Remnants

Posted on Sat Apr 22, 2017 @ 6:11pm by Captain Madelina Weisz & Commodore Michael Aravan & Lieutenant Commander Arrda & Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal & Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes

Mission: Avatar
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD 10 || 1100 Hours

The USS Triumphant sailed majestically through space at Warp Six on its way to the new assignment at the outer edges of the Beta Quadrant. While the crew had had a minor briefing informing them of the destination, there was no planning for the mission that would have people jumping to their departments to prepare. It was a welcome relief for most of the crew after the harrowing trip into Orion space and back and most saw it as something that they had all signed up for: pure exploration for the sake of it.

The Helmsman, a Bolian Ensign, sat at his controls and idly pulled up readings from navigation after the course was laid in and waited for new orders.

Maddy sat in the center chair relaxed for once. After everything that happened during their previous mission, she was definitely looking forward to a little exploration. Sure, battles took place more often than most of them may have liked, but this was what a great deal of Starfleet personnel looked forward to. "Mister Barnes, are we picking up anything on sensors worth noting?"

Douglas stood behind his console and just absorbed the moment. As Starfleet Security, and before that as Marai Enforcer, he was prepared for any battle that should come his way. That did not mean, however, that he preferred it. Before being an Enforcer, he had been an Artist, like his father. Artists preferred quiet, calm, serenity, etc. This duality made him somewhat of a contradiction. Now, though, he was happy to simply stand here and watch the readings tell him that everything was functioning at optimal.

He did make a mental note to talk to the captain after shift about the crystals, and also to ask what he would need to do nowadays to have his name changed in Federation records. When he had begun using Douglas, the laws had been different; Earth had been different... and divided. Yes, Enforcers knew law, but that was Marai law. And yes, all Starfleet officers had a rudimentary understanding of Federation law, but this was a specific type of law. Come to think of it, perhaps he should reverse the order of those two things. He changed the order in his mind and let his gaze roam over the bridge

Kelani was at the Science Station, monitoring the various sensor readings. She was glad to be under way and very happy to have been allowed to return to the Triumphant. In spite of the changes the captain had told her about, the ship still felt like home and the personnel felt like family.

Kelani took a moment to look around the Bridge, noting the relaxed attitude aboard at the moment. She remembered from her previous time aboard how quickly that could change. She hoped it did not happen this time, but only time would tell.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," reported Senior Chief Barnes from the Operations station. Truth be told, he despised the laid back demeanor that had eclipsed the bridge. He loved to explore; he liked excitement. He just hated the in between moments. "So far in this section, I'm picking up twenty particles of dust per cubic meter, fifty-two ultraviolet radiation spikes... and what appears to be a Class Two comet nearing a Class-L world." Yes, certainly worthy of his time.

But, that was when the resolution of the comet came in a little clearer. "Correction," he said, reporting what he saw on the screen. "The comet is actually something metallic of unnatural origin. Performing an active scan now."

At Chief Barnes's words, Kelani quickly turned to her console, studying g the scans he had just reported

"Confirmed,". She reported. " This material is quite unusual. It has properties consistent with a manufactured process."

Maddy arched a brow. "Any idea what it is?"

Thomas studied the scan results that just flashed on his console. "Tritanium housing, copper wiring... common Earth metals really. I'll have to run an analysis through our uplink to the Starfleet Historical Archive for an exact match, but carbon dating puts this somewhere near three hundred years old."

Interesting. The Commander thought as she rose to her feet, then made her way over to the console Barnes was settled at. She wanted to see what he was seeing. "Are you picking up any explosive devices of any sort?"

Tom shook his head. "Even the rocket engine is completely dry. Not a trace of propellant left. It looks rather harmless."

Without the Captain present, that meant Maddy got to make the call. She was rather curious to know what their Class Two comet was, and given that it looked harmless and had no animal life aboard (not that it could survive three hundred years). "Prepare to beam it to the Science Lab... quarantine to be exact," she instructed Barnes before looking toward Kelani. "I expect to have some kind of answers shortly, Lieutenant. Get to the labs, pick a team, and figure out what it is."

