In reply to Dr. John Smith (msg # 9):

Khendron indicates to Thoma to take the data solids from Dworkin, and to transmit them across the fleet.

"Mr. Dworkin, we appear to have discovered wireless charging of our silver ball," Khendron says. "Anything else you can tell us? What exactly is this 'hole'."

Dworkin frowns. "A difficult question—well, actually a very simple question—it's the answer that's difficult. The only description your sciences have at the time is that it's a subspace anomaly—which is just a fancy way of saying we just don't know what it is. In our terminology, it's a Major Gate—a fissure in the metagalactic membrane which allows access to various multiversal clusters. Only a few are known to exist. When activated—in this case most likely by the Verleggs's sorceries—it seems to leak energy resonant with your Improbability Drives' Oscillation Overthrusters."

Smith, Soong and Kragen are still onscreen. Kragen and Soong begin bombarding Dworkin with rapid-fire questions that Mercer, with his years of experience as a Science off aboard some of the UFP's most advanced degrees, is just able to follow, even with Kragen's lapses into German thanks to the Universal Translator. The simplest analogy that comes to mind is an interchange into a high-speed multi-lane transit system which potentially allows access to all of reality—known and unknown.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Sun 09 Jan 2022.

Collette accepts the isolinear cards from Dworkin and walks over to the Navigation console. Ensign Jimenez stands to allow her access, she takes a seat and plugs the card into a slot to run an anti-malware scan. Once the scan has pronounced the card's contents safe, she opens a virtual drive and displays the Flow map of the Phlogiston on the main viewer, appearing much like a negative image of a starchart.


This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

In reply to Commander Collette DesMarais (msg # 12):

"Commander, what do you make of this chart?" Khendron says to Collette.

To Dworkin, and the trio on the view screen he says "Gentlemen, I may not be following your conversation 100%, but I see two issues here. First, if the 'Hole' is an interchange to anywhere and everywhere, how can we track the Verlegg through it? And secondly, if this can take us anywhere and everywhere it implies that anywhere and everywhere can come here through it, a prospect that I do not find comforting!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Tue 11 Jan 2022.

"Sir," she begins, "It's a form of non-Euclidian fluidic space. The glowing spheres are—as best I can tell—solid shells surrounding an analogy to normal space containing habitable worlds such as Lord Dhark's realm."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Thu 13 Jan 2022.

Dworkin raises an eyebrow. "Well, Fleet Captain, that's pretty much up to you—the Federation, that is... She, that is Her Glory, tends to regard that sort of thing as local affairs. As I understand it, the Federation has already recognised Administrator Samuel Lowry's sovereignty over the planetoid Bridgetown, though it has reserved unto itself the right to station a base in the Sheila Belt for its own purposes—originally but not limited to controlling piracy in the Kellinan Reach. I suspect that Commissioner Laurel Kent will have to sign off on any suggestions Starfleet may have, under the terms of the Emerson Accords."

Smith nods. "Mister Dworkin is correct. It's in the hands of the Federation, of which Commissioner Kent is the local ranking representative. If the Verlegg can open it at will, there is a possibility that we ourselves can find a method of controlling access."

Khendron's PADD pings, signalling a message from Collette.

From Cdr DesMarais, acting XO, Chief Navigator USS Odyssey
To FCapt Mercer, adjutant Operation Hellfire
cc: RAdm McCurrvey, Capt Thelev

Report on the Phlogiston
Based on information from the Phlogiston Flow Map supplied by Capt Yehonahan Ahab of the Spelljammer Pequod and translated by Mr Dworkin, Investigator to Her Glory Empress Star.

Arcane Space, a part of the Prime Material Plane, is divided into three zones or areas of space: Wildspace, the Phlogiston, and Void Space.

Wildspace is where all the planets are; each planetary system is contained within a Crystal Sphere, which is a physical object twice as large in circumference as the distance from the sun to the furthest orbital body. This space inside the crystal sphere is called Wildspace.  Wildspace behaves much like what we know as space; it is a vacuum, and can be cold, but due to the crystal spheres, often it can be somewhat warm. Every crystal sphere is a little different.

