Posted by Lieutenant Commander Joe Milligan (XO) in Main Sim - Bridge - Unknown System Arrival!

Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in Main Sim - Bridge - Unknown System Arrival!

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Bridge - Unknown System Arrival!
[snip]
Joe caught some of the conversation that Cross was having with the science officer, and he smiled. “And sometimes Doctor a fellow is betting like he has aces when all he has is twos. ” He chuckled then as he silently nodded toward the captain. “Leave the rest to the Cap, he’s talking a pretty good game. I think he can pull us out of whatever we might get into .”

Cross replied back ‘’Maybe you can help the Captain about the various options to consider and if plan A fails, he would have plane B to fall on too’‘’ Cross was know as someone who rarely minced her words ‘’Cmdr I’m sure you know what one of the perks of being in your rank is....so how about giving him your own view points and opinions ?’‘ the doctor looked at Glen ,after all she knew him well and he could very well be missing his previous first officer having been on the bridge with him for so long.

William had meant to speak up but the Commander’s interruption quieted him. He looked back at the viewscreen and followed the conversation, was this really Miriam? He remembered her as a more hopeful person, not so paranoid and worried. He frowned at his own thoughts, dismissing them for now.

As Glen waited for the intermittent replies from Dol, he could hear the incessant chatter behind him on the Bridge, but concentrating on how he might reply to Dol, so that he could gain sufficient knowledge of their technological level, while not giving away any indication of their own, meant that he didn’t follow what was being said. For the first time since he had left the ship, Glen wondered what Kord might have said. Probably very little, Glen thought. Glen felt that Dol would naturally ‘big up’ their technological level to him, but there was no indication of that being the case. In fact, he thought that Dol was being incredibly honest when he described the function of the ‘seed pod’ ship. He still saw it a Cuckoo fledging rather than an angling lure. To be honest, he believed that by picking up the stasis capsule, the Merrimack now had an obligation to fulfil. Glen didn’t think they could morally hand the child back and then run away home. That just wasn’t a viable option. They had instead, set in motion a course of action that they were required to see through to its conclusion. These people could make very good allies in a region of space where the Federation currently had no friends. His first priority must be not to create any more enemies.

Cross could imagine Kord always behind the Captain’s chair ,never sitting down even when he was in charge of the ship.There was a time when she herself would go next to Glen without thinking twice but that now seemed it was in another life time..........Cross had changed.

=/\= Hmm, an old nebular? One moment let me check with one of our stellar scientists, she would likely, know more then I..=/\= He said turning to walk off screen. That said more tinfoil like hat crew behind where Dol had sat in a chair were still busy working away at little consoles of lights, buttons, and small levers. Again showing the level of quite primitive technology that Dol’s people had at hand in general use.

Glen decided that this technology looked very primitive. He would ask for the thoughts of Joe and William on this once the Com call had ended, but he was sure they would agree. This was a civilisation that was punching way above its weight class, and he could see now that it wouldn’t be a candidate to join the Federation.

After a moment Dol returned, with a female of his species. This one was about the same height as Dol, but was a bit slimmer. Her dress was also more like a tight fitting robe, topped with the common place tin foil like hats. =/\= Hello. I am Stellar Scientist Chief Sal. Habitat Master Dol here informed me you had a question about a nearby old nebular? =/\= she inquired for confirmation.

=/\= Yes, Chief Sal, that’s correct. I was enquiring about that nebular as it appeared to be recent to us, dissipating with in the next 17 years or so.”

She nodded a bit flipping a large paper bound book up for reference, =/\= Ah hmm....let me see here. Ah! We call that ‘Old Gassy’. It’s a common term used too by many other races we met in this region. From what we have been told, given in scans, and our own observations, since it was first recorded over 600 some local years ago here. There is no record of it having exploded in that time, so if an explosion did cause it, it happened long before we became aware of it or anyone else who gave us information on it. Though you are right it has degraded ever since we first came to know of it. I would hazard your calculations are correct on its time frame until it vanishes. Sad really, something so old and wondrous to be forever gone from sight! =/\= She sighed wistfully. =/\= But it is what it is I guess. One can not control the fabric of nature or the cosmos. Anyhow I hope that somewhat answered your question? =/\= She finished up with inquiring.

Glen was convinced that Sal wasn’t telling the truth, but he’d need William to make more detailed scans to be sure. It was the first time he had got this impression from Sal or Dol, and that was strange. Why lie about something as inconsequential as a fading nebula, unless it was evidence of something else they wanted to hide? thought Glen. Was it an inter-planetary war? Glen wouldn’t call her out. Best to keep up the pretence that everything was going swell.

