=/\= U.S.S. Elara Stardate 10612.03- "Hawking's crib, part II"=/\=

The USS Elara is now 2 light years away from the black hole where she intended to leave the Radiation Beings. However, they seem to have grown an interest on the ship and followed her taking a ride in the Elara's warp bubble.

In the mean time, the CEO continues to work with the Elara avatar. Perhaps she has the answer to this problem. Then again she is only a computer, isn't she?

=/\= =/\= =/\= Begin Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

CO Capt Timrok says:
:: Sitting in his chair on the bridge ::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::brings the ship to a full stop:: CO: I assume we're going back Cap'n?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::in his office with Elara and turns the table console around facing Elara:: Elara: Can you make any sense of these patterns?

CO Capt Timrok says:
FCO: Hold position for now - until we figure out what’s going on

Elara says:
CEO: They may be trying to comunicate but I do not have a reference point for the universal translator~

Dr Greene says:
::Checking the lab results from the OPS' blood sample::

Dr. Perukik says:
::silently sitting in the counsellor’s chair in the bridge::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*XO*: Engineering to Commander Pazoski. Elara: Well where should we start?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
CO: Aye Cap'n, holding position. ::sets manoeuvring thrusters to hold the ship in place::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::on the bridge looking slightly dazed:: *CEO*: Pazoski here, go ahead.

OPS Lt Tar says:
::checks results of the diagnostics which were automatically initiated when yellow alert was instated::

Lilia says:
CEO: Perhaps I can try to decipher the algorithm behind the pattern. though that might take hours. Experience has said sentient beings can more easily understand each other than through the use of computers

CO Capt Timrok says:
OPS: Are the crew at risk of being contaminated by the presence of these beings?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
CO: Call me paranoid but I don't think we'll ever get rid of these things.

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Can you point us in the right direction at least? *XO*: Sir, I've been talking with Elara and she thinks there’s a pattern the beings are following. She says they're probably trying to communicate.

ACTION: The Elara stops in the middle of the vacuum of space. The distant light of the red giant is cold against the hull. She is essentially all alone in the dark

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
*CEO*: Interesting, can she figure out what they are trying to say?

Dr Greene says:
::Finds the blood samples to be within limits and goes on to match them with the scans he got from the tricorder::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*XO*: It could take a few hours...she seems to think that the crew would be better suited to finding the solution...I'm still trying to work that bit out.

OPS Lt Tar says:
CO: No sir, the beings haven't penetrated the hull yet, but sensors indicate they are straining the hull.

ACTION: In their ever altering patterns the life forms arrange themselves in a thick blanket around the Elara's hull, reproducing while they do so and pressuring the ship

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Elara, tell me, if it would take hours for you to work out, why is it so different for us? What am I missing here?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::checks the navigational readout::

CO Capt Timrok says:
Self: Hmm trying to get in...

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
*CEO*: Forward these transmissions to OPS and our esteemed guests in the science lab, hopefully their collective intelligence will be of use.

Dr Greene says:
::Stores the data in Tar's file, then pulls up the other scheduled medicals::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*XO*: Aye Sir. ::hits appropriate buttons on his console to transfer the data to OPS and Science::

ACTION: Out a viewport in the CMO's sickbay, left there since the last CMO had it installed, anyone looking can see the radiation beings glowing in the dark. they seem to be forming a pattern...

ACTION: HELLO it seems to be written

Elara says:
::stares at the CEO:: CEO: Your intuition of course

OPS Lt Tar says:
::console beeps and Dalin receives the CEO's data::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::turns to Dr Perukik:: Perukik: Doctor, I have something you may want to look at

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Of course... ::brings up the away team data with the crystal like pattern of the compound they found:: Elara: Is this relevant at all?

Dr. Perukik says:
XO: Yes commander? you finally decided to kill them?

Dr Greene says:
::Glances out of the window and notices the odd pattern outside in space and gets up to take a closer look::

Elara says:
CEO: I know of the crystal structure and am taking it into account in my extrapolations

Dr Greene says:
*Bridge*: Sickbay to bridge... There is something out here I think you should see.. Or rather, it's out in space, but well visible from here...

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: Not unless they start interfering with my orange juice supplies ::walks over to the OPS console:: I have had some data forwarded up here, apparently these creatures might be attempting to communicate with us, what do you make of this?

CO Capt Timrok says:
*Greene* Acknowledged

CO Capt Timrok says:
OPS: can you get it up on screen so we can see what the good doctor is talking about?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Self: Hmm...Elara: Well I'm no scientist but I'll think about it..How similar are these crystal patterns to the dilithium crystals?