Wildspace and Crystal Spheres are widely varied in characteristics; some are simple spheres, some have giants roaming the spheres, some have a nice hot sun at the center, some don't.  In spheres where there is a sun, the temperature of space is usually warm and comfortable; however it can be dreadfully hot depending on a lot of factors. Planets orbit their sun, which is also called Primary, categorizing it with the planets as celestial bodies. These orbits are varied in distance and sometimes trajectory, much like the planetary systems we are used to. The stars one sees when one looks up into the night sky are NOT other suns, as the ancients used to believe, but rather magical crystals embedded in the inside surface of the crystal sphere.  Some of them have obvious functions, such as operating the gates to get in or out of the crystal sphere. Others, who knows?

Surrounding all the Crystal Spheres is a thick gaseous matter called the Phlogiston.

The Phlogiston surrounds and connects all Crystal Spheres. Phlogiston cannot exist inside a Crystal Sphere, probably due to its flammable nature.  Phlogiston can be ignited by as little as a lit candle, and the resultant conflagration can spread to many hundreds of miles around the center. Everyone knows, if you travel through the Phlogiston, you do NOT use anything with fire, unless you have it contained. The Phlogiston has a planar attitude, as it is several times as thick at its "Center" as it is above. The Crystal Spheres are described as "bobbing" in the Phlogiston, and in fact it is often referred to as a "sea".  Plogiston that exists above this plane of density, the "atmosphere" of space, if you will, is the same material as that below, but much thinner. The "atmospheric Phlogiston" reacts to the "flow rivers" with a similar movement, creating "air currents" which can be utilized by sails and rigging to steer and drive spelljamming ships. The "planar" nature of the Phlogiston suggests a gravitic source somewhere below it, but nobody has been able to document such a source.

If you wish to travel from one Crystal sphere to another, say from Oerth to Toril, you will enter and navigate in the Phlogiston. The Phlogiston forms many flows, sometimes called rivers, that accelerate the movement of any ship inside it by a factor no one has been able to determine; speed is impossible to determine as there are no markers to use as a guide; one simply knows roughly how many days it will take to get from one sphere to another.  Travel outside of the flows is possible, but much slower; travel inside Wildspace normally reaches about 4,000,000 miles a day, as an average. This speed varies according to the engine design of the particular spelljammer ship. In the Phlogiston outside of the  flows, speed slows to just about double this speed, a fraction of the speed inside a flow.  Also, the non flow areas tend to be inhabited by space born creatures, or hide outs for criminals.    It's dangerous and slow, but if you don't want to be followed or detected in the Phlogiston, going outside the flows is a good idea.

The Phlogiston was assumed to be the end of it when men and demi humans started to explore.  It extends far "above" and "below" the spheres, so the assumption was that the Phlogiston was the universe, holding all the crystal spheres inside it. What they found out however, after enough exploration, was that there was an even bigger area of space, they called Void Space. They now understand their universe is a completely dark, starless, frigid void. There is no idea if the Void has limits, or where the Phlogiston is in relation to the "limits" of the Void; perhaps they never will.

The only recorded properties of Void Space is that it is entirely dark, appears to be entirely empty, and is as frigid cold as one will ever experience.  Travel in Void Space is extremely dangerous, as the cold will eventually affect the oxygen inside your ship, and you will freeze to death. There is nothing in the Void, as far as anyone knows, so there's nowhere to gain supplies of any kind. Navigating in the Void is obviously dangerous and essentially impossible. For a while, if you look down you will see the pinkish glow of the Phlogiston, but eventually even that light gets lost, and you have no compass point to guide you at all.  It is surmised that there have been many a ship go lost in the Void, but no one has recorded a successful discovery mission thus far.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Fri 14 Jan 2022.

In reply to Commander Collette DesMarais (msg # 16):

After reading the report Thelev turns to the bridge and claps his hands "I guess its time for us be the first one to successfully navigate it. Plus I doubt it is as cold as the Northern Wastes."

"So lets figure out the most likely places our friends are hiding. Either they travelled at least some in the flow and we can get a direction, or they have spent all their time in void and they likely only have so many points of entry from here." Thelev says.

Looking at the view screen "Smith, Soong, Kragen, any chance you can figure out how to navigate into and out of the void with Quantum Para-Dimensional Transport Device." he says before jokingly adding "Or do I need to brush off my engineering hat and figure it out for you."

"Well, Captain," notes Dworkin, "Millions of sentient beings navigate the flow at any time. As can be deduced by the classification of their ships—Spelljammers—they do so by the use of, well, magic. As for the Northern Wastes of Andoria, lower temperatures can be found mere metres that way," he points to the overhead bulkhead. "No, the Void is no colder than interstellar space, though a peculiar twist in the local version of the Second Law of Thermodynamics causes thermal energy to be lost more easily. Think of it as a magical chill factor."

