Star Trek RPG - Mission #6: "Marala"

Kylah's fingers are poised over the keypad while her gaze shifts from officer to officer, depending on who is speaking. When Lt. Graham adds his nod to Lt. Kawecki's, Kylah turns to the Bridge's C.O., waiting for the order.

The tall woman does not seem to hesitate or have a second thought--or, if she does, it takes far less time to decide than Kylah would have required. Lt. Onn just murmurs a "Go, Ensign" without a hint of uncertainty.

"Aye aye, Lieutenant." Holding her breath, Kylah engages the subspace transmitter to send out a version of the boilerplate message used in the majority of First Contact situations, translated in both Federation Standard and LinguaCode as Onn requested earlier.

In addition to introducing the Yorktown as a Federation vessel, Kylah offers welcome to any newcomer with no aggressive intentions; finally, reciprocal communications and ID are requested from the unknown entity.

"Message sent, ma'am," she says with another glance toward Lt. Onn--but first it meets Lt. Graham's, unconsciously seeking approval from him, before landing on the Helm Officer. "Awaiting their response."

Now her task returns to doing her best to ensure her station is ready to receive a message in any format and across any spectrum in which it is capable--even subsonics, if that is what this unknown ship uses.

At the back of his mind Graham is aware of the irony that in part he's on the bridge because it didn't seem like much was going on and he was looking for something to do...

But that's fading far into the background. There's no obvious reason to conclude something's wrong, but there's no obvious reason to conclude the ship isn't a threat.

Explosive decompression of the enemy's bridge is an effective tactic for decisively concluding ship-to-ship combat.

No reason to believe a bad guy on that ship would not have had just as much of the same training I had.

Nia's right here.

He glances around, taking stock of the crew and the obvious status indicators on the bridge consoles. Kawecki's senior and seems solid; nobody's obviously a weak link.

In the process he catches Kylah's eye...was she looking at him or did he just cross her gaze...? In any event, he nods partly approvingly and partly on autopilot: she's got her legs under her, she's got a handle on her job.

And she's right here too. Nia's right here. Kylah's right here.

Nobody's decompressing this goddamned Bridge on my watch.

Kylah has no response from the other ship or whatever it is. It remains silent across all subspace bands, as far as she can tell.

Antonov carefully works his sensor controls and says, "Preliminary scan results coming in now, ma'am... it appears to be...." He looks back at her in surprise. "A Federation probe!"

“It is far too early for us to know what the long term effects will be.” Nathaniel answers truthfully and he believes in telling patients the unvarnished truth, even if it was difficult to hear. Patients deserve that, though history has proven to him they didn’t always want it or appreciate it.

“The situation is unusual at best and something like this simply hasn’t happened before. For now we will continue the course of treatment, which is working, and monitor you closely.” Nathaniel explains. “As for the future, if you’re looking for platitudes and reassurances, I’m afraid I don’t have those for you. But I am doing everything that possibly can be done to make sure you get well and stay well. Now, I am going to leave you to get your rest. The nurse will be around if you need anything.”

Nia's mental calculations are in a tangle--first, trying to figure out just how the hell she missed that the unidentified object was traveling at warp 5; second, deciding that she'd better contact Singh to give her an update...

And third, taking in Antonov's latest report. She pivots on her heel to stare at him. "Oh, fu--for goodness' sake," she exclaims, laughing as she barely manages to swap her instinctive fuck me sideways to something more appropriate. "A probe. Y'know... I swear that ran through my mind as an option, but..."

She doesn't bother finishing, just takes a deep breath and lets it out in a rush. "Solid work, everyone, regardless. It's our job to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. I'm sure our Security team here will agree?" Nia sends a tilted smile to Kawecki and Booker--the latter getting a slightly warmer version--before taking her seat in the big chair.

"Warp 5," she murmurs, crossing her legs in a not-entirely-unintentional display for Booker's benefit when she swivels her chair around. "For a probe, that's crazy fast, pardon the technical term. Any hints of its origin, Antonov? Not too smart for a probe to be that speedy and stealthy; someone less, uh, Federation-friendly--or simply more trigger-happy--would've blasted it to its component quarks by now."

She swivels around. "I'd like a visual, if possible given its speed and angle of approach. Can we get this onscreen?"




Erm, whom would she be making this request to? I found one TOS book that has Kirk asking it of Lt. Alden, who was at Nav. But it also feels like a communications thing, so... Not sure if Kylah should be responding.

Different Bridge personnel were, in ST:TOS, occasionally responsible for putting something "on screen." I think Uhura, Sulu or Spock all did it now and then. Either Kylah, Tsu or Antonov might do it here.

