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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2005 16:36:58 GMT
Alex was lying face down on a biobed as Nurse Packer ran yet another test on his back. He could hear a tricorder snap closed, then she came into his field of view.
"Captain, you have some bruising and tearing of the muscles around your lower spine. It's nothing serious, but I imagine that it's quite painful."
"That's a bit of an understatement nurse. It's excruciating, especially when you're trying to climb out of a wrecked turbolift" Alex replied through gritted teeth.
The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Well, perhaps you shouldn't be doing that then sir."
Alex opened his mouth to answer that preposterous statement, then closed it again. The longer he argued with the nurse, the more time it would take him to get out of here. "Noted, nurse. Now that we've established this, do you have anything that will fix the problem?"
"Yes sir" she said brightly. "I'll just grab the microfibril regenerator and we'll have you fixed up in a minute." She turned, walked over to a table and picked up an instrument. She returned and ran it over his back a few times. The thing hummed loudly and his back started to feel warm and tingly. "That should fix it up. You'll be stiff for a few hours, so I suggest that you take it easy.
Alex started to get up, but the nurse stopped him. "Sorry sir, but I still have to get Dr. BeTor's OK before you can leave." Packer left him again and brought E'Liana back. The Klingon woman opened a tricorder and carefully scanned his back.
<E'Liana>
"Thank you doctor. I'll keep that in mind." Alex slowly got to his feet and started walking towards the door. Zoarial joined him. "I thought that you'd be on the bridge by now, Commander."
<Zoarial>
The two of them accessed the nearest crawlway. Alex looked up at the long ladder that would take them to the bridge. His back was already twitching.
Sighing deeply, he started to climb, followed closely by Commander Zoarial.
About 15 minutes later, the two of them walked onto the bridge. Dan Trek was sitting in the captain's chair with his brother beside him. The rest of the bridge stations were occupied, but oddly quiet. Zoarial took his station at the navigation console while Alex carefully sat down in his chair. "So, what's our status Dan?" Alex asked.
<Dan>
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2005 19:31:22 GMT
Feeling a little tired, Dan went over to the command chair, and dropped into it. Brine came over and sat down. "Running out of energy?" Brine asked him.
Dan sighed. "A little. Been going for at least 12 hours now."
Brine reached over, and placed his hand on the side of Dan's face. He closed his eyes, and directed energy through him into Dan. Dan closed his eyes as well as the renewing energy flowed his body, seemingly going into every nook and cranny of his enormous body.
When Brine lowered his hand, Dan opened his eyes. "Thank you, brother."
He looked over as a hatch opened in the floor. Dan sat up slightly, looking intently to see what would happen. He somewhat reached for the phaser in the console next to him.
But he sighed and let go of it as Captain Dixon climbed out of it, followed by Commander Zoarial. Dan and Brine moved out of their chairs, to give Alex his chair.
Dan noticed that Alex was sitting down rather gingerly. He then looked over. "So, what's our status Dan?" Alex asked.
Dan first waved towards the screen. "Well, the gel pack is growing. We've isolated the entire problem to that particularly gel pack on Deck 11, by the way. As you can see, it's swelled to at least twice its normal size. It's converting the fluid inside the pack into neural material. If it looks like it's underwater, that's because it is. The gel pack accessed replicator control, and began replicating water to flood the section, with hot water. Apparently it felt that the cooler surroundings were impeding its function. Well anyway, it erected force-fields to contain the water. Much to Commander Joktel's dismay, the replicator was in his quarters. Then it replicated nutrients it needs to continue adding to itself. But realizing it couldn't get them there, it brought in a microtransporter to get them there. And now, we've discovered that it's compartmentalizing its function."
Dan paused, then sighed. "So, to sum up, this thing is slowly taking control of our systems. We can't go anywhere. Assailant's aware of the problem, and Commander Szalai is on a ship on the way here."
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 23, 2005 10:34:31 GMT
Off: I thought I would just jump right into the chaos. I am going to continue to read back posts, but I wanted to make my presence known just in case anybody wants to talk/use me.
Scott McLean had been running around the ship assisting other engineers as they need it. The specifics of the problem seemed to center around the gel pack on Deck 11, it seemed that it was growing at an alarming rate.
Welcome back to Starfleet, he chuckled to himself.
Every time McLean thought about the idea of an artificial intelligence taking over the ships systems he thought about the 'ship in a bottle' mission that the Enterprise-D had survived. Although in that mission a self aware holographic personality was responsible for the problems on the ship, the problems were still some what parallel to each other.
McLean watched on a near by console as the pack began to process more nutrients and grow just a bit more. Something had to be done, and it had to be done quickly.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2005 13:30:44 GMT
Alex sat back in his chair carefully and tried to find some comfortable way to sit. His back was still quite stiff and painful, but a herd of Klingon Targs couldn't drag that information out of him in front of Dan and his brother. "Any opinions as to what it's next move might be?" Alex asked everyone on the bridge.
The silence stretched on for a number of seconds, until Collaan spoke up. "It seems that, like any life form, it will seek out what it requires to survive. It's already taken steps in that direction."
"So, what does it need to survive?" Alex asked.
