Discovery Contact
Posted on Fri Feb 21st, 2020 @ 9:39am by Lieutenant Commander Arianna Sky Kamar & Major Naomi Sylan Griffiths & Lieutenant Shri'Rao Sh'veqan & Lieutenant Commander James Trallos MD & Chief Petty Officer "Chief" Alpha I CSH & Sera Dega & Lieutenant Commander Yarinna "Fanthom" Hawkins
Mission:
Discovery
Location: Bridge
Timeline: February 2394 1030 AM
[ON]
Frank sat in his chair on the bridge, since leaving Iota they had been unsuccessful at finding a Class M planet. The viewscreen showed the same stars they’d been looking at for weeks but at varying distances. He stood and paced the bridge again for the hundredth time that morning, looking over the shoulders of the watchstanders and checking their panels. With a heavy sigh, he completed his lap around the bridge and returned to his chair.
“All stations report in,” Frank said as he watched the stars cruise by at warp 3.
"Security reports all stations green and tactical is on condition 4, Captain". Shri'Rao reported.
=/\="Medical is green. Nothing to report down here Captain." The doctor said responding to the report request.
"Engineering is green across the board," Arianna said quickly noting quickly that everything was available fully which made her smile.
Yarinna, turned, "Helm is functioning correctly and fully operational", she stated.
As the reports were coming in Griffiths paced the bridge, occasionally looking over shoulders to see how things were done, she remained silent as not to disturb the crew.
It was 10 AM on the fourth day of the new month that sensors picked up a new contact. Shri'Rao blinked twice.
"Captain, we have a contact at extreme sensor range bearing 017 Mark 2. Contact is travelling at approximately warp 4. The vessel is on a heading of 015 Mark 4. Defensive /Offensive status is unknown. It's difficult to get a clear reading on her at this distance. Although it doesn't seem to match any known Hirogen configuration." Shri'Rao reported.
Frank stood in the centre of the bridge, “Security go to Yellow, I want shields up but weapons on standby. Helm, maintain current course, Operations try boosting power to the sensors, once we know what we are looking at we will attempt to hail them. Chief, take the science console, try to help Grun boost those sensors, I want to know who and what that is.”
"Aye captain, continuing on course," Yarinna said.
"Yellow Alert, Aye Sir!" Shri'Rao replied pressing the Yellow Alert button on her status display. Activating shields but putting the weapons on a charged but stand by mode.
Chief nodded once at Captain Kamar's request, up until that point he had been standing towards the back of the bridge, using a spare console to study some of the incoming data. After quickly securing the backup console, Chief walked up to main science station and began rapidly reconfiguring the terminal to his preference. One of the benefits of being a hologram was the ability to view and process data at a rapid pace, far quicker than the average biological person, as a result, Chief always set his console to it's fastest display rate, with data pouring across it at a furious pace.
Once the console was set up, Chief began on his assigned task "As Lt Shri'Rao reported, the unknown vessel is at the very limits of our sensor range, however, I should be able to get a bit more clarity if I tie in the stellar cartography sensors " He reported, bringing online the highly advanced sensors that were housed in the Mission Pod. After a few moments of rapid taps on the console, Chief had completed the task of activating the vast sensor array "The image is clearing up a bit more, I am working on focusing the resolution and removing the background static." As Chief worked, the image on the viewscreen began to clear up, a lot of the static wash was reduced and the small vessel began to gain focus "At this range, that's the best we can achieve. I can tell you that the ship has several occupants, I can't get a clear reading. I believe the hull of the vessel may also be interfering with our scans, it's a composite alloy that is doing a good job of dispersing our sensors" Chief looked up from his console and towards Kamar "I'm sorry I can't give you more, as we close the gap, I'll be able to get a better picture"
"Shields up, Captain. Weapons charged but on stand by. That ship is too far out of our weapons range at this time, Sir." Shri'Rao advised.
Arianna tapped her combadge, "Engineering, set condition 2. You know the drill. Arianna out.
Yarinna was still keeping the ship on its original course as per the captain's orders.
Comes back to the Captain's right side "All stations report ready Captain" Griffiths dutifully said.
