Posted by Captain Arialla Bovar (Captain) in Main Bay

Posted by Gamemaster GM (GM) in Main Bay

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Alison Barr (Chief Science Officer) in Main Bay
Posted by… suppressed (12) 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

Ari listened then nodded to Baumann. “Let’s map the tunnels. But I recommend full suits for any exploration as well as tethers. Don’t want you guys owning a door and floating into space.”

She nodded to the others. “You are welcome to remain here or go back while the exploring is done. Baumann, contact the MACO and inform her of the decision. She is there already. We’re can send extra security or engineers if need be. But I don’t want too many more added till we’re sure of safety.”

After waiting to be sure everyone understood what was going to happen, she nodded to Baumann. “I need to speak to you a moment,” she said then nodded to the guests. “I’ll be back in a moment to see if anyone wants to go back. Barr, will you make sure we have the coordinates from them, please, for the places they’re aware of.”

She nodded once more and headed into the hallway.

Ari
CO

“Aye, Captain.” and the XO turned and followed her out of the bay.

The three groups seemed to stare at one another, then leaned in and, inside their own small groups, talked quietly among one another, with occasional glances at the crew that was still there.
- Wookiee

Baumann, XO

((Ooc… the following would not be overheard by anyone and would cease if someone came out into the hall))

Once in the hall, Ari let slip, for just a moment, the relief on her face at seeing Baumann back and well. Then it was gone again. “Glad you are back. So you’ve been with these folks. Do you think something as simple as a place for them to live will save lives? Or does this feud seen to go deeper?”

There seemed no point to go thru all this if they would just continue to fight.

Ari
Captain

The group continued to nibble at the food and do sporadic talking amongst themselves. Their voices did rise at one point to effectively drown out any of the outside conversation. It had to do with settlement and ‘earth’ rights.
- Wookiee

“I have no idea, Captain. But I think the need for resources, limited as they are, is the core of much of the conflict. I would advise caution when dealing with The City delegates, Captain. They are not as… open… as the ones who sent the distress call.”

Baumann, XO

Back inside Alison brought up what they had mapped so far of the interior on a screen. She zoomed into what they called ‘First City.’

“Would someone be willing to point out exactly where the entrances to the tunnels are for me?”

Ltjg Barr - CSO

Naro Kis stood. Nobody else there even made a motion to come into this. First City was Naro Kis’ territory and knew it better. He moved over to the map. Peering at his city region he appeared humbled. “You see this this clearly from here,” he remarked. From this distance it looked like a series of small glowing, dull worlds connected by long tubes, each with a chain like cable connecting it to the surface. Pointing to the ends of the chain he said, “Follow this down.” His finger made motions that what there was was below.

<when this was done>

The surface was rent and twisted, scoured of soil and water and anything else leaving a bare surface baked to look almost like wrought iron - dark, pitted but otherwise smooth. It looked like it had at one time been melted. Twisted girders stuck out, and here and there were what looked like great sheets of the base metal lifted up. In one area a deep canyon, jagged in appearance that gouged along a hundred kilometer stretch and, by scan, reached several kilometers deep in places.

“Here,” Naro Kis said, tracing his finger along that canyon. “Next to this cable and a kilometer down.”
- Naro Kis

Ari sighed. “It’s the best we can do under the circumstances then. Let’s see if anyone will volunteer to help make their life better.” She absently touched his arm as she smiled, then turned to go back into the room. “I think we’ll both need a large drink when this is over.”

She wasn’t one for great amounts of drinking, and Baumann was aware of it. The quip was her way of admitting how much this whole ordeal was affecting her.

Ari
CO
((Left room for reaction… otherwise we’re back in the room with everyone else. ))

“Thank you,” Alison said as she marked the location on the map. It was a start.

“About how deep would you say that canyon is at that point? And about how wide?” Maybe they could get a shuttlepod down the canyon, instead of having to walk all of the equipment there.

Ltjg Barr - CSO