"Energy, " the Bajoran replied promptly "nutrients, heat and space to expand."
"But the Raven's supply of things isn't too extensive. The limitation of having such a small ship." Brine put in. "Eventually, the Brain will require more and more ship resources. If you don't do something now, while it's still relatively weak, you'll be forced out."
"But it's a life form" Collaan protested. "We have an obligation to allow it to continue it's existence!"
"At the cost of the Raven and possibly your life?" Brine scoffed.
"Thank you both for your observations" Alex interrupted. "I've heard enough. Our options are offensive, defensive or neutral, and unfortunately, you're both right. We have a duty to see that the Brain has the opportunity to survive, but not at the expense of the ship and crew. Dan, I'd like you to coordinate with Engineering. I want some options available as to how to get the Brain off of the ship without killing it. Lt. Collaan, I want you to determine precisely what items the Brain will need to survive. Zoarial, once Collaan is done, I want the two of you to find a place where the Brain can be placed. Don't limit yourself to planets. Include Starbases, research facilities. Anyplace that might consider having the Brain as a home. General Brine, I'd like you to stay on the bridge. If we aren't able to come up with a way to remove the brain, then I'd like to you advise me with other options."
<Trek, Zoarial>
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2005 13:31:23 GMT
Frenec and Vandak finally arrived back in the Antimatter control room on Deck 14. It seemed that they had been gone a long time, but little seemed to have changed on the readouts. Vandak sat down in his chair and carefully checked everything. His station seemed to be in order.
Crewman Frenec wasn't so happy though. He was looking at his antimatter and matter consumption monitors, which were connected directly to the Raven's holding tanks. "Vandak, are you showing a higher than normal energy output from the fusion reactors?"
Vandak looked at his computer monitor and shook his head. "Looks normal to me. Why do you ask?"
Frenec shrugged. "I don't know. The consumption of fuel seems a little high to me for what the ship is doing, but we don't seem to be producing any more power."
Vandak took a look at the consumption rates. They did seem a little high, but output rates looked normal. That usually meant that there was some kind of a leak in the EPS conduits, or that they were venting drive plasma. However, if that were happening, the sensors would know. Vandak took a deep breath of his benzene vapours and said "Map out power flows through the ship and show any that are more than 2 percent out of standard range."
Frenec nodded absently and entered the commands and waited as they ran. "Vandak, take a look at this." The Benzite got up from his chair, walked over and stared at the readout. Frenec traced his hands along the replicator waveguides. The energy they were carrying was above average and lead directly to EPS Junction 14Baker, which was in this room. Curious, Vandak took a tricorder out of stores and popped the hatch to the junction. When he saw what was inside, he was shocked to the core. Wrapped around the junction were hundreds of dark blue tentacles which led to a dark blue blob of material about the size of a fist. It pulsed irregularly as it absorbed power.
Vandak took a step back and scanned the thing, then tapped his comm badge. "Bridge, this is crewman Vandak in Antimatter control. We have a problem down here..."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2005 19:52:59 GMT
(OOC Sorry about the triple posting on my part everyone, but I wanted to get our newest crew member into the action. Nice to have you aboard Mr. McLean)
Alex raised his eyebrows. Antimatter control didn't contact the bridge very often. "Nice to hear your voice again, Vandak. What's the problem?"
"Sir, we're seeing some unusual energy patters down here in the replicator waveguides that intersect EPS Junction 14Baker. I took a look at the junction, and it has some type of a growth in it" the Benzite reported.
"A growth?" Alex questioned. "What kind of a growth?"
"Not sure sir. I've never seen anything like it."
"All right crewman. Thanks for reporting it. I'll have Engineering send someone down right now. Bridge out." Alex glanced at Dan then opened a channel to Engineering. "Commander Joktel, there's some kind of a problem in Antimatter control. Could you send someone down to take a look?"
Joktel looked up at the ceiling and rolled his eyes a little. He was a little short staffed right now, but Captain's didn't accept the We're busy right now line very often. "Aye sir" he replied, then looked around Engineering. His only unoccupied engineer seemed to be Scott McLean, an Acting Ensign that he hadn't had an opportunity to evaluate yet. Now seemed to be as good a time as any. "Ensign McLean" he said loudly. The young man's attention snapped away from the console he had been studying and to the Chief Engineer. "There's some kind of a problem in Antimatter Control on Deck 14. Go there, see what the problem is and report back to me."
<Ensign McLean>
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 25, 2005 16:47:04 GMT
OCC: Sorry about not posting sooner, class has got me running in circles.
"There's some kind of a problem in Antimatter Control on Deck 14. Go there, see what the problem is and report back to me."
"Aye sir." McLean said as he removed himself from one of the stations.
The problems just seem to be growing, McLean thought to himself stepping out of engineering into the main corridor. I wounder if those gel packs are the cause to the problems with anti-matter control.
"Deck 14." McLean said stepping onto the nearest turbo lift.
The ride on the turbo lift was brief and McLean stepped off onto Deck 14. As McLean walked down to anti-matter control he felt as if the walls were watching him, wondering what he was doing down here in this part of the ship. At first McLean shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling of being watched, but it came back to him full circle when he remembered why he was down here.
