"It is not a code or cipher of any kind" T'Enya remarks passively. "If it is communications of some kind, it is 'in the clear'. I suggest Lt. Parker attempt active communication. However it may be ..."

She trailed off as the concept floated into her mind. No, too crazy to say out loud ... especially after her 'melt down' at space dock. T'Enya's fingers flew on her console as she attempted a rather unusual comparison in the computer ....

T'Enya

Unfortunately, the sounds made by a Vulcan Sehlat, a Terran Komodo Dragon, and a Deltan Ravmayish all produce a similar sound pattern to that of the anomaly.

Alright, time had arrived for Parker to shine!  Her fingers danced over the console.  Section 1082 Mark 181.  False color readout, and all that other stuff!  She put it up on the main screen and then with all due panache, and she swiveled atop her chair to take a look at her handiwork.

"It is a bit smaller than I thought it would be." She noted quietly.

Carson nodded slowly.

"Given its size, could we be dealing with the survivor of a lost ship? After all some species can give off some very strange lifesigns..."

"I thought perhaps I could analyze the sound better if I widened the parameters to those species that are not among the 'intelligent life form'. Unfortunately all the computer could come up with, based on my parameters, was the Vulcan Sehlat, a Terran Komodo Dragon, and a Deltan Ravmayish. I doubt that helps us in any way."

T'Enya returned her attentions back to her board, looking for any sign of trouble as the Captain earlier directed.

Nevi watched the strange organism move towards the shuttle, "Captain, the shields are ready.  We can get to the shuttle if required."

Without taking his eyes from the Science Station scanners, Sorvok reported, "Captain, it should be noted that the star's energy readings ceased to fluctuate the moment the alien entity began to approach the shuttle.  I am now focusing a sensor scan on the area around the shuttle and between the shuttle & the alien entity to see if there are energy fluctuations in or around the shuttle.  It is possible that the energy fluctuations may be an attempt to siphon energy from the star or perhaps a form of "feeding" if the entity is "energy-based".  Or perhaps the energy fluctuations are a means of communication.

If the alien entity has now shifted its focus from the star to the shuttle, it is possible the alien may attempt to begin a similar process with the shuttle as it was previously conducting with the star.  With that in mind, it might be wise to attempt to get a transporter fix on the personnel within the shuttle in case the alien's ability to affect energy either drains the shuttlecraft of sufficient energy to break away... or the alien is able to affect "life force" as a form of energy in addition to pure stellar radiation."

Sorvok paused to consider something before continuing, "Regarding the sounds emitted, I am attempting to search for a comparison between the three species identified by Lt. T'Enya in an attempt to determine whether there is some common denominator or common element between the Vulcan Sehlat, a Terran Komodo Dragon, and a Deltan Ravmayish.

However, while I can make a comparative analysis from a xenobiological perspective, it is possible that Dr. Zephyr may made a more relevant connection through her superior medical knowledge of comparative physiology and the anatomy underlying vocal communication.

Additionally, perhaps Lt. Parker's advanced studies in alien communication and translations may point to a known sentient alien species whose native form of communication resembles the natural sounds made by the Vulcan Sehlat, a Terran Komodo Dragon, and a Deltan Ravmayish?"

Sorvok

When comparing the previous sensor scans of the entity with the current ones, Sorvok makes a somewhat alarming discovery.  The entity appears to emit a "cone" of force that siphons energy from its target.  That cone had been squarely centered on the sun.  However, now the cone is currently moving about to target the deGrasse

On board the deGrasse

Suddenly, the power levels on the shuttle begin dropping...
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:59, Tue 01 Oct 2013.

Sorvok looked up briefly from his science station scanner as he glanced over at Tabin, his significantly raised arched eyebrow being the only clear sign that the Vulcan was perturbed even as his voice maintained its calm, even tone (though there was clear note of urgency in his tone), "Captain, the recent refocus of the Sensors has detected a cone shaped energy siphon emission from the alien entity that appears to be responsible for the fluctuations in energy readings of the star.

However, with the change of direction and "focus" of the alien entity, shifted away from the star to the deGrasse shuttle, that same energy siphon cone has been re-directed from the star, hence the cessation of fluctuations in stellar radiation, and is now being focused upon the deGrasse."

Sorvok paused to check his readings once more before adding in a concerned tone, "Captain, considering the magnitude of the power drain that would be required to result in detectable fluctuations in stellar radiation from any significant distance, I suspect the shuttle may experience imminent dramatic, perhaps even catastrophic, fluctuations in power levels.

Clearly a Takayama-type shuttlecraft possesses orders of magnitude less power in comparison to a star, even a comparatively "cool" red dwarf class star such as Epsilon Alpha.

Captain, I believe the shuttle crew may be in grave danger if the deGrasse is subjected to prolonged and/or intensive energy siphoning."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Tue 01 Oct 2013.

"Vigilant to shuttle.  You need to stay away from that thing if you can.  Get some distance, it is going to drain your power, and if your shields go down . . . . "

The young communications officer swiveled in her seat.  "Captain, we need to get them out of there!"

