on trust, knowledge and understanding and without those any race or indeed technology cannot be accepted.   Would you trust a loaded weapon you did not understand and had no knowledge of its function?"

"Only the dead ones," Argent replied to Shione, referring to the old adage. He was joking, of course. Cat-humor.

"Even so, I am not leading this little soiree. If it was up to me, I'd probably be dismantling all of it to see how it works."

"In any case, I did not say I wasn't interested in exploring. I was just wondering if there was some other purpose to it."

As Argent completes his sentence, there is a blinding white glare from the vacant 'office' and Shione's tricorder begins a strident beeping and declaring "Subspace anomaly with high levels of chroniton radiation detected." The glare dies down and a tall humanoid is visible through the glare-induced afterimages in everyone's eyes, excepting Shione, who was not facing in that direction.

No sooner does Shione's tricorder announce its warning, the Avatar announces, "Incoming portal from Boughene established. Command and Security protocols transferred to Commander R Olivaw."

Gian immediately draws his phaser, ready for whatever this new "commander" may attempt to do.

In reply to The Avatar (msg # 474):

Shione moves to the door and waits ,facing the door,hands at her side.(about 2 steps from the door)
No phaser

"Please don't point your weapons while I'm in the line of fire.

If he isn't hostile I'll back off and let you take the lead Lt Dul"

If he exits she will make a polite bow of her head "Greetings .I am Lt Shione Kurasa from the United Federation of Planets.We are peaceful explorers and mean no harm"

If he draws or aims a weapons Shione will attempt to grapple and pin him to the door frame or wall,by grasping his "gun" hand;in order to employ her Nerve pinch in the following round
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Mon 23 Jan 2017.

The gentleman in the room looks very like R Daneel's ID card, but with dark hair. He's wearing a uniform (if it is a uniform) of black and bright yellow. At his waist is a holster like the one found in R Daneel's desk with a similar weapon, this one with a small block on the top surface ahead of the thumb button. He raises his hands, palms forward and steps forward.

"My name is R Olivaw (he pronounces it O-lee-vow). I am the commander of this facility. I'm sure we can find somewhere more comfortable than the entry stage for a conference. You may rest assured, Lieutenant Kurasa, that I mean you no harm. I take it that Lieutenant Dul is in command of your team? Please indicate which one of you is Lieutenant Dul." He smiles pleasantly.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:54, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

Argent directs his tricorder at the newcomer and runs a scan.

"Careful. He may be a humaniform robot... like Data," Argent cautions the other. "His name is taken from an old Earth science fiction story."

02:43, Today: Argent Merawdr rolled 8 using 5d6 ((5,3,3,3,2)) Logic+Personal Equipment (tricorder).

Gian does not lower his phaser, but he keeps it on stun setting...for now.

In reply to Argent Merawdr (msg # 478):

Argent's tricorder shows baseline humanoid readings.

In reply to Gian Seingalt (msg # 479):

Commander Olivaw ignores Gian's armed presence.

At the alert, Cassy would have drawn her weapon too....   On hearing the man ask for her, she'll nod, considering Argent's question, and then speaking up, "I'm Lt Dul.   Please... welcome... back.  But for our own comfort and peace of mind, could you please leave your weapon here?"  She'll lower her weapon as a show of 'trust' - while trusting that Gian will continue to cover her until the new arrival has divested himself of his weapon in kind.

Commander Olivaw raises a quizzical eyebrow. "Excuse me? Playing a game of role-reversal, are we? You are the uninvited armed intruders. I think I shall retain my weapon, thanks. The computer informs me you were requesting someone in Command. I am he. Now, please lower and holster all your weapons, and come this way." He steps forward to pass the group.

In reply to R Olivaw (msg # 483):

In an effort to diffuse the situation ,Shione speaks up,but does not move between the two.

"Commander Olivaw,you must be aware that the show of technology used in your arrival would seem quite impressive and also justify a certain sense of wariness.
Can you reassure us that you are not here for anything other than a peaceful discussion between our two cultures?."

She meets Cassy's eyes for a moment,before continuing"As a security officer it is my role to see that our meeting in conducted peaceably .
I do hope you can understand,that as a peaceful culture we are certainly not going to initiate any such actions and your word on the matter would go a long way to getting us to those discussions"

OOC Will spend a Courage point if needed
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Sat 28 Jan 2017.

Olivaw smiles slightly and replies, "It is my intention to discuss peaceful... er, I believe 'First Contact' is your term. However, this is difficult to do over arms. I have left my weapon in my holster, yet you all continue to hold me at bay with your weapons. This hardly bodes well and would seem to contradict your espousal of peaceful intentions. I am willing to 'cut you some slack' as they say, due to the recent hostilities which were initiated by several members of my faction who were under... 'mind control' would be the most accurate equivalent term... not in control of themselves. My mission is to conduct a diplomatic mission. Now, please, there are much more congenial places to discuss such matters. If Lt. Dul is in command, may I assume you as a security officer are in charge of security, Lt. Kurasa? And these others are?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Gian doesn't lower his phaser, but he relaxes his stance a bit as he looks to Cassy for guidance.

Recalcitrant computers with deadly android and now 'mind reading' gun wielding aliens who profess peace?  "Commander Olivaw.   You certainly have us as a disadvantage.  I'm sure you can appreciate that, more so as you admit that your people are easily swayed and your computer admits to have been contaminated by a a virus."   She doesn't comment on Shione's assumption of 'peacefulness' - especially given the circumstances - nor does she tell Gian to lower his weapon.  "Can we trust that you are not in fact drawing us into a similar trap?"

Copmmander Olivaw sighs and says to the ceiling, "Computer, deactivate all weapons in this room. Reinstate all security protocols."
The Avater's voice replies, "Security protocols reactivated, Commander."

Olivaw looks peeved. "Lieutenant Dul, if I walked into your Freeman's Island and held you at bay with weapons, how would you react? You have entered my facility, vandalised it and looted, an threatened me. You have been accorded considerable cooperation by my computer, but I will no longer tolerate such discourtesy. Now, are we to enter into diplomatic negotiations or not?"