Chapter Eight: Shakedown (Part VI)

((Continue with the story from the end of Part V here))

Moving steadily about his office, Rogers poured over the myriad PADD’s strewn about his desk and shelves. The first launching of the modified probes had gone off without a hitch thankfully, and David gave full credit to the science department. Their modification’s had successfully survived the pairing, and the separation of the first probe’s had gone according to projections.

Telemetry had been pouring in from the advance probe, now hovering one hundred and forty five light years out from the Phoenix and almost eight light years inside the Eridan belt sector. Jumping from probe to probe back to the Phoenix, the subspace signal had only lost point zero seven percent in degradation. Practically the full two hundred and thirty megawatt signal came through. Only the embedded nanoprobes designed by CSO Decatur could account for the powerful signal return.

There was the standard pallet of sensors on the advance probe of full electro-magnetic/Sub-space and interstellar chemistry sensors. Then there were also enhanced long-range particle and field detectors. A full spectrum imaging system. Stellar field/particle detectors. Stellar atmospheric analyzers. Passive data-gathering and recording systems. It was a cornucopia of analytic sensor pallets jammed into a class nine probe.

David sat back and thought about how to correlate the influx of data. The Eridan belt had only been sparsely explored, and the current kilo-quads of data would probably keep a full astrophysical science team busy for a year. Between the engineering and science departments aboard the Phoenix, they had hours.

*             *             *

After days of preliminary analysis of the data received from the first sets of telemetry indicated nothing remarkable, Syntron ordered the probes to be relocated to other regions deeper within this mostly unexplored sector of space. This procedure would certainly be testing the storage capacity of their research apparatus throughout this process, but this too was part of the reason for their being out here.

The time required to have all of the probes repositioned proportionately would coincide with the slower velocity at which the USS Phoenix would travel to its next set of coordinates. So far this had been the calmest and most productive aspect of this journey since the initial launch from inside the spacedocks of the fleet starbase. As the sets of probes later arrived to their new coordinates, the Phoenix smoothly glided into its new position.

Syntron turned to his science chief.

"Lieutenant Decatur, commence with the next round of regional analysis."

The Vulcan looked onto the main viewscreen at the vista of stars and other celestial phenomena knowing that the probes themselves were too small and out of range to be seen; as was their process of invisible sensor gathering.  Yet there was a curious enticement that seemed to draw his attention toward the cosmic vastness out among stars and such as this process was about to begin again. It was not logical, but it was present nevertheless.

((responses and interactions from/with our CSO?))

Telemetry data recorded and analyzed, Rogers turned from the engineering console and walked forward to the center of the bridge. Taking liberty of the empty seat to the right of Captain Syntron, David sat and handed a PADD containing the synopsis of the new co-ordinate configuration to the stoic Vulcan, while addressing his superior matter-of-factly.

“Sir, the new positioning has been attained and the signal routing established. New data will be forthcoming within the hour.”

"Acknowledged Commander" the captain responded as he closely examined the data presented by his chief engineer.   

Glancing at the main viewer where Syntron had been looking before David arrived; Rogers studied the galactic vista displayed before them. Myriad stars and nebulae floated before the stationary Phoenix; Laid out as if for their own pleasure. Which in a way it was. This was the reason the Federation explored. To seek out new sights. New vistas like this to discover and search.

During his youth, David had witnessed many sights similar to this. His step-father’s cruiser had traveled extensively in the alpha and beta quadrants, and even to the gamma; This particular sight was not unique in Rogers’ experience; just a new twist on an old theme. David turned his thoughts  away from that particular D’kora class ship and its fate and spoke to the captain again.

Detailed data on the first search is also on the PADD sir but suffice to say that, from the initial positioning almost 3 parsecs within the sector, it is to be expected. Metaphasic particle traces and tetryon radiation spikes. From the slight traces, I would say the concentrations are nothing we cannot avoid. The new positions taken up deeper in will clarify the density of these findings captain. For clarification, the outermost probe is now eighteen light years deeper into the sector and the relays are now one within the sector and one just outside.”

