Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade James Rowe (Scientist) in Side Sim: Easily Distracted (Deck 13 General Science Lab)
<SNIP>

Khiryn read the first PADD passively, taking in the data for what it was. As he read through the second he raised an eyebrow and looked at Row questioningly before turning back to devour the rest of the information. By the time he was mid way through the third PADD his eyebrows were furrowed as was identified too many correlations for it to be coincidence.

“I think you’re right.” He said finally. “This does appear to be something.” Khiryn shook his head… he still wasn’t convinced what it was yet, but he had the beginnings of a theory. “Given the nature of the scans, I’m guessing the sensors weren’t focused on this region, and caught this while directed somewhere else?”

Ensign Donivas tapped his glasses a few times as he thought. “Can we synch these up to see the temporal relationship between them?”

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

Rowe watched and listened attentively as Donivas worked through the data, a small smile crossed his face when Khiryn also got the impression that this was more than chasing ghosts. “Correct, these were all gathered incidentally.”

He leaned in to indicate a filter set on the data, “I went ahead and normalized for sensor drift and ruled out maintenance anomalies so the information should be clean for synchronization.” Rowe then took a step back out of the Ensign’s space to let him take the lead.

• Rowe

Khiryn sent all the the data to the large screen at the console and typed in the key sequence to synch them up. The display resolved itself quickly and the Ensign studied the results.

At first glance the data did correlate… a clear and repeating pattern. That supported the idea that something was happening… but then the Akaali Scientist took a deeper look. There were holes in the pattern… not just due to missing data… though there were plenty of gaps in the various echoes, gravimetric indications, and anomalous energy readings.

What was more concerning was the gaps that appeared even when the sensor data was present and something should have been visible. If the pattern was real, that is.

“I think that raised more questions than it answered.” Khiryn shook his head, glancing at Rowe. His tone was more excited than defeated however… he was now invested in this budding mystery. “I suppose the sensors could have just missed picking them up… the sections in question were all low resolution scans taken at long range.” He pointed at a few segments in question. “But these scans have the same approximate conditions as the ones taken a month earlier… but no anomalous indications were present the second time around.”

He looked at the display again, contemplating the bigger picture. “Do all the scans from from the Athena or do they come form other ships? If it’s different ships, equipment sensitivity could be a hidden variable.” That was a possibility but… but it also felt like a cop out. “What do we know of the system these scans come from? Are there any other environmental factors that could come into play?”

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

Rowe watched with great interest as Donivas worked and the information took shape. The pattern was unmistakable as were the gaps the Ensign had pointed out. When James spoke, his tone indicated that his mind was working through what they were seeing even as he spoke. “All data originated from Athena. Using multiple sensor packages. The readings were gathered over several months. The region is otherwise unremarkable, with no known stellar phenomena explain the pattern.”

Khiryn flagged the file’s location so he could investigate it later if he had time. He still stared at the screen, trying to glean new insights, but he started tapping his fingers against the console.

James shifted his weight from one foot to the other, “The variation in the gaps is confounding… What are our constants here? Because as far as I can tell we’re either missing out on some variables or whatever we’re looking at isn’t passive about being watched.”

Rowe

He finally stepped back as he considered Lt Rowe’s question. “We need more data.” The Akaali replied simply. “While the initial indications are compelling, if perplexing, we don’t have enough data for them to be statistically significant.”

He gestured to Rowe. “You’re more familiar with Starfleet procedures than I am… is there a way to identify all Starfleet ships that passed through this region over the last couple of years? Can we ask them to send us the relevant sensor logs?” By Khiryn’s estimation, if Athena had passed through the area a few times in the last several months, there was a good chance other ships had as well.

“Barring that… when is the next time the Athena is scheduled to pass through? Maybe we can make a case to the Chief Science Officer for a slight course diversion so we can leverage the high-resolution sensors.”

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

Rowe cracked a genuine smile when Khiryn talked about needing more data, “I’m glad you said that, because it seems like more data should always be step one… but so many people try to skirt their way around it because that requires more work.”

Rowe moved around to the other side of the station, took a seat on the stool and started typing into the console. “I’m sure there’s a general survey archive somewhere. I can’t imagine the fleet has as many ships in as many sectors as they do without a way for people to cross-reference notes. Maybe if we’re lucky, others have seen our anomaly and just not given it much attention.”

James didn’t know offhand when the Athena would pass back that direction, but said “Detours are generally less frowned upon if we can show that what we’re looking at isn’t novel to the Athena.”

As his hands moved deftly over the console Rowe said, “While I scrounge for records, are you comfortable seeing if our pattern aligns with any known anomalies?”

• Rowe

Khiryn was about to respond when his glasses gave him a notification. The Ensign was startled for a moment, then glanced over at the door to the CSO’s office. “Wow… I did not realize how long we’d been at this. I just missed my window to check in with my Department Head.” Did Lt Madison return while we were buried in the data and I didn’t even notice? Or did they get caught up in something as well? Ensign Donivas shook his head, he knew there was nothing he could do about it now.

“I’m actually running up against my check in with Counseling as well.” The Akaali let out a breath, clearly frustrated with his poor time management. “Do you mind if we take a break? If you send me the link to the data, I can compare it to other anomalies later tonight and meet up with you tomorrow.”

He flashed a sheepish grin. “After I meet with the Chief Science Officer, of course.”

OOC: I do want to continue this, but figured we’d stretch it into a longer-term deal. We can continue in this thread for our next meet up or start a new thread altogether.

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena