The records from the Thames shed little light on the situtation other than a micro-second by micro-second account of the shutdown sequence. The records from the Type 15's followup mission reveal the layout of the two levels of the platform and the contents of the globes. Analysis concludes that the layout of the platform levels and globes is likely to be substantially similar for gamma Two, the contents of the globes is equally likely to be quite different. The runabouts have been post-flighted, serviced and are ready to be pre-flighted for the flight. The standard loadout includes 4 type II phasers, 2 riot phaser extensions, 4 tricorders and a set of transport enhancers with cables for each ship, in addition to the type I phasers issued for daily carry and any specialty equipment requested, including all equipment discussed above. The ships also have a replicator for food/beverages and a small one for any tools they may need.

Tool depictions are available at http://www.coldnorth.com/owen/...ipment/equipment.htm

The flight out to the area of Gamma Two is uneventful, and Gian and Shione have plenty of time to digest the records. They, of course, have tight-beam inter-ship communications that should not set off the tower's power shut-off.

After a flight of several hours, the tower hoves into view through the forward viewports. Mac focuses a tight-beam communications laser on the Cuyahoga and hails the other runabout. "Cuyahoga, this is Kitchissippi. Maintain contact on this link only. Shut down all sensors other than a distance reading on the ocean surface and maintain height of three metres relative. Over."

"Skipper," Sosal calls to Cassie, "I've locked our comms relay onto Kitchissippi's whisker laser. Sensors confirm 3 meters altitude."

Cassy sat at the flight controls of Cuyahoga and ensured both the appropriate altitude, distance between runabouts and the comms tether where in place before silently acknowledging the orders.  She looked then to the others in the cockpit, "Everyone ready?"

"That's probably the best way to deal with it. I'd prefer to do this on one of the upper globes, so we don't have to factor in the water effects. It just feels like an extra complication we don't need," Gian muses. "Let's see what we can do, eh?"

OOC: That should allow us to move on to the next scene. :)

"As ready as I can be," the engineer says, his mind still working out the variables of trying to access the bottom of a globe that rests only a few meters above what amounts to a sea. It's not ideal, to say the least.

"Ms. Rai, could you boost the sensitivity of the passive sensors as high as they can go?" he asks. "If that thing sends out a signal of any kind, I would really like to get a look at it. The Thames' logs were...lacking, to be polite."

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 41):

Shione stands when they arrive on station and picks up her Grav boots and shoulders the Phaser

"I'm ready to go up and get started when you give me the go ahead Mac.I'd like to have someone poke their head out of the hatch and keep an eye on things while I'm working on the lock.They can then hand me up the rope ladder.

Ready when you are Skipper"

To the others in the Kitchissippi Shione seems cool,calm and collected as she stands below the hatch awaiting orders

"That's probably the best way to deal with it. I'd prefer to do this on one of the upper globes, so we don't have to factor in the water effects. It just feels like an extra complication we don't need," Gian muses.

Shione nods to Gian's comments and after mulling them over,responds
A complication yes,but it's less distance to fall if something goes wrong while we're coming and going

Mac listens to the back-and-forth between the two engineers. Finally he says, "Gian, Shione, you have some very good points. However, there's another entrance that sounds just as good - the hatch in the lower deck pf the platform. Look at the deck plan of the lower level, and focus on the lower right of the level. That hatch enters into an area we have clear maps of and also appears to have a ladder rung right beside it. Seems to me that it might be the best choice for an entry, given that we don't have any idea what might be in any of the globes. Lieutenant Dul, what do you think?"

In reply to Gian Seingalt (msg # 45):

" Aye, Mr. Seingalt," Lt. Rai replies, diverting all available power to the passive sensor to boost it's efficiency." Best to wring all the data we can out of that thing before we go mucking about in it."

OOC: Rolled a Sensors roll, just in case it was needed.

Her reply is to the point, "That would seem sensible, Lieutenant Anderson.  Although I wouldn't discount the effort our engineers have put into the planning."

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 48):

Shione does not let her exasperation show,thinking to herself that this was a discussion that should have been held back at the Outpost

"Orders Sir?
.Which hatch am I working on.?
And perhaps Tony should come out with me and see if perhaps he and Argent can figure a way to open it; that doesn't require a Phaser "

Mac says, "We'll take a look at the platform hatch. No sensor like the Mark One eyeball. At this height, however, Shione, you will wear the gravity boots." Rai's sensors on full passive scan, the two runabouts hover below the platform. The hatch in question is circular in shape, perhaps a metre and a half in diametre, with ladder rungs on either side of it. It's depressed about 25 centimetres into the hull material. The gravity boots are similar to those used by Spock in Star Trek V, and not only allow Shoine and Tony to stand on the runabout's surface, but also to fly.