"Yes, Commander," Kelani replied, opening a comm and alerting her team as to what was incoming.

"Would you like me to move us in closer?" The Bolian Ensign at Helm asked the Executive Officer as he looked over his shoulder.

"Bring us in for a closer look," the redhead said. "On screen."

The image of the ancient satellite came up on the screen as the Bolian maneuvered the Triumphant close enough to get it with a tractor beam. "Holding station," he said as the massive ship came to a stop.

On screen was a very battered looking satellite that looked as if it had been in space for a very long time. It's hull was pockmarked with age of minor collisions with asteroids and fragments, but still held together without being compromised by some cosmic accident. It had two busted solar cells on the sides of it which looked as if they hadn't worked in a long time and the gravity of the Class L world looked like it was about to pull the satellite down into it soon for its final resting place.

Maddy looked at the worn satellite on the view screen when it was brought up and cocked her head to the side. For being three hundred years old, it appeared to have fared its journey rather well. They were explorers, and the piece of ancient space equipment floating before them had the potential to reveal its secrets. "Mister Barnes, beam the satellite to Science if you would?"

"Aye, Commander," Tom replied in a professional manner, recalling a facsimile of the transporter controls onto his console. After more than twenty years of operating the transporter, Tom felt that he could do this task blindfolded. Given the fragile nature of the probe, this would certainly be a delicate task.

After locking on with the sensors and adjusting the annular confinement beam, Tom initiated transport, but intentionally kept the pattern in the buffer for a brief moment as he was then forced to select an appropriate lab and enable from his station the advanced sensor palettes installed therein. Given the delicacy of the find, he'd likely have to rely on a variety of angled forcefields to keep it in place until a proper holding structure could be fabricated to hold it steady enough for manual observation. Satisfied with the setup, he activated the last phase of the process, rematerializing the probe inside the science lab. "The probe is now in Science Lab Four," he reported.

"Thank you, Mister Barnes," Maddy stated just before turning to look at the Chief of Security. "Mister Mallory, accompany Miss Tetanal."

"Aye, ma'am." Douglas summoned his relief to take his station, also sending two security officers to guard the science lab the object had been transported into. When his relief arrived, he relinquished the panel to them and stepped over to the science officer. Truth to tell, he was interested to see this thing up close as much as anyone was, though likely for different reasons. He was old enough to have been there when those things were still in use.

"After you, Lieutenant." he offered with a small smile. Just after that, his PADD chimed softly for attention, indicating that the security officers had arrived outside the lab. He sent instructions for them to hold position and let no one enter until he and Lieutenant Tetanal arrived, receiving confirmation almost instantly.

Kelani rose with a smile for Douglas's gallantry and exited the Bridge with him.

She was pensive as they made their way to Science Lab Four. She spoke slowly, "It is amazing that this device has survived for so long."

He smiled down at her. He was no Scientist, but he had tried to pay attention to Vorla and Arreith when they told him things. "I'm afraid I'll have to take your word for it, Lieutenant. I'm no Scientist."

Maddy tapped her combadge."Lieutenant Tetanal... once you've determined that the satellite poses no threat to anyone on the crew, you can have it moved from quarantine and begin your examination of it. Report to me and Captain Aravan the moment you've got some answers. Weisz out," she said tapping her badge to end the transmission. This was almost like finding a time capsule, and she found herself eager to know what was hidden beneath the outer shell.

"Understood, Commander," Kelani replied. "Results will be forthcoming." She tapped her badge to close the connection, then addressed her team, saying, "We must determine if this artifact poses a threat to us. If it does not, we will be able to study it further. Let's begin."

A short time later, Kelani straightened from her scanner with a slight smile. Tapping her badge, she called, "Tetanal to Commander Weisz. Scans have revealed nothing potentially harmful to Triumphant on the artifact."

"You have your orders, Lieutenant. You are free to move it from quarantine and begin your study," the Commander said.

"Acknowledged, Commander. We will begin immediately." Kelani replied