The work is taxing, and slow. Because of the unknown nature of the device, and fear of both damaging it, and possible repercussions, the group moves in baby steps.
The outer shell, panels, and sensory equipment is exhaustively analyzed. Material samples are taken, energy currents measured, and analyses of the surrounding rock are made. Even the shape of the object is scrutinized for possible insight into the purpose of the device and the minds of the creators (it has a highly symetrical appearance, despite the panneling and the sensory devices on top, and has a certain aesthetic quality suggesting either an appreciation for art/balance/beauty, or perhaps that the species' thinking is inherently tends towards such), a task Impetus is actually able to help with. As the analysis becomes more detailed, Impetus ends up merely analyzing the possible psychological impact of things, as he is mostly just in the way of the great minds at work.
Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
gotta love that dice roller. and no, the equipment is required for the roll to even be made. The only way you would get an equipment bonus would be if you actually had some noetic tech to use.
Eventually the team comes to the point where dissassembly is the only option for learning more. Zero draws up the plans for the dissassembly, and lays out several testable hypothesis, while Gravitas merely stares at the object, lost in thought. With a cock of its head, the doctor spares a look for its fellow scientist, and starts the process. The object is seemless, complicating the process, but Zero manages to use a combination of super-human dexterity and strength to peirce the object and then search through its guts, using a camera and flexible tools more commonly used in internal medicine. Zero then begins throwing out data about the object, and the sensors also begin to pick up more energy readings once the shell is peirced.
Gravitas begins colating the data, writing some equations on a smart board(mostly for the benefit of the others... at least until he realizes that anyone that can actually understand the equations won't be needing them written down), before he switches to simply staring at the data coming in. Zero's measurements and understanding of the device allows Gravitas to skip many preliminary processes, allowing him to focus on the difficult questions.
Zero notes that:
1>The internal mechanisms are a blend of hard tech, and some form of wetware, a biological machine that feeds off of the power of the generator, and disrupts quantum fields
2>The power source for the machine utilizes a rechargable battery of incredible efficiency. The battery connects to both the panels, and the organic material. The battery is recieving a slight recharge even now, and more than is accounted for by the slight energy coming in from the lights in the lab.
3>The outer panels of the device, and the sensor array at top, are apparently a separate piece, connected via a fused power and communications wire to the internal machinery. There are likely more functions that will require further time and specialized eqiupment to investigate.
Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
no more roles are required, and it doesn't factor into the plot... basically just refinements in robotics and engineering that will fast forward modern tech if it ever gets out... and allow those present to make really cool stuff.
4>The device utilized nano-machines in its construction, or exceptionally precise telekinises, due to the intricacy of some of the technology.
5>The device reacts to Quantum energy fields (like the one emited by Zero nearly constantly), and the organic components seem to wither under it's influence once fully exposed to it through the hole in the plating (forcing Zero to pause and redesign its tools and approach; it ends up about 10' away, with a tube connected to the device through which it slides the observation equipment).
6>The organic components don't like air and don't like vacuum (anaerobic resperation system held in close balance by the closed shell; Zero again modifies approach, sealing the area around the probe)
7>The device has a complex computer that tracks and records information, though the coding on the computer and the types of telemetry are unclear.
8>The device sends out a continuous stream of the unknown energy, directed at a certain area of the martian sky.
9>The odd energy field disrupts quantum energy, and seems to be primarily emited by the organics in the device.
Gravitas mulls over the information as it comes in, his brain processing the information, and following multiple lines of thoughts to their logical conclusions, most of which are unviable explanations for the device and it's purpose. Only a few explanations make sense, given the information at hand.
Purpose:
Given its lack of long range sensors, and the fact that the only thing the device responds to (other than for purposes of power consumption and adapting optimally to its environment) is quantum energy, it is reasonable to assume that the probe is primarily meant to monitor background quantum levels withing the solar system.
Science:
The device functions utilizing an unknown energy source. Through leaps of logic and predictive calculations too complex to convey using current mathematical writing methods, it becomes clear that this energy source is the answer to a great many questions, providing the underlying link between matter, energy, and the various universal forces... And between thought itself. This energy seems to be linked somehow to quantum energy, which was previously thought to be the explanation for the above phenomena, but is now clearly only the the first layer of a much more complex issue. The ramifications are truly staggering, and somewhat disconcerting as well; this energy, existing at the subquantum level, is actually able to control quantum energy, and though it is not capable of the raw power of quantum forces, it exists at the sub-quantum level, allowing for a precision not available through quantum use.
Origin:
At first glance, this appears to be an alien artifact. It may even BE an alien artifact, and a probe of this nature would make sense for a quantum or sub-quantum active society. Such a society would logically only be threatened by hostile conspecifics, or others creatures that can manipulate these fundamental forces of the universe. The item seems non-threatening, so it could be merely for tracking, or perhaps to indicate an oportune time for first contact. Alternatively, it could be a signal to attack before a given culture develops to a point that it could present a challenge.
Another possibility, especially relevant to Gravitas given his unique abilities, is that this could be a time displaced object originating from Earth itself, put in place by novas from the past or future... Perhaps even placed their by Gravitas himself.
Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
You've discovered something very meaningful. You will also be able to identify the unique resonance of psiads if you encounter them, assuming you were one of the people using quantum sight. So, where do we go from here, and how much does Gravitas share out of his insights?