Dr Greene says:
*CO*: Sir.. I'm seeing something written here.. The word "Hello".... ::Frowns at the odd sight::

Dr. Perukik says:
::doesn't even look at the data::XO: We talked to them, they had nothing useful to say..primitive creatures

OPS Lt Tar says:
::accesses the data and displays them on one of the console:: XO/Perukik: There you go. ::turns to the CO:: CO: Accessing visual sensor array. ::activates view screen::

Elara says:
CEO: Crystals assume very similar forms, it’s the best solution to the problem of crystallisation

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Self: Hmm..

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::checks over the navigational data from the last few hours::

Dr. Perukik says:
OPS/XO: Those are fractals. they tried explaining their math but we did not care...it’s quite primitive

ACTION: A red light blinks on the helm at the same time as in main engineering

Elara says:
CEO: They have penetrated the impulse engines

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::stares at the Romulan for a little too long:: OPS: Run those through the universal translator, see if you can make it to any known mathematical algorithm.

Dr. Perukik says:
::shrugs and sits down::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::stares into the console:: Aloud: Inner core crystallising? ::hits more buttons::

OPS Lt Tar says:
XO: Aye Sir. ::accesses the UT and runs some analysis::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: I take it you have provided us with full details of these previous communications

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::frowns at his display and taps his Com badge:: *CEO*: Check the impulse engines, I'm getting anomalous readings here.

CO Capt Timrok says:
:: Looks up at the viewscreen :: All: well that’s got to be a first

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::quickly checks the impulse engines and checks if anything is wrong:: *FCO*: Stand By...

ACTION: the viescreen displays the view from the CMO's window: HELLO....the image then starts changing

ACTION: It forms a huge question mark

Dr Greene says:
::Looks as the words change and form a large question mark instead::

OPS Lt Tar says:
::reads through the list of results from the UT's analysis::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::sees the beings invading the impulse engines::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
*CEO*: Come on chief... we might need to get out of here in a hurry and anomalies in the engines make me nervous.

ACTION: The fractals made by the Beings become even more complex and thicker, exerting even more pressure on the hull

Dr. Perukik says:
XO: I provided everything you asked, which I must say, wasn't much but then those creatures didn't have anything interesting to say. If you don't kill them soon I am taking my team from this ship

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*FCO*: What do you think I'm doing down here, playing hopskotch? ::tries seeing what might be attracting them to the engines:: Elara; Do our engines produce anything like the patterns they seem to follow?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: Why do you want to kill them so badly?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
*CEO*: Trust me Ensign... you don't want to let me catch you playing Hopscotch on duty.

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*FCO/XO*: We can't vent any plasma...Impulse Engines are going offline

CO Capt Timrok says:
Perukik: but you were at least able to speak to them - now we need to be able to do the same

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
OPS: Found anything that might prove useful

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: You hear that?

OPS Lt Tar says:
XO: No Sir, the UT only found formulae for fractals.

Dr. Perukik says:
CO: The only way for me to communicate with them is to physically exit the ship and make contact. I don't fancy that right now.

Dr. Perukik says:
CO: Apparently they managed to learn your English...use that

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
*CEO*: Why are our engines going offline?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*XO*: Sir, those beings are blocking our plasma from venting. Unless we can unblock it, we're going nowhere fast

FCO Lt Sollo says:
OPS: Dalin, I have a feeling we may need additional power routed to Structural Integrity Field and Inertial Dampeners.

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: If we could write back to them - it seems logical that they would understand us don't you think?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Commander Pazoski?

Dr. Perukik says:
XO: They are useless and dangerous, why keep them alive?

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: "Write" them, Captain? Do you suggest we write something in space?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::sees if there’s somewhere they can divert the plasma too::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Lieutenant?

OPS Lt Tar says:
::nods to the FCO and reroutes power and accordingly shuts down holodecks::

Elara says:
::appears to be computing inwardly::CEO: There is an 80% chance the entrance into the impulse engines was accidental

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Do you think that it's possible that these beings are simply attracted to our engine emissions?

CO Capt Timrok says:
:; Nods :: CIV: yes, can you make that possible? And I don't mean replicating a giant notepad and pencil

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Maybe there's something in there they can't resist...like being sucked in like a magnet and a piece of metal?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Anything is possible, given that we don't really understand what these creatures want, the only thing I do know is what I want, and that’s them not here.

ACTION: Intruder alert sounds as the Radiation, which the Elara now interprets as life forms enter the ship's power conduits

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Perhaps we could use mathematical signals as a form of communication, it been done before or if you're feeling daring we could try using lights from the deflector dish as form of energy beams.

Elara says:
CEO: They might be attracted to you

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: You were able to contain these life forms before, can you do it again?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::starts shutting down the areas surrounding where the aliens are entering:: Elara: Huh..huh..what?