=Yes, that potted history of ‘old gassy’ helps enormously. Thank you. =/\=

Glen found that he really didn’t have very much more to say. Dol was going to ask him what would happen next, and Glen really hadn’t given thought to that. He had never considered the idea that they wouldn’t be capable of Warp speed travel, given that they already had stasis technology. He needed an update on the investigations into the child and the silver spheres before making any decisions, but he needed some way of stalling for more time. The other concern was this threat of a destructive broadcast signal being made to a hidden series of large scale explosive space-based dumps. If this discussion didn’t go well, they might have to deal with those, and that nebula might be the remains of the last ship that visited. He really needed some reason to postpone the conversation, but he was all out of ideas.

“William,” Glen asked, “Please launch a probe to get some more detailed scans of the nebula and see if it tallies with what their scientist said about it being 600 years old. For some reason, I don’t trust what she said, but I want to be sure. I also think we should take a small landing party to meet them at the habitat in person. I’m starting to doubt that they are candidates to join the Federation just yet, but if they have had a technological society spanning nearly 600 years, then General Order Number One still allows us to make contact with them and to share cultural values. Would anyone disagree with my analysis? I’m keen to know!”

With hands behind her back Cross took a few steps forward ‘’Aye Captain I agree but could we decide here and now how much of our technology should we give away, if they do ask?’‘ .

William quickly prepared a probe and launched it then turned around “None” He said to Cross’s question “We can assist them with their own technology but giving away our own technology is not something I could recommend” He crossed his legs “A cultural exchange, however, seems plausible. Whilst they are not a warp travelling species they are in contact with several other alien races which means cultural contamination is unlikely.” He continued “For the plausibility of their having seen the nebula six hundred years ago I’d need access to historical records, observing a nebula isn’t hard with the right technology, humans discovered their first nebula in the mid-eighteenth century”

“I think you’ll find Tycho Brahe observed the B Cassiopeiae supernova remnant in 1572,” said Glen, “and that the Islamic and ancient Chinese astronomers observed even more, even earlier, but nevertheless, that’s the point made. As for technology, I must continue to play it by ear. They could have fabulous matter transportation and subspace communications that negate any need for space vessels, or they could have invented spacecraft technology well in advance of ours, but they decided never to use it in case they came face to face with their God. By the way, that isn’t what I expect to find here. It’s more likely that we’ll give them some fancy beads and wampum and they’ll be satisfied.”

Cross looked at William as he spoke ‘’Well I do hope its not what they are expecting from us and don’t any of you find it strange that they have not asked for the boy to be transported back to them?’‘.

“I’m almost certain that is the reason for sending out the children....” replied Glen.

{The Child] was after all still in sickbay, probably looking around and seeing the equipment being used, as the medical team went around their business. What did the man with the funny hat say…In the hope of bringing more advanced technology was the reason of sending those pods* thought Cross

”....Oh! The ‘Child!’ I almost forgot to ask Dol about it,” Glen added.

The female doctor gave a heavy sigh, at that moment she thought hunting for food in the wilderness wasn’t so bad after all. Then she remembered the scar across her cheek ‘’Or maybe be not,’‘ Cross muttered in a barely audible tone.

Glen couldn’t understand Cross’ mumbles, but said, “I’m still waiting on reports from Sickbay and Science on the ‘Child’. What has the child said? What is the purpose of the spheres? Does it all suggest that they send out children in ships of returning alien visitors, then allow the children to soak up as much technology as they can, then reel them back in again. Dol said as much, but then he said it didn’t work very well, and they don’t appear to be very technologically advanced so I’d have to agree. However, is the child in any way special? Would he make a good ambassador to take back to the Federation if that is his purpose? Or is it just an ordinary child, who looks frightened and lost?”

Cross did her best to concentrate ‘’Captain, doctor Hunter did tell you that the spheres according to the boy are samples of several local plants and animals from his former home saying they are provided for his new family to study and synthesize food for him artificially if their local biomes are not capable of supporting him normally and they can also be used as a means of emergency power source though he’s not sure of how that works....... these were the boy’s words. As from my perspective the child looks healthy intelligent and inquisitive. Tia brought him some food, maybe she can provide more information since she stayed with him’‘ Cross made a mental note to later drag Glen for a physical and psychological evaluation ‘’Anything else Captain ?’‘the CMO asked.

“Well, a full psychological evaluation of the child would be useful, and question him on his ‘mission’ and what he has been told to expect of his ‘new family’,” replied Glen. “And that was useful for Doctor Hunter to tell me that, but he isn’t one of the scientists working on the spheres, so it’s second hand news.”