Pausing momentarily, David gathered his thoughts a bit and continued on a new topic.

“If I may ask sir; How long will we wait here?”

With a slightly raised eyebrow the Vulcan responded as his gaze remained focused on distant images displayed on the main viewscreen.

"It is a difficult question to answer precisely when what it is that we are waiting for is unknown."

Seeing the somewhat bewildered expression cast over the face of engineer, the captain initially added to the confusion.  

"Have you ever participated in an old Earth custom known as fishing Commander?"

Before the engineer could respond, Syntron continued with his thought.

"For numerous reasons, I have not experienced this particular activity myself. It was suggested centuries ago that many humans participated in fishing all of their lives without knowing that it was not fish they were after, but perhaps a sense of solitude and a communion with nature.  Others suggested that for some humans, it was merely part of an age-old need of pursuing and catching; a thrill that lies in the challenge itself; such as stalking an elusive prey. From other sources I have read, it was contended that there was a sense of freedom associated with spending a day afield casting for trout on a cool mountain stream or bobber fishing on a pond to help to release these humans from their highly stressful, everyday environment; claiming that nothing brought on a sense of being alive and helped to rebuild their personal reserves like a day spent interacting with nature."

The captain turned to stoically face his chief engineer.

"I know nothing of the rationale or emotional benefits for this type of hunting ritual Commander Rogers... but I did come to understand that the activity involved a degree of patience coupled with the realization that in most cases that this procedure often did not yield immediate results."

Looking back toward the viewscreen the Vulcan captain continued.

"We are also on a similar expedition. As a science vessel, we cast our line out here in space; though with probes and sensors... not knowing when we will get... I believe the term used was a nibble, nor if this occurs, what we will find. However, when we have exhausted the region through our searching process with no significant results yielded, we will pack our gear and move on to another spot within this sector."

Refocusing back on the original interrogative, Syntron then speculated more seriously "The amount of time this will take during this particular round however could be estimated based on rate at which the data we are receiving is captured and preliminarily analyzed."

Glancing back to the chief engineer, Syntron added with a sly smirk "Nevertheless, from what I have unofficially extrapolated Commander, many aboard this vessel prefer the peace and quiet of being out here in space... exploring and analyzing data as we are currently involved in, rather than contending with battles and confrontations associated with other aspects within the Federation. But you are welcome to help them speed up this process in any way that you are able, and then assist as we prepare to move to our next set of coordinates."

“Sorry Captain, I should have been more precise. What I meant was, how long will we wait here for the rendezvous. Is not the shuttle we’re supposed to meet late?”

With a bit of a surprised reaction, the Vulcan captain immediately realized that he totally misunderstood his chief engineer's inquiry.

"Acknowledged  Commander" Syntron replied somewhat sheepishly as he returned the chief engineer's PADD and then turned toward his chief operations's officer.

"Lieutenant B'Zinga Decatur, contact that shuttle that we were suppose to rendezvous with sixteen point three minutes ago and see if you can determine their current status and location."

It wasn't that the captain was in any hurry to have a civilian reporter noseying around their ship, but he also did not want to be expending additional time or effort searching for a missing shuttle out in this mostly uncharted region. 

((tag to COO and CSO... STILL))  

((responding as the COO... for now 12-04-13 JT))

"Understood Sir" the Klingon officer responded as she set her attention on the order given.

Moments later she turned to address the captain once again.

"Sir, the shuttle is not responding to our hails... and they were scheduled to rendezvous with us in the now twenty minutes ago. I checked the sensors as well and the shuttle itself is not even registering."

"Curious" the Vulcan captain replied as he leaned back slowly in the center seat. A number of explanations and scenarios immediately began to form in his head as he contemplated the possibilities of what could have caused this shuttle to not meet them at their appointed time and coordinates.

"Send a message to Rear Admiral Vega and apprise her of this situation Lieutenant."

