Author Topic: Episode 1.3: The Well of Dreams (Read 11116 times)

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2010, 05:31:55 AM »

"Engineering. Konastas here."

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 03, 2010, 02:00:45 PM »

"Natei, we hit a little bit of a bump as we were approaching warp seven. Is something wrong?"

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #42 on:** March 03, 2010, 03:09:59 PM »

"Besides the fact that we're on the verge of straining the superstructure like we always do at these velocities, sir? No," the engineer replies matter-of-factly. Treyva can tell by the tone in Natei's voice that she's probably busy at the moment. "The engines are fine, captain."

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 03, 2010, 03:18:30 PM »

"I know you don't like running them this fast, Natei, I hope you realize I wouldn't do this if it wasn't important. I'll let you get back to work. Treyva out."

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #44 on:** March 03, 2010, 08:10:16 PM »

About an hour into the 15-hour journey to the Saratoga's last known position, Miguel announces another Priority One transmission from Starfleet Command. Eyes brighten briefly on the bridge as the captain orders it on screen.

The image of Fleet Admiral Cartwright appears on the screen. He appears somewhat soaked. "To all ships and planets, Earth's planetary distress call has been canceled," he reports, eliciting a number of quiet cheers from members of the bridge crew. "The crisis that befell us has been averted and the planet's weather and oceans have returned to normal. All starships, vessels and other commands, must report operational status within the next three star days. Starfleet out."

No data accompanies the transmission, leaving everyone in the dark as to how, exactly, the crisis was averted. As the message finishes, another transmission, this time from Starbase 11, arrives.

"Commander Treyva, our sensors indicate the Drake is en route to the Saratoga's last-reported position," Commodore Krane notes by way of greeting.

"We are indeed, Commodore."

The base commander nods and adds, "You're the closest operational vessel to the Saratoga. Report when you arrive on station and render aid to the Saratoga as necessary. Starbase 11 out."

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 04, 2010, 01:52:47 AM »

Treyva shook his head. "At least we're not in trouble for leaving our assigned patrol sector," he mused quietly. Turning the command chair to Communications, he said, "Miguel, per the Fleet Admiral's orders, report to Starfleet Command our vessel status is fully operational, and that we are en route to the last known whereabouts of USS Saratogo, to discover the status of that vessel and render whatever aid is needed. Advise that further updates will be reported through standard channels via Starbase 11."

Turning back to face the main viewer, he said to himself, "I just hope we have good news for them."

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #46 on:** March 04, 2010, 08:41:09 PM »

Treyva looks up at the chronometer on the bulkhead as his desk comm panel beeps. It's 8394.0, only about five hours from station.

"Treyva here."

"Captain, it's Miguel. I've been working with the UT on the probe's signals and I think I finally found something useful. Can I bring it by?"

"Of course, Miguel."

An exhausted communications officer enters the captain's cabin a few minutes later, carrying a number of data cards, and immediately follows Treyva into his office.

"I think I owe the Linguistics Lab a round of cervezas the next time we get shore leave," he muses tiredly. "Between us and the UT, we may have an understanding of, at least, how the probe's language, well, might work."

"Might work?" the captain repeats.

"Yes, sir. Basically, we found a pattern and identified repeated phonic elements within the transmission," Miguel explains. "Whether it actually constitutes a language as we know it, or is a series of signals designed to communicate on the whales' level, we don't know. But, what it boils down to is this:

"We identified ten distinct phonic elements -- a combination of pitch variances and tone duration -- on seven different pitch plateaus. They're not quite octaves, and aren't at consistent intervals, but they seem to effectively operate as octaves.

"Within those elements, we were able to identify and extrapolate 90 distinct sound configurations. If there's a language formed by these patterns, we think it would use those configurations like we use letters. It would be a musical language, sir.

"Unfortunately, because the probe was trying to talk to whales -- a creature we haven't had contact with in over two centuries and have no understanding of their ability to communicate abstract thought -- we can't be certain. And I doubt we'll ever have the chance to meet one of the probe builders on whom to test our theory."

He shows the captain a diagram that charts the seven pitch plateaus, ten pitch variances and tone durations -- assigning a letter code to each -- and the 90 resulting combinations.

OOC: If you gents want to see what I came up with, ask and I'll put it into the OOC thread.

