[snip]

V’alura swore like a sailor when the ship shuddered. “Okay. Here’s what we’ll do. We determine if the blobs can understand the data we give them or if they are simply mimicking it like a reflection in the mirror.” V’alura suddenly dashed off to the other side of the lab, then returned with data chip and a small energy source. It was a little battery intended for powering equipment for experiments without having a direct connection to the ship’s power. V’alura brought the battery to a replicator then had the computer create a box around it and a somewhat complex locking system. “The blob should be able to sense the energy within this battery but it won’t be able to access it because of the lock.”

She grinned as she brought the newly locked up battery over and turned so that her back was to the blob. “Computer, begin video recording of me.” V’alura pressed a specific sequence into the four buttons at the top of the lock box. “Computer, end recording. Now add that recording onto this data chip.” V’alura set both the locked battery and her data chip onto the table. “Next, we transport both inside of the blob’s containment. If this experiment succeeds then we’ll do the same again except in the second experiment there will be only text instructions describing the buttons and the sequence.”

Lt JG Belmont, CSO

The computer beeped its compliance with the setup and recording, and soon the data chip and the locked battery were inside the blob’s containment area. The blob’s first reaction seemed almost confused like, it clearly sensed probably the energy of the transport, and the shift in its surroundings of things arriving near it. In turn it probably also sensed the locked up battery.

The blob seemed to extend two separate tentacles into the air near where the residual transporter field had been, then lowered them each to the chip and then battery box. The second limb around the battery box engulfed it suddenly but from scans it was not yet able to get into the battery. The first limb seemed to almost ‘feel/sniff’ out the isolinear chip, before it too was engulfed. This time the reaction was different, the chip was shown to light up from internal energy from the blob, which powered the chip, some kind of transference was picked up which could indicate data being sent from and/or too the chip. After this brief 2 second transfer the blob then seemed to turn it’s first appendage acidic and ‘ate’ the chip dissolving it in another three point two seconds. The second appendage meanwhile seemed to then poke and prod the box given the box was made of higher resistant material then the chip its attempt to dissolve the box simply to get to the energy battery met with some failure given enough time it could probably have just ate through the box, but the addition of the chip and as it soon revealed data absorbed, showed smaller tendrils within the second appendage work the box as Belmont had a bit before, the box soon clicked open and the battery was soon engulfed and also dissolved and absorbed, in turn the box too was then broken up bit by bit.

The result was quickly obvious, the blob which up till recently had been about the size of a small tennis ball, grew to about the size of a small grapefruit. The other result was the blob was far more energetic, several tendrils lashed out to the containment field, and this time minute drops in the fields integrity could be seen, but the computer soon compensated to ensure its safety.

But they had also found something interesting, the material, and energy it absorbed reflected growth. By using this ratio they could see that for a single blob to grow at this rate and based on the amount of material could be used to extrapolate how the organism or others like it would grow. In short the more material whether organic or technological it absorbed, coupled with the energy output of either material made it grow and expand its capabilities. As they could see now the blob was pretty much back to its original energetic self from the Synthesis, and it was only by their more advanced tech that it was not yet able to phase through the field. The blob also showed signs of greater activity that could be interpreted as higher ‘brain’ functionality.

GM CockRoach

“Well, the goods news is it can probably understand enough for us to be able to communicate with it.” Doctor Stacey stated as he eyed the blob with curiosity, “Though I don’t suggest we feed it.” Gavin laughed, trying to make light of their situation. The Doctor did his best to ignore the space battle that was continuing outside their ship. “I wonder if it can initiate a conversation with us, while it’s within the containment?”

Doctor Stacey Medical

As they were again debating on how to proceed a more series impact struck the ship from outside jostling everyone about on their feet, a few of the consoles flickered then stabilized. There was then a series of return fire from the Ark Angel to their enemies felt. Followed by another jostle as if in the result of some explosion.

GM CockRoach