Planning for Rojar II

Posted on 19 Feb 2013 @ 6:54pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas & Amril & Crewman Athlen & Vincent Kramer Ph.D. & Benjamin Dale Ph.D. & Nesh Saalm & Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton
Edited on on 20 Feb 2013 @ 8:09pm

2,579 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2, Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD01: 1520 hours

Last time on Planning for Rojar...

"Lieutenant Cho has just finished upgrading the ship's sensors, so I will pass the floor over to her so she can explain the new systems," Maenad smiled to Kiri and reclaimed her seat at the head of the table to watch.

And now the conclusion...

[ON]

Kiri was starting to get used to this. She also knew the faces of everyone in the room for once as well. That made it a little easier as she rose to her feet and walked towards the large screen. She hadn't had much warning of her meeting but her report on the sensors had been finished several days ago even if it needed some editing down for presentation she could try to do that on the fly right? Entering a few commands she brought up a display of the ship with the sensor parts highlighted.

With a deep breath and a small forced smile she begain, "During the ship's refit while at Vega Colony the ship's sensors have been upgraded in several areas. Each sensor node in the primary array has been given a new reflective lining that increases their sensitivity to light by four percent. Zero point ration detectors allow for a eight percent increase in radiation detection which means our overall acuity has increased by six percent and our overall range by several hundred thousand miles depending on surrounding conditions. To help combat interference a new nanite cleaning system is active on the surface of the nodes, capable of targeting and removing any foreign material as well as sterilising them. Their programming is limited however and they are not capable of posing a threat to the ship," She knew some people didn't like nanites.

"Because of these upgrades the computer memory cores for the sensors have been expanded to allow for extra data processing power which also means information will be available faster. To power all this there is now a second plasma conduit running to the sensor hub. This also means we are less likely to suffer power fluctuations and have the sensors taken offline." Taking a breath Kiri looked around, she didn't want to be boring them.

Nesh closed her eyes and rested her head in her hands. Drone, drone, drone. Blah, blah, blah. Sensors, nanites. Borgs? Like Borg drones? that's a little cool! Ugh, no, sensors, blah blah blah, sterile, blah, man, she uses way more words than necessary! La de da...you know, hair dude is kinda cute...

"Regarding our current mission we will be able to carry out more detailed scans at longer ranges, faster and more accurately than would have been possible before. There will be a large amount of data to be processed while running these scans and as normal relevant information will be flagged for review as per your specialities. It will come through faster than before though, so don't be worried about asking for help if you find your work load increasing too fast." It was a good change but it might take some getting used to. "Does anybody have any questions?" Kiri managed another smile and looked around at them again, changing the display to show the ship in relation to its sensor range of various quality. There were quite a lot of coloured rings and cones extending outwards in every direction.

Athlen leaned back and focused his gaze on Kiri as she spoke, absorbing what she was saying and adding it to his notes. He had heard of this at their first meeting, and his questions had been answered for the most part. The newly increased computer functionality was what interested him. "Will these changes apply to the internal sensors as well? Or is this just the ranged scanners from the vessel?" Athlen asked curiously. That was really the only thing that he knew he would be using, in his studies of artifacts, cultural objects and documents, at least it was the only thing he had been using so far in relation to technology, and the Universal Translator, but he didn't know how the ship's systems fit into this.

"There haven't been any upgrades in the same way for internal sensors, but we have taken delivery of a new mobile sensor array that can be booked for use as required, " Kiri blinked as she thought about it, "Are there any future upgrade requests you would like to make?"

Athlen gave her a sideways look. Just like that? He frowned slightly to himself and then shrugged, crossing his feet under the table. "Well, the internal sensors might be next? That way, not only can we analyze what is outside of our ship, but we can take a more in-depth look at things we find, in the laboratories. I know that now, our sensors are considered the best, or at least very near to it." How many times had he heard of Galileo being referred to as top of the line, after all? "So, I'm not really complaining, I was just wondering."