T'Enya's fingers went to her comm system. "T'Enya to transporter room 1, stand by for Captains orders. Transporter room 2, stand by for emergency orders."

Her plan was both dangerous and suicidal. But, in an emergency, those where often the only plans left.

She swiveled on her seat and addressed the Captain.

"Captain, I would like permission to leave the Bridge with Lt. Nevi, destination transporter room two. We are not immune to attack ourselves. In the event of a catastrophic attack on the main vessel, the Transporter may give us options ... maybe."

She stood, not wanting to waste time,; but did not move either, not wanting to usurp the Captain's authority.

"I'll explain on the way" she told Nevi.

Nevi looked at the Captain and awaited whatever order was issued.

The doctor bit her lip as the shuttlecraft's power began to drop. "What emotions are you getting from it? Is it still in pain?" asked Zephyr. "A star has more energy than a shuttlecraft-- I can't believe it wants to simply take energy, not if we're more attractive than a star. Unless there's something about our energy...? Can we cut the power ourselves?" She looked out the shuttlecraft windows. "What do you really want?"

"I think we should get the shuttle away while we still can with our power." Carson said, frowning. "If this was another ship facing this I'd be calling it an attack... as it is I think the end result will be the same."

Bridge

"Understood," Tabin says, and she punches the intercom on the captain's chair.

"Tabin to Transporter Room 1, get them out of there.  Now."  The Captain turns to the rest of the crew.

"Do what you can, Ms. T'Enya.  However, Mr. Nevi, if it sounds impossible, then don't waste time on it.  Our priority is keeping the ship running and in one piece.

"Mr. de Silva, get us a clear line of sight with the deGrasse for the transporter.  Ms. Parker, keep trying the deGrasse.  Mr. Sorvok, let me know the moment that thing changes course."

On board the deGrasse

"Agreed, time to get out of here," says Black says to Carson, using full thrusters to flip the shuttle away from the entity and firing up the shuttle's impulse engine.  The maneuver should send the deGrasse hurtling away from the approaching entity at near-light speed.  However, the shuttle barely reaches half impulse and moves with the grace of an ant trapped in molasses.

"Vigilant to shuttle.  You need to stay away from that thing if you can.  Get some distance, it is going to drain -----r, and i----ields go down . . . . "  Parker's voice cuts in and out, with a strange ebbing sound filling the spots where the communication officer's message fades away.

Twazera tries to find an answer for Dr. Zephyr, reaching out to touch the entity's mind once more.  The Betazoid flinches, and suddenly his face blanches.  Tears begin to well up in his eyes.

"Yes...it's in pain...it's angry, upset, and devastated," he says, his voice trembling.

"Above all else, it hungers."

Ally Zephyr

Although Betazoids have only recently joined Starfleet, Zephyr recognizes what is happening to Twazera.  Betazoid telepaths are particularly susceptible to strong emotions, so much that it can dominate their focus if they are not careful.  The entity's emotions must have overwhelmed Twazera, forcing him to empathize with the creature's feelings.

OOC:
Okay, bump up.  Here's what I need:
Carlos:  Make a phys roll to give the Vigilant a transporter lock on the shuttle.  DC is 20.  For every 5 over the DC, you will give a +2 bonus to the engineering roll.  For every 5 under the DC, you will inflict a -1 bonus.  Don't forget about action points.  ^_^
All:  I need an engineering roll for the transporter room.  I'd recommend Spid'Dar do it because he's Chief Engineer.  You can aid with Engineering or Knowledge, or be creative and toss me another skill idea.  DC for aid is 20.  If you hit the DC, add +2 to the roll.  The base DC for transporter is DC 15.  You will get 1 random person.  You can beam back 1 more person for every increment of 5 (ex DC 20 gets 2 random people, DC 25 gets 3, etc.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:35, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Parker had been compensating for the EM solar radiation and gravitic wave forms eminating from the main system star from the moment they had entered the system, so she shared the current data she had on it, as well as the Lindelof Chaos-Field Topology Diagram she had generated to help predict its future behavior.  So far the diagram had been 87.75% predictive, which was a lot better than guessing.  If she was better at her quasi-geometrical calculus she probably could have done better, but the study group at the academy shared time with the Intramural Cadet's volleyball team, and she already had a commitment, so ....

She forwarded the diagram to the transporter engineer computer, in an attempt to assist.

Turns out she should have spent more time hitting the books, and less time spiking the ball!

---

Wed 02 Oct 2013: Parker rolled 14 using 1d20+10 ((4)).

---

"Aye, Captain!" Carlos worked the controls as quickly and deftly as he could, presenting the best possible position from which to transport the shuttlecraft's crew.  After a few moments, he looks back over his shoulder.  "That's the best aspect I can give us, sir."

[OOC:  Carlos de Silva rolled 30 using 1d20+15 ((15))

That should give a +4 bonus to the Engineering roll]

For just a moment, T'Enya forgets that she is not the First Officer. It's a faux paus that she does not even notice, but will undoubtedly need to apologize for later. Command, however, is in her blood, and comes as naturally to her as does walking.

Unfortunately.