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 52):

Shione climbs out,puts on her boots and waits for Tony

"Take a look to see if you can figure a way in ,otherwise"and she holds up the Phaser

"We go with the hard way"

In reply to Shione (msg # 53):

Gazzo slowly drifts up to the hatch to get a closer look. Though there appears to be no visible locking mechanism, the hatch has a u-shaped handle near one end. Eyeballing a miniscule seam around the outer perimeter of the hatch, he takes out a small penlight and shines it along the seam. Marking the handle end as the 12 o’clock position, Gazzo discovers what appear to be “deadbolts” in the 12, 3 and 9 o’clock postions.

“This should be rather simple dollface…I mean Lt”, he says to Shione. Hitting his comm badge for the rest to hear, Gazzo explains, “We should be able to use the 'heater' in a narrow beam setting to cut the bolts. As there appears to be no outer “hinge”, the door must swing out. I can jury rig a rope and pulley system to the handle to hold it in place. Once the bolts are ‘beat’ (broke), we lower the hatch open and rig up a ladder to the rungs and climb inside. Should be a piece of cake”, he grins.

“What do you think ‘Boss', he says to Mac.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 00:41, Fri 02 Sept 2016.

Mac says over their comm link, "Shione, you take the lead. Phasers on stun." The hatch opens to a corridor end. Ahead about three metres is a side-corridor to the left and about 1.5 metres further is a corridor to the right. Ahead are two doors to the right and an open space. The floor is a soft grey felt-like carpet and the waslls are a pale blue. The corridor is well lit, but the origin of the light is unclear.

Mac says, "Set up the transport enhancers in the corridor about halfway to the first junction." The transport enhancers are supposd to be set in a triangle about 1.5 to three metres in size, and the corridor allows for the minimum spacing. He continues, "I'm going to set the Kitchissippi to station-keeping. Cassie, have your people beam over to the Kitchissippi for relay to the station and send the Cuyahoga to keep station at 100 metres relative directly above. Dyson Base will be monitoring the Cuyahoga."

http://www.coldnorth.com/owen/...e/gamma/gamma02b.gif
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:57, Fri 02 Sept 2016.

"Just because you can't see an external hinge doesn't mean it isn't there," Argent comments. "It may open downward, but that would be rather awkward for anyone inside wanting to get out."

"It'd more likely be a hidden hinge to protect it from the elements... and people like us."

Cassy will do as instructed despite the desire not to want to leave the Cuyahoga to its autopilot.  But orders are orders.   Once ready, the crew will beam aboard the Kitchissippi leaving her for last.  Hopefully the tower's defences will not trigger!

Gian secures his station and sets the engineering systems to respond to Dyson Base commands. He then mans the transporter controls and beams the two science officers over to the Kitsch.

As he sets up the controls for a time-delay transport for Cassy and himself, he admits, "I'm not keen on leaving the runabout hovering about like this."

"Mac the three of us will scout ahead.Whomever is 4th and 5th can bring in the cables and set it up.That alright with you?"

Shione turns to Argent and Tony behind her,whispering"Keep your eyes on your tricorders and let me know if you pick up anything you think I should be aware of.One of you guys stop at the first junction to make sure no one gets behind us.OK?"

Shione lets her Security training come to the fore and moves to the first junction.Scanning it first quickly,then looking and listening,then moving on.She will then duck up the short right hand corridor leaving someone watching the main one

In reply to Cassiadora (msg # 57):

Sosal pipes up, "If it makes you feel better, Lieutenant, I'm qualified on CONN. I can take the runabout up to the desired level and keep an eye on things. It's not like you'll need an astrophysicist to explore the station, after all." He crosses over to stand behind Cassie's seat.

"It'd make me feel better," Gian adds.

"Oh, sure, leave the scientists on guard duty," Argent grouses good-naturedly.

"We'll stay here at this first intersection until you clear the left hand passage. Then we'll move up to the right hand passage."

As he spoke, he began directing his tricorder at the walls, floor, ceiling and down the passage. He was trying to get a reading on the composition of the material, trace any circuitry behind or in the area, and scanning for any other energy sources.

"Keep in mind that there might be secret doors and hidden passages. Just because the other sphere had this layout, it doesn't mean that this one does."

Mac snaps back, "Negative, Shione! First order of business in a potentially hostile area is to secure your line of retreat. We don't know what those drones can do or how these ones will react now that we've breached the hatch. Stay on guard while Gazzo sets up the transport enhancers. Where's your security training? Commander Worf'd be pissed."

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 63):

Covering her Comm badge for a moment,and whispering to Argent and Gazzo"He's beginning to get on my nerves,I really don't need to be lectured when he gives an order"

Uncovering it"Aye aye Skipper.Argent and I are holding while Tony assembles the enhancers"

She will remain vigilant and is still in the lead should trouble arrive.
Once he's done"All set Tony?"

Tapping her comm badge"All set Awaiting the rest of you,before proceeding,Sir."

Grinning at Argent "Hey don't grouse at me, I'm just an Engineer who got tapped for 2 years in Security.
Duty went from hours of boredom to moments of terror.Just thought I'd share it with my friends"
Her smile is a genuine one,but both men note that she doesn't relax her surveillance