Ally Zephyr

At the thought of radio waves, Ally turns her head to the modified probe sitting in the shuttle's main bay.  It could be switched to full active sensors to give it a strong energy signature that at the very least might distract the creature if not heal it.  Perhaps the best part is that it is small enough to be jettisoned outside of the shuttle...

T'Enya nodded at the Andorian's suggestion.

"Do it."

There was a reason, after all, that she was not an Engineer.

Walking into the transporter bay, Nevi quickly moved to one of the consoles in front of the pads.  He hit the comm, "Captain.  Update.  T'Enya and I have a possible way of immobilizing the energy creature.  Shall we proceed?  What is the shuttle's current situation."

"Do we still have a channel to the ship? Twazera, tell them what we know, my theory, and that I'm going to test my hypothesis in a moment. I'm going to set the pod to active scanning, and we're going to jettison it. We should probably wait for confirmation, but... does anyone how long can we wait with the current power drain?"

On board the deGrasse

Ensign Twazera nods, still clearly shaken by his brush with the entity's emotions. He goes to one of the shuttle's consoles and opens a channel to the ship.

"Twazera to Vigilant, the entity is affecting our power. Dr. Zephyr has a plan, we're going to try it now!"

Bridge

The shuttle's message manages to come through with only a bit of static. Tabin, her face grim, pushes the intercom next to her to reply to Nevi.

"If we're not beaming them out, then I need to know the plan before I put 1100 lives at risk. Give me the short version, Nevi."

OOC:
@ Ally:  Make a knowledge roll with the +3 technobabble bonus. The DC is 20. I'm house-ruling that action points can give you a reroll.
@ Spid'Dar:  I know things can get buried in OOC, so just make sure you give me that Engineering roll. I'm giving you guys a chance to look before you leap.
@ All: The Abramverse Constitution class ship is much bigger than the TOS version, hence the different number (it's the closest I can find).

"Captain, T'Enya -- the plan is in addition to beaming them out, not in place of it."

Nevi leans in to the comm, "We will modify one of our transporters to become a kind of energy containment field.  It will, hopefully, lock the energy being in its current position but will not allow it into our transporter pattern buffer."

Releasing the comm switch his hands began to run over the console.  Might was well do the preliminary work if the Captain agreed with the plan...

(OOC: Rolled a 30 on the Engineering roll.)

On board the deGrasse

Zephyr opens up the probe's access panel, turns it to full power, and yanks out the automatic override. She slams the panel shut, and rushes to the forward cabin. When the doors close she punches the airlock release, and the probe is sucked out into space.

At first, it looks as if the idea will work. The entity breaks off its pursuit of the shuttle, and the power levels begin to rise normally. However, it takes only seconds for the readings on the probe to go dead. The entity has fully drained it, and it begins its pursuit of the deGrasse once more...

Spid'Dar Nevi

From the prior scans of the entity, its energy reading is enormous. The Vigilant did not pick it up before simply because its proximity to the star made it appear to be part of the star itself. Using the transporters in this way will put considerable strain on the system. At best, it will trap the entity for the few seconds the shuttle needs in order to escape. At worst, it will fail, fry the transporter system, and leave the shuttle to its fate.

OOC:
Okay, here's the deal:

You need to reach a DC 20 in order to save the shuttle, using Ally's 16 as the base. Daniel's phys roll for maneuvering the shuttle grants a +2 to it, bringing it up to 18. The Vigilant can assist using the transporters, giving the shuttle the +2 it needs to reach 20. You'll need to make another Engineering roll at a DC 20. Hitting 20 will leave the transporters at level 2 damage (offline until repaired and the console explodes). Hitting 25 means the transporters are only at level 1 damage (50% operational until repaired and the console doesn't explode). Hitting 30 means you're awesome and there is no damage. However, if you fail by 5 or more then the system takes level 3 damage and the shuttle is in trouble.

The other option is to just beam them out of there. However, there is the risk that some of you might not make it.  The DC to get one random person is Engineering 15, two is 20, three is 25, and four is 30. From what I see, there is currently a +8 bonus for the Engineering roll from Carlos' nav roll (+4), Ally's know roll (+2), and Daniel's phys roll (+2).

I recommend voting in OOC.

Nevi shakes his head and speaks to T'Enya, "The energy readings on that being are amazing.  I am doubtful our transporters have the ability to accomplish our task without considerable strain on our systems as well as offering little chance to delay the entity for any significant amount of time..."

His antenna go back as he rubs his chin, "Maybe something less revolutionary is required..."  He looked sideways at T'Enya, "What if we transport the whole shuttle?"  He quickly looked back down and began to go over his calculations and transporter schematics...

(OOC: Edited to show roll.  Rolled a 32!  The dice be lovin' me good!)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Mon 07 Oct 2013.