OPS Lt Tar says:
::accesses sensors:: CO: Sir, the radiation has accessed the ship through the engines and are now in the plasma conduits.

Dr Greene says:
::Looks up from the space outside as the intruder alert sounds, and walks over to the locker to make sure the phasers are still stored there::

Dr. Perukik says:
XO: We contained them by sucking all the atmosphere from the dead ships and station. Want to do that here?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: ok, what about this... I could take us back to the drop off point where we picked this new lot up... and then we could try masking all our power output signals and give them something else to attract them away from the ship?

OPS Lt Tar says:
::instates red alert::

ACTION: More question marks appear the CMO's window

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: yes.. lights, that sounds like the kind of thing they would be able to understand - let’s see it in action

ACTION: Red alert sounds throughout the ship. the shields go up but the creatures don’t seem to mind at all

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: Perhaps later, although if you have nothing but useless remarks to make perhaps you would find better company in the science lab with your colleagues?

Elara says:
CEO: you sentient beings

CO Capt Timrok says:
OPS: can you isolate the systems to stop the spread?

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Nods slowly, he turns his attention back to his console and begins working::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Yes... ::continues trying to block off the aliens progress::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: I take it our warp drive is still operational then?

Dr. Perukik says:
XO: If you insist. I shall gather my team and prepare to leave ::walks towards the TL::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: As far as I know... Chief only told me Impulse was offline.

OPS Lt Tar says:
CO: I'm right on it, Sir.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
CO: Sir, shall we attempt to return to the creatures’ home system, it might be possible to do as the FCO suggests

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Double check.

Dr Greene says:
::Looks around at the window again as more question marks appear:: *CO*: Captain.. Can you see the.. Writing now?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
Perukik: How exactly do you plan to get off of this vessel?

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::nods and taps his badge again:: *CEO*: Chief, do we still have warp?

CO Capt Timrok says:
XO: No not at this stage - I think communication is the most important item on the agenda

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*FCO*: Yes, I can give you all the speed you need

CO Capt Timrok says:
*Greene* Yes we have it on the main viewscreen, we are working on a way to reply

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Confirmed, we have warp.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Understood, keep the engines warmed up, just in case.

Dr Greene says:
::Nods:: *CO*: Just making sure you are aware of the increase in question mark count... ::Takes a seat behind his desk again::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
CO: Sir, should we be communicating further with these creatures, we have already interfered in their natural development far too much

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Glances up from his console:: CO: Ready, Captain. I'll have to perform a few trial runs in order to establish a communication pattern. Though again, we have no indication if they'll even comprehend it and if they won't consider it an hostile gesture

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::nods to the XO:: *CEO*: Chief, keep warp engines warmed up, we may need to use them in a hurry.

OPS Lt Tar says:
::erects some force fields around the infected areas::

CO Capt Timrok says:
XO: absolutely, it would be rude not to

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*FCO*: Aye.

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: OK - let’s try a simple 'Hello'

Dr. Perukik says:
XO:I have ways ::disappears into the lift::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::nods slowly:: CO: Of... course.

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: All ready to go Commander.

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Nods, he powers up the deflector dish:: Bridge: Ten seconds for the first trial.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::narrows his eyes at the disappearing Romulan:: FCO: Good, while we are waiting, is there any evidence of a cloaked vessel near us?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::keeps working at his console trying to remember his SFA science class::

ACTION: As force fields are put in the plasma conduits the Beings become trapped there, so they start looking for alternate routes

OPS Lt Tar says:
::reroutes needed power to the deflector dish::

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::seals off the plasma vents except the one for "out::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
Bridge: Trial run commencing, on screen. ::Glances up at the direction of the view screen::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Not that I've seen so far but then I haven't been looking... let me check. ::scans for Tachyon emissions in the surrounding area::

ACTION: The Elara projects on itself the words Hello, the question marks disappear and form a smiley instead

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: I, Uh.. ::Pauses a moment to gather his thoughts:: I think they approve? ::Frowns:: I think.

CO Capt Timrok says:
:: Looks at the smiley on screen :: All: that’s progress in any language

OPS Lt Tar says:
::chuckles as he just looked at the view screen and saw a large smiley::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Next communication, Captain?

ACTION: They change again to form the word Peace

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: Ask them why they are here

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::keeps trying to work out what's going on with the engines::

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
::Nods, he begins working on the second communication:: Bridge: Relaying now. ::Turns his attention to the view screen again::

CO Capt Timrok says:
XO: ironic that when surrounded by so much technology, the simple centuries old act of writing something should be the best solution

Elara says:
CEO: The Beings, they can have a frequency, like our force fields

Dr Greene says:
::Raises an eyebrow at the change from words to symbols, shrugs it off and turns back to his report::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Commander... I'm reading an unusually high levels of neutrino emissions just ten kilometres off the port bow.