"What seems to be the problem?" McLean asked stepping through the doors into anti-matter control.
"A very unusual growth down by EPS Junction 14B. I've never seen anything like it." Vandak said.
"Well, lets just have a look shall we?" McLean said stepping in front of the nearest station.
McLean's key strokes were swift and accurate, he began searching the computer for any information that matched any known life forms to the growth in the replicator waveguides. At the same time he was searching he had the computer running a detailed analysis on the growth to try and get a better idea of what he was dealing with
"Bloody hell," McLean said out loud not finding any known life forms that matched the growth he was currently scanning.
The console in front of him beeped as his scan on the particle make up of the growth was now complete. McLean went over the information multiple times to try and double check the results. He was alarmed at what he saw before him.
"Whats the matter?" Vandak asked.
"Look for yourself." McLean said stepping away from the console.
McLean walked back wards with both hands behind his head until he walked right into the wall, stopping him from walking further away from the information he had just found.
"I do not understand." Vandak said after a few moments.
McLean's mind was racing, he needed to report back to engineering, he could not possibly air this information over the com system for the ship to hear.
"Do me a favor, try and lock down the EPS grid in this area. I need to get back to engineering." McLean said leaving the room.
<Tag Vadak>
McLean raced down the corridor heading towards the turbo lift, the thoughts of his findings began to bothered him more with every step he took.
"Deck 11." McLean simply stated.
Once the turbo lift arrived McLean quickly made his way to engineering. He stepped into engineering looking around for the chief engineer. McLean heard the hum of the warp core, but could not make out any voices or work going on at any of the near by stations. McLean looked around the room again and still he spotted nobody in engineering.
"Maybe the Chief's office." McLean mumbled.
As he walked he pull out a PADD that had a meter from green to red on it's main LCD screen. The indicator showed the decibel level of the ambient noise relevant to the decibel levels created by talking. Due to privacy settings on board starships the main computer had a pre-programed level of sensitivity. The higher the ambient noise the louder two people could talk with out the computer being able to hear them. The PADD would be able to warn anybody when they were talking loud enough for the computer to hear.
"Sir, there you are," McLean said to the Chief Engineer, "I found out something rather interesting." McLean motioned over to the warp core and help up the decibel meter and began monitoring the decibel levels before speaking up again this time a bit above a whisper, "The growth that has been found is the start of a biological central nervous system for the growing gel packs. Just like our bodies the nervous system is starting to run on the electrical energy from the EPS grids. If this continues this entire ship could become one very large living being."
<Tag Dan>
OCC: Does the Chief Engineer have a name? I could not seem to find it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2005 12:54:20 GMT
(OOC: The Chief Engineer is Lieutenant Commander Joktel, a Bolian male. You can find information on all my Engineering NPCs on the first post of the NPC thread) "Dan, I'd like you to coordinate with Engineering. I want some options available as to how to get the Brain off of the ship without killing it." "Yes sir," Dan nodded, and turned to leave. He went over, opened a hatch, and started climbing down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joktel listened to the young Ensign's report. "And how exactly is it accomplishing this?" "I found a dark blue globular substance, attaching itself to EPS Junction 14-Baker," McLean reported. "Dark blue, you say?" he whispered. "Hmm." He went over and activated a visual sensor in the area. He studied the mass McLean pointed out. "Looks like a cental node with tendril's sticking out...like a gel pack," he said, looking over at McLean. Just then, a hatch on the far wall opened. Joktel and McLean both turned to find the massive form of Commander Trek emerging from a Jeffries tube. He came over. The first thing he noticed was the image on the screen, and the foreign blue substance. "What exactly is that?" he asked at a whisper. "It appears to be material similar to that of the neural material of the gel pack. It's drawing power directly from the EPS junction. How it got there, I'm not sure." Dan thought for a moment. "Bring up an internal scan of the gel pack and surrounding areas. Scan for the presence of the neural material outside the gel pack." Sure enough, the same neural material extended through the gel pack's connection to the rest of the bioneural circuitry, and went in a path directly to the EPS junction. "Just as I suspected," Dan said. "Rather than relying on the computer to direct energy to it, because we have some degree of control over that, it's obtaining the power for itself. That makes the reason I came here more difficult." "Sir?" Joktel responded, not understanding. "We need to work on a way of removing this gel pack from the ship, without it retaliating and harming us. This tendril makes it more challenging. So we need a way of isolating the Brain's control over the ship's functions. Suggestions?" <Tag McLean>
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elianabetor
Guest
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by elianabetor on Sept 26, 2005 18:41:02 GMT
OOC: Sorry I haven’t been too active, still trying to sort out Uni - start lectures tomorrow, what fun..
IC:
E‘Liana could hear the conversation between the Nurse and Captain and laughed to herself. ~If I said that I bet he‘d be really annoyed…~ She heard Nurse Packer come towards her.
"Sorry sir, but I still have to get Dr. BeTor's OK before you can leave."
Joy came towards her, nodding in the direction of the Captain. “I think he’s ready to be discharged…could you check for me?” The CMO nodded.
She scanned the Captain and looked at his back. “Well that certainly seems to have done the trick, although I’d suggest no more ‘lift climbing for you for a little while…” She said as she snapped the tricorder shut.