Cross wondered if Glen was doing this on purpose to work her up into a frenzy ‘’Captain with all due respect Hunter is not a scientist ,he.. em happened to be there cause of the broken nose ‘’she knew this did not made much sense but it was true ‘’When Hunter was at the science dept he saw that the sphere had been opened by the scientists and in it was some sort of egg that when charged with energy it grew and when the watts were increased it grew bigger, though when that energy was removed it went back to its previous size. It was what Hunter had observed, the rest came from the boy himself for he knew what the spheres were for’‘ at this point Cross felt the urge to shake the Captain from his shoulders ‘’For the second time, Tia is with the boy and she is in a better position to answer the rest of your questions’‘.

OOC:BUMP C.E

Glen tried to ignore the reference to a broken nose. He had no idea what kind of misbehaviour was going on below decks and in Sickbay, but he was sure that Joe would be on top of it and have it under control. He didn’t want to think about how bad the discipline situation might have got. The reports received about Doctor Hunter made him seem rather unsuitable for his position, but at the moment, Hunter was the only one of his staff that had brought him any information on the child. As for Miriam, it seemed that she couldn’t take a strong hint to return to her work, and discipline was something that came down from the department head themselves.

“Tia was my Chief Engineer last time I looked,” said Glen. “Is she now qualified to make psychological tests and evaluations too?”

‘’Tia took over , it seems she has more maternal instincts then I do ‘’ Cross replied, now choosing her words carefully ‘’I shall go to sickbay and assess the child psychologically myself ,the physical evaluation has already been done and the scans picked up nothing out of the ordinary ‘’Cross turned around to leave ‘’Oh by the way Captain I have just found out that Hunter had to leave for the O.R and doctor Kim took his place’‘ with those last words she gave Glen a nod and left.

Joe was starting to feel closed in and uncomfortable. So as soon as he heard the CO speak about waiting for information, he jumped at the idea that he might actually be of use somewhere instead of standing about the bridge. “Need me to light some fires for you Captain?” he volunteered.

“I have my CMO and CSO right here already,” replied Glen. “But maybe that is the problem. The child and the spheres are not here!”

‘’They are in sickbay and can quiet easily be transported to where ever you want, its not such a big deal’‘. What was wrong she wondered, Cross was puzzled for the Glen she knew had the strength of mind and will power.

“I believe that the child and spheres are both in the correct place,” Glen said, beginning to get frustrated now, “but some of my staff don’t appear to be!”

For Cross none verbal communications spoke volumes ,so she wondered what Joe was up too now.

Cross turned to William and spoke to him in a low tone of voice ‘’When this is over would you help me get my strength back in the gym please?’ she actually wanted him to help her the day she came back but never got the chance to ask.

William blinked, the question blindsiding him completely “Uhm, aye, sure” He managed to stammer out after a moment.”

“Another question you can maybe help me with,” Glen said, “what do you think’s the deal with the tin-foil hats?”

Cross rolled her eyes, so now it was the tin-foil hats ‘’Maybe for some sort of protection or they have seen the ‘Wizard of Oz ‘ she wonder how long it shall be before being thrown and locked up.

Glen had meant the question for his XO, but as usual Miriam seemed to have no emotional intelligence. Sometimes, her mouth seemed to act independently of her mind.

“Joe?” Glen asked his XO. “Have you any more likely ideas? It makes them appear foolish, and I can’t see what protection it could offer them? I’m going to ask Dol about the child and the tin-foil hats, then arrange for us to go down and meet them in person. If I could have a little quiet on the Bridge once again please! Also, if Tia could update on the spheres, and if I could get some more detailed medical assessments on the child from someone as soon as possible?”

Glen indicated to the Communications Officer to resume the conversation with Dol.

=/\= Hello again Dol. I have been discussing the situation with some of my senior officers and we would like to personally come down to visit you. Would that be acceptable?

Also, you mentioned that the child was placed in one of your ‘seed pods’ and sent away, but that most of these don’t return. If the intention is that they learn about technology and customs of their hosts, and then return to you with this knowledge, are these just your normal children, or are they special ‘ambassadors’ of some kind? And now that we have accidentally interrupted one mission, what would be your suggestion for the child we have woken up?

Finally, we can’t help but to wonder about the purpose of your unusual metallic headgear? =/\=

-Glen, CO

Cross Dr.

Mike was left standing with his mouth open as he had been about to respond to the CO and was cut off first by Miriam and then the CO himself. Mike turned to Miriam and took her by the upper arm and guided her back to the lift doors away from the CO. Leaning in closely to Miriam, he asked her in a whisper. “Miriam this is a kid. His anyone thought to vigorously interrogate him in the presence of a Tripple chocolate brownie sundae, complete with sprinkles?”

Lt. Cmdr. Joe Milligan XO

William stood up from his chair, walking towards the Captain “Sir, I’ll head down to Sickbay to oversee the tests but I’d like to request a private word with you when you have the time” He said with hands behind his back, posture straight and tone respectful. He looked at the screen “Sir” He said turning towards where the new First officer and Miriam stood and moving out.

CSO