Antonov says, "Sensors confirm it's a Jorr Surveyor-type deep space probe." He cross-checks with the Library Computer. "The whereabouts of at least three of those probes are unknown, although, as I said, there's no reason to expect one here. In any event, it should be in visual range very shortly."

Tsu asks Onn, "Would you like to change course for a closer approach, ma'am?"

Graham clears his throat after involuntarily blushing slight at Nia's smile, then glances at Kawecki, "What are it's specs and capabilities, lieutenant? Mass, acceleration...? He rubs his chin. "I know it's officially one of ours, but I swear I read a report about Captain Kirk of the Enterprise dealing with some kind of rogue Terran tech gone bad somewhere."

Antonov says, "You refer to the Nomad probe, I presume, Mr. Graham? Yes, that was a bad business, but very unlikely to recur, I'd say. The Surveyors are significantly more advanced - unmanned, unarmed but with standard shielding; 12.3 meters long, 4.2 meters wide, with 970 kg mass and a top speed of Warp 6.2. Designed for autonomous survey and cartographic operations on missions of 20 to 30 years."

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Nomad

Nia listens to Booker, Tsu and Antonov, a slight nod her only movement. Good memory, Book, she thinks appreciatively.

She then lifts a finger. "I'd definitely like a closer look, Tsu--please work with the updated coordinates from Antonov and plot a potential course. But you and Pourtash should hold off on executing it until I give the word. Just want to run this by the captain."

A flip of the switch to her left turns on the chair's comm panel. "Onn to Captain Singh. I've got a non-emergency but time-sensitive request, if you have a moment."

If Singh replies in the affirmative, Nia will quickly explain the discovery of the probe and ask permission to alter course just long enough to view this curious, powerful object--and, if possible, identify its origin.

Ever since Lt. Onn requested a view of the probe, Kylah has been attempting to fine-tune the visual sensors accordingly, depending on its path. Of course, if the Yorktown changes course, her current calculations will be obsolete--but at least she will be prepared just in case the Captain declines Lt. Onn's request.

She is ready to engage any of the multiple views available to the Yorktown: from fore to aft, port to starboard, and dorsal to ventral--and almost all other directions in between. Kylah knows there are few blind spots on a Constitution-class ship, as most sensors overlap to ensure as complete a line of sight as possible.

At least... that is true outside the ship. Inside is a different matter. Certain places within the Yorktown are not under constant surveillance, as Kylah is all too aware.

She shakes her head slightly to rid herself of these nagging thoughts and devotes her attention to the here and now. Though tempted to ask for more information about this rogue probe that Lt. Graham and Lt. Antonov are discussing, Kylah does not want to reveal her ignorance.

Singh promptly responds, "Thank you, Mr. Onn. You may do so. Keep me informed."

Try as Kylah might, the Yorktown is still not close enough for visual acquisition of the probe.

"Yes, ma'am, thank you," Nia says in a rush of words, aware that time is fleeting. Cutting the connection, she looks over to the station she usually calls home. "Mr. Pourtash, if Tsu's course is laid in and you're both satisfied it's safe, take us about. Get us close enough to allow Ensign Kylah's sensors to do their job."

Nia's brows lower in a tiny scowl, and she chews thoughtfully on her lower lip before again addressing her Helm and Nav team. "...That said, let's maintain a respectful distance. We don't yet know who's behind it or exactly what it's looking for. Odds are it's as benign as a weather balloon. But it's not completely impossible that it has some kind of self-destruct to protect against discovery."

She glances around to Booker. "I'm not the type to duck and run when faced with the unknown. But sometimes an abundance of caution's not a bad idea. Wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?"

Graham smiles slightly and nods. "If by 'some' you mean 'all,' yes ma'am."

Tsu smiles in satisfaction and says, "Course plotted and laid in, Mr. Onn."

"Changing course now, Lieutenant," Pourtash says, touching the keys to turn the heavy cruiser towards the errant probe. "Maintaining current speed."

From the Security console, Kawecki says, "As to having an abundance of caution, ma'am, I recommend we raise shields."

Antonov runs a more intensive scan. Kylah is soon able to establish visual contact.

Nathaniel walks out of Rangin's room, having answered all the questions he is going to. The patient knows all he needs to know or could understand. To continue the conversation further is a waste of Nathaniel's time. And he did have things to do -- like getting something to eat. He is starved. Maybe he'd run into that cute ensign again. And then he'd get what he is really hungry for.

Nia's eyebrows lift in reaction to just about everything she's heard in the past thirty seconds. Did Booker understand her pointed question--and was that response proof that yeah, he's putting up his own personal shields to fend her off?