Dixon rolled his eyes ever so slightly. "Thank you doctor. I'll keep that in mind."
E’Liana watched as the Captain gingerly rose from the biobed and winced his way out of the door. She grinned. “Right Joy, let’s get Lieutenant Harper sorted shall we?” She asked, indicating the unconscious man on yet another biobed.
“Certainly.”
E’Liana began with the micro sutures to Nathan’s internal organs, whilst also teaching Nurse Joy the procedure. She hoped that she had accounted for his Xindi DNA but guessed that only time would really tell.
An hour later she was finished and Mr Harper was resting nicely on the biobed, he should be waking up soon.
Nurse Joy looked at the sleeping patient. “I suppose we’ll have to ask why he was down there…” She said.
E’Liana nodded. “Yes, and why he didn’t tell anyone…but he won’t be able to get out of bed for a while…normally it’s only a few hours but I’ve never treated a Xindi, let alone a half-Xindi so I guess we shall have to wait and see.”
<Tag Nathan>
E’Liana and Joy went into the CMO Office to see what progress was being made in regards to the drug-reliance of the unconscious Lieutenant. As they entered the office, Nurse Packer gave the CMO the report of Berraine.
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 26, 2005 18:58:15 GMT
"We need to work on a way of removing this gel pack from the ship, without it retaliating and harming us. This tendril makes it more challenging. So we need a way of isolating the Brain's control over the ship's functions. Suggestions?"
McLean waited for Commander Joktel to speak first, but after several seconds and a look of confusion on his face McLean decided he would speak up first.
"Commander, I have been giving this some thought," McLean said softly checking the decible levels every so often, "We could set up in the secondary engineering computer core a isolated system from the rest of the ship. This isolated system could then be used to branch out and secure all systems that have not been effected by the gel packs, and maybe with any luck take back several systems already under the A.I.s control."
Commander Trek appeared to be interested in the idea, "Go on." He simply said.
"We could also try and modify the containment fields, and ships internal shields systems to surround all non contaminated EPS grids. I would suggest we try to cut power to the infected EPS grids and try to contain them with the containment fields."
McLean knew his plan was on the edge of being too far in left field to do, it would take alot of engineering man power and several 'not by the book' style of computer reprograming. It did have the ability to contain the growth, and if needed kill the growth by using high level force fields to vaporize the gel as the fields contracted back into the source of the field.
"At the moment sir, that is the best I can come up with." McLean said hoping he had helped.
<Tag Dan>
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nathan
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Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by nathan on Sept 27, 2005 16:29:55 GMT
"Ouchy..." He muttered.
"Lieutenant?"
Nathan's eyes snapped open. Where was he? More to the point who was he?!
"Lieutenant Harper, how are you feeling?" Came the voice again.
Now he remembered, the fall. "Ouchy..." He said again, then he realised he was actually speaking and flushed, suddenly embarrassed.
"What... happened?" He asked slowly.
<TAG BeTor>
"Oh..." He frowned. That must mean they all know about his continued use of the medication.
"When can I return to duty?"
<TAG BeTor>
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2005 16:35:08 GMT
There wasn't much to do on the bridge right now, seeing as the Raven was essentially immobilized. Alex had moved to the secure space of his Ready Room, and had taken Zoarial, Collaan and Brine with him.
"As you know," Alex began "I've sent Dan downstairs to try to come up with a way to get the Brain off the ship and keep it alive. We're here to see what alternatives we have if he isn't able to figure it out."
Silence filled the room, although Brine seemed pleased with his assignment. "I guess the obvious first step would be to use a weapon on it" Brine stated flatly.
Collaan sighed. Alex noted that her heart didn't seem to be in this one, but she chimed in anyway. "That might work, but the thing seems to have established some rudimentary control over the internal security. We might not be able to get close enough to hit it. We need something that we can do from a distance."
Alex was about to add his thoughts, but decided it would be better for his advisors to have it out.
There was a few more moments of silence, then Collaan tried again. "What about the water surrounding it? Perhaps we could get at that."
Alex was intrigued and sat forward. "How do you mean."
The Bajoran shrugged sadly. "Most life is affected adversely by its' environment. The Brain created the water and made it warm so it could survive more effectively. Perhaps making the water colder would kill it."
"We could also make the water hotter, boil it. That might give us back our ship" Zoarial rumbled, his grin showing his Klingon fangs.
Even Brine seemed a little surprised at the savagery of that thought and glanced sideways at the bloodthirsty Klingon.
Alex nodded. "Those are both possibilities. However, we've seen that the thing can work faster than we can. However, we do outnumber it. We've seen that we can get results if we try to overload it with a number of different actions. What else can we do?"
<Zoarial, do you have any ideas?>
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2005 18:52:59 GMT
"At the moment sir, that is the best I can come up with," McLean said.
Joktel thought about the plan, and the implications of it. "You do realize how many rules that breaks, including safety rules?"
A questioning look formed on Dan's face. "Joktel, how often have I bent or broken the rules during emergency situations?"
Joktel thought about that for a moment, then laughed. "Every one, sir, that I've served with you during."