"Okay," Kiri gave a small smile, "When we next have an opportunity we can hold a review into what upgrades are possible and desired for the lab sensors." It made sense and she had sort of overlooked then when it came to upgrading the main array, "Are there any other questions?"

Jacob smiled over at Kiri, "First of all, excellent job Lieutenant Cho, major kudos to you. Great work! Secondly, I was wondering how much efficiency and information gathering speed will these improvements add? Its exciting to know that such improvements may take us new levels of increased data processing and thereby increasing the effectiveness and outcomes of our research."

Kiri pretended to be abashed by reflex but she quite enjoyed the comments, affirming what she wanted to be so. However his question was one hard to gauge, "A greater area can be scanned at once, but actual speed and processing power is only slightly improved. For that a refit on of the ship's computing power would be required. So at a task such as scanning a planet the ship will be appropriately five percent more efficient." More accurate readings meant less rescans, longer range meant more was done on approach so overall there was improvement.

Nesh twisted her green fingers through one another. "So you just increased the range of the scan-thingie?"

It wasn't really a matter of just but, semantics, "Yes, allowing us to see further and more accurately." Her mind set for the rest of the talk hadn't been leveled at Nesh, it required a basic understanding of ship's systems. Maybe after the meeting she would offer her a selection of reading for important functions, or was Maenad going to be doing all of that?

Jacob replied, "Excellent Lieutenant. Five percent means five percent less initial pre-data sorting which leads to more time working on the actual research portion, so this is wonderful news. Thanks again Lieutenant Cho."

Looking uncertain Kiri spoke in a softer tone, "It actually creates more data sorting. There is more data and the computer will still sort it at roughly the same speed it did when there was less. But that only affects the person running and reviving the sensors, not the department. Because more data can stack up for each specialisation depending on what we find, it urge all of you to ask for help if you need it. If we find a range plant life for example, then Doctor Zimm will receive a very large amount of data to work with faster than before but physically it can't be carried out faster I'm sure." Kiri wasn't sure what else to say, looking around at them all. Did that make sense?

Athlen rose his hand. "Five percent less is 100%-5%. Five percent faster is 105%. Therefore, the efficiency rate of the scanners is increased by five. There's no decrease happening," he pointed out with a confused little shrug.

Jacob replied, "Yes it creates more data sorting up front but it also gives us more to work with and therefore increases the actual data needed to make better decisions and so it actually makes the work at the end of the research stream far more effective and efficient. So in the long run it creates more time for us to do the actual research portion with better outcomes on the whole."

Athlen stared at him. "Sotira tendar kean tor kuran atmo egin," he said to himself, shaking his head.

Whatever increases she'd made, they weren't enough to get Dale what interested him. Microorganisms. Viruses. Tiny particles. Five percent wouldn't give him anything like that. He'd need to be on the ground and do nanoscans for himself.

Glancing at her commbadge rather sceptically Kiri hoped the matter was over, it didn't seem the time to talk further on something she thought she had already explained. At the very least she could pick up on Athlen displayed emotions. Sucking on her bottom lip for a second she forced a small smile, "Are there any other questions?" An argument was the last thing she wanted.

"All right," Maenad put her hands together on the table. "Thank you, lieutenant," she indicated for Kiri to sit down. "Doctor Kramer has a presentation for us on the new probes he's been designing. Pay close attention as we'll be testing and working with them over the next few weeks." Maenad gestured to the floor. "Doctor Kramer."

"Thank you Lieutenant Panne," Kramer said as he stood and stepped up in front of the solar system displayed on the wall and faced the group. "Upon arrival into the Rojar system, the Galileo will launch 24 standard Class 5 probes. They will be preprogamed to fly out to the planets, many moons, and asteroid field and send back their data via SubSpace. We will also be deploying three specially designed sets of the probes. They will be initially sent out to Rojar II, and III."