Okay, whatever. The current situation trumps her personal life. She thanks Pourtash under her breath for the Yorktown's smooth change in direction--nice display of skills, there--then switches her focus to Kawecki, a little surprised by his recommendation. Truth is, she's not used to Security officers being so skittish, and to have two of them on her Bridge... um, the Bridge... is unsettling.

Not gonna argue with the suggestion, though. "Noted, Mr. Kawecki. Shields up." Nia tosses another look over her shoulder to the Comm officer. "Ensign Kylah, where are we with that visual?"

The girl's hands are busy with the controls, but there's a soft "I have it, ma'am" before Nia notices out of the corner of her eye that the image on the main viewscreen has suddenly changed perspective.

Facing forward, she nods in satisfaction at the newly visible probe. "Good, Kylah. Now magnify as best you can--I'd like to see any registry numbers or identifying marks." Even as Nia speaks, she realizes in mild amusement that she's leaning forward--as if moving a few centimeters could make any significant difference in what she sees onscreen.

She watches the screen carefully, then addresses the crew surrounding her. "Any of you see anything interesting, unusual or troubling, pipe up with it."

Kylah does not have to face the same direction as the rest of the officers--the image on the main viewscreen is a duplicate of the one on her own. So she keeps her gaze forward while doing her best to zoom in on the probe, making micro-adjustments to the sensors' amplitude and frequency to prevent loss of detail.

Dr. Bennett goes to the mess hall nearest to Sickbay. It is relatively crowded but he doesn't see the cute ensign from before.

"Shields up, aye, ma'am," says Kawecki, pushing the necessary buttons.

The probe can now be seen on the Bridge viewscreen. Kylah is able, with some difficulty, to keep it clear and centered even as it keeps moving at Warp 5. The spacecraft is long, spindly and light gray with red trim, and the number "42" is clearly visible on its side, also in red. Antonov says, "Surveyor 42, if that's really it, was launched six years ago from Omicron Pascal by the Federation Interstellar Exploratory Institute, on a twenty-year stellar cartography and astrophysical mission to the Doriath Cluster and beyond. It fell out of contact with base about eight months ago."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/42_(nu...opular_culture
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Omicron_Pascal

"The Doriath Cluster," Nia repeats, drinking in the sight of the probe as if she's contemplating purchasing it. "Wow. Back at the Academy, my Cartography instructor was obsessed with learning about that. He always hoped he'd live to see a Federation outpost there, maybe even run the place. A heart attack cut his dream short, but I know he had a son who carried on his work. Who knows, maybe this probe's got young Dr. Thingol's fingerprints on it."

She stands and, watching the probe, walks to the Helm and Nav stations. "Let's get a little closer, Faraz," she murmurs, absently patting the back of Pourtash's chair while she looks down at Tsu. "What d'you think, Tsu? Far as you can judge, is it still on course for the Doriath Cluster?"

Nia glances over to Booker and Kawecki. "How about a deep security scan to make absolutely sure we're not in for any surprises? It'll mean letting our shields down, paradoxically, but I think the chances of a booby trap are relatively slim, don't you? What do you say, Lt. Graham?"

She lifts her eyebrows in question, hoping he'll give the go-ahead. If they can confirm it's safe, Nia really wants to see what, if anything, they can do about this lost little lamb. Although depending on what Tsu says, it might not be lost. Just... gone quiet.

While dimly listening to Lt. Onn's words, Kylah concentrates on the problem in her own way. Considering the complete lack of any outgoing transmission signature or response to the Yorktown's pinging attempts, Surveyor 42 is utterly useless as a probe. Eight months of data, possibly lost forever. A shame.

She hears the older woman's request to Lt. Graham, and Kylah turns toward him. If they let their shields down, a security sweep is not the only kind of scan they can do--which, she suspects, is probably what Lt. Onn has in mind.

In a attempt to anticipate Onn's needs, Kylah slides her chair over and, with her free hand, uses her secondary terminal to run a database search for any technical details or schematics related to the Surveyor-class probes' communications systems.

Luck didn’t seem to be on his side, Nathaniel thinks. The mess hall was pretty packed, but the ensign from last night wasn’t here —- nor is there anybody else to catch his interest. He figures he might as well grab something to eat and then head back to his quarters before the dinner with the captain tonight. There is something he needs to do and since it’s why he accepted this post on this ship to begin with, he might as well get to it.

After his meal, he goes back to his quarters and soon finds himself in front of a computer monitor, the personnel files of the crew of the Yorktown scroll before him. Somewhere in here, he thinks, is the answer he is looking for.

