Posted by Gamemaster Creeping Dread (Gamemaster) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives

Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

SNIP

An ensign at the science station ran a scan that wouldn’t be detectable. With surprise they responded to the Captain, “Nothing in subspace sir, but picking up warp signatures. There seem to have been several intrasystem trips that all lead back to that space station in orbit. I’m not picking up anything else that might suggest a foreign ship has been here, well except for us.”

GM Dread

Mattie listened as the things unfolded, she wondered why they would all be coming back to this space station “Is the station Federation based or not?” She asked looking up at the station looking for some sort of markings that might indicate who owned it or who it was affiliated with.

CE

Avik listened to the Captain’s comment on the archaic designs of the station. Though he seemed amused and enjoying the image, she resisted pointing out a critical fact. Once long ago, humans used the same exact things. The same crude designs and primitive technology that shaped their own world. So she failed to see the appeal.

At the Ensign’s information, her head turned and her lips tightened. She didn’t like the sound of it, but she didn’t jump into explaining it with half-supported theories.

Their CE spoke up, the XO’s attention switched to the woman. “Based on the design and crude materials, I theorize no. According to the reports, they have rudimentary spaceflight capabilities. Last I checked, the current design and materials don’t meet Federation requirements. Any station not created by the civilization would be breaching the prime directive protocols. “

She twisted about and walked to her chair, tapping a few buttons to double-check her facts and preparing to include any recent changes. In conflict with most being’s beliefs, Vulcans didn’t know everything. In rare cases, fact-checking was needed.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

“Right, so they’ve probably just figured warp drive out,” the Captain said somewhat cautiously as he gave Sullivan the side-eye. “Which is why we’re here, right? To make first contact with these clearly not-Federation people. This station must be where they’re launching all of their test flights from.”

“Let’s see what else we can find out about these people before we introduce ourselves. Can we pick up any sort of broadcasts or other signals from their world? If their spaceflight is this advanced they must have some sort of mass media.”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

Before the scan could be done or information relayed a change happened. “Sir one of the ships have undocked from the station and is pulling away from it.” The ensign at tactical reported.

GM Dread

At Dvorak’s statement, Avik turned to him. She hoped he was trying to keep her on her toes rather than test her patience.

“I feel I must point out a fact. They can have space flight capabilities, but not advanced to warp ones. Our main job is to determine if the warp signatures are in fact because of their technological advancements or someone else breaking the protocols. Then deal with the situation accordingly.”

Well, yeah, Dvorak thought. Didn’t I just say that? He didn’t, actually, so it was very good to clarify what people might have forgotten was the point of their long journey to get here in the first place.

Her eyes spotted the image on the viewscreen.

“I think one of the ways to determine if they have warp capabilities is to observe that ship. If we can also scan it without alerting the natives, it might have evidence on it.” It was a light suggestion from the top of her head, but a sound one in her eyes. She hoped the Captain would see that or someone would come up with better suggestions.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

“Exactly my thought, Ms. Avik,” the Captain said. “Let’s do that instead. Passive sensors, please,” he ordered everyone on the Bridge. “Helm, hold this position for now.”

“Put the ship pulling away on screen, and magnify.”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

The viewscreen magnified the ship in question. In comparison to Cochrane’s ship that led to Earth’s first contact with the Vulcans this ship was two to three times larger and not as streamlined cylindrical. What could be considered warp nacelles, without seeing them in action, were placed in front of the ship in a way that might hint at pulling it into warp instead of propelling it. Passive sensors detected deuterium and helium being used in a fusion reaction to fuel the ship’s systems. The traditional propulsion system seemed to be chemical reaction based with liquid oxygen being burned to provide thrust. The science ensign relayed these details to the Captain.

The ship’s chemical propulsion turned off as it coasted further away from the station. It was aligned on an outbound course from the suns and seemed to be building energy as the fusion reactor output increased. With a flash of light it entered warp, which the Europa’s sensors tracked, before it quickly dropped out of warp 20 AU away. Seemed like they had warp tech, but the next questions is did they develop it themselves?

GM Dread

Mattie scanned the warp trail and began analyzing it for comparison to the various warp signatures that were in the computer. She worked quietly as she also watched the ships at the station.

CE