Deep Space 102 Mission Transcript - 11004.09

"All that glitters..."

"Mining by Probe"

Previously on DS102:

The crew of the station has deployed a probe two days ago to gather information and sample the Auric Cloud that is passing through the Argolis Cluster and into the vicinity of DS102.

That probe is about to arrive and begin relaying telemetry back to the station via subspace.

Host Gerry says:
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XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
::reviewing incoming data from the probe::
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::in the center of Main Operations rooms, signing some reports::
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
:: walking around in Main Ops::
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::studying the latest telemetry data on the cloud::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CNS: So, what do you make of this data Counselor?
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::puts the PADDs aside:: All: Any significant news from the probe?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Well, right off the bat, there are no life-signs.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: So, it is only a natural phenomenon... Can we somehow establish its origin?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: It appears to be exactly what we originally thought - it's a cloud of superheated gold "dust"
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: it's an isotope with an unusual atomic weight - 85 - which is six higher than it should be
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
XO: It's fascinating, but nothing seems really of much concern.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: If we backtrack it, it apparently originated approximately 200 light years from a super nova'd star
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO/CNS: So basically, it is a harmless gold cloud, just passing near us...
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: and it seems to be headed directly towards us.
Host Gerry says:
ACTION:  As the probe enters the cloud, communications and telemetry become spotty for a moment, and then disappear as the probe explodes...
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: Can it somehow affect our systems?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Station shields should be adequate for.......
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
XO: We just lost the probe
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Standby.....
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CNS: Counselor - check the receiver. We've lost telemetry
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::turns to the CO:: CO: See, something was bound to happen... ::turns back to the XO/CNS;;
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::checks for it on long range sensors, double checks last readings from it, sitting a little straighter:: XO: The probe isn't on sensors anymore Commander, I'm picking up debris in the cloud field.  The probe has exploded, Commander.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::hears the CNS:: CNS: Can you establish the reason?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Until we know more Sir, I recommend any ships not docked at the station to extend their orbits or transits out beyond the limits of the cloud diameter
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::tries to triangulate on the debris to check for a cause of the probe's destruction:: XO: No, Sir, cause unknown.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: Proceed.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::signals the OPS to follow XO's suggestion::
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
XO: How far away from the cloud was that probe?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CO: Sir, that cloud is 49.5 hours out
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
OPS: Send that signal out to any ships in the immediate area ::noting that the OPS was paying attention::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CO: That gives us time to go find out what happened Sir
SC_Capt_Marek says:
<OPS> XO: I will take care of that immediately, Sir. ::begins working on the console::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
<OPS> XO: Aye Sir ::transmits warning signal to nearby ships::
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::chews slightly on her lower lip as she concentrates on the panel in front of her trying to analyze the metals in the cloud and find anything that would interact with the probe like that.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CNS: Speculation?
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::begins running simulations of interactions between the components of the probe and the components of the cloud:: XO: I'm not sure, Commander.  Would it be possible for the particles of the cloud to have penetrated the probe and cause some sort of malfunction?
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::approaches to the CO:: CO: I’ve begun considering that there is more to this than Starfleet’s orders told us... What do you think?
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: I don't know if we should be that suspicious
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: But I do admit that cloud should be totally harmless, even to our probe
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO: I guess is the former CTO speaking... anyway, let's be logical...
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
All: Anyone know if a gold isotope can provide shielding for anything, especially with that high an atomic weight?
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::searches the readings for sights of any corrosive agents... something that might have damaged the probe enough to cause the explosion::
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: Not that I know of, Commander.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC/CO: There was no special shielding on the probe; so basically, it was totally exposed to the cloud
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
XO: I admit that a gaseous gold cloud could do major harm
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO/CNS: Could be possible that the gold cloud just tampered with the probe systems, due to the fact that it has no shielding at all?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
CO: How Sir? We have pretty good and variable shielding here....
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
SC: I'm not sure Commander.  I'm searching for corrosive compounds or anything that might breach the probe enough to cause the thing to explode
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: You're inferring the cloud was capable of intelligent action??
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: No, I am saying that the gold material could be the cause, since the probe has not shielding.
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::frowns, mumbles:: Self: Nothing  ::uses the suggestions from Marek to set up simulations... still nothing::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Just checking Sir.... just checking
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
SC/XO: Perhaps we should deploy another probe, in the event that it was some form of system malfunction unrelated to the cloud.
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
XO: Or perhaps take a shuttle out and get a closer look
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: To be honest, I like your second suggestion better.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC/CNS: At least we'd have shields in a shuttle?
SC_Capt_Marek says:
All: A second probe will take too long. Who is the mood for an AT?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: I'm in Sir
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
SC: Would it be possible to release a probe into the cloud from the shuttle.  We need to know if there is something within the cloud that caused the probe to explode.  DS-102 is in its direct path, we need to know if extra precautions need to be taken.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: Agreed.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC/CNS: Runabouts have mini-probes on board Sir
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: Assemble an Away Team. I will be waiting for you in the Shuttle Bay.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: And I could use some piloting time
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Care to join us, Captain?
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: I think you're looking at the team Commander.
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::thinks that would be perfect::  XO: I'll bring a copy of the alterations that were made to the previous probe.  We can use that to speed the process of programming one of the mini-probes.
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: Why not
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO/XO: ::thinks for a while:: In fact, how about taking the Scorpius for a little excursion around the neighborhood. ::looks at the CO::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
::thinks "nuts, was hoping to get a few flight hours in."::
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: Isn't the Scorpius a little big for that kind of job?
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO: But we could use its Science Labs, gaining much time.
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
CO: Perhaps, but it would give access to complete science labs
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: Say the word and I'll have the Scorpius start the engines
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO: Very, the Scorpius it is then. Please, have it ready to depart, Captain.
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
SC: Consider it done
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::downloads the information on the probe onto a PADD, nods slightly:: All: Ready, Sirs.
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
:: walk to the TL :: TL: Docking bay to the Scorpius
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
*Scorpius*: Prepare the ship to leave the station
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CO/XO/CNS: Very well, let's proceed then.
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
::heads out of Ops and on to the Scorpius docking port::
SC_Capt_Marek says:
Relief_OPS: You got Main Operations.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
<Relief_OPS> SC: Very well, Sir.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
::follows the XO and the CNS to the Scorpius docking port::
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
::nods and follows Captain Yo'Ghi:: CO: Yes, Captain.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: By the way, Commander, why do not you ask permission to Captain Yo'ghi to flight the ship? I mean, you mentioned you needed some piloting hours.
CO_Yo`Ghi says:
:: walk from the station TL to the Scorpius ::
XO_Cmdr_Mitchell says:
SC: Unfortunately, the demands of a starship are a bit more than for a shuttle or runabout. As always, the call to duty has its priorities
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: Counselor, as soon as this mission is over I will need your assistance with a personal issue. By any change, anyone from your Staff is familiarized on the Kohlinar discipline?
SC_Capt_Marek says:
XO: ::nods::
CNS_LtCmdr_Rand says:
SC: Yes, Captain, there are two Vulcan's on staff, and I believe at least one is trained in the Kohlinar disciplines.
SC_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: ::nods:: Very well.
Host Gerry says:
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