But after looking for a few moments, he realizes he needs to get back to Sickbay. He can do this later. After all, he didn’t want anyone questioning what he is doing. And being elsewhere when he should be at work was a way to lead to that sort of problem. He closes the files and soon is back on the job.

He decides to peer in on Rangin first to see how his patient is doing. Hopefully, the guy would be asleep... and wouldn’t have anymore annoying, persistent questions for him.

Graham feels slightly awkward that Nia--Lt. Onn, in this context--specifically asks him. It makes sense, as he's technically the ranking Security officer on the bridge, but the last thing he wants on his first day is for a senior member of the team like Kawecki to feel like Graham as needlessly throwing his weight around.

"It makes sense, ma'am. I'd position us 30 degrees off her stern," Graham replies, rubbing his chin. "At maximum effective range for the full suite of scans." He glances at Kawecki. "That make sense to you, lieutenant?"

Somebody would have had to do a hell of a lot of work to put an aft torpedo launcher on a damn probe...

Tsu checks and says, "Yes, its current course could take it towards the Doriath Cluster, but not by the most direct route. It's possible it had to go around something that's not on our charts and hasn't yet resumed a straight-line course."

Kawecki says, "We could certainly do that kind of scan. Makes sense to me, ma'am."

Kylah is able to find full details on Surveyor-class probes' communications system in the Library Computer. The comm system is similar to those found in Starfleet shuttlecraft, although more powerful, and she understands those well from her Academy days.

In Sickbay, Dr. Bennett finds Rangin reading a data tablet in bed.

The responses from the crew buzz around Nia's brain like determined bees working in concert. She's pleased and nods her assent.

"All right then, we'll execute as follows. Pourtash, follow Graham's suggestion as to position. Once we're in place, Kawecki, please drop the shields and run the security scan, fast but thorough. Hopefully 42 here won't give us any cause to put the shields back up."

Nia turns to most of the Bridge crew, not including the Helm/Nav team in front of her. "While they're busy, let me give you my thinking. The odds of another Starfleet ship coming across this tiny probe are infinitesimal. Hell, it's pure chance that we spotted it.

"Since we did, I'd like to do a solid for the folks back at Omicron Pascal and bring this thing back to working order. Obviously, we'd have to figure out what went wrong with it in the first place. That means running diagnostics on its comm and nav systems."

She can't help noticing Kylah, who seems to be paying more attention to something on a monitor than Nia's words. "But to do that," she says a bit forcefully, "we'll need access. A little probe like this shouldn't be too tough a nut to crack, should it, Mr. Sasok? You think you and Lt. Antonov can work on taking over 42 remotely?" Nia grins at Booker. "No harm in a little piracy when it's all in a good cause, is there?"

Nathaniel raises an eyebrow in curiousity as he sees Rangin reading something in bed.

“What is that you’re reading?” Nathaniel asks. “I thought the prescription was bedrest, not catching up on the latest best seller.”

Only a few minutes earlier, Rangin let the doctor go. It’s obvious that he only gives a damn about showing off how clever he is and that is only going to happen with his interactions with sick people. There was something quite off-putting about it and it also meant that getting anything further out of him was likely to be nigh on impossible.

Having watched him leave, Rangin decides it would be easier to read up what happened in the slightly more dispassionate incident reports and his medical notes. Picking up the tablet next to him, he begins to bring up the references. It’s not like he couldn’t understand them, after all, he was the ship’s xenobiologist, and not just another Doctor. In fact, in amongst that Doctor’s notes might be a few more clues to piece together to see if he could figure out exactly what the mixture of Sakathian virus and Coridanite physiology could cause next.

There is a fair amount to read, so he starts with the more pressing matter of what happened to him physically. The whys and wherefores of the accident can wait until later, he needs top know that something further is not going to happen. It wholey occupies Rangin’s attention as he flicks back and forth between the notes, and starts to cross reference other journals and articles he can follow up on.

Pourtash, Kawecki and the others on the Bridge all indicate they understand Onn's orders with a flurry of "Aye, ma'am"s and the like.

Nia's smile beams at the officers surrounding her. She wasn't certain Sasok would approve of taking control of a probe not belonging to them--or, for that matter, if he believes it possible to do so. But having voiced no objections, the Vulcan must be up for it.

She'd like to hear Booker's opinion; he must have some experience in getting past security systems. Still, at least Kawecki's game.

"All right, Pourtash, then let's get into position. Everyone else, hang on a sec'."

Before Nia issues her next orders--which will be to Tsu and Kylah, assuming the Elasian princess can be bothered to tear herself away from whatever has her so engaged--she heads back to the big chair to contact the captain.