Smith answers, "Perhaps an upgraded orbital defense station would be in order. Again, that would be for Federation Commissioner Kent and Mr. Lowry to negotiate with the other signatories to the Emerson Accords."

In reply to Dworkin the Black (msg # 18):

"Thelev," says Khendron, "Forward this info to engineering. We need a complete rundown of what and what is not 'combustible' to this Phlogiston stuff. For example, can we use warp or impulse? Can we fire our phasers? Can we use our shuttles? We can make guesses, but we need to know!"

"Commodore," says Khendron turning to McCurvy (who I presume to be on the bridge somewhere), "I want to split the fleet. While pursuing the Verlegg is our primary mission, I don't want to leave this end of the 'portal' unguarded. Last thing we need is a flock of giant space pterodactyls with photon eyes, or goodness know what else that thing can dream up, invading our reality. Any objections?"

In reply to Captain Khendron Mercer (msg # 19):

Tapping comms Thelev says “Maynard, Bowman, I’m sending you all the data we have on the Phlogiston. We need to know how it is going to affect our technology.  What will and will not work, what will be affected, I.e, targeting, what may see more degradation. This needs to cover warp, impulse, phasers, torpedoes, sensors, shuttle craft, hull, shields, environment suits, everything. And be sure to work with the IKV K’Tanko and RSN Star Empire since their technology is varies across all these areas.”

Collette notes, "I'll convene a meeting with Cdr Manyard, LCdr Bowman, my Navigation staff, and Lt Ramirez of Tactical to conduct a multidisciplinary study on your questions regarding the Phlogiston, sir. We'll definitely include our counterparts on the Klingon and Romulan ships, and of course Captain Ahab of the Pequod who is well-versed in matters regarding the Flow after 25 years before the mast."

Lieutenant Ramirez says, "Admiral, I'd like to suggest stationing a Saberhagen class Defense Substation or two in conjunction with DS6-A. They've got eight photorp tubes and two heavy pulse phasers each."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:23, Mon 17 Jan 2022.

In reply to Commander Collette DesMarais (msg # 21):
Agreed.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Tue 18 Jan 2022.

"Aye, sir, putting request through to Starfleet, Priority Alpha," says Thoma.

Saberhagen class Defense Substation

L:128.4m W:61.25m H:50.25m/70.75m extended
Crew: Officers: 16 (Senior Officer - Lieutenant)
      Ratings: 103
      Total:   119
Power: 2 x Impulse Engines
Speed: Cruising: 0.67c
      Maximum:  3.04c (WF 1.45)
Weapons: 2 x Pulse Phasers (Megaphasers)
       8 x Photon Torpedo Launchers
      12 x Type IV Phasers (Point Defense)
Shields: Standard Starfleet Deflector Shields
Small Craft: 2 x armed Light Dockport Shuttlecraft
       8 x Workbees
      14 x ASRV 8-person Lifeboats
This message was last edited by the player at 21:34, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

In reply to Commander Thoma (msg # 23):

[Some OOC questions: How long will it take to get a Saberhagen class Defense Substation on site? And, in addition to the Odyssey, which other ships in the fleet can initiate a silver ball transfer (as opposed to just having a repeater and being able to tag along?]

[A Samson class Tender/Tug can have two Saberhagens here in 4 days. Besides Odyssey, Excalibur-A and Discovery have Silver Ball Generators. The Pequod is a Spelljammer and cannot mount a Silver Ball repeater, so it'll have to piggy-back in one the the three ships' field bubbles.

DS6-A is severely undermanned, at half-strength with 12 dead and another 12 injured and spread throughout Hellfire Task Force in various sickbays, leaving 27 active crew with Security Chief LCdr Singh temporarily in command. Teri Harris should be fit for duty following surgery on her broken shoulder and torn rotator cuff. XO Grissom has had his depressed skull fracture repaired and is conscious and will be fit for duty in 3 days. Another Samson class Tender will be able to deliver a new R-class Station with enhanced defensive capabilities within 2 weeks followed by another week for operational fitup.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:23, Mon 24 Jan 2022.

In reply to Odyssey GM (msg # 25):

In a fleet wide conference between all ship command teams, plus Smith and Dworkin, Khendron says "As you know, it is our intention to enter the Hole in pursuit of Calista and the Verlegg. As the Phlogiston is an unstable medium, and we are not familiar with how our combined technologies will react to it, I think it is prudent that only a minimal number of ships accompany this mission.