Another fly in the ointment Syntron thought to himself as the message was being conveyed to Starfleet.

 *             *             *

((with no word still from the CSO (IC or OOC) either, I'll continue to push the story forward assuming that role for now as well. JT)) 12-10-13

As the data began streaming in from the repositioned probes, it was primitively analyzed and catalogued as it arrived. The nanoprobes installed by the new chief science officer were allowing this astronomical task to be accomplished not only more efficiently, but yielding a greater detailed scrutiny of the results received than was normally capable by initial standards.

During the first hours of analysis from these new regional positions, nothing remarkable was detected by the probes. Nevertheless, the data gathered would be vital to Starfleet in compiling a detailed catalog of this mostly uncharted area.

Abruptly, an indicator triggered on the science station console. The trill CSO turned immediately in response and began to investigate while the remainder of the bridge crew carried out their duties unaware of this event. As she delved further into her analysis, a curious look began to form on the expression of the diminutive trill science officer.

Stephanie Decatur checked, rechecked, cross-referenced and did literally everything she could think of to confirm what her sensors were indicating before turning and addressing her captain.  Even though she was slowly adapting to her new position of authority as CSO, Decatur did not relish moments like this that put her on the spot; especially in front of the bridge crew and her commanding officer.

After taking several deep breaths and mentally preparing herself as best as she could, she spoke up.

"Captain,  apparently one of our probes indicate that it has encountered some sort of unidentified planetary-like body within a distant region of predominately barren space."

As a subconscious reaction to this announcement, the brow of the Vulcan began to immediately elevate.

"Intriguing Lieutenant." Syntron responded coolly. "Can you enlighten us with perhaps additional details on this... discovery?"

Facing back toward her console, the trill worked frantically again trying to get more substantial information, but yielding no additional results.

With barely concealed frustration, Decatur blurted "I've been trying, Sir... but for some reason, I cannot obtain any refined details on this... whatever it is."

The CSO continued changing frequency bands and spectral analysis until something subtle began to emerge.

"Sir!" she blurted out again. "There is also some type of apparent artificial energy signal pulsing very faintly from this object. Perhaps this is what actually triggered the probe's primary reaction." This announcement caught the attention of the entire bridge crew.

Syntron then stood up and headed over to the science station as he began to examine these results. Even though he was now the captain of this vessel, the science specialist still lurking within him apparently could not resist investigating this revelation.

The results were undeniable: something was out there.

Inquiring to the CSO besides him, "What is the distance to this object from our current position Lieutenant?"

After plunging into a quick analysis, the trill responded  "At maximum warp, it would take approximately 16.5 days to reach this object from our current position."

Syntron turned immediately back toward his chief operations officer, the Klingon Decatur and inquired "Any information on the whereabouts of this shuttle Lieutenant?"

Dejected, she responded simply "No Sir. Still nothing on our sensors and no communications from either the shuttle or Starfleet."

This was not the answer I wanted to hear Syntron contemplated as he worked his way back to the center seat. He needed to take off the figurative hat of the science investigator and replace it once again with that of the ship's commanding officer. As he sat down and weighed his options for a few moments, he addressed the CSO once again.

"Lieutenant Decatur, reposition two of the other probes closet to the one detecting this signal and have them all move cautiously toward this object. Continue collecting any additional information as they progress."

"Understood Sir" the trill responded as she began the first steps toward complying with this order.

*             *             *

As investigations continued on multiple fronts over the course of the next few hours, the crew of the USS Phoenix were indeed caught in a quandary. They now had something tangible to immediately investigate over two weeks distance away, yet they were trapped in their current position awaiting the arrival of a still missing Federation shuttle. They could not move forward nor back, yet needed to possibly do both.

Syntron stood from the center seat and announced to the entire bridge crew "I will be in the Ready Room. Inform me immediately of any new developments." He then turned back and walked back into his bridge office. He needed the solitude of this room to contemplate what his next decisions would be.

*             *             *