Parker did her best to keep all the parties in communication with one another.  The shuttle and the Vigilant mainly; but also the various stations and departments aboard the Vigilant.  She also was paying close attention to the "sounds" the energy form was making.  Perhaps it was, in addition to trying to eat the shuttle, making some attempt at alien-energy-vampire communication?

Nevi

With transporters still being a relatively new technology, Starfleet has been hesitant to employ the technology in creative ways---such as using a transporter to dock a manned ship, install and remove fully staffed science outposts on planets, and so on. Part of the fear comes from the very real possibility of having the transporter mix up the patterns, which can cause serious injury and death. Another concern is that ships, unlike most lifeforms, are comprised of explosive material which may become destabilized upon materialization.

Beaming up the shuttle will require a site to site transport, placing it back in the shuttlebay. It will also place strain on the transporters, and place the lives of the crew inside and outside the shuttlecraft at risk.

Parker

It appears as though "sounds" coming from the entity have changed ever so slightly since changing its target from the sun to the deGrasse to the probe and back to the deGrasse. However, it will take a more careful analysis to figure out what exactly is going on.

OOC:
Awesome roll!  Okay, here is option 3:

You can try to transport the ship. It is guaranteed to save everybody. You can use the same bonuses for the transporter, and we'll keep the base Engineering DC at 30 with a bit of a sliding scale. You can have another character assist you (I'd recommend Parker because she's on the bridge de Silva is already giving you +4).  If you hit the DC 30, you will beam up the shuttle, but the crew will have to make a Physical roll at DC 20 to avoid taking 2d10 damage. A DC 35 lowers the Physical DC to 15. A DC 40 means you pull it off without a hitch.  Fail by 5, and the shuttle crew takes 2d10 damage.  Fail by 10, and BOOM...

@ Parker: Feel free to make another Comm roll.

"If you beam the entire shuttle off the Starboard Aft, the Vigilant can act as a sort of 'energy shield', making it easier to reconstitute than to disassemble. Also, less chance of merging with deck plating."

"I also remember once where our Chief Engineer used the Cargo Transporter Buffer as an aide to mass transport. He used an ... Obverse-Inverse Organic Quantum Filter Matrix to setup the dual flow -- the obverse filter to send the organic patterns to the regular transporter and the inverse non-organics to the cargo transporter. Naturally the obverse filter was set with a quantum flux delay mechanism so that the non-organic materialized first."

"If you have time, that is."

Parker rolled 23 using 1d20+10. Communications Roll.

Parker

Given what the crew has learned about the entity thanks to Ensign Twazera, it appears as though the sounds coming from the creature are something akin to anger...or desperation...

Sorvok

Sorvok attempts to isolate a potential energy frequency that the creature does not affect. However, the sensor shows that it has the capability of affecting all forms of known energy. Disappointed by the outcome but not discouraged, he turns to analyzing the entity's behavioral patterns. This route proves far more fruitful...

OOC:
@ Sorvok: Unfortunately, the Know/Int assist roll misses the assist DC of 20. However, the Behavioral Analysis scan gives you 3 questions and an action point!

Bridge and Transporter Room

"So you're telling me that our options are beam them out of there, fry the transporter system, or blow up the shuttlecraft?" Tabin asks incredulously, the tone in her voice indicating that she thinks somewhat poorly of the other options. "I think I'll stick with the first option. Shuttles are replaceable, lives aren't. The word is given. Beam them out of there."

She turns to Parker.

"Open a channel to the deGrasse. Tell them we're beaming them out of there."

OOC:

Option 1 it is. I need Spid'Dar to roll Engineering. Add a +2 command bonus from Captain Tabin. From what I see, that gives you a +10 bonus to the roll (+4 from Carlos, +2 from Ally, +2 from Daniel, and +2 from Tabin). With your current base of 12, that should start you off at 22. You need 15 for 1 person, 20 for 2, 25 for 3 and 30 for all 4. Use an action point for a +5 and you start off with 27, meaning you just need a 3 to guarantee all 4 make it safely.

Nevi, hearing the aggravation in his Captain's voice and understanding it, turns his attentions to the transporter console.  The energy signature of the entity is doing an excellent job at messing with his transporter locks.  He decides to add the energy reroute he just planned to penetrate the interference and lock on as many biological signatures as he could.

He muttered an Andorian curse under his breath and engaged the transporters...

(OOC: Using an Action Point to pump the results.  However, I rolled a two so someone isn't coming back.  Nice time to f-up a roll but that is the way the Andorian cookie crumbles.)

On board the deGrasse

With power levels failing, navigational deflectors dropping, and the entity approaching, the entire crew sighs in relief as the familiar whine and strange sensation of the transporter surrounds each of them. However, there is suddenly a foreign tugging sensation, a bloodcurdling scream, and nothing...

Transporter Room

Tension mounts in the transporter room as four figures fade in and out of existence. Nevi's fingers fly over the console, trying to compensate for the entity's interference. Finally, the four members of the doomed shuttlecraft return to existence. However, James Black's eyes roll towards the back of his head, and he collapses on the transporter pad...

