Question and Answer Session:
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{Our lecturer has just concluded the preliminary briefing.}
Are there any questions? Yes.
Well you introduced us. Who are you?
Oh. I'm sorry. I'm Adam Khervatchkov. I'm senior project engineer
for Turnskaad Enterprises. Since our headquarters are so far away,
I'm basically in charge of the operation here.
What exactly do you mean by `artifact'?
We're searching for unique and previously unknown items. We're
offering the reward for a truly natable scientific, military,
historical, or economic find. It doesn't have to be a TL17
`thingy' (of course that wouldn't hurt). It does have to be
something that we as a multi-racial empire have never before
built, dreamed of, or considered. Like a practical way to
communicate with plants, or make a jump 7, or just be able
to have a viable artificial intelligence.
How big is the ship?
I presume you mean the Alcyon (notice I swiped at least one thing
from all thos ideas you folks posted :)) when you say `ship'.
I'd like to defer this question for a day or two. (because the ref
needs to go crunch some numbers...)
What can we put inside?
See previous answer.
The intro mentioned subs. I sure hope that there are some
automated probes and robots for doing some of the observations.
Yes there are. You have both disposable and recoverable probes and
robots for this mission.
Was the system cleared for construction of the world,
or are there other planets or planetoids in the system?
Specifically a gas giant for refueling. However other
planets could serve as an intial base.
We did not see any gas giants in the system. We did see some asteroids
so we presume the systme was largely cleaned out. However, there is
water on the surface, and there is trace hydrogen in the atmosphere
of R-alpha.
How do we determine the command team representative from
our group? Do we just have an election, volunteers, or since
it pays more, fight it out?
Well I certainly wouldn't want to fight very many of you for that
privelege - doesn't pay that much. I feel that this is a decision
you really do need to work out for each team. Sometimes there is
an obvious (at least to me) choice. Mostly, you're all just *good*.
Why don't you star off rotating the assignment for a few weeks at a
time?
Some of the equipment I've seen around here is kinda
obsolete. Got anything better at your warehouse?
Well, Turnskaad is interstellar and has managed to avaoid most of
the ravages of the current wars. We might have some of the more
sophisticated gear, depending on what it is, of course.
Does equipment purchased come out of our salaries,
or is there a budget for the mission?
That depends on the equipment purchased. We don't expect you to
come up with the cost of sophisticated nav programs, for instance,
nor for anti-ship missiles. Anything that is obviously mission-
required is covered. We think we've covered most of that - but of
course you'll want to verify it. Items that are personal we expect
you to pay for. Items that are expendable for the good of the
mission, each team has a budget for. (Basically, ask for the
best. If I think you're gettng out of hand, I'll charge you double :)
Are there any company represetatives coming?
or are we on our own?
This mission is your baby. I will probably drop by to check up
your status, exchange mail, etc. though.
Is there a seperate crew for the mothership, or do
some of us have to volunteer to stay behind with the ship?
With any luck, you can find a docking bay and make it work, and then
you can just park it. Actually, that is one of the questions the
science team needs to look into: How did the creators of R-alpha
produce null-gravity for ships? There's no evidence of `orbital'
stations.
A lot of us here have our own ships, and would much
rather drivethem there than use yours, no offense intended.
We were counting on it. If you run into trouble, there's numerous
reasons for havng more than one ship. If you don't, there's
numerous reasons for having more than one ship. All of you with
scout and merchant ships should bring them. Extra cargo room, too.
"Umm, just how big is the ringworld?
Its stellar radius is roughly 1.5 X 10^8 kilometers. It's roughly
3000 kilometers wide. It has `vertical' sides roughly 100 kilometers
high, to hold in its air. Actually, in a general sense, it is one
*huge* valley between two *tall* mountain ranges.
So how large surface area does R-alpha have?
Roughly 10^12 km^2. This is on the order of 10^4 times the surface
area of a planet like Terra.
And how long will we have to explore it?
Not long. Only a few months at most. We expect, knowing how
communications and response work, that at least two of the major
belligerents for the throne will arrive in 4 to 6 months time.
Rather than `explore' per se, we'd prefer you concentrated on
getting everything you can from R-alpha. Physically and scientifically.
Also, if there is an undiscovered sapient race with some degree
of technological development, what will be mission policy
regarding contact and establishment of relations with the locals?"
That's up to the on-scene commander. Just remember that they're a lot
less likely to be welcomed into civilization when and if Lucan and Dulinor
start duking it out over 'er under? their heads.
What is the estimated minimum technological level
to build a ringworld?
16 I believe. Possibly 17. It's certain that our present/previous
empire certainly isn't/wasn't too close.
How long could it last untended?
Go find out how long this one been there. I reckon the structure is
inherently unstable, it wouldn't take much, or very long, to destroy
it if its inner workings shut down. Maybe a better question is how
did R-alpha's creators build technology that could sustain itself in
their absence (if they are absent)?
Do we get access to a full report from the scout
who discovered it?
This is basically the full report. It was a one-way remote scout
probe.
Was any kind of transmissions or signals from R-alpha detected?
Yes. Various kinds at various ranges. They were all low-level and hard
to differentiate from the stellar radiation until the probe was close enough
to get a good angular separation. There seems to be all kinds of
passing all over the backside of the ring.
Did it radiate neutrinos?
(I want to defer this until I look up what neutrinos indicate besides
nuclear fusion - RJ)
Any sign of large scale constructions (other than the
ringworld, that is :-) on its surface on the closeups?
You mean, like those roads there? The close-ups we have are rural.
Although at larger scale (not-so-close-up) it looks like there are
sea ports at least. Probably cities.
What resolution do the closeups have?
About 2.5 metres at 530 nm wavelength, about 3.5 metres at 1000 nm
and about 2 metres at 300 nm. This is for the closest of the lot.
It gets worse further out.
How large are those "low hills and small seas" on the surface?
The seas you saw look to be in the Red Sea to Mediterranean Sea range, to
use a terrestrial analogy. The hills are no more that 1000 metres high.
Except, of course near the edge, where they virtually `touch the sky'.
What are we waiting for?:-)
The remainder of the mission crew (about half the players), and for
the referee to finish geting his act together and straighten out the
chaotic mess he gave himself. :)
This one I won't ask loudly, I expect that everybody
should know the answer already: but since we players
don't know: What date is it?
I'm not sure. I didn't specify because I wanted to let players
adjust it to their own particular campaign needs.
Let me now clean up a few more loose ends.
First, an apology. It's doctor Abuko, not simply Mr. Abuko.
Second, I'd like to introduce four new crewmwmbers who have just
been accepted:
Dave Sokuku, who will probably be joining the social sciences
team.
Iadlvref, who will also be joining the social sciences team.
Mac Witfield, a distinguished and practiced generalist.
Nishu Neriika, who will joining the transport team.
(These folks are just as dinguished as the resto of your crew. Dave
is a scout. Looks to be in fine shape for someone who probably has
been doing desk work - lots of muscle tone, rather than mass.
Friendly. Iadlvref is small and wiry. When you first lay eyes on
him you just can't decide whether to really like him or permanently
distrust him. He seems cordial, honest, and as beutiful and deadly
as a pit viper. Mac is in civvy clothes. His eyes wander
constantly, but far from aimlessly. He is young, too. Finally,
Nishu, another navy man (er critter). Also decorated. Clearly
looking for something more than flying a desk.)
more later...
Richard
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