Posted by Gamemaster CockRoach (GM) in Main Sim - Colonial Communications Contact - Bridge
[snip]

Kovan sat at the communication’s station, studying his console screen while listening to his ear piece. Without having to look, Kovan knew Rand had entered the room. Andorians didn’t have super hearing, but they possessed keen hearing. After sharing a ship with the same people for so long, Kovan began to recognize the sounds of footsteps, and many other quiet sounds that were unique to each individual. As Rand approached him he turned and gave her his full attention as she relayed his orders. “I’ll get it done,” He said, but paused as he noted the way Rand paused to check their surroundings.

Orion pirates. Those two words made Kovan tense up, fingers tight over the buttons of his console. He deliberately took even breaths, and gave Rand a stiff nod before quickly turning back to his console and begin set-up for the three communiques. It took Kovan several moments of pretending to work before he felt calm enough to do his job. Orion pirates were clever and conniving, but not technologically advanced. It was possible to establish communications with each of the three colonies while leaving any unwanted listeners out of the conversation.

Kovan went through his three communiques to each colony. Listing the Sentinel’s name, designation and purpose along with instructions for each communication sent in return. The communiques were sent out at frequency four-eight with a one-stage encryption interrupted by random bursts of static sent as a separate communication on the same frequency at a higher bandwidth. Modern ships and the three colony communications equipment could easily filter out the static, and translate the encryption. Unless the pirates were flying in up-to-date Starfleet ships, their systems would hear intense static over top barely-heard nonsense.

Ensign ch’Sirhc, COMMO/ENGR

Shirley looked back at the communications station from her chair, “Ensign ch’Sirhc, were you able to successfully send the communications out to the colonies?”

• Captain Shirley Rogers

Messages had indeed been sent out, but any reply would take a bit to get back to them for confirmation through the subspace relays.

GM CockRoach

Kovan turned in his chair to answer the captain, “Communications are sent. We’re now awaiting for them to arrive and for the colonies to answer.” It was a waiting game now. Kovan hoped the communication teams back on the colonies followed his instructions for reply messages. As miraculous as subspace communiques were, they were exceedingly vulnerable. They weren’t bottles with a message cast out into sea awaiting the current and waves to carry it off. Subspace messages were more like a shout echoing through a cave system.

Ensign ch’Sirhc COMMO/ENGR

OOC: Posting here tomorrow

GM CockRoach

Marcus Anders never wanted to use the Sentinel’s weapon systems on a mission like this one unless he had to. He knew the ship was powerful enough to take on all comers, but was also aware that anyone in Starfleet must always operate on a diplomacy first policy. To that end, the Security Chief watched on as the Bridge crew waited for further communication from the Orions, with a steady hand on the phaser controls.

-Lieutenant Junior Grade Marcus Anders: Chief of Security-