OOC:
Rolling a d4: 1-Ally, 2-Daniel, 3-James, 4-Twazera.  The roll is...3!!! James Black is the winner! However, seeing as he's not here...I'll spend an action point on his behalf to ensure that he survives.  I'll let Ally do her thing to figure out what's going on...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Fri 11 Oct 2013.

When the signature whine stops, T'Enya moves to the comm panel and presses the button.

"Bridge, Transporter room. Transport complete -- I suggest we get some distance."

Transporter Room

"That may be a problem," Tabin says over the comm. "Report to the bridge."

Bridge

Those on the bridge watch as the lights of the deGrasse dim and die out, and the shuttle begins to tumble towards Epsilon Alpha. With nothing keeping it from succumbing to the star's gravitational pull, the shuttle soon disappears from view.

The entity, however, does not.

Whether following the energy stream or sifting through the shuttle's computers, the entity is now aware of the Vigilant's presence. It changes course, and begins speeding towards the starship at speeds that only energy can achieve...

"Parker, go to yellow alert. We're about to have company."

OOC:
Entity incoming! I'd recommend running scans, breaking orbit, open hailing frequencies, or anything else to come up with a plan...
http://www.mediacollege.com/do...usic/Suspense_04.mp3

Sorvok

Sorvok stays silent, his mind in deep thought as he considers the evidence before him. He comes to three conclusions.

First, the entity must be attracted to complexity of energy rather than intensity. Epsilon Alpha offers a much better meal than the deGrasse or the Vigilant because it generates both greater amounts and varieties of energy. The only difference between the two is that the ships have power grids that disseminate energy in ordered, unique, and complex ways. This would also explain why turning the power levels of the probe up to maximum did not distract the entity. The deGrasse still appeared to be the most complex target.

Second, the energy siphoning must be some form of biological action separate from communication. Thanks to Dr. Zephyr's observation that the draining bears resemblance to respiratory or digestive functions, it seems logical to surmise that the siphon is either involuntary---such as breathing---or voluntary---such as eating. Based on the unsuccessful communication analyses performed by Parker and T'Enya, it is unlikely that the siphoning is some form of communication.

Third, the siphoning does not seem to have an acute impact on the entity. Granted, the Vigilant has only been observing the entity for a handful of minutes. It is entirely possible that the siphoning has a chronic effect on the entity, but there is not enough information to reach a solid conclusion on it. Such a hypothesis would require a longitudinal study for which the ship and crew simply do not have the time to spare. If Sorvok had to...guess...he would attribute it to a biological function necessary for maintaining the entity's current status rather than increasing it.

Sorvok

Turning his attention back to the incoming data, Sorvok attempts to filter out some of the background interference from the now unperturbed Epsilon Alpha so that he can get a clear reading on the entity. Unfortunately, many of the usual procedures for eliminating background radiation are not working. However, he does notice two things. The entity is closing much faster than the Vigilant can run using impulse drive, and the siphoning cone is rapidly being brought towards the ship...

Parker started the yellow alert.  She lowered her hand from the shiny earpiece that remained in her ear, defying gravity through a combination of ergonomic design and literal gravity-defying technologies.

The yellow light flashed, alerting the crew to the increased level of danger.  And the shields, if they weren't already up to full power, automatically came up with the captain's order.

Parker didn't waste any further time.  Since it was clear that the entity had detected the ship, and was coming this way, she decided to literally attempt to hail the creature -- what was there to lose at this point?

However, the quietly efficient communications officer wasn't sure what to say to an energy being, or how to say it, so she just went with her gut.

On the same frequency of the anguished, confused, or angry emissions she was picking up from the being, she played music back at it.

It was one of her favorite, saddest pieces of the early 20th century.

The third movement of Shostakovich's Symphony Number 5.

---

The music (on Youtube), if you're curious: http://youtu.be/rbgvGOzaVbU

---

Nevi waved for the other three to care for Black.  He then opened a channel to sick bay, "One down on the transporter pad.  Sick bay to transporter room."  With that done he immediately left the transporter room and made his way to the turbolift.

Once on the bridge he made his way to the engineering console and began to absorb the new readings...

(OOC: Edited to adjust to what the unaware player forgot or misread.)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Mon 14 Oct 2013.

"On our way. Transporter room out."

T'Enya waited for Nevi and headed the turbolift with Nevi. it didn't take her long to pick up on the situation.

"In that case, i suggest we modify a probe to send hyper-complex transmissions for an initial test. if that works, we may be able to alter our tractor beam to act as an energy source. Use cross beam emissions for complex energy transport. In theory the creature would be attracted to the intersection point because of its complexity. If that works we can create a sort of high-tech energy creature version of the mammary gland."

"Helm, be prepared to go to warp on the Captain's command. Lt. Sorvock -- this close to planetary and stellar bodies, the Warp Field may create temporal distortions. If we go to warp, you must be prepared to give correction factors to helm and navigation."