"Onn to Captain Singh." Once the captain replies, Nia will hurriedly explain what they've found and her desire to attempt a remote repair job. "Our team can do it, Captain," she says with an approving glance around the Bridge. "Seems like a unique opportunity to fix what should've been a decades-long mission to a little-known part of the galaxy, but is now basically just a weaponless missile. With your permission, Captain...?"

Nathaniel found it... odd that Rangin hasn’t answered him. He must hear Nathaniel’s question. Or was what he is reading that engrossing?

Nathaniel leans on the end of the bed, surely Rangin couldn’t ignore him now.

“So, you want to tell me what has your avid attention?” Nathaniel asks, his curiosity definately piqued.

“Oh hello Doctor, sorry didn’t see you there.” Rangin’s eyes flick up to the man a few feet away, and then back down to the tablet in front of him. “I’m looking through your case notes and a few other things about the Sakathian Virus that may be relevant. I doubt you have had opportunity to look further into it.”

He flicks through a couple more references on the few pieces of medical history they have on Coridanite physiology. The dreams he had while unconscious seemed a little too real and while it is unlikely for any extra-ordinary abilities, it seems his subconscious had been overactive in trying to deal with other issues.

Stopping for a moment, he makes a quick note to one side about an electrically discharging communicator. It seems important for some reason, any part of the dreams he had that seemed just as real.

He looks back at the Doctor, suddenly thinking he might have missed something. “Sorry, is it time for another checkup or examination?”

"Thank you, Mr. Onn," responds the Captain. "Good idea. Carry on, and keep me posted."

At Onn's nod, Pourtash deftly moves the Yorktown to the position Graham suggested, relative to Surveyor 42. "We're in place, ma'am," he reports. "Now matching course and speed."

Antonov reports, "It's scanning us. No other reaction to our presence."

Nia's hands clap together in satisfaction. After thanking the captain and Antonov, and complimenting Pourtash for a smooth job, she turns to Booker and Kawecki.

"Okay, we need you both. Lt. Kawecki, you've probably seen plenty of security systems in your day, as well as learned their weaknesses. I'd like you to work with Sasok and Antonov to hack into the probe? We want control over its navigation and communication systems?"

Nia lets her gaze meet Booker's. "Now you, Lt. Graham." She enjoys repeating his title. She might be pissed at him, but it's not enough to outweigh her pride for his sake. "Would you please sit at Security 2 and run a thorough analysis to make sure 42's scan is benign? Then we'll need to maintain a careful watch on the probe's status. By taking over its system controls, we're basically performing what could look like an aggressive act. If we trigger some hidden defense that exists to repel boarders, we'll need you ready to defend us as necessary."

She smiles apologetically and takes a step nearer to him. "Sorry, Book," she says under her breath, her words just for him. "You know the drill better than me. Do you have any other recommendations? Or if you think you'd be better suited to the job Kawecki's doing, swap. What do you think?"

Graham nearly smiles at Nia's clap of satisfaction he's happy--proud--to see her in command...

He's a bit surprised when she approaches. She normally seems so confident... He's not sure if she's uncertain or doing this for his benefit. Though he's not sure what that would be. I'm not some kind of sexist dumbass...

Graham gives her a subtle thumbs up with his hand close to his waist.

"Understood, ma'am," Graham replies in a normal voice. Smiling slightly, in a voice intended just for her, he says "Just put in a good word with Vargas for me if I have to slag a Federation probe." He nods slightly and moves to take his station.

Despite everything--all the pointed questions she has for just why he fled her quarters like there was a Klingon raid in progress--Nia can't help but return Booker's smile. "If you want Vargas on your side, I'm probably not the gal to use as your advocate," she murmurs as he passes by to head to his station.

She doesn't get it. He doesn't seem awkward or remote. There's an almost tangible electric zing of chemistry when they're close. So what keeps going wrong with them?

Inhaling to refocus her mind on the current mission, she turns to Tsu. "Right. So...okay, Mr. Tsu. If we're able to gain access, I'd like you to take a look at 42's nav log to see if your guess is right--that it strayed temporarily for some reason, but now it's in the process of a course correction. If that's not the case, reprogram it to get this thing back on track. Might as well plot that out now. I'm not sure how long Captain Singh wants us to allow for this side project, so the faster we do this the better, right?

"...Not that any of this matters," Nia adds with a glance over her shoulder, "if the probe isn't performing its primary function--transmitting its findings." Her words are aimed at the young Elasian woman who's still focusing on heaven knows what...except that it definitely isn't her current CO.

"Excuse me, Ensign Kylah?" Nia tries not to sound too snarky, especially with Booker likely ready to leap to the girl's defense if Nia so much as looks at her askance. "Unless there's some emergency that's keeping you occupied, can I have your attention?"