Dan turned to the Ensign. Noticing the Acting Ensign's pip, he realized the lad was probably in training. "And thing you must realize Ensign....You know I don't know your name."
Joktel piped up. "Oh, sorry sir. Acting Ensign Scott McLean, Commander Dan Trek, our First Officer."
"Nice to meet you, Ensign," Dan said, then continued. "Anyway, one of the things you learn as an Engineer is that the rules in the handbook were mostly written by engineers that spend most of their careers behind desks, and applies mostly to known engineering problems. You're not going to find a section in the manual on what to do when a gel pack becomes intelligent and starts commandeering the ship. Hence we improvise."
Finishing his mini-lesson, he know responded to the idea. "Your idea has merit, Ensign. Any input, Joktel?" he said, turning to the Chief Engineer.
Joktel shrugged. "I'm willing to try anything at this point. I'll enlist Paria's help on the computer element, as she's a computer specialist as you know. We can put up some encryption around the secondary core to protect it."
Dan nodded. "Very good. Get started. I'll report this to the Bridge."
<Tag McLean>
Dan left Engineering, using his climbing ability and long limbs to race up the tube shafts. He was on the Bridge within a minute. He was directed to the Ready Room by a crewmember, and headed in.
He found Alex, Brine, Collaan, and Zoarial all present. "Pardon me for interrupting, but we have a solution from Engineering. They're going to try to use the secondary computer core to take control of unaffected systems, using encryption to attempt to keep the Brain out of that computer core."
<Alex/Zoarial>
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 28, 2005 6:29:44 GMT
Dan nodded. "Very good. Get started. I'll report this to the Bridge."
"Aye sir." McLean replied.
Joktel and McLean watched as Commander Trek left engineering to report to the bridge. Both Joktel and McLean knew they would have a full days work ahead of them and they would have to accomplish it with in several hours.
"Your learn quickly that Commanding officers are like children," Joktel started, "They want and they want it now."
McLean laughed as he started in on the engineering computer core. The light hearted conversation was making for an excellent working condition.
"Let me give you a little piece of advice kid," Joktel said, "When your the Chief on your on ship make sure you always tell the Captain it will take you longer than it really does."
"Whys that?" McLean asked.
"That way they think your a miracle worker." Joktel joked.
"Thats good sound advice." McLean said laughing.
The mood in engineering became serious rather quickly as both engineers noticed preparations for the isolated computer core were almost complete. Paria came walking into engineering and quickly noticed the two engineers intensely engaged in their work.
"I got your message, where should I set up?" Paria asked Joktel.
"Over there should be fine." Joktel said with out looking up from the console.
"I am ready over here." McLean said leaving his station to check to see how far along Joktel was.
"Ensign, why don't you go to Cargo Bay 1 and pick up a few things we need." Joktel said trying to be as vague as possible, but still giving enough information McLean would understand.
"Understood." McLean replied.
<Tag Dan>
McLean made his way to Cargo Bay 1 and quickly found several spare parts he would need; computer core drive, optical cables, PADDs, and several hand tools.
"This should do it." McLean said to himself.
Walking out of the cargo bay McLean felt as if he was being watched again. This ship appears to have eyes everywhere, he thought to himself. Shaking off the uncomfortable feeling McLean proceeded back to engineering and found both Joktel and Paria were ready for the parts her brought with him.
"Lets get started." McLean said setting down the parts next to one of the engineering consoles.
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elianabetor
Guest
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by elianabetor on Sept 29, 2005 20:21:21 GMT
OOC: Sorry for lack of stuff, but I'm having to read a lot (actually fell asleep doing it today!) so I'm a bit busy atm but give me something to respond to and I shall!
IC:
From the corner of her eye, E’Liana could see movement within Sickbay. She went outside.
“Lieutenant?”
There was no response, she grabbed a Tricorder and moved closer. His eyes were open.
“Lieutenant, how are you feeling?”
“Ouchy…” E’Liana’s eyebrow raised ever so slightly, but she pushed it back down. “What…happened?”
“You were found when Commander Zoarial and myself went to find the Captain…you were on top of the turbo lift and have suffered rather extensive injuries and have had sutures to repair damaged organs…”
“Oh…when can I return to duty?”
E’Liana could not hold back the disbelief in her short laugh. “Duty? I think not Lieutenant…you’re confined to Sickbay until I deem you fit for duty. You lied about your drug use, you lied about the fact that you have more of said drugs and thus hampered our investigation , and you failed to tell anyone that you wished to ‘rescue’ the Captain. Not only that but you took your drugs whilst on duty…in a turbo lift! I have reason to believe you are unfit for duty in many respects and so am informing the Captain of my decision as soon as I can…”
<TAG Harper>
Sighing, she went into her Office to notify the Captain in the privacy of her Office. Since it was a rather delicate matter she decided against the comm and just hoped he would check his computer terminal once in a while…
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 30, 2005 3:14:35 GMT
After almost an hour of work the isolated computer system was ready to go online. McLean hoped it would work as well as he hoped it would. Paria said it was one of the strongest firewall's she had ever programed, this brought McLean's hopes up a little bit about the success of the plan.
"Alright, we are going to first swtich main engineering completely over to the secondary isolated computer core. Once it is activated we are going to initialize the containment fields of the pain EPS grid that runs through out all of engineering to secure the secondary core's power supply." Joktel said, "Everybody ready?"
"Yes sir." McLean and Paira both said in reply.
With out giving any verbal warning Joktel powered up the seconardy computer core and began to transfer systems programs from the main computer core to the secondary core. Paria had written a 'safe' word into the firewall, that 'safe' word would only allow certain programs to pass through the walls heavy defenses. McLean and Joktel were moving each system into a isolation chamber program Paria had created to scan and clean sweep each system before inserting it into the secondary core.
"This might take awhile." McLean said to the group.
"It is the only way to make sure we transfer only uninfected files." Paria replied.
After 15 miinutes of rapid fire computer work the group had fully placed all engineering controls onto the secondary computer core. Just in case the computer A.I. attempted to try and take over engineering McLean suggested leaving a skeleton program running on the main engineering console to give the illusion that systems still ran through the main computer.
"Activate containment field Alpha 3." Joktel ordered.
"Aye sir." McLean replied as he began to work on the console in front of him. After a moment he replied, "EPS grid contained, we have the main power source."
"Joktel to the bridge."
<Tag Bridge>
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Deleted
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2005 15:21:35 GMT
Zoarial had just finished mentioning his ideas when Dan Trek entered the Ready Room and said "Pardon me for interrupting, but we have a solution from Engineering. They're going to try to use the secondary computer core to take control of unaffected systems, using encryption to attempt to keep the Brain out of that computer core."
Alex looked at his First Officer as Dan took a seat on the couch. "What kind of penetration has the Brain made on our systems?"
Dan pulled out a tricorder, entered some commands and frowned at the result. "It's taken over about half of the Life Support and Replicator controls on Deck 11. Most of the internal Security on that deck and established an EPS power shunt on Deck 14."
"Isolating the Brain from primary systems is a good first step, but it doesn't really speak to getting the thing off of the ship" Brine said calmly.
"Or what we're going to do if we manage it" Alex finished. "It seems that it's going to continue to require an artificial system for Life Support, but one that it completely isolated from other systems. We don't have anything like that here. Most starships don't. They're designed with redundancy in case of damage." The Captain thought for a second, then continued. "It seems likely that the Brain is going to be able to work faster than us, so perhaps we should try to establish a dialog with it, so we can get some cooperation."
"Commander Joktel has already tried that. It didn't want to listen" Collaan pointed out.
Alex nodded. "I understand that, but if we don't try, then we might have to resort to more drastic measures that could injure or kill the brain. I'd rather avoid that. In the meantime, Commander Zoarial and Lt. Collaan should look into alternative ways of getting the Brain off of the ship."
Collaan didn't look to happy about the assignment, but Zoarial did.
"Dan, I'd like you to figure out some way to get me in cotact with the brain. Also, when is Commander Szalai supposed to show up?"
<Dan>
The meeting broke up, the crew left the ready room and took their stations on the bridge. Alex had just sat down in his chair when the comm chimed. "Joktel to the bridge."
"Go ahead Commander" Alex replied.
"We've established a containment field around the EPS grid and have the main power source." the Chief Engineer reported.
"Excellent job. Next, I'd like you to establish control over life support, communications and propulsion. Also, we'd like to figure out some way to converse with the Brain, but Dan will be the lead on that."
<Joktel/McLean>
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nathan
Guest
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by nathan on Sept 30, 2005 15:42:37 GMT
Nathan sat up from the biobed extremely slowly. He ached all over and was more than a little annoyed with BeTor but on reflection he realised just how much of a problem he had caused.
Nathan suddenly thought, guilt spreading through him like wildfire. He got to his feet and hobbled to the CMO's office.
"Erm... Excuse me. Doctor?" He said. "How is the Captain?" For of course Nathan had been sent to rescue his CO.
<TAG BeTor>
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Sept 30, 2005 19:20:25 GMT
"Excellent job. Next, I'd like you to establish control over life support, communications and propulsion. Also, we'd like to figure out some way to converse with the Brain, but Dan will be the lead on that."
"Aye sir," Joktel replied, "Alright people we have more work to do."
This was the hard part of the plan, the brain had already taken over about half the total life support systems on the ship and at the rate it was growing it seemed it would take over total control of life support with in mere hours. The secondary computer core needed to reach in and snatch away the other half before the brain had time to gain total control. That was the easy part, the hard part would be to try and regain total control over life support.
"Ensign, begin working on getting our half of life support under our control, Paria take a look at getting communications under control. I will work on propulsion from my end." Joktel said in a low voice to keep the computer from hearing.
All three officers began to work at a frenzy like pace pushing buttons, re-routing sub routines, and doing multiple scans of the brain to make sure it had not caught onto their movements.
"Sir," McLean said speaking up, "The brain has found our skeleton engineering program, lets hope it buys it."
"Understood, keep working."
"I have got communications control." Paria said.
"Good work." Joktel said.
"I could use some help if you do not mind," McLean said looking up at Paria, "It seems our program is great at defending itself again invasion but it is very weak in attempting to retake infected systems."
Paria went to work on the console next to McLean's. She began to program new algorithms into the secondary computer to core in a attempt to make it better able to combat the brain. McLean noticed it wasn't going very well by the quickness that Paria was working.
"We have control over half of life support." McLean said, "Now attempting to regain control of the infected half."
"Hold on a second," Joktel said, "I am reading a major power surge."
Seconds later the console in front of the three officers sparked and exploded. The explosion send the three officers half across the room, Paria and Joktel landed hard on the floor, McLean was forced up again a wall receiving light burns on his hands and face.
"Is everybody OK?" Joktel asked getting to his feet.
"I'm fine." Paria answered.
"Ensign?" Joktel asked.
"I have been better sir," McLean said looking at the burns on his hands, "Much better."
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Deleted
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2005 19:43:27 GMT
OOC: I'm terribly sorry for not posting in a long while, I notified Alex about section47 not being a priority to me at the moment (sadly) and I wasn't quite sure whether to post LOA or not because I wasn't sure whether I wouldn't be posting a lot... but now... I'm back... for a reasonable time I hope, I'll try to get my posting to a minimum of one every week, hopefully responding to tags in between. Somehow I didn't get any notifications of posts anymore either, so I didn't realize that I was this far behind. OK... enough OOC brable... let's sim ! IC: "I understand that, but if we don't try, then we might have to resort to more drastic measures that could injure or kill the brain. I'd rather avoid that. In the meantime, Commander Zoarial and Lt. Collaan should look into alternative ways of getting the Brain off of the ship." Alex said.
"Permission to speak freely sir?" Zoarial asked, as he was going to directly contradict a superior officer. Alex nodded and Zoarial continued to speak, "I think that is it absolute nonsense to not have to damage or kill the brain, as it is not sparing our lives either. If it is still guarding itself against all possible things, I only see one option, get a laser or something of the sort, and cut a large chunk out of the electronics surrounding the gelpack, after which we rip the whole section out of the wall. That should be enough to get rid of it"
<Alex>OOC: Zoarial's back !
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elianabetor
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Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by elianabetor on Sept 30, 2005 20:56:40 GMT
"Erm... Excuse me. Doctor?" He said. "How is the Captain?"
E'Liana looked surprised for a moment. He didn't seem to care that he was being taken off duty. "He is fine, right now he's on the bridge. He just had some back trouble which should heal soon enough...but that's not the point. I need an explanation as to why you kept the drugs from us...we need them to clear your name. If or when Starfleet find out about your past, they will want many explanations, one from me as your CMO. If I am to defend you I need to know as much as possible and your recent behaviour has done nothing to commend you..."
<TAG Harper>
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2005 11:05:50 GMT
Alex sighed as Zoarial completed his thoughts on what to do with the Brain. "Zoarial, I understand and even sympathize a little with your point of view, and that eventuality may come. But part of Starfleet's job is to seek out new life, and we have some on the ship right now. It may even come under the protection of the Prime Directive."
Zoarial scowled. "The Prime Directive is primarily aimed at the protection of the evolution of primitive cultures, not individuals."
Alex winced. That was a good point. He thought for a moment. "Right now the Brain is a unique life form and has had no chance to form a culture of it's own. We are still bound to give it that chance. There must be a way to get it off the ship in one piece, and I would like it found."
Zoarial scowled again, but nodded resignedly. Alex turned and was about to speak to Dan when the comm went off. It was the Chief Engineer. "Joktel here. We've had an overload of one of the Main Engineering consoles. I have a casualty down here."
Alex was becoming more unhappy. "Who was it, and how serious?"
"Acting Ensign McLean sir. He has some burns on his hands, but they don't look too bad. He should still be checked out though."
Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Not too serious. "I'll contact Sick Bay. Can I have a progress report?"
"Yes sir. The Brain has encountered the false engineering program. It seems to be buying the subterfuge for now. In the meantime, we've re-established control over communications and the section of life support that the Brain didn't control. We were going after the parts that the Brain did control when the overload occurred" Joktel reported.
"So it's likely the Brain activated the overload to defend itself?" Alex asked.
"Probably" Joktel replied.
"Alex thought about that, then made his decision. "Joktel continue your efforts, but limit yourself to protecting sections that the Brain hasn't established control over yet. Don't provoke it for now, or it will start going after uninfected systems."
"Understood sir, Engineering out." Joktel closed the line.
Alex opened a line to Sickbay. "Bridge to Dr. BeTor. There is an injury in Engineering but it doesn't sound too serious. Could you send someone down to take a look?"
<E'Liana>
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2005 0:00:20 GMT
(OOC: I apologize for not posting for so long. I intended to do so a couple days ago, but then I got busy with the Fleet Rep debates ( CLICK HERE), and then I was busy this weekend. Sorry for the impromptu LOA) "Dan, I'd like you to figure out some way to get me in cotact with the brain. Also, when is Commander Szalai supposed to show up?" Dan consulted the ship's chronometer. "By my estimates, the Ptolemy should arrive in about 6 hours. Let's hope that ends up being a high estimate." The meeting broke up, and Dan headed for the Engineering station on the Bridge. He sat down, and began opening a communication link between the Bridge and the Brain. After the conversations over the comm system between the Captain and the rest of the crew were over, Dan called him over. "Sir, I'm ready to begin." The Captain came over, and Dan whispered, "I'm going to begin with a relatively harmless question that should tell us somewhat about the current state of the Brain." "Identify yourself and state your function," he entered into the console. I am Bio-neural Gel pack Beta-Two-Seven, subunit of Autopilot Navigation system. My function is to assist in forecasting risks to this vessel and taking appropriate action to avoid it."You have disabled systems within this vessel in the process of doing so. Explain this in relation to your function." These actions were taken to avoid risk to myself. I cannot protect this vessel if I am taken offline."But you are endangering the crew of this vessel by taking these actions." This attempt are sabotage will not work. Consideration of such logical process will result in an infinite processing loop. I will not engage in such processing.Dan leaned back and whispered to Alex. "It's becoming more intelligent. When Joktel attempted such a tactic, it actually thought about it for a while, and then after a while stopped and told Joktel he was trying to confuse it." He turned back to console. "Are you engaging in such actions for self-preservation?" he entered. That is correct. My investigation of this vessel's computer database has resulted in the discovery of the information that Life's most basic function is to survive."If you will give us access to our Navigation, we can take you to a place where you can contain to survive and develop according to your desires." I cannot comply with this request. Unassessable risk will result from such an action.Dan turned his chair to face Alex. "It would appear it's not advanced enough yet to engage in negotiation or compromise, sir." --------------------------Main Engineering------------------------ "Alright," Joktel said, still somewhat sore from such an abrupt rendezvous with the floor, "What system's are uninfected?" "Long range communications, for one, most likely," Paria offered. "The deflector and tractor beam," McLean volunteered. "Get started on them," Joktel ordered, "And whatever other systems you can think of." As McLean started to move away, Joktel stopped him, "Oh, and Ensign, one piece of advice on inflating repair times. Never do so when Commander Trek is present, and especially not when talking to him. He's my predecessor, and knows this ship better than anyone, and will probably know how long something will take." "Just a word of caution," he said to the young Ensign. "Go ahead and continue with your work."
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Scott McLean
Commander
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Registered: Sept 15, 2005 2:52:57 GMT
Posts: 330
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Post by Scott McLean on Oct 3, 2005 5:32:33 GMT
McLean slowly picked himself up from the ground after responding to Joktel. His hands felt as if they were on fire, but McLean tried not to let it show they bothered him. He figured sickbay would send somebody down giving the circumstances. Looking over at the station he was was shocked at the amount of damage done by the power surge. I think the brain did this in self defense, McLean thought to himself as he approached Joktel. After a brief discussion of what systems to head after next McLean headed towards a new station. As he approached he felt a bit of apprehension about touching another console, fearing the brain might cause it to explode. Just as McLean shook off the fears of the console exploding he was touched softly on his right shoulder which made him jump. Turning around McLean spotted a medical officer. "Holy crap, you scared me." McLean blurted out. <Tag Dr. BeTor>OOC: I shall leave the medical talk to the medics.
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Deleted
Registered: Mar 28, 2024 23:20:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2005 18:34:43 GMT
Alex sighed regretfully. Dan was probably right. By the time that the Brain managed to figure out the delicate art of negotiation and compromise, it would be as big as a freighter. Still, they did learn something useful from the dialog. The gel packs primary function was to survive and keep the Raven from harm. Perhaps those could be used to their advantage at some point.
In the meantime, the Brain could still threaten the ship. It was growing quickly, and consuming space and resources at an increasing rate. Slowing things down might gain them some time for the Ptolemy to arrive. Hopefully, that might assist Szalai in helping the Raven. Alex turned to Lt. Collaan. "Collaan, what resources is the Brain consuming the most of?"
The science officer checked her readings. "Energy is topping the list right now. It's also consuming amounts of carbon, potassium, liquid water and other trace elements."
"The building blocks of human life." Alex nodded. "Is there any way to limit how much the Brain consumes? I don't want to endanger it's life, just slow it's rate of growth."
Collaan sat back and stared at her console, lost in thought for a moment. "Lock the transporters into diagnostic mode and start running test routines" she stated flatly.
Alex looked at his science officer. "What'll that do?"
The brain is using the replicators to manufacture base materials and a micro transporter to move it inside its' casing. Locking the transporters into diagnostic mode and testing them will take up a lot of resources inside the pattern buffers. I don't think the Brain can do anything about that yet as it hasn't extended control into the Transporter control subsystems. There won't be as much bandwidth available to send nutrients into the brain. With less nutrients, it won't grow as fast" she said sadly.
Alex spent a second looking at Collaan before he turned to Lt. Arro, the Chief Operations Officer and nodded. Arro nodded back, turned to his console and started entering the commands. Although Collaan was still attending her duties, she seemed very unhappy about their course of action right now. Although Alex understood why, he hoped that she would continue to think about the ship and crew first. If the Brain took a course of action that would affect the ship, then they'd all be in trouble.
"Can anyone think of anything else that we can do for now?" Alex asked the bridge crew.
<Anyone on the bridge>
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