“Thank you, Major,” Kamar replied as his eyes remained glued on the viewscreen There had been no hostile response yet, but he didn’t want to be the one to make the first move if there was a fight.
As time passed, Chief continued to work on improving the resolution of the ship's sensors, the effort was starting to pay off and he was able to get clearer readings on the approaching ship. "Captain, sensors are continuing to improve. I am able to give a more detailed report now" the hologram said, looking up from his console "The vessel is almost half the size of the Pennsylvania, with approximately 8 decks. Power signatures suggest that the vessel uses a similar Matter/Anti-Matter reactor, similar to a federation warp core. However, the readings are a little inconsistent, it's almost like there are two energy signatures coming from the vessel." Chief worked at his console a little more, trying to determine whether the dual readings were a result of a problem in the sensor array. The more he worked, the more confusing the readings became, everything seemed doubled on the approaching vessel.
"Unless I am misinterpreting these sensors, or more likely there is an error in the computer core, the vessel is showing a duplicate of everything. Two shield systems, two power signatures, two warp signatures. It's almost as if there are two ships occupying the same point in space-time, like an echo of each other" Chief reported, looking thoroughly confused. One downside of his programming, if it wasn't in a database somewhere, he couldn't easily make a connection.
"Sensor readings confirmed, Sir," Shri'Rao said.
"Chief could it be something like a time fracture? Something like a fracture in the time continuum that is giving it that double appearance?", Arianna said.
Chief shook his head "Not as far as I can tell, there are no unusual Quantum signatures or stray chronitons. Sub space is stable in the region, there are no external factors to explain these readings."
*Odd* Captain Kamar thought to himself, “Lieutenant Shri’Rao, let’s open hailing frequencies and see what happens.”
"Hailing frequencies open Captain, sending hail on all frequencies". Shri'Rao said.
The viewscreen shifted from the display of local space to a display of an unfamiliar bridge. Wide with a lowered region below and in front of what could be presumed to be the Captain. Or in this case... Captains. Two forms occupied the central region. In fact, two forms occupied every single station on that bridge. The forms appeared somewhat feline, though also far enough removed from such for it to be impossible to mistake them for any of the felines evolved races in the Federation's databanks. The bridge was a gentle blue in overall colour, softly illuminated by discreet lighting.
The creatures weren't alone on the bridge. Where security forces would be, there were machines. Drones. Bipedal combat drones.
"Good welcome." one of the forms in the central seats stated. Female by appearance, wearing a uniform coloured a soft orange in colour along the top and the shoulders. "My name is Sera Dega, I'm the Overseer of the DCS Venture's Gain. I apologize if our..." and she stopped talking. Simply done, mid-sentence.
The woman at her side picked up the conversation flawlessly. Her twin. Her identical twin.
"... presence disrupted any of your scans or research. I just needed to verify to some degree your intent." she paused, looking at something off-screen. "So, what are your intentions in...." and she stopped talking, just like before.
Her twin, the original speaker, picked up. "... this sector?"
While the Captain was standing Naomi was in her chair checking readouts, and only listening with half an ear, something was bothering her about the readings, but these were nothing to do with the species on the viewscreen, but she kept a listen out should her name or rank be used.
Frank’s eyes were glued to the viewscreen as he listened to the Overseer, they were a new race that had minimal contact with the Federation and he considered it a stroke of luck to meet a fellow captain. “Thank you for your kind welcome,” Frank said trying to begin as diplomatically as possible, after all this was his first contact in the Quadrant with and of its inhabitants,” I am Captain Kamar, Commanding Officer of the USS Pennsylvania. We are explorers from planet Earth. Our intentions here in the sector are to find a planet or solar system capable of hosting a colony.”
This seemed to get her... their... her attention. "Well, in the spirit of peace and by Dia's graces, I welcome fellow explorers." the pair were silent but for a moment, "I don't know if we use the same measurements as your people would..." and there it happened again. The speaker just up and silenced herself mid-thought. Her twin to her side picked up the conversation flawlessly.
"... but I'm certain we can work out the translations and re-calibrations. And here I thought there wouldn't be any math today." she seemed amused.