"Lt." she tells Nevi, "Meet me in transporter room 2 after the immediate emergency has been handled and you can break away." She continues speaking as she moves to the turbo lift.

"Lt. Sorvok, I'll need an energy analysis in your free time -- specifically expected results from this alien when interacting with transporters -- especially the confinement beam, any expected effects on the transporter buffer, and probability of the transporter coils being in tact at what energy levels -- and the tractor beam, what effects a non-drained force tool may have on it. Lt. Parker, remember that when one communicates with a Komodo Dragon one has to use drastically different techniques. As much as I'd like to use an anti-matter spread on this thing, I get the feeling that The Network wouldn't approve. And while I, personally, wouldn't mind this entire reality disappearing from existence I have a job to do."

"And I'll need to talk to Dr. Zephyr when the Captain is done debriefing her" she said as the turbo lift doors closed. Only after the doors closed did she realize what had just happened and did a 'face-palm', something she learned from the Humans.

"I'll have to apologize to the Captain when this is all over ..." she muttered to herself.

[Anyone want a +2 bonus for following orders? I have two to hand out this episode ...]

Damn. "Try to get a hold of yourself," she said. She wished they could tell the creature they wanted to help it, but she could hardly risk Twazera further. She had to figure out what to do next instead. The ship would be trying to get them back soon, if they hadn't already started. Could she help in any way?

[OOC: 20:05, Today: Ally Zephyr rolled 22 using 1d20+11. Int + Know: for helpful science!]
[Also! OOC: 21:02, Today: Ally Zephyr rolled 20 using 1d20+11. Behavioral Analysis (Know + Int) -- darn... do I get any questions?]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

On board the deGrasse

Ally's fingers fly over the shuttlecraft's science console as she looks for answers...

OOC:
Yup, you get 1 question.  ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:34, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

Rising from his chair, Nevi nods to the Captain, "The shield modifications are at your command.  The helmsman can engage them at any time and I will monitor their function from my location."

Nevi follows T'Enya to the turbolift, "You said you would explain your plan on the way.  You may begin that explanation."

"This is not a 'short term' solution, but rather more of a ... I believe the Humans call it a 'desperation move'" T'Enya began. "The transporter system can be used in a way that locks the beamed creature or creatures into the pattern buffer. While there is no promise of duration, it can be done. It can also be used to strip weaponry from the beamed entity, though in this case I doubt that would be a huge advantage."

"Since the transporter can also detect and remove diseases and other hostile organisms, it can theoretically be used to heal as well -- though that is quite a bit of a stretch."

"In any case it seems more ... 'peaceful' to try and capture the entity than blow it up. The question, which is an Engineering question really, is 'can it be done'. I suspect that question can only be answered from the Transporter room. At a minimum, testing to see if the containment beam can affect the creature will provide a distraction and, hopefully, allow our shuttle to get away."

Carson moved over to the shuttle controls to help keep the shuttle aligned with the Vigilant. He wasn't exactly a pilot but he was even less a scientist and this seemed like something he could at least try and help with.

---

OOC: 11:35, Today: Daniel Carson rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Physical!

Nevi listens intently to T'Enya as she explains her plan.  Rubbing his chin he thinks out loud, "The being in question is energy, not biomass.  But the concept of using a transporter to detain the being has merit.  Sadly, it also has great risks."

He puts his hand down and shakes his head, "The being will understand its energy matrix far better than we.  We could just be opening our systems to its assault if we transport it into our buffers."

Nevi held up a finger, "But what if we use the transporter to fix the entity in one place?"  The turbolift stopped at their level and he bagan to walk, still talking to T'Enya, "When you first initialize a transporter bean the pattern is locked in its current state before the system retrieves the pattern and processes it through the buffer.  What we could do is extend that pattern lock which would keep the entity in it's location but would prevent it from expending or absorbing any energy."  He stopped in front of the door to the tranporter bay, "We would minimize the danger to us and the entity but allow us time to get the shuttle and evade the entity.  What say you?"

"It's hungry, so why does it prefer us?" Zephyr asks herself again, thinking aloud. "All right, it's angry, upset, devastated..." She glances at Twazera. "We can't do anything about that without communicating with it.

"What else? It's hungry, eating our energy apparently, so we can't help it out there... waves of pain, it's pulsing..." The doctor narrows her eyes. "Throbbing? What would I do with a throbbing wound and no medication?" Zephyr pauses, tapping her medical kit. "A hot or cold compress. Pressure... I don't think there's a way to do that here. Temperature? If it wanted heat, it would have stayed with the star. Cold then. What's cold? We're colder than the star but have more energy than space, I suppose that might explain why it came to us. No, that won't help.

"First principles then. What causes throbbing? Increased blood flow, usually. There's something physical there, but we can't get to it with the energy drain. So what about the energy? Can you increase an energy flow? Higher forms of radiation increase transfers of energy. So... if that's the case, we'd heat it with gamma or delta radiation, soothe it with... radio waves?"

Doctor Zephyr shakes her head. This was a job for a physicist, not a doctor.

OOC: Here's the question: Can we lure it away from the shuttle or distract it's attention, even temporarily, by using the right type/frequency of energy?