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 05, 2010, 12:58:40 AM »

Treyva studied the diagram for several minutes, marvelling at the possibilities such a language could possess. Finally, he turned the screen away and looked at his communications officer. "You did all this in a day?" he asked, somewhat incredulously. "This is remarkable work." He paused, taking note of the young man's slightly bedraggled appearance. "When was the last time you ate? Did you get anything to eat after your bridge shift ended, before you headed down to Linguistics?"

The young man's sheepish expression was all the answer he needed. "Get out of here. Go get something to eat and go to bed. We'll talk about this more in the morning."

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #48 on:** March 05, 2010, 07:39:25 AM »

OOC: No PADDs; Miguel brought data cards to plug into Treyva's office computer station.

Miguel nods. "Bueno."

OOC: I'm exhausted. I'll write tomorrow.

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #49 on:** March 05, 2010, 04:14:22 PM »

Quote from: Dafydd Jones on March 05, 2010, 07:39:25 AM

OOC: No PADDs; Miguel brought data cards to plug into Treyva's office computer station.

OOC: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #50 on:** March 05, 2010, 04:44:15 PM »

PG:

Captain's Log, Stardate 8394.2: We are arriving at the Saratoga's last-known position. Science Officer Tyler is scanning the area for any traces of Captain Alexander and her crew...

"The Saratoga is not in the immediate vicinity, sir," Paula notes as she continues to scan. "I'm expanding the scan to two light-years."

Lt. Tyler System Operation (sensor) test at 2LY +15

Rolling 2d6+15:

(3+4)+15: Total = 22

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #51 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:21:08 PM »

Paula is silent for several moments before adding, "I'm detecting no starships within a two light-year radius, captain, I'm going to start looking for--"

The science officer stops abruptly as she furiously taps a few controls. "Sir, I'm getting an anomalous reading," she finally says. "It's--a cloaked vessel!"

She was about to say more when the whine of a transporter filled the air and six Klingons materialize around the captain's chair. Their disruptors are in hand and they're forming what looks like a defensive circle around Treyva.

OOC: There are exactly two phasers on the bridge, both Type IIs. One is on Lt. Garav, the other on the sole security guard normally stationed near the turbolift.

If you look at the TOS Enterprise bridge, imagine three Klingons in a circular pattern on each side of the captain's chair. One Klingon each is in melee range of Harry and Cathy. The others effectively block the captain from view of everyone except the standing security guard and Miguel.

Everyone please make a Quickness reaction test vs. TN10. Failure means you hesitate for one round, due to complete surprise. An extraordinary success will grant you a +2 bonus to your initiative test.

Lt. Tyler Quickness test +2

Rolling 2d6+2:

(2+6)+2: Total = 10

Lt. j.g. Chen Quickness test +2

Rolling 2d6+2:

(5+5)+2: Total = 12

Lt. j.g. Costaluna Quickness test +4

Rolling 2d6+4:

(6+6)+4: Total = 16

Security Guard Quickness test +1

Rolling 2d6+1:

(5+5)+1: Total = 11

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #52 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:22:23 PM »

Miguel exploding die +16

Rolling 1d6+16:

(4)+16: Total = 20

Nolmir · « **Reply #53 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:26:26 PM »

OOC: Garav's Quickness reaction test: +2

Rolling 2d6+2:

(5+3)+2: Total = 10

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #54 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:27:17 PM »

Talk about a fast acting crew...none of the principal NPCs on the bridge are surprised to the point of inaction (and Miguel fell only one point short of getting an extraordinary success). Let's see if our intrepid stars are as quick...

Cool; Garav is able to react. Once Treyva and Harry make their reactions, we'll move onto initiative rolls.

FYI, the other few unnamed folks on the bridge (like the bridge engineering officer and the other filled chairs) are automatically surprised and hesitating. I'm only going to bring them into the skirmish if absolutely necessary.

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:57:23 PM »

OOC: Treyva's Surprise Quickness test, +2

Rolling 2d6+2:

(3+2)+2: Total = 7

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #56 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:58:08 PM »

Dicebot must die.

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #57 on:** March 05, 2010, 06:12:08 PM »

Well, the captain does have six Klingons surrounding him, and that last meeting went so well...

PGoodman13 · « **Reply #58 on:** March 05, 2010, 06:23:24 PM »

And he's actually thinking, "Not him again...". It would be just his luck for it to be the same Klingon....

Dafydd Jones · « **Reply #59 on:** March 05, 2010, 08:41:28 PM »

While that would be ultimately hilarious, no. Besides, I need to create a really thoughtful arch-nemesis for Treyva.

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Author Topic: Episode 1.3: The Well of Dreams (Read 11116 times)