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
Elara: Elaborate, please

Elara says:
CEO: I believe they are trying to match them inside the plasma conduits

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Son of a...

ACTION: The word disappears to be replaced by the same word: Peace

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
CO: Sir, I believe the Romulans have a cloaked vessel alongside us, I also believe that they might do something stupid to these creatures.

CO Capt Timrok says:
XO: that is all we need

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::slaves tactical to his console:: XO: Commander, I have weapons control at my fingertips.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: Tempting as it is to blow them out of the Stars I think that might affect relations somewhat, keep an eye on it

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Captain? ::Awaiting further instructions::

ACTION: Intruder alert sounds again; the Radiation Beings penetrated the force fields are making their way again through the shuttered plasma conduits

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: Ok let’s try something a little more complicated, instruct them that their presence in our ship is interfering with our systems, and ask them to withdraw

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*XO*: Jo'Brel to Pazoski...the beings may be trying to match the frequencies of our forcefields...

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Aye Commander... monitoring. ::runs scans in the general direction of the neutrino emissions for signs of weapon signatures::

OPS Lt Tar says:
::sighs:: CO: Sir, the creatures penetrated the force fields I places inside the plasma conduits. I'll erect some more force fields on a rotating frequency.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
*CEO*: Can you cycle the internal forcefield frequencies, that should at least slow them down a bit

CO Capt Timrok says:
OPS: Ok

OPS Lt Tar says:
::erects force fields on rotating frequencies::

ACTION: The new force fields hold the radiation ... for now

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
::cycles the forcefield frequencies:: *XO*: Aye Sir, but if we can somehow project the frequency into space maybe it'll draw them out

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Why don't we just simplify everything, adjusting the universal translator to relay your messages in a similar way. It will allow you the directly communicate them. One moment. ::Access the ship computer, he begins adjusting the UT::

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: even better

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
*CEO*: Try it, it’s worth a shot

SM Lilia says:
ACTION: The UT is now rigged to project light on the Elara's hull

FCO Lt Sollo says:
XO: Commander... would it be possible to launch a probe to emit the same frequencies and exhaust emissions as the Elara?

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Channel is open, Captain. I'm not sure if the Computer will be able to translate their communication to Federation standard however.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
FCO: It’s possible, work with engineering and get one configured, we might need it if the beings don't understand the Captain

CO Capt Timrok says:
COM: Beings: welcome, however your presence in our ship is interfering with our systems, and ask you to withdraw if possible

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*OPS*: Is there any target on sensors we can project these frequencies onto?

ACTION: A question mark is formed

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::stands up from his chair:: XO: Aye commander. ::makes his way to the Turbolift tapping his com badge on the way:: *CEO*: JoBrel... get a probe out of storage, I'm on my way down there.

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
*FCO*: That was my second idea.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
CO: Sir, I think you are going to have to make this really simple for them

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: I guess that answers our question, perhaps we should relay a picture instead?

CO Capt Timrok says:
Self: hmm

OPS Lt Tar says:
::notices the FCO already answered the CEO's communication::

CO Capt Timrok says:
CIV: a picture of what?

CO Capt Timrok says:
COM: Beings: We need to take you home

CIV Cmdr Maor says:
CO: Of a house perhaps?

ACTION: Another word forms: Allegiance

CO Capt Timrok says:
COM: Beings: Against who?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says:
::while the FCO is off gallivanting on the lower decks keeps an eye on the neutrino emissions::

FCO Lt Sollo says:
::steps off the lift and heads into Main Engineering:: CEO: Chief?

CEO Ens JoBrel says:
FCO: Let’s get this done.

ACTION: A big R forms on the screen

=/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Terry Imrie is Captain Joseph Timrok (CO – Commanding Officer)
Peter Saunders is Lieutenant Commander Peter Pazoski (XO – Executive Officer)
Eldad Ben-Tovim is Commander Maor (CIV – Starfleet Intelligence Specialist)
Scott Knight is Lieutenant Iain Sollo (FCO – Flight Control Officer)
Rob van den Dungen is Lieutenant Dalin Tar (OPS – Operations Officer)
Andrew James is Ensign Jo'Brel (CEO – Chief Engineering Officer)

Lilia Perfeito is  Dr Perukik, Elara and the Weird Things™
Tim Scholes is Dr. Greene

Stardate: 10612.03
Arc Title: “Hawking's crib”
Part: Two
Ship Manager: Lilia Perfeito
Arc Creator: Lilia Perfeito

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