He paused when he realized that blurting out the details of the sensors program would not be as effective as an analogy might. Kramer continued, "Let me first give you an example of how these modified probes will function." Wringing his hands for a moment, he continued, "When determining a location on a map it is best to have at least two, if not three, known points of reference. With the direction and angle from these points, the location can be triangulated in 3 dimensions." He looked to his left and across each face around the room, then continued, "Ship's sensors and probe sensors do a great job, but it has been found that when these three scanning systems work together, we receive even more clarity of detail than previously experienced."

Kramer turned to face the wall display and tapped out a few commands and brought up an animated sequence. Facing the group he said, "The Synchronized Crossreferencing Analysis Probes or S.C.A.P. program consists of 3 highly modified Class 5 probes, now classified as class 7. As I mentioned, they have been programed to work together." He touched the screen display again behind him and it showed the planetary movement. "They will fly out to the intended spacial body, go into a high orbit, each in their own orbit; polar, equatorial, and inclination. After one series of scans they will then move to a lower orbit for additional scans."

Jacob typed away on his PADD making detailed notes with possible questions to ask once scans came back.

Vincent looked across the room to see, he hoped, that all were following his explanation. He continued, "The S.C.A.P. probes work as one, scanning and cross referencing the information as they proceed. They will send the data to our vessel as they correlate it. The probes will go through a series of scans in this order; outer atmospheric belts and fields, atmospheric scan, surface scan, planetary crust, sedimentary layers, plate tectonics, and planetary core structure." The display behind him changed showing the layering as he explained. Without letting every one fly off into questions he added, "The surface scan will provide topographical mapping, water shed, and sea, as well as vegetation and animal indicators, heavy concentrations of gases will be identified, and finally any signs of civilization and or transmissions; both analogue and digital on all spectrums. This will keep us all very busy, I'm sure. Once the scans by the S.C.A.P. have been completed, which should take approximately 2.7 hours, the probes can be re-tasked to another planet or moon."

It had been a mouthful, but Vince had gotten it all out. After a breath he asked, "Questions?"

"Will these be operated by remote or are they self-guided?" Athlen asked, mostly out of curiosity than necessity.

Kramer replied, "Once the coordinates are submitted to the S.C.A.P. that is all they need to proceed to the targeted spacial body to do their programmed scans. They can be retasked at any time during the scan or to rescan an area with questionable findings."

Blah, blah, blah, Dale thought. Macro-organisms were all that anyone seemed to care about. There was more to a planet - much more - than just the plants and animals. Bacteria in the soil made life possible. Heavy concentrations of gases... sure, but what about the smaller percentages of the air that the plants and animals relied on as well?

Maenad glanced around the table to see if there were anymore questions. "Thank you, Doctor Kramer," she said when nobody else spoke up. She looked at Kiri for a moment and said "Miss Cho, I would like you to assist Kramer; I think that your sensor expertise combined with his probe schematics will compliment each other nicely." She stood, replacing Kramer in front of the wall display.

Kramer looked at the young Lt. Cho as he moved to sit down and nodded toward her acknowledging their future endevor. To Lt. Panne he said, "Thank you Lieutenant."

"There is one last thing. Starfleet has forced a press team from the FNN on us. They are not to be in the labs without my expressed permission, nor are any of you permitted to speak about our mission without authorization. They will be very nosy over the coming weeks, but I don't want us giving any information away that we perhaps shouldn't," Maenad explained. "The Federation has an economic interest in Rojar, which means our reports will influence resource barons and back-room deals. So," she sighed, "Watch your tongues."

"Until we arrive at Rojar, relax. It's going to be a busy few weeks," she gave her staff a smile. "Dismissed."

[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Maenad Panne
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Benjamin Dale, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineer
USS Galileo
(pNPC Lilou Peers)

Dr. Vincent Kramer Ph.D.,
Planetary Geologist
USS Galileo
(pNPC Theron Rhodes)

Crewman Athlen
Sociologist, SSC
USS Galileo
(PNPC Liyar)

Nesh Saalm
Scientist's Mate, CIV
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Amril
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo
played by Psylus Anon

Lt. (jg) Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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