"Captain Kamar, in the spirit of trust and diplomacy..." she paused. It seemed intentional this time as her attention turned off-screen. A nod, and then Pennsylvania's sensors would quickly show that the alien craft had lowered its shields. "Now, what is it that you look for in a world?"
Her sister picked up. "Mineral rich? Gravitic compatibility? Size? Moons?" she offered options, like shopping for real estate. "Now, I would have to report any request you make..." the pauses were almost becoming predictable.
"... back to the home republic, and they may request a stipulation or two, but I'm more than happy to act as an intermediary."
Frank nodded as the Overseer spoke, he waited a few seconds before responding, "Overseer, we require a planet with a rich oxygen atmosphere, if you would I could have my Science Officer transmit to you our request." He turned to look over his shoulder to Sh'veqan, "Lower the shields please, and Chief please prepare to transmit the necessary information."
"Aye Captain", Shri'rao said. "Shields are down, Sir". The Andorian reported.
"I think that would be the most effective way to work this." her silent form looked upwards slightly, but she herself continued to speak, "Tee Eee Phi Eighty Three?"
There was a tone. Not unlike how the computer would respond to a direct request.
"Prepare to receive data from starship designate Pennsylvania. Parse and prepare for..."
"... reference on planetary survey list. Advise if a buoy is needed." she spoke, the conversation flowing back and forth like the tide. Effortlessly, though in all likelihood it wasn't something she was consciously doing. There was a confirmation tone, and then the Overseer returned her glance back to the screen. "Ready to receive your transmission captain. Our system automatically scrubs any incoming data for hostile programming. Please don't take..."
"... it personally. Simply a precaution."
They seemed friendly enough Shri'Rao thought. They seemed to talk like the Binars, perhaps they are a diadedic species. Trust but verify. Apparently they were wise too.
After singling out the secure channel for the data transmission, Chief sent over a burst of planetary data, it contained the basic requirements for an M-Class planet, as well as the Scientific data on some highly sought after minerals and metals "Transmission in progress Captain, they should be receiving the data now"
"We're receiving your transmission now. I'll have to consult with the central database, as well as a few other scientific sources. They have to ..."
"... at least respond with receipt of the request within thirty-six hours, but there's always someone at the desk." a smirk crossed their features simultaneously.
"Once the request is received it begins processing, which could take at the worst, thirty-six hours. So... worst case is two days." a pause from the pair. "Wait, that's..."
"... three of your days. Will you be in the region still in three days? At the most."
"Let's find out all we can before we do anything, fore-warned is fore-armed," Griffiths said.
“Thank you, Overseer, we will remain in this sector and we look forward to speaking with you again,” Frank replied before the transmission ended.
Arianna was totally fascinated by seeing these creatures. Something on the same race as the Bynars but different like Siamese twins. Strange creatures but she could not sense much from them at this distance.
Yarinna was confused and surprised by what she saw. Two identical people with a strange but almost warm and pleasant in their demeanour.
As things were done around her Naomi noticed the confused look on the CEO's face "what's up Commander?" Griffiths asked.
"I don't know if the word confused I would use but I am totally fascinated yet I can not sense their presence. It is strange but then again this is all new to me. It's like looking at a pair of joined Siamese kittens. However they are not but two separate entities neither of which I can sense!", Arianna said.
*shrugs* "it is at times like this Commander that I am glad I have no empathic or telepathic abilities, still I have to admit I find it curious too, have you any idea why you cannot sense them?" Griffiths asked.
"Unknown at this time Major. It could be possible they are able to shield their emotions from me," Arianna said still looking intently at the viewscreen
=====
Overseer Sera Dega
DCS Venture's Gain
Dalacari Republic
Captain Frank Kamar
Commanding Officer
Major NS Griffiths
First Officer
Lieutenant Shri'Rao Sh'veqan
Chief of Security
Lieutenant JG James Trallos M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Petty Officer "Chief" Alpha I CSH
Chief of the Boat
Lt. Cmdr. Arianna Sky Kamar
Chief Engineering Officer
Lt. Cmdr. Yarinna "Fanthom" Hawkins
Commander Air Croup