Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief Tactical/Lead RTF Officer) in Anomaly Observation

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Adam Magnusson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Anomaly Observation

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief Tactical/Lead RTF Officer) in Anomaly Observation
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The report was sent out to all relevant crew as the Leviathan made her way to the Dendra System

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NAME - The Face
TYPE - Einstein
CONDITION - Green

PERSONNEL CLEARANCE - Alpha-02

CONTAINMENT - Containment protocol to be determined after further observation and experiments.

DESCRIPTION - The Face was first observed on star date [], appearing on the third moon of gas giant Dendra II. At first it appeared to be a standard geological feature, its resemblance to a face assumed to be the result of pareidolia.

However, measurements taken of the moon’s surface showed no distinct geological structures in the expected areas that would explain the appearance of The Face. It also fails to appear on photographs or recordings of the moon’s surface. It is only visible when observing the moon directly.

When researchers began to attempt to describe the appearance of The Face, they could not agree on its exact appearance. They all report that The Face does not change in appearance, yet all describe differently from one another. Many report it as appearing to have the facial features of their own species.

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Skogheim took center chair in the CIC. Her expression calm as she observed the crew. Occasionally she would type something onto her PaDD. She was a quiet yet commanding presence, only occasionally breaking silence with clear and direct orders.

Soon, Dendra II was in view, a gas giant. Banded with clouds of hazy purples and cool reds.

From some viewports on the ship you could see it. The moon, an icy methane blue. Splotches of dark blues and whites created a convincing illusion of a face. No two people saw it the exact same way. But it was undeniably there.

“Synchronize our orbit around Dendra II with that of the moon,” she directed,

“Keep a distance of 100,000 km between us and edge of the moon’s gravity well.”

Now is when the real test would begin.

|Lt. Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

*Bumping *

Bethany stood at the tactical station, watching her sensor readings for any offensive or defensive weapon signals or other ships/crafts/probes/etc that might be in the area.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

While there were no weapons signals, sensors did pick up a faint power signature. Not coming from the moon, but seemingly in orbit with them around the planet.

“Lieutenant Gadi,” Skogheim directed, “Lay in a course for a standard science probe, Mark 211.0. Launch when ready.”

Even for a task as simple as this, the Commander was no doubt scrutinizing her performance.

|Lt. Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Adam had moved to his usual duty station on the CIC near the back, where he was accessing the sensor information available as well as reareading the limited information they’d been given.

CIO

Ash leaned forward on the Security Conosle, her hands eagerly hovering over the tactical controls.

-Lieutenant Ashara Mavix: Chief of Security-

That strange little energy source continued at the same steady rate in orbit. That was until the probe was launched.

That little blip on the radar sped up. It changed to an intercept course. Nothing was visible on the view screen and yet something was out there.

200 km from its target, the probe disappeared in a flash of light. Right as this mystery object intercepted its path. All connection was lost. And not a speck of debris were left in its place.

Skogheim tilted her brow. She had only the view screen visual to go off of.

“Interesting,” she remarked. She glanced toward the other officers at Ops and Tactical,

“What do you make of it?”

|Lt. Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Bethany searched her scans for any kind of energy signature. “Transporter of some sort, or a cloaking shield perhaps.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Whilst he others did their jobs checking out sensor input, Adam checked whatever visual records they add as they came in.

CIO

The visual records were not much help. At normal playback speed, it appeared as Gadi said, transported or entering a cloaking field.

After the disappearance of the probe, the source of the energy signature remained in its position between the ship and the moon. There was an unusual quiet. Different from confident silence routine that was there before.

Another flash emanated from that mysterious point. This time, it was mobile. A ball of energy rushed the ship with the speed of a torpedo. But before Skogheim could react, it dissipated harmlessly through the shields.

Gadi may have sensed something amiss. As if the thoughts of the entire ship all at once shifted in a single direction. A force much more powerful than a single thought. Much less clear.

“Bring us in closer to the moon,” Skogheim ordered,

“If we cannot send a probe, we need to get closer to complete our scans.”

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

“Sure thing, Commander, adjusting flight path.” Lt. Wilde responded.

In a few strokes on the nav console she entered the information for a closer approach.

|Lt., j.g. Wilde, Ops/Helm Officer|

“Bring us closer,” Skogheim repeated, mumbling in a half awake daze.

“Lower main deflectors, they will be arriving soon…”

The energy signature resumed its movement, this time aligning itself parallel to the ship’s movements.

A vessel decloaked off the port side of the ship. A ship of unknown origin or design. About 150 meters in length, five decks tall. It was rounded and slightly bulbous, with two saucer-like structures positioned behind and either side of the central body. There was also the pair of sharp upturned structures on the front, resembling a pair of tusks.

Their intentions were yet to be determined…

[OOC: a small ‘commercial break’ to allow for any more comments before we continue. The next section will be up Friday :) ]

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Gadi glanced at Magnusson. He heard that hypnotized monotone in the Culcan voice, right? He heard it to? That wasn’t normal even under meditation. “I’m sorry, Commander, it is reckless and dangerous to turn off our deflector shields. It is what keeps small debris from ripping our hull apart. If you meant the shields that goes against RTF police when confronting an unknown anomaly.” Her sensors lit up with the ship. “Ship decloaking.” Nope, not lowering shields.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Adam took a step forward with a nod “Aye, belay that, scan that Vessel Lieutenant” He said firmly to Gadi as he walked sideways around the CIC, circling the first officer “Commander Skogheim, are you alright ?” He called out, his hand behind him gave the hand signal for Medical to whichever officer stood behind him.

CIO

“Aye, Sir.” Bethany tapped at her console running a complete scan of the vessel that had appeared. It was a simple matter of pressing a single key on her console to alert both Primary and Secondary sickbay that they were needed immediately on the bridge for an unknown situation and to proceed with caution.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

There were approximately 150 individual life signs aboard the ship. They read as insectiod. No recognizable weapons systems were armed. But there was an energy field concentrated between the two point protruding from the ship. It was advanced, capable of containing and directing an amount of energy beyond what the ship itself could produce.

Skogheim turned aside to Commander Magnusson. Eyes fluttering as she had difficulty pinning his exactly location in space. Sweat began forming on her brow.

“Open hailing frequencies between us and the ship.” she ordered, voice cracking back into its usual cadence,

“Afterwards I will explain.”

Communications glanced between Adam and Bethany, then back to Vivian. Before cautiously obliging.

Through the open channel came a cacophony of buzzes and chirps. Skogheim blinked, almost a flinch. Through it all a high pitched, mechanical sounding voice penetrated,

“I was certain you had received our previous message, Commander.”

The buzzing increased. Skogheim closed her eyes and gripped the sides of her chair. Beads of sweat continued condensing on her forehead. It was more than a physiological effect. It was in her very mind.

“I must properly inform my crew of your demands.” she declared, amidst heavier breaths.

“This is not a matter of discussion, Commander. I have revealed to you what will happen otherwise.”

“We have protocols that must be followed,” she replied. Fighting for each syllable, exhausting every breath with each word,

“The arrangements must be made in accordance with our own regulations. I am obligated to inform my crew.”

There was a pause. The buzzing became quieter, a soft drone in the background of the transmission.

“Very well, you may have time equivalent to 10 minutes to complete your arrangements.”

“Channel closed, Ma’am.” reported communications.

Skogheim exhaled.

“Commander Magnusson, Lieutenant Gadi…” she addressed them, her normal tone returning,

“The facts are, as of now, we have ten minutes to determine what portions of the ship and which crew are the least necessary for our continued operations.”

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|