Posted by Gamemaster Creeping Dread (Gamemaster) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives

Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Main Sim: Europa Arrives
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

SNIP the whole thing we have to torture Jody for

It was about a week and a half before the Europa dropped out of warp at the edge of the destination system. This was a system with binary white dwarfs, typically thought to be uninhabitable due to the higher levels of radiation present. A quick sensor sweep would discover that the only habitable planet was tidally locked in position on the opposite side of a gas giant. The gas giant was effectively shielding the planet from the majority of the radiation thrown off by the binary stars. In orbit of the populated planet was a very crude looking space station. Docked up to the space station were three spacecraft. One of the craft could very well have been the warp capable vessel.

GM Dread

Avik was on duty during this time. Her figure rose from her seat as she contacted the Captain, summoning him to the bridge. Patiently the XO observed the image on the viewscreen while they waited for Dvorak to arrive. It wouldn’t take long.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

Indeed it did not, for the Captain stepped out of the Ready Room a moment later. Instead of walking to his chair, he took a few steps towards the viewscreen to look at what was on there. After a moment or two, he just whistled slightly.

“These people are probably still using rockets,” he said. “You can tell based on how the whole thing is made of interconnected cylindrical parts. It’s probably the only way they could get anything into orbit. Which is even crazier than it was for humanity when you consider the additional gravitational forces being part of a crazy planetary system like this. Oh, geez, they’ve even got solar panels. I bet they still use radiators, too.” Clearly, the Captain was enjoying this mission already.

“Let’s try to avoid being detected until we know what we’re dealing with here,” he thought aloud for the crew’s benefit. Johann doubted they’d be seen unless there was an active attempt to look for them, but he didn’t want to take any chances. If it really was a pre-warp society, then they’d have several minutes before it would be even possible to be detected, and even then it would probably still be really difficult at this range.

“All stop. Are sensors picking up any subspace activity or warp signatures?”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

An ensign at the science station ran a scan that wouldn’t be detectable. With surprise they responded to the Captain, “Nothing in subspace sir, but picking up warp signatures. There seem to have been several intrasystem trips that all lead back to that space station in orbit. I’m not picking up anything else that might suggest a foreign ship has been here, well except for us.”

GM Dread

Mattie listened as the things unfolded, she wondered why they would all be coming back to this space station “Is the station Federation based or not?” She asked looking up at the station looking for some sort of markings that might indicate who owned it or who it was affiliated with.

CE

Avik listened to the Captain’s comment on the archaic designs of the station. Though he seemed amused and enjoying the image, she resisted pointing out a critical fact. Once long ago, humans used the same exact things. The same crude designs and primitive technology that shaped their own world. So she failed to see the appeal.

At the Ensign’s information, her head turned and her lips tightened. She didn’t like the sound of it, but she didn’t jump into explaining it with half-supported theories.

Their CE spoke up, the XO’s attention switched to the woman. “Based on the design and crude materials, I theorize no. According to the reports, they have rudimentary spaceflight capabilities. Last I checked, the current design and materials don’t meet Federation requirements. Any station not created by the civilization would be breaching the prime directive protocols. “

She twisted about and walked to her chair, tapping a few buttons to double-check her facts and preparing to include any recent changes. In conflict with most being’s beliefs, Vulcans didn’t know everything. In rare cases, fact-checking was needed.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

“Right, so they’ve probably just figured warp drive out,” the Captain said somewhat cautiously as he gave Sullivan the side-eye. “Which is why we’re here, right? To make first contact with these clearly not-Federation people. This station must be where they’re launching all of their test flights from.”

“Let’s see what else we can find out about these people before we introduce ourselves. Can we pick up any sort of broadcasts or other signals from their world? If their spaceflight is this advanced they must have some sort of mass media.”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

Before the scan could be done or information relayed a change happened. “Sir one of the ships have undocked from the station and is pulling away from it.” The ensign at tactical reported.

GM Dread

At Dvorak’s statement, Avik turned to him. She hoped he was trying to keep her on her toes rather than test her patience.

“I feel I must point out a fact. They can have space flight capabilities, but not advanced to warp ones. Our main job is to determine if the warp signatures are in fact because of their technological advancements or someone else breaking the protocols. Then deal with the situation accordingly.”

Her eyes spotted the image on the viewscreen.

“I think one of the ways to determine if they have warp capabilities is to observe that ship. If we can also scan it without alerting the natives, it might have evidence on it.” It was a light suggestion from the top of her head, but a sound one in her eyes. She hoped the Captain would see that or someone would come up with better suggestions.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr