This is file #2 of 5.
This file covers days 3 & 4 of the Alcyon's jump.
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***** Day 3 *****
- - ----- Alcyon, in jump -----------------
Charyn is up early, around 0430, just like every day, waiting for
the others to arrive for the Alcyon marathon. Just like every other
morning, she is the first to arrive. Thule and Ian arrive shortly.
<Charyn>
"Say, is anyone else turning out for morning calesthenics?"
Charyn is habitually there, ahead of the posted time.
<Thule>
"I think we're it this morning."
Thul for his part has added to his morning routine a little. He is
now wearing his field boots and a pack. If anybody cares to look
in the pack, it is filled with concrete blocks for weight. He has
also taken to wearing a belt with filled ammo pouches.
"Well, let's go."
Charyn works very hard at it, but is apparently not a real physical
person. She appears fairly detached and remote, but astute readers
of personality may note she has a look of frustration and determination.
Thul, noticing Charyn's frustration, says:
" Don't push yourself TOO hard there... work at your own pace.
Start small and work up. If you'd like I'll chart a workout
schedule for you. Don't need any of our team members hurting
themselves without good reason..."
<Ian>
Hey Thule, this might sound strange, but shouldn't we find something
we can spin, and also induce gravity on? So we can experience the
full glory of coriolis while we're working? Or is the ring big enough
to preculde that?
<Thule>
Ya' know?!? I didn't even think of that... I'll have to go find
one of the egg-heads and ask them!
<Charyn>
Hey! Look at that...
Sometime, during the night watch, A poem mysteriously appears
posted in the lounge, and on bulkheads here and there...
The Brave Ship Alcyon
---------------------
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
Intrepid venture-wise.
One night - dark night - she spaceward rose
And still goes on to rise.
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
Away from life she flies
But on her board her crew and kin
In droves falls and dies.
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
One man from space returned
And when almost inside he was
His fortunes were upturned.
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
Some fuel did escape
And two tried lives - both good and true
Endured a vile rape.
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
A crewman died of drugs
Another has a thieving bit
And there's a lack of rugs!
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
She's more than we afford
The bishop is not saintly -
Is drunker than the Lord.
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
The pilot's eating frogs
And need we speak of poor exec -
Who's life gone to the dogs!
A brave ship she - the Alcyon
She flies intrepid on!
But ere her will is made and done
We'd better man the con!
Flt. Sgt. Suom Ynona
<Ian>
You know, guys. I don't really like running. But'cha gotta do someting
(pant) to keep your wind up. . . I'd give a lot for swimming pool.
After a day or so in jump, Zben resumes his normal activities,
spending just a little more time in the gym working with his blades.
Durning that period if anyone asks for some instruction or help with
blade use, he gladly gives up some of his time. The only noticible
change is slightly darker circles under the eyes, and a slightly
shorter temper. Once and a while he can be seen heading toward the
weapons training area, carrying a long thin case, more appropriate for
a pool cue than a rifle.
On duty, Zben tears into the inter-ship network, trying to get
the speed up and the security foolproof. He also does a quick check
out of as many auxillary vessels as he has time for. One other thing
he devises is a `souped-up' bug detector. Designed to cause and
measure a reaction in ANY device having transmitting coils, the unit
is quite a bit larger than the standard bug detector, but can scan a
much larger area (about 9 square meters). The only problem with it is
while in use it will detect any legitimate radio as well, so he tends
to leave his communicator in the engineering shop (after sweeping it).
At some point during the third day, everybody's commdots comes to life.
<...> Attention all hands, this is Doctor Van Der Merwe, Chief Medical
officer. Both Commander Ger and myself have reminded you all, but
apparently some of you didn't hear or ignored us. So listen up now,
everybody. A significant number of you have failed to show up for
medical exams as requested. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. You *must* be
examined and given any necessary vaccinations or boosters for the
protection of yourself and the mission!
Those of you who haven't shown up yet, you better make plans to
do it soon or I *will* have Security hunt you out and drag you to
Sickbay kicking and screaming. If you need any more incentive, I will
not permit any individual NOT showing up from participating in any
away team on R-Alpha until they DO show up. Yes Mister Bishop, that
includes you too!
I hope to see you in Sickbay soon. Have a nice day, all!" <...>
- - ---- Air lock 4-------
At the Airlock:
"Holy sheeit," Ralf says quietly. "Look at this." He's got the air lock
control panel removed from the bulkhead. It looks like the victim of a
blow torch with an attitude. "This .. whatever bypassed all the normal
interlocks. That iris valve only did what it was told -- to close.
Unconditionally.
"I sure wouldn't trust ANY doors on this ship until we check 'em over."
"Alright lets shut this baby down", J.J. taps his comdot, "Security, Horne
here, we need a crime lab team down here at the airlock ASAP. I doubt if we can
find anything but we may as well check." With that he takes a handkerchief from
his pocket and takes the airlock control panel from Ralf. He says to the
others, "Nobody gets near this airlock until we run a check. I think it's time
we start checking backgrounds and see who has the electronic skill to do
something like this. Azani, Mahlel, either of you know how to lift prints?
If you do check this doorway with a fine-tooth comb, if not, don't let anyone
touch anything. Ralf you come with me, I need a full report on what was done
to this thing."
Not even looking to see if Ralf is following he turns and starts to head for
security, as he goes he starts to mutter. "Damn J.J. your slipping, you should
have thought of this earlier, sabotage. But no, you go right on cleaning up
blood and destroying evidence. Stupid, stupid, stupid, You have to start
thinking with your head not your heart, you remember what happened on
Bright Face..." With that J.J.'s voice trails off as he realizes that he
has been talking out loud, he glances at Ralf sheepishly and falls into
pensive walking. Suddenly J.J.'s comdot comes to life:
<...>
Mr. Horne, please come to my office. I need a report on the airlock incident.
Farouk over.
<...>
J.J. heads for Farouk's office to speak with Farouk.
"Ralf you might as well tag along, I will need you to explain the electronics
stuff to Lazer anyway"
- - ----------- Security ----------
When J.J. and Ralf get to Farouk's, J.J. gives his report.
"According to Ralf here, someone tampered with the airlock control panel, it
definitely looks like we have a saboteur on board. I would respectfully
recommend that we pull all the dossiers on board of crew members that have
electronics knowledge and go from there. Of course it is easy enough to get
fake papers, I know I have done it enough. Also I told Azani and Mahlel to
try to lift some prints, I will try on this thing here, I doubt if we will
find anything but we might get lucky. Also Ralf recommends and I agree that
we should check all the portals, uh doors... uh... hatches whatever you call
the things on this ship. Also I have to report that I was slow to cordon off
the crime seen, I was thinking about the accident instead of my job, I didn't
think that it could possibly be sabotage until Ralf had pulled the control
panel. I am sorry about that, if you want to take disiplinary action against
me I understand. I guess you will want to here the technical side of this,
Ralf"
With that J.J listens and tries to comprehend Ralf's report.
After Ralf is finished with his report J.J. speaks, "If you have nothing
further for me, I would like to check the airlock control panel for latent's
and then get back to the airlock and check there. Also I will need
fingerprints for everyone on board for comparison. Also, I will be glad to
head the investigation for the saboteur.
As jj turns to go, he says over his shoulder, "I could use your prints right
now, if that is OK, Ralf."
With that, J.J. pulls out a cheroot lights it and settles down to the nuts
and bolts of the investigation.
<Lazer>
That will do for now. Continue your investigations and let me know what
you find. Dismissed.
A few hours later the intercom comes on again:
<Lazer>
I need a report on whatever that was that set off the radiation warnings
in the armoury yesterday. Please come in person.
Farouk over.
<...>
<Doc> Just in case you think I'm kidding, I'm having Lazer Farouk see if any
of his team is getting a little twitchy from not having seen any combat
recently. That lucky person will accompany me on any 'search' missions
for those truly reluctant patients. Have a nice day! <...>
<Lazer>
He just might put his stethoscope in the refrigerator, too... :-)
- - ------- Sciences
Dr. Morser is seen only sporadically during the day. He spends several
hours moving crates back and forth between the cargo bay and his room. From
within can be heard the sounds of tinkering, moving, sporadic curses in
german, and the occasional crash or small explosion. There is a vivid "Do Not
Disturb" sign taped to the outside of the door, which remains locked at all
times.
Thul tracks down Morser to his hideaway, sees the "Do Not Disturb"
sign and snorts to himself. With the flat of his palm he smacks
the door and bellows: "HEY DOC! Got a question for ya!"
He is met at the doorway by a very strung-out scientist; Morser is even
more unkempt than usual, and he has obviously not slept in some time. He
is quite apologetic about not allowing anyone in due to "rrrezearch",
but he is also quite adamant, somewhat brusque, and extremely animated
(read:wired on caff-tabs). He gives the general impression of someone
who wants desperately to tell a secret, but isn't quite ready yet...
<Thule>
On this ring we are going to visit, are we gonna experience any
cor- corio-- cor-- what the hell , however you pronounce that word
for the effect you get from being on a spinning object or is it too
big for that?
<Morser>
The scientist looks away bfiefly, then back to Thule. "Oh. zorry, you
caught me thingking about zomething... Let's zee. mm
No. No coriolis, unless you want to run *really* fast from one spillwal to
zee other. The ring iz MUCH too big to notice it. It vill be interesting,
though. Ja?"
He then abruptly excuses himself and closes his door.
- - ---- Security
Edmondsen reports to Farouk. "Radiation warnings? Seems to have been
some kind of practical joke that went off at the wrong time. It was a
box of grenades that Ralph checked in.
"Box was covered with visual radioactivity warnings and handling
warnings. It had internal tell-tales rigged to set off audible alarms
if the box got seriously disturbed or tampered with. During the
commotion it got bumped and the alarms went off.
"No radiation. No problems. Just a strange sense of humor."
- - ----------- Medical
<Merwe>
"As I indicated, Anton is the worst case. I'm not sure we can do anything
about his coma, but if he comes out we would have to consider regenerating
or replacing his foot. Obviously I have a bionic replacement covered, and
you have regeneration. So you could keep an eye on him.
<Yorblin>
"Yes, I was wondering about him, your therapy seems a bit conservative, but
considering how busy it's been I could see why you wouldn't want to start any
thing intensive. I'd like to continue him on the steroid therpy you
have him on. Let's start some packaged acetycholine, though, to kick in the
reticular formation in the mid-pons and then start some scDNA nanocytes to
start damage control. I think we could hold off at that and see if it does
the trick. When he pops up, he should be ready for his new foot"
<Merwe>
Daniel Silvmane, needs extensive help with rehabilitation after that LH2
accident. If you can handle these two, I have a prior investigation that I
have to attend to. I think that's about it; questions?"
<Yorblin>
"Silvmane will do okay, we'll see a lot of tissue sloughing in the next 48
hours, but that is primarily superficial. With broadspecs he should be
disease free. He'll probably need ECMO and some modified HGF-alpha to
prevent any respiratory sequalae. Maybe some elastin factor beta, we'll see.
"I think that's about all there is with those two, barring continued
vasculature problems with Devious. I'm going to grab some chow, and then
head right back down.
"Good to see the medical ops are being handled by another scout,
a sure guarantee of competence, eh!"
A minute or two later, the door buzzer beeps, and Charyn announces
her arrival; "Doctor Merwe, this is Mister Robins. I'm reporting
for my physical as scheduled."
"Come in."
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***** Day 4 *****
R-alpha
Hooper is in his G-sled when he gets the call from control. Currently he's
watching a group of Kythui. One big Kyth has a group of smaller Kyth
beating up another Kyth while pointing at the sky.
"Aha," thinks Hooper. "I wonder if Ferdy's Visitors are on their way back."
He guns the Gs and turns the sled for the control centre.
- - ----------
This assignment has got to be some sort of punishment for what
Katie did. But what she can't figure out is how anyone found
out about it. Well, it doesn't matter now. She's stuck for
a week playing babysitter for a dozen youngsters way out in
the middle of nowhere. She was sure she was going to get a
space assignment, what with all the rumors of increasing the
number of space patrols. At least Phil is along to help,
even if he is rather dull to be around.]
"So Phil, have you done this sort of thing before? No? Well,
there's not much to it really." I wonder what he did wrong to
get himself this job.
"The young'uns tend to find enough to keep themselves occupied.
All you have to do is make sure they don't wander off and drift
through a teleport portal or something. You can try joining
their games but I've found they're usually too small and quick
for us adults." Hmm, some of these youngsters have already
outgrown me!
- - --- Aslan Ship Trakh ---------
Akhouw looks into the holotank and the possibilities for success and
glory are reflected in his intent eyes. Turning back to his controls, he
punches up the thruster plates to maximum and continues pursuit of the
low-energy ballistic craft with unerring accuracy. He's clearly feeling
the adrenaline thrill of the chase and anticipation of victory. "Aeawiyh,
keep an eye on those engines, we need to run flat out. Keep me
advised."
Turning to his companion on the bridge, his face is the picture of purposeful
delight. "Aiwi, record all scan data on the ringworld and keep a close
track on that new craft, I want to know as much as I can about it. Second,
warm up the comm gear and see if you can raise them on the radio or the
tight-beam laser or maser gear. You know, the standard contact message,
and tie in the computer language translation gear, who knows what they
speak, whoever *they* are."
- - ----- Maintenance Station #1 -------
Ferdy flicks the communicator panel into life.
"Doejin, what have you got out there? Any indication of who -- or what --
is in that thing? Do they look as though they're going to land?"
<Doejin>
"I'm returning to base, as requested.
Looks like they intend to land, Ferdy. I'm gonna give a litte boost to
get away from 'em and then get back to refuel and stand by to see what
gives next. My curiosity is highly aroused, but I'm only back if I
have the upper hand in maneuverability and/or weaponry (and I _know_ I
don't meet the last criteria!)
"From there, I will ensure a rapid refueling and get ready to go back
out and investigate some more. At the very least I will be in the
appropriate control rooms to try and determine who these other visitors
are.
- - --- Somewhere on R-alpha -----
Some hours later Katie spots a shuttle [Doejin's] slowly arcing
across in the darkening sky. After a few moments she realizes
it's in an unpowered ballistic path (learned that while I was
hanging out with those space-faring Phins). And behind it is
another shuttle. Wait! It can't be a shuttle. It's trailing
a tail of light. And they're both headed towards the base.
Something big is going on and I just have to be there. "Hey
Phil, I left something backatthebase which I absolutelyhavetodo
or I'll get stuckonanotherbabysittingjob and justdieofboredom.
What? You *like* this job so far? Great! Then canyoutakecare-
ofthingsforawhile, atleastuntilIgetbackIpromiseitwon'tbetoolong.
Thanks!"
And before Phil can ask what's the rush, Katie teleports out.
- - ----------
Tapping the intraship comm, Akhouw says "Eihoftyah, I want you and
Uhwaikh in the pinnace and ready to launch for high guard duty while
we refuel from the ocean."
- - -----
Out of the corner of his eye, Ferdy notices a small phin darting about in
the distance. He groans inwardly. "Oh, not Katie! I thought I'd heard
the last of her. I should have known she'd manage to get in on the action
when the Visitors turned up. That little maniac will wind up in big
trouble one of these days..."
It suddenly occurs to Ferdy that the communicator is still on. Doejin
must be wondering what in all the Great Hoop he is mumbling about. He
flicks off the comm and pauses for a few moments, conducting an inner
struggle with himself. Finally, against his better judgement, he sets
off after Katie. "Someone's got to keep that blasted youngster alive",
he mutters. He wonders why he feels so responsible for her. Maybe it
is because it was Ferdy who told her that story from way back in his
childhood about a visitor from the stars. It could be partly his fault
that she has gone so crazy about anything to do with space travel.
He is about to call out to her, but thinks better of it. Knowing what
Katie is like, she would probably just dash off and try to lose him. At
Ferdy's age he has no chance of keeping up with her, so he elects to
follow stealthily at a distance. Until she needs him.
- - --------------------
The Trakh continues pursuit, following the shuttle until it suddenly
and inexplicably surges far ahead of the Trakh and disappears behind a
low hill near the shore of one of the major seas.
"Admiral, uh, we have no procedures for even *trying* to maintain position
above you at a velocity near that of the ring. Commands, sir?"
"Launch. Stay airborne; keep your sensors active; watch for whatever is
on or under the surface, in the air, and as far over the ring as you can
scan."
And the Trakh touches down on a bright blue, warm water ocean. The sun
directly overhead casting very stark, short, shadows about the outer
surfaces of the slowly rocking starship. A cool breeze blows slowly
from the sea toward the shore, carrying the cries of distand sea birds
with it. A few tens of meters inland, coniferous and deciduous-looking
trees form copses rustling in the breeze.
"Initiate fuelling. Maintain full sensor scan, both ships."
"Trakh, pinnace. Looks like that ship went into the ocean about
1 km offshore. Went deep. Disappeared from our scan."
========================================================================
Alcyon, closer to R-alpha
- - ----- Mess Deck ------
As crew members filter through the ship's mess for breakfast, a few of
them notice that Adrian Bishop has commandeered a table in the corner
for himself.
His meal largely untouched, except for the ever-present coffee mug,
and the grey miasma left by countless Nicotine Sticks, he has surrounded
himself with the tools of his trade. Spread out in front of him is a
Reston Industries _Combined_Lexical_Audio-Image_Relational_Editor_.
Connected to it by a thick optical bus is an Info-Dyne Data Storage Rack
with about 2 dozen 7.6 tera-byte holo-dynamic memory pods plugged into
the top. Bishop wears a display headset and makes frequent notes with
a stylus on a datapad laying next to the R.I. CLAIRE. He is obviously
engrossed in his work and, for the most part, oblivious to the rest of
the mess.
"Tag current as segment end. Move segment to prefix segment 1437.
Freeze frame." Bishop frowns at the screen and those nearby may be able
see 'Vouf, sitting in the lounge, obliquely facing the viewer. "Zoom
3124 to 4411. No... his hands are still visible. Zoom 4411 to 4512.
Stop. Shift UP 4512 to 4655. OK, good. Now set current drift and
resume playback." Bishop smiles at his handiwork and makes another
note on the datapad.
Occasionally, Bishop glances up at the current occupants of the
mess, but never really establishes eye contact. The only time his
attention clearly shifts from the CLAIRE is when the recently thawed
crew-member, Jan Yorblin, comes in for breakfast and then leaves.
Briefly, his appearance occupies Bishop's full attention. Without
actually staring, Bishop watches the tall, albino belter during his
entire stay in the mess.
Yorblin is scarfing the last of a raspberry (he thinks) danish when Dan
Silvmane walks into the mess. Jan gets up to intercept him at the meal
dispenser.
"Pleased to finally be able to introduce myself, I am Dr. Jan Yorblin,"
he says extending his hand, "I have been delegated to take you through
your recovery period by Dr. van der Merwe."
Noting that his hand is neither the mushy skin of thawed frostbite nor
the firm slickness of grafted tissue, his eyebrows raise as he confirms
his initial impression of a man healing himself too rapidly to be just
humaniti.
"Not to say I am surprised to see you up and about, but you are looking
better than I expected. Why don't we talk about it over breakfast. In
the sick bay, or here which ever you'd feel more comfortable with. However,
I'd like to get you back down on the ward, because of some concerns I have
about your lung tissue. Are you having any shortness of breath?"
"Uh, no. Why?"
"Good, good, shall we head down to the bay now? I'm concerned that
with your reduced immune status that you might pick up some bug here
outside the sterilizer fields. Among the many effects of LH2 burns
is cellular disruption, and that allows some for very easy infection,
and it's come to my attention that a number of our compadres haven't
had their check-ups yet, so we don't know what may be floating around."
After Yorblin leaves, Bishop slouches back in his chair and drops
his stylus on the datapad. "So that's the newly defrosted member of
medical staff." Comments Bishop. Then he smirks. "That is the *WORST*
case of freezer burn I have *ever* seen!"
- - ----- Engineering ---------
<Redd>
Hi Slide.....
I've got this program for leadfoot, to catch that treerat & keep him
out of engineering. I can't implement it until it's been tested, and
I'll need some help for that - It's probably going to look quite
strange, dragging a bag wrapped in synthetic fur around the ducting,
etc, so the robot can chase it - I thought of sealing engineering off to
un -authorised personnel (Especially that *!#? reporter!).
What it really needs is some kind of small remote-controlled robot to
simulate Bit, but we can leave that 'till we find out if the robot tears
the 'dummy' to bits in catching it - no point in wasting expensive
hardware when we don't have to.
If you feel like helping in this eccentric venture, drop me a line, and
I'll get the go-ahead from whoever's running engineering this week....
<...>
Attention all hands. Until further notice, the Alcyon cargo bay is
under medical quarantine and sealed to the general crew. Please contact me
if you have any questions. Van Der Merwe out.
<...>
Johann has been sitting for a long time by the holographic display that has
been showing strange patterns for a long time when he suddenly jumps up and
takes off through the door out of engineering.
"Ger, Vouf, I've found something on the R-alpha data. I'm comming up."
- - --------- Medical -------
"Ugh, agh, yugh. I dislike sleeping in a low berth.", As Goughzar looks
about.
"Thank you doctor, do you have anything with stimulant? Perhaps you can
tell me where I can get something to eat. I always feel weak after
sleeping in those.
Christian grins and assists Zar to a sitting position on the bunk. "Sure,
give me a second." He reaches over to the autodispenser and draws a cup of
steaming black coffee. "Here you go, hope you like coffee."
Zar stretches a bit and wakes up a bit more, "Who do I report to? I
assume we have arrived at the ringworld and my services are needed.
Christian's face shows his concern, reflecting the seriousness of the
situation. "I'm Doctor Sir Christian Van Der Merwe, Chief Medical Officer
and leader of the Bio/Med team, so (grin) I guess you've reported in.
But no, we are not at the ringworld yet, and yes, your services are
needed. Subcommander Bhyarrvouf is going to brief you; I can show you
the way if you like."
No sooner are these words out of the good Doctor's mouth than there is
a ferocious pounding on the door to Sickbay, and a scream of anger that
could ONLY come from a very, VERY angry Vargr!
"VAN DER MERWE, YOU MALPRACTICING SKUZZBUTT! 'FUN'S DONE,' YOU SAID!
'TRUCE', YOU SAID! KAE, KAKH TSAKHA! OPEN THIS DOOR!"
The door to Sickbay slams open, and there is a Vargr, buck naked but
wrapped in a bathrobe, standing on the threshold. He is bright yellow
with shocking pink markings from head to foot, and he's boiling mad.
"I would like a word with you, DOCTOR," He snarls, advancing on van der
Merwe. "And that word is--"
He hauls open his robe. There on his yellow chest, in pink print, is the
word
GOTCHA
The Vargr allows approximately a half second for van der Merwe's reaction,
then breaks into howls of laughter. "HEEYARF HARF HARF! 'Truce', you said!
You never noticed that *I* never said it, though! Hrf hrf hrf-- paybacks, my
muddy TAIL! Paint MY arms pink and yellow, will you? Hrf, hrf--GRK!"
Goughzar hears a fuzzy voice through the slowly receding fog in his mind.
His eyes are closed, but there is something reassuring in the tone and
choice of words, something that vaguely says, "Home."
'Vouf draws up short, aghast, as he sees Goughzar for the first time. His blue
eyes widen in shock as his good humor instantly evaporates and his ears fold
back flat. "Kae! Ah, um...." He pulls his robe quickly shut. His voice deepens
about an octave. "Mr. Goughzar, I presume. Hrmph! Ahem. Well, urm, welcome
aboard. I am, hrrr, Subcommander....Roukh," he looks sidelong at the doctor,
"And I will be expecting you in my office in one half hour for your
debriefing. Doctor, see to it that he reads the memos on his assignment while
he's in Recovery." And he beats a hasty retreat, shutting the door behind him.
Zar watches in amazement as Subcommander Bhyarrvouf leaves quickly, still
painted. All the while sipping the coffee and watching the commotion.
"Doctor, please explain. This Vargr seems familiar to me, but I can't place
him. And I am supposed to report to him? What exactly does he want me to do?
Repaint him? I have little skill in artistry..."
Zar waits while Christian explains the communications system, fits him with
the appropriate gear and shows him how to review the past memos.
"I see, thank you Doctor. I assume if you need me you will contact me. I
would gladly accept the offer to show my the way to ... uh ... Subcommander
Bhyarrvouf's briefing room.
Zar gathers what gear might be had here and muses to no one in particular,
"I wonder when they will tell me where quarters are, of course I could just
sleep on the deck, hoping nobody will wander through with yellow paint..."
- - ------- Ship's Lounge-cum-Wardroom -----------
"Wait till you see this." Johann drops down at the navigation display and
calls up a hologram showing a ring-shaped object.
"This is from the probe data of R-alpha . I'll change it to show low
frequency radio."
"Computer, display EMrad in the 1 to 100 Hz band, execute."
The display doesn't change noticably.
"As you can see, nothing. Anything that might have been there is too faint
for the probe to detect against the background clutter. But there is traces
of EMrad lost in there, and all I had to do was run a sixth generation
Kowalski pattern matching algorithm on it. Fortunately the computer was
fast enough. The last time I did this the run took two weeks. It'd be nice
to have it performed in realtime but even the shuttles computers are too
slow for that. I'll magnify a part of the inner surface."
"Computer, display area 156 degrees spinward, full magnification,
enhancement option 'D', execute."
The ring grows until it is too large for the display and continues to
grow, the seemingly thread thin ring begins to take the shape of a flat
strip, and it's curvature appears to approach the flat as the display
zooms in on a part of the R-alpha.
Faint ice blue lines looking like equidistance marks appear on the black
surface. They seem to form a pattern where the links are made of two or
four parallell lines between nodes of one or two rings.
Johann put the marker on a line.
"Computer, evaluate." After a long second the answer appear in text in
the display: 'High-tension line, Alternating Current 31.83099 Hz.'
"Now, what do you give me for *that*." Johann says with a wide grin.
"Huh." 'Vouf looks at the gridwork carefully. "High tension lines. And
a pretty good-sized network of them, too. Well, we can draw all SORTS
of worthwhile conclusions from THAT little fact!" He scratches his
muzzle thoughtfully. "Life. Not just life, but sentient, technical,
advanced enough to require widespread power grids, and probably still
thriving."
<Limner>
'Vouf is, of course, correct. This brings up many interesting questions.
If the ringworld is still thriving, then why haven't we made contact with
the inhabitants earlier? Could it be that the creators do not possess
jump drive capability? I think this is unlikely.
It is also possible that the grid may be operating independently, and the
ringworld may be deserted.
<Abuko>
"Either that or they haven't gotten around on to spaceflight yet. Several
thousands of years between electricity and the first steps into space is not
unheard of.
But I'd put my money on that the ring is deserted. Remember the biomecanic
lanthanum mine dating back to who knows when in Reft. It was completely
automated. All service done by robots. Gengineered rock worms extracting
the lanthanum from the ground.
Anyone with the tecnological wherewithal to build R-alpha could make
something like that work. And automatic service of a powergrid would be a
piece of cake!"
<Limner>
More likely, the current inhabitants are either not the same as the ring's
creators, or for some reason are no longer as technologically capable. Of
course, it could also be a race so alien from us that we don't understand
their motives. I could tell you about a race on Marcos 5 that...but I'd
better not right now.
In any event, the mere fact that power grids are operating could mean that
this mission may turn out to be more diplomatic than exploratory. Is our
Contact Team prepared?
<Jett>
I can't speak for the rest of the Social Science/Contact team, but I don't
feel this would present a problem. My skills and knowledge are primarily
in interspecies communication and diplomacy, so if we do run across beings
that are sufficiently advanced, I see no difficulty in our "establishing
diplomatic relations" of a sort and negotiating from there. Legally
speaking, it may work in favor of any claim we may have, although I'm
pessimistic over the prospects for adherence to the rule of law by any of
Lucan or Dulinor's people...
<Sokuku>
I agree with Judge Jett, I foresee no problems. As my
experiences lie in covert survey operations, I would propose that our
first course of action would be to examine the natives (if any) from a
distance and determine their physical form. If we can impersonate
them suitably (up to the medical team to decide, I suppose), we should
land a covert survey team to feel out the population. Then we can
follow up with a "real" landing and contact. Of course, if the covert
team determines that the natives are horribly xenophobic, we may have
to think of something else. Or, if we can't suitably "blend in" with
the population, we'll have to come up with some more ideas.
<Jett>
If I may interject here, I agree entirely with Mister Sokuku, but we do
have to consider one important possibility. We know that it is highly
probable that we will find technologically advanced beings, so we have to
be ready and prepared for the possibility of their contacting us!
We certainly can't hide the Alcyon very well, so if they have advanced sensor
technology, they may see us as soon as we exit jump or not long thereafter,
and decide to check us out, in person (if they have that technology) or via
communications.
<Mac>
"Well, if they contact us. So much the better. That would certainly
make things easier. Just tell them we come in peace, and go from there."
Mac smiles as usual.
We know now the power grid is operating. But that's not much to go on,
And chances are we probably won't have enough info till the contact team
lands. I think we should focus our effort on the murderer, having someone
like that running lose on the ship is not my idea of a good time.
About this time, that interminable intercom comes to life.
<Doc>
Attention all hands. I now have two volunteers, Thule Jonson and
Jordan Kalhoun Azani, who will accompany me should it be necessary to
hunt down bashful patients. This is a last warning to all of you who have
by oversight or intent avoided the required medical exams.
I *do* hope you will voluntarily show up for your exam and inoculations. It
is essential for the success of this mission and I don't enjoy hunting down
people. But if you insist... (chuckle) <...>
<Horne>
Doc, Horne here, did not mean to avoid you just thought that I had had a
physical. Sorry memory is fuzzy from the first week of the trip. Anyway
I will drop by sickbay right now, I have been meaning to talk to you about
something anyway. Just with the emergencies and uh... stuff going on I
have been a little busy.
<Doc> Not a problem, JJ. I'll be in my office most of the day, and am quite
willing to discuss any concerns you may have. It shouldn't take long,
assuming you are in good health. <..>
Nice to have people come by "voluntarily." :-)
<Redd>
"My apologies doctor, but it's been busy in engineering. We'll organise
a rota for the engineers to take their medicals immediately. I'm afraid
you'll have to find Aaron Haut Freider yourself though - He hasn't been
in touch with engineering recently.
"Johann, will alphabetical order be OK for the medicals? If anyone's too
busy, speak now, or they're likely to come fetch you, and I don't think
you'd enjoy that!"
"We'll have someone with you right away doctor, even if we have to draw
straws....."
<Doc>
Thanks for your prompt reply. I don't think any of us wants to get hung
up or laid low by a nasty disease.. Who knows what R-Alpha may throw at us.
I'll be in the Alcyon infirmary, just stop on by.. <...>
<Abuko>
"Alphabetical is good, I'll be down in medical right away."
Johann turns to Vouf and Ger. "If you would excuse me, I have an appointment
in the torture chamber."