"HoD Kang and Cdr Charvanek," Khendron continues, nodding towards the Klingon and the Romulan, "I assume it is futile to ask you to stay behind. From the Starfleet contingent, I propose only Odyssey, Discovery, and St. Roch enter the Hole.

"Captain Ahab," Khendron looks towards the spelljammer captain, "The Pequod is requested to accompany us as our guide. However, if you would like to travel with us on the Odyssey, that is also acceptable.

"The remainder of the fleet," Khendron concludes, "will remain here and continue rendering assistance, with Capt Bowman in charge. Captain Bowman, you will also be responsible for guarding this entrance to our reality, until the Saberhagens we have requisitioned have arrived."

Bowman interrupts, "I beg to differ, Fleet Capt Mercer, but Commodore Pollard of the USS Niwen not only outranks me but is Admiral McCurrvey's 2iC in Operation Hellfire. I propose therefore that he be in command. The only advantage for the Excalibur is that it has a Silver Ball, and if there is any combat it would be in real space... Otherwise, sir, I agree with your proposal."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

Commodore Pollard is a Human officer with receding brown hair and wears an old-fashioned pair of tortoise-shell spectacles due to an allergy to Retinax V. He replies, "Thank you Capt Bowman. Capt Mercer, I see your reasoning regarding the Quantum Para-Dimensional Transport Device, but I agree with David where operational command applies. Fife and Niwen are our heaviest battle units, but should a Jump be necessary, Excalibur and Discovery can remain at the ready with all other ships maintaining full power to their repeaters."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Thu 27 Jan 2022.

In reply to Commodore Michael A. Pollard (msg # 28):

[OOC: I completely overlooked the existence of Commodore Pollard!]

"I think we are on the same page then," says Khendron, "concerning the silver ball. I like jump capability to remain with both parts of the fleet."

Khendron addresses Smith, "Is it possible for the ships going through the Hole to remain in contact with the ships remaining behind? Should one fleet or the other require assistance, it would be nice to be able to call for help."

"Insufficient data," replies Smith. "When you were in Lord Dhark's domain and Odyssey was in orbit about Bridgetown, we were able to maintain subspace communications, so it is possible. However, the Verlegg had only just transited the anomaly, so it was still active and you had not moved away from your destination point, therefore at that point in time communication was possible. We simply do not know the extents of communications range at either end."

"Alas," interjects Dworkin, "Neither do we. Our scientists have not considered the interactions between your subspace technology and a Major Gate. As Dr. Smith so cogently puts it, we simply have insufficient data."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

Teri Harris replies over the tie-in to sickbay, "I can get my science team—what's left of it, anyway—to pull all records of interactions with the Hole to see if the Verlegg sent any detectable transmissions to the Bridge to activate the Hole anomaly so we can duplicate the effect." She is looking haggard and her shoulder is immobilised following her surgery. Dr. Driveon has reported that she has refused any heavy-duty pain medication in order to have a clear head for the teleconference.

In reply to Captain Theresa 'Teri' Harris (msg # 31):

“As it goes for communications we may need to take more with us but could we use probes fitted with communication relays to help improve our chances to remain in contact with the rest of the task force.” Thelev suggests.

Thoma replies, "Aye, Captain. Requisitioning a full load-out of relay buoys."

Several minutes later, DS-6α hails Odyssey, "Fleet Captain Mercer, this is Lt Kirkpatrick, Science Officer on DS-6α. I've got the files requested for the time stammps required. Transmitting them now... mark!" A telltale lights up on the Science console confirming receipt of the files. "I'll be running an analysis in tandem with your Science Department. DS-Six Alpha out."

In reply to Commander Thoma (msg # 33):

Khendron wants to end the teleconference, not only because time is critical in pursuit of the Verlegg, bit also to let Captain Harris get some rest before she becomes too strung out to be of any use to anybody.

"I think we have all the data available to us at the moment," Khendron says. "I don't think we can delay any further."

He orders the ships that are coming through the Hole with them to collect their crews and get prepared for transfer. He is not setting a specific time for transfer yet, because there are a few more details to cover.

Khendron contacts the engineering teams. "Where are we in figuring out how our ship systems will interact with the Phlogiston? We need to know what we can use and, more importantly, what we can't!"