Posted by Commander Wulf Baumann (XO) in Main Bay

Posted by Captain Arialla Bovar (Captain) in Main Bay

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Alison Barr (Chief Science Officer) in Main Bay
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

Bane, the transparent visage of the captain, said, “What of the tunnels under the skin of the Sphere?”

Naro Kis, trying to keep up a proud stance even slipped at that question. “None has ever returned from there.”
Wookiee

Alison looked over at Bane. Tunnels.... He must be referring to the corridors and living areas inside of the sphere. At some point they must have been inhabited. Hopefully he didn’t actually mean tunnels.

But either which way, she made a note to check, because she couldn’t remember seeing much about the tunnels on the sensors.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

As Alison waited to hear more from their guests, she made her way over to the refreshments table, and grabbed a glass of water. She was hoping that they could get some good information on the Sphere. Maybe they could figure out a way to make it last, at least long enough to relocate everyone.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

Ari raised her eyebrows. “Tunnels? This is the first we have heard of them. You say none have returned. Is it because of instability or some other reason?” It occurred to her that if they could get the inhabitants inside the skin of the sphere, they would be safe for generations to come.

“We have… tools… that could be helpful in acquiring access to the inner hulls.” She glanced around the tables at the delegates. “If there were a way to get you all inside the safety of the sphere itself, versus on its inert skin, would you be willing to discuss a peace amongst you?”

She knew many old Earth wars stemmed from a need for survival and dominance. If she could eliminate one or both of those needs, peace might actually occur much faster. People who didn’t need to fight for their life, rarely fought others for that reason.

Ari
CO

Bane replied, “Nothing secret Captain. Utility tunnels. Transportation webs. Waste disposal. I suppose too they would be sufficient to lead to the skin of the Sphere and certain control rooms.” The shadowy figure mimicking that of Ari seemed to shrug. “I am not speaking from experience, simply from .. enlightened conjecture. The skin of that Sphere is hundreds of meters thick. There must be something there like that.”

Naro Kis reiterated, “None have returned that have gone. We are aware of these tunnels. Or some.” He paused as though to frown. “One. We sent some down seeking .. earth. Three times. None returned.”

Bane continued, “Structurally the Sphere would hold for a long time. Long enough to consider other alternatives. If the tunnels could be made safe it would give everyone breathing room. Generations even.”

Dal asked, “You mean that if we live there we will not need the repulsor machines? Then there would be no feud. No battle?”
Wookiee

“We just need to find out why they never came out of the tunnels,” Alison said under her breath. Walking into a freaky situation where people have never came back from, that just sounded like something bad waiting to happen.

“Would you be able to point us to one of the tunnels you do know of,” she asked speaking up.

Ltjg Barr - CSO

Naro Kis replied here. “First City was founded over a patch of surface that had earth mines. Areas where the soil had not been scrubbed away by the Great Eye. On the edge of this patch under the city is a … tear. A … rupture. There you will see the tunnels that we know.”

Ari smiled and nodded at Dal, “Yes, if everyone was made safe, inside the shell itself, it could be the end of the fighting.

Dal glanced toward Naro Kis and there seemed a fleeting moment of suspicion, but then he turned back and it was gone.

She listened to Bane and Naro, then glanced at the others. “Would you all be willing to consider the shell’s interior? If this could be a possible peace maker, the Bonnie crew would be willing to help investigate and assist with living locations.”

Naro Kis was quick to reply. “Yes. Thee is no alternative. If we can live there.”
Dal looked at Tosc, the representative from the City beyond the Beams. “There are tunnels near us as well,” Tosc said. “If needs be there is room for all without meeting. Dal clans can join us.”
“If they do not choose to dwell with us,” Naro Kis quickly added before …

She furrowed her brows slightly and continued, “But I would like it made clear, if this will solve nothing, we’re happy to help with a few comfort and safety things, but we’re won’t help with offensive or defensive needs if you all wish to continue the war. This isn’t a war vessel and and I certainly don’t feel my superiors would appreciate me assisting any culture in fighting battles.”

Helping a species survive, was one thing. But helping them fight a needless war was another. And Ari wouldn’t budge on that aspect. She glanced at get crew to be sure they understood and were on the same page.

Ari
CO

They all looked back at Ari, noticeably pondering what was said.

Baumann thought as the others spoke and then said “Captain. Perhaps we could fill the tunnels with an inert gas that our scanners could track, That would allow us to map out the tunnels before hand, and see where the best options for exploration are.”

Baumann, XO

Naro Kis replied, “The tunnels we have tried have been exposed to space. Transmission of one expedition before it went silent said they had found a chamber air tight. Then it went silent.”
- Wookiee