Posted by Gamemaster CockRoach (Gamemaster) in Main sim - Bridge 3 Days Later - Arrival To Unity System
[snip]

With more power to sensors the resolution gains were a bit better to resolve from their current distance for short range scans. The reports soon came in. Geological scans showed nothing too unusual on Unity itself where the colony was, leastwise near the northern central continent area where the main colony settlement was and elsewhere where outlying cities were. Spectrum analysis for energy or anything unusual in the system or else on Unity itself came up empty as well. Biological scans for Unity showed life signs were confirmed both native plant and animal life, and were picking up roughly 700-800 some thousand human life signs scattered across the planet in the records that showed their city/larger town locations. However, their health and status etc could not be resolved cleanly beyond this. Stellar weather showed clear of any solar storms, or ion storms etc, and lastly no signs of alien technology was picked up. Communication’s analysis both in the system and on the planet of Unity though were the only oddity stand out was picking up the various automated drone and mining systems around the system sending pings for service, mineral pick ups, and the like, but based on the record logs no responses had come from Unity to them in almost 6-7 months of time. Conversely local communications within orbit of Unity by automated satellites or subspace links showed a backlog of almost that same time of unread messages pending to come in but only a handful from just before that time period waiting to go out. Presently beyond this there was no active comms traffic of any sort.

When the results had been analyzed Cross turned to the Glen ‘’It seems there is nothing alarming here Captain except their communication system ‘’ she heaved a sigh of relief........maybe a bit too soon to do so.

“I’m not sure about making that assumption,” Glen replied. “There are 600-700 people down there still, but we don’t know anything about their state of health, and they have made no communications in or out for the last 6-7 months. Even if some despot had taken over and banned outside communication, I’m sure that a few would still have escaped, and if it were a technical problem, then why didn’t it affect the automated mining drones. No… there is definitely something else going on here.”

‘’But Captain the Commodore had said the colony got divided and some left wanting nothing to do with the Federation, if so would it not make sense that they severed all communications ? What concerns me the most is that there may be those who are being forced to live under an authoritarian regime enforcing strict obedience ‘’ Cross replied.

Glen replied, “Let’s wait and see, but the severing of communications with the autonomous mining drones will lead them to run out of resources for building and industry, and they will no longer be able to trade off-world, tanking their already meagre economy. That may be an ideological policy that they aspire towards. Maybe they do want to take their community back to rural feudalism. If so, then we will not be interfering. Your concern is noted, but we will observe only, and then leave. We offer them the trinkets we have brought, but I doubt they will take anything more.”

‘’I suppose ‘’ Cross mumbled then in a more raised voice she went on ‘’Captain if a team shall go down there , they’ll go down in protective gear for I don’t want history repeating it self’‘.

“I’d rather not go down at all if we don’t need to,” Glen said, “I don’t see any scenario in which we are welcome there. However, we have our orders and I will carry them out as best as I am able.”

She started walking towards the lift ‘’I’m heading to sickbay Captain as you have no need for me here’’ then the CMO thought he must have given a sigh of relief and smiled inwardly.

Turning to face him Cross shrugged her shoulders ‘’ All the years that I have known you , the well being of your crew has always been paramount Captain and I never doubted your decisions’‘.

=/\=Lt Mullins to Bridge. Did the increase of power help with the sensors? Also, the probes are ready and I have not seen them being sent out yet. Is there an issue with them/=/\= Max then continued to monitor the sensor power to verify it was continued to be what he increased it to and not cause any problems. While doing this, he waited to hear back from the bridge to report what they had seen with the additional power.

=/\= Not a problem Lt., the increased power to the sensors worked and we’ve just been analyzing the readings that came back under that better resolution. =/\= Glen continued to fill Lt. Mullins in on the new results.

“Launch two probes please. One to make a low but concealed fly-past of the planet surface. The second to inspect the condition and activity of the autonomous mining drones, please,” Glen told Lt. Malone.

Lance listened to the request for two probes, and he quickly programmed the requested activity it. He also added for the probe that was to make the fly past pick up on simple surface communications. “Probes away captain” he said as he sent the probes down to the planet keeping an eye on their readouts.

“It seems strange that people aren’t venturing out, I mean even if was an enslaved population you would expect the resident over lords to be sending people out to pick up the minerals and other ore.” Maybe his odd reading habits were clouding his minds with regards to how people behaved.

“Or perhaps the people are scared to leave and maybe in some self imposed quarantine. The probes will pick up the environmental factors but this may be a human nature problem and the probes sadly can’t figure that bit out.”

With twin soft thuds the probes were launched. The first directed to the automated systems/drones around the system was first scanned in more detail, mostly they confirmed what was already picked up and the lack of use or connections to their home planet for some long months which was impacting systems on them in various ways forcing them soon to shut down until fixed or material picked up. The twin probes soon looped closer though to Unity, and began a more in depth scan around the planet over the next 30 some minutes.

Human life signs were confirmed, nearly 790 thousand individual life signs ranging from babies up to 80 some years of age scattered across the planet in small and large cities or towns alike. Given the colony had started years ago with roughly 200 thousand some members this would fit in growth as well as going off the last record a year or so ago from a member of the colony who had left due to not wanting to stay. Picture and video scans showed the colonists going about their day to day lives, doing jobs, shopping, and such, all quite normal it seems. The colonists form of dress was pretty normal too for clothing fashion about 70-80 years ago within the civilian population of the Federation for humans, while some changes were noticeable most had stayed the same. The same for technology was evident in style, function and the like, all seeming well maintained and operational. Animal life equally was seemingly unaffected by anything odd on scans. As the probes completed their passes over the planet the only thing they also confirmed was no outward going signals from the planet were going to the in orbit satellites. It is as if for some reason the entire population months ago decided to remain isolated planet side. They certainly weren’t suffering by this choice it seemed, plenty of food sources were evident on the planetary scans, as were mineral and mines all in active use. There was even regular signs of oceanic vessels, air craft in the skies, etc. But nothing higher then that actively manned in orbit.

As the probes completed their scan of the planet they made one final pass near to the inner most planet to confirm readings there near an automated mining outpost that also was signaling being full and requesting service. It was here the probes finally made their first curious discovery! A human life sign! No sooner had this registered then a short range comm hail was sent to the probes in rapid succession.

On audio a strained, tired, perhaps even isolation starved sounding male voice spoke, =/\= Hello?!? Is someone out there?!? Oh god please tell me those probes have people behind them?!? Anyone answer please?? Oh God am I hallucinating again? Oh God I’ve cracked ARGH!=/\= The obviously stressed out man’s voice said babbling to himself now.

GM CockRoach

Cross was about to enter the lift when she heard