Posted by Gamemaster GM Kate (GMT) in Main Sim Tour of the Science Instillation

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dagen Thor (CE) in Main Sim Tour of the Science Instillation
Snip

Leading the group down into the center of the lab, Della Dharma took them to a spot that appeared to be a wall. Sticking her arm forward, it suddenly disappeared to the elbow. “Our shielding bends light to make people and objects near invisible to the naked eye.” She wiggled her fingers against it and suddenly the wall she was standing against rippled like a curtain in the wind. “The material also conceals things from infrared and ultraviolet imagers.”

That didn’t seem to be too different from the blinds and personal cloaks that those groups observing on planets that were developing. They just used material rather than energy fields by the look of it. At least on the surface, pardon the pun. Dagen touched along the line of the wall just for fun.

“We use lenticular lens in a corrugated sheet in where each ridge is made up of a convex lens. When multiple of these lenticular sheets with different lens distributions are layered in just the right way, they are able to refract light at a myriad different angles to create “dead spots”. Since light is no longer able to pass through these points the subject is hidden behind them. We use small cameras to then project the image of the background forward.”

“So these would be fitted on the surface of an object, such as your defense stations or ships. How thick are your sheets? I am guessing microfibre to be thin and an abundance of tiny cameras and lenses?” Dagen asked. “Just don’t go near it with a hammer?”

“Well they won’t survive a photon torpedo but the layering effect gives it some protection if one or two of the lenses fail.”

Motioning them forward, Della showed the back of the wall. It looked like a gray sheet. “Since it is only front reflecting it does not technically break the treaty the Federation has with the Romulans. I say technically because,” she took one end of the shielding and wrapped it arond her body. This essentially made her invisible reflecting the images back so that she was not seen. However, it would be interesting to note that anywhere it was not a perfectly smooth surface (ie: formed a line or corner) the shielding was very obvious. This might explain why most of the Beltran architecture has soft flowing lines.

GM Kate

“I gather this is a purely defensive technology,” Dagen said, noting the imperfections. “For stationary objects. You mentioned infrared and ultraviolet. Does it contain or cloak energy distribution such as ion contrail from engines, thermal, or warp signatures?” He was also thinking that a single hit would not do well for some surfaces but fry whatever was there. “Shielding is typically like a bubble around a ship, energy projected. Is this a tech where shielding cannot be employed lest it light up any sensors nearby like a light in the dark?”
- Dagen, CE

“We have no need for shielding because if you aren’t looking for something you don’t know where to look to find it.” Her answer was cryptic and circular but there was some truth in it. If something was invisible, one did not look for it.

Reia was thinking that familiarity bred contempt or complacency. These people were familiar with their situation and had grown accustomed to it, therefore she was wondering if they had become complacent of it as well. Perhaps they were contemptuous of the Federation and everything surrounding that situation as well. Best to tread lightly and carefully.

“Indeed, that is quite impressive.”

• Reia, CIO/Comms

“We,” Della stated before another Beltran dressed in the science jump suit came up interrupting her. Whatever the woman whispered to Della, the woman giving her news Della did not want to hear. Della’s face appeared to become paler and her body tensed up. “This is impossible. Have you verified this?”

‘Trouble in paradise,’ Dagen thought to himself. It couldn’t have anything to do with them. They had just arrived and a simple technical glitch in their shields would make an engineer showing it off annoyed but not afraid like that. He glanced over to Reia and lifted a brow as if to say, ‘Wonder what’s up.’

“Of course Scion Dharma,” the scientist stated.

“Than do it again,” she snapped angrily at the woman.

GM Kate

Up until the other woman had entered the room Reia had been quite content to let Dagen and Della talk science. Most of Reia’s job was observational in the first place and she considered herself pretty damn good at it. This latest interruption set her senses to a new alert status.

“Is everything all right?”

• Reia, CIO/Comms

That beat Dagen to the punch on the question. Perhaps best it come from her to soften the tone perhaps. Inwardly he shrugged. Probably something technical. Were it anything that was a threat the Genesis would be picking that up too and would be alerting them even faster. Or as fast. Idly he rubbed his nose. As an engineer if anyone came to him with something big that had gone wrong on the ship he would be tensed up too considering the implications. He then watched Dharma for the next action. The ball was in her court - would she smooth it over and say it was some malfunction in something or other, or dismiss it altogether, likely telling them it was none of their concern. Dagen did have concerns of their technology. Looking at the curtain he could see it’s simple benefits. True if one wasn’t looking for something then it was likely not going to be actively sought out, but it was frail and easily damaged and, by the sounds of it not fit for ships of the line. Specialty vessels designed for that but hardly something that could just be installed and turned on. He could be wrong; they hadn’t gone that far in any discussion yet.
- Dagen, CE

“Of course,” Della stated in a very tense tone. If she had been trying to convey calmness and control it disappeared as large metal plates began to slam down over every window in the facility. While the sound was different, klaxons rang and people started scurrying everywhere. “Unfortunately the tour is going to need to be cut short. I will have someone show you to the bunker. You will be safe there.” She bowed slightly as if serving them like an alien concierge.

GM Kate

Reia knew that absolutely nothing was all right and she would not be taking Della’s word for anything.

“No doubt you understand that we will need to be getting a hold of the rest of our companions. I’m certain you also understand that our assistance is still on the table. Please, what is going on?”

Even the Reia was a small woman, her voice was filled with authority that Della hadn’t heard before now.

Reia, CIO/Comms