Kylah twists around in her chair, her face warming at the undeniable edge in Lt. Onn's voice--and in the emotions Kylah can sense, which contain an undercurrent of disapproval.

"I--Yes, ma'am," she says, glancing back at her monitor for a second to reassure herself that she has done nothing wrong. She lifts her chin somewhat defensively. "That is--there is no emergency, I have simply been studying the Surveyors' schematics. If I am able to access the probe's communications system, I believe I might be able to diagnose the problem. And--and perhaps I can even fix it, if it is a coding malfunction."

The brief moment of bravado deserts her, and she hurries to deflect the spotlight by nodding at Mr. Sasok. "Of course... a technical issue will require an Engineering solution. Also," she adds, "there is a chance that the code will require decrypting. I can work on that myself, as cryptology is a specialty of mine, but Lt. Garcia has far more expertise. I can contact him if you..."

At last she realizes that she has been rambling on without letting the Lieutenant speak. It is unseemly for the youngest and least experienced on the Bridge to presume to give a tutorial to the BCDO. "Forgive me, ma'am," she hastens on in a murmur and shuts her mouth, waiting orders.

Nia's eyebrows raise during this outpouring of words. "Forgive you for what, doing your job?"

And apparently doing it adequately. Nia is taken aback by the young woman--hardly more than a girl, really--and the realization that Kylah might actually be suited for her duty. There's sure as hell been no previous indication that the ensign earned her place on the ship. Or that she's been anything but a source of conflict, an object of male attention and generally a big friggin' pain in the ass.

In fairness, I've only seen her in the middle of some crisis or drama. Come to think of it, Nia doesn't think she's ever worked with Kylah on the Bridge, or seen her perform her duties as a Communications officer. Only on missions, where the Elasian served primarily to be a magnet for gossip (at best) or violence (at worst).

Anyway. Now's not the time for epiphanies, and anyway, just because the kid can rattle off some basic communications tasks doesn't mean she's capable of performing them. Nia can't help flick a glance at Booker before returning to Kylah.

"All that sounds good," she says, not wasting words, but then relents a little. "Nice anticipation there, Ensign." A nod toward Sasok, Antonov and Kawecki. "If our space pirates over there gain access, I want to hear your analysis of the communication system status ASAP. Let me know if we need to bring Garcia in."

Nia pauses and returns to the captain's chair, sitting down. "All right, then. Anyone has anything to report, go for it. I don't stand on ceremony, so if you can contribute, go right ahead, no permission to speak needed."

Graham sits at the Security II console and analyzes the probe's scan of the Yorktown. It is entirely benign, and consistent with the probe sensor suite's capabilities, as designed. Kawecki confirms his findings.

Antonov says, "The probe is unarmed, and does not appear to have been modified since its launch." He runs another, more intensive scan. "There is some damage to its subspace transmitter array, and elsewhere along its length. Micrometeorite damage, perhaps? Its antenna looks in good shape, though."

Sasok says, "We don't have FIEI's remote-access codes, but I'm trying to hack in. I've seen the command protocols of similar probes before."

Nia nods, acknowledges the reports, and watches the crew perform their various tasks. Her own physical activity is restricted to the tap-tap-tap of her fingers as they drum quietly on her chair arm, although her mind is whirring along.

"I don't know, Antonov," she says, ruminating aloud. "'Some damage' seems optimistic, if it's stopped all outside communications. Kylah, now that we're practically close enough to touch the probe, are you able to run any diagnostics to see if there's even a slight hint of life left in that thing?"

She eyes Sasok. "Because if the transmitter is boned due to external damage, I don't see how we fix it. No way we're beaming anyone onto that probe to make the fix in person, and the only other option is tractor-beaming 42 into our docking bay and performing the repairs here. And even disregarding how much time all this will take, I'm not keen on doing any of that at our respective current speeds."

Gnawing her lip, Kylah says a quick "Aye aye, Lieutenant, attempting to contact the probe now" under her breath before she goes through with the actual order. Without much optimism, she runs through the usual methods to communicate with the probe on all frequencies.

As she runs the tests--not as effective as they would be should Mr. Sasok gain direct access to the system, but better than nothing--she begins to ponder some possible workarounds.

The probe can scan us, she thinks, watching her screen and listening through her earpiece simultaneously. Its sensors are working. So it is transmitting, in a way...

Her teeth continue to pull at her lower lip as she tries to connect the puzzle pieces in her mind, all the while waiting for any test results.

Nathaniel doesn't know whether to be amused or concerned. Amused because the patient is clearly trying to make him look bad and concerned because patients trying to self-diagnose usually only led to problems. He understands Rangin trying to find out more what happened to him because he nearly died, but Nathaniel has a medical degree and Rangin doesn't. Yet, he is curious what Rangin is thinking given the man's background with alien races and their medical histories. He might know something that could prove to be useful. Stranger things have been known to happen. And Nathaniel certainly didn't want Rangin to have a relapse or continue to be sick. It wouldn't look good for Nathaniel to fail with his first patient in his new job.

"No... no examination." Nathaniel answers. "But did you find anything? I understand you are Xenobiologist. Do you know something about the virus and the Sakathians that is not in that report?"

Mr. Antonov nods judiciously. "All fair points, obviously, ma'am."

Sasok says, "I'm making some progress here, Mr. Onn. If all goes well, I may be able to access its operating system shortly."

Kylah has no response from the probe to her signal. Its communications look to be entirely flatlined. She thinks she just might be able to broadcast on the same subspace wavelength as its scanning beam, although it will take some delicate recalibration of the Yorktown's own transmitter array.

Graham continues to monitor the probe's behavior and stand by on weapons if that should become needed while spinning up an analysis of the damage to the probe - checking to see if he can confirm it's micro-meteors or debris versus an identifiable weapon.

At the back of his mind he's...happy? Something. He's proud of Nia's confident leadership and glad to see Kylah free to do her job well.

"Great to hear, Mr. Sasok." Nia lets her attention shift from the probe on the viewscreen to the Engineering officer. "Once you've commandeered that puppy, we'll be in a better position to do something about it. I hope. Best-case scenario, Kylah and Tsu will be able to work their magic."

A frown wrinkles her already-scaly brow when a thought strikes her. "Actually," she murmurs almost to herself, "we'd better consider the worst-case scenario as well."

She turns to face her own usual station and speaks more firmly. "Mr. Tsu. I want to know where that probe's headed, assuming no course correction is possible. Can you project 42's encounter trajectory, as it stands now?" Her chest rises with her deep inhale. "...'Cause it strikes me that if it gets into any inhabited or traffic-heavy system--or, worse, a non-friendly neighborhood that might take a probe encroachment as a hostile act--a mercy killing might be in order."

Even as she says the words, her heart sinks a little. The explorer within Nia would hate to destroy a probe whose only function is to chart new territory and reveal its discoveries to those who launched it.

But the idea of endangering others, or potentially pissing off some known enemy--hell, an unknown one, for that matter--is far too sobering. It'd be the Yorktown's responsibility to take the thing out, like it or not.

She swivels to Booker and Kawecki, unable to hide her grim expression. "What do you think, gentlemen? Obviously I wouldn't make the call without confirming it with the Captain... and it might require some diplomatic apologies and a big 'Sorry We Torpedoed Your Probe' bouquet to Omicron Pascal.

"But I don't want that probe wreaking havoc, either. Thoughts? If you both agree, let's... well, let's be ready to target 42 as a last resort. Depending on Mr. Tsu's projection."

Discouraged by the probe's deaf-and-mute state, Kylah nevertheless perks up at the challenging possibility of converting a sensor into a transponder--able to receive and relay data.

The idea will require some creative rerouting of functions, and a redistribution of power in order to ensure the signal's boosted strength is both powerful enough and capable of transmitting at the appropriate subspace frequency level. And then there is the matter of whether she can adjust the Yorktown's own transmitter array...

She absently bites a thumbnail, glancing over to the intimidating figure of Lt. Onn. She does not want to run the plan by the C.O. The lieutenant does not trust her, Kylah can easily tell that even without stretching her empathic senses.

No. If she can hold off the impatient older woman, Kylah will only mention the plan after running it by Lt. Thalen. He can probably confirm whether implementing this unorthodox solution will damage the probe or repair it.

Of course, the probe is useless now either way. Trying something is better than nothing, she rationalizes. Returning to her secondary terminal, she begins to type out a methodical rundown of her proposal.

Tsu works at her console and projects the current course of the probe. "There is a charted but uninhabited system that the probe would reach in just over seven months, ma'am, at its current speed, and another, uncharted system that it would reach about three months after that. Beyond that," she taps at the controls, "it wouldn't come anywhere near another system or interstellar body - anything, really - for another three years. Given its mission parameters, I'd say its current course is the result of a malfunction and not a programmed response."

Kawecki says, "I agree it should be a very last resort, Mr. Onn, but a single photon torpedo would put a quick end to the probe. No way its shields could handle that."

Soon after, Sasok reports, "I have broken through the probe's command protocol safeguards, but still have not been able to gain remote access such that I can actually make it do anything. We will still need some kind of communications link."

Kylah is making progress but will need more time.

Rangin looks up at the doctor, wondering what might be going through his mind. After all, most of the other doctors, when it came to this, were more interested in trying to heal things after it was too late instead of trying to find a cure in advance, and this one appeared to be none the different.

"Yes, I am a Xenobiologist, and most of my experience with this pathogen has been a little too personal for my tastes. I lost a friend to it and in some ways I'm surprised I am still alive. I still haven't managed to track down the subtle differences as to why I survived and someone else didn't."

Rangin frowns as he looks back down at the pad on his lap. "Unfortunately, given it was a medical top-secret facility and any and all notes were redacted or removed, any knowledge of it is pretty much my medical record. What is worse is that it appears the virus has some longer term side effects, at least where I am concerned and I would rather understand them now and be able to treat or vaccinate in advance than to wait for it to strike and then be treated."

He looks back at the Doctor, "So, which side of the fence do you sit on?"

Graham nods acknowledgment at Kawecki's comment. That's an understatement, he thinks, holding back a smile.

"Not that I'm one to turn down target practice, ma'am," he says, addressing Nia, "but with those timelines, we may be able to get a Starfleet science or maintenance vessel to intervene and repair or at least salvage it before it approaches a system." He quickly adds "On the off chance we can't take control now, of course."

The news from Tsu gives Nia the freedom to breathe easier, especially when this perspective is echoed by Kawecki and Booker. "Good to hear," she says to everyone in general. "Sounds like we can avoid your target practice, Book, which is what I'd prefer--not a fan of destroying a science vessel if it can be helped."

Nia only realizes after she finishes that she let that 'Book' slip out. She pauses for just a second before continuing. "But, uh, I had to cover all possibilities, just to be safe," she says while casting a slightly apologetic look at Booker. "As you say, if we can't fix the nav issue, maybe someone else can save the day. We'll need to know if anyone'll be in the neighborhood first. Mr. Antonov, can you run a search for known travel in the area by Starfleet vessels over the next few months?"

That taken care of, she shifts to Mr. Sasok. "You're right, of course; we'll need some sort of basic communications link in order for the Yorktown to send commands that'd control 42. So, Ensign Kylah..." Nia lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug, turning to the young officer. "Where are we?"

Mid-keystroke, Kylah hears her name again. She purses her lips in frustration, an expression only visible to the reflection in the shiny black panel in front of her.

Then she looks up at Lt. Onn. "Now that Mr. Sasok has successfully breached the safeguards, I will try to set up a channel for him and Ens. Tsu to connect with the probe. As for restoring the probe's ability to broadcast its findings... I have a possible solution to the problem. I was just going to run it by Lt. Thalen to see if my idea will work. It is somewhat... unorthodox."

Lt. Onn's tall figure approaches her. Kylah does her best not to draw herself back, though she cannot help the impulse. The older woman's head tilts a few degrees as she examines Kylah. "Well, now you've piqued my interest. How about you run it by me first, Ensign?"

Kylah does not like the attention and glances at her monitor for comfort. "It... it is very complicated..."

"Understood. Explain anyway--if you dumb it down, I'll do my best to keep up." The C.O.'s voice is almost playful, but Kylah can feel the aggravation practically radiating off her.

"Yes, ma'am." Kylah reins in her own growing annoyance before swiveling to face Lt. Onn. "In simplest terms, I wish to turn one of the probe's sensors into a functioning transponder. It is already able to receive data; this will allow it to transmit, as well."

She swallows. "This means significantly reconfiguring its programming and functionality. But I believe I can do it... with Mr. Sasok's help in accessing various subsystems."

In the silence, Lt. Onn scrutinizes Kylah. "Mmm. Interesting." After another pause, she nods with a slight smile. "Very interesting. Go ahead, send your plans to Lt. Thalen and see what he thinks. Then start work on opening a comm link between us and 42, that's job number one. Meanwhile..." She turns around. "Lt. Antonov, you Science guys are sensor experts. How possible is this, given what you know about this type of probe and its capabilities? Same question to you, Mr. Sasok."

A small sigh escapes Kylah's lips as she hurries to finish explaining her idea to Lt. Thalen, keeping one ear open to whatever judgment the others render on her proposal. She sends the plan to the senior Communications officer and then gets to work on the immediate issue: finding a way to set up a comm link, opening up a dialogue between the ship and the lonely little probe.



Thanks to SidonianGal for generously lending Nia to me! :devil:

Antonov and Sasok confer briefly, and Antonov says, "It's a clever approach, ma'am, and I believe it's quite possible. We'd be glad to assist Mr. Kylah."

Thalen, when reached belowdecks, concurs. "Good idea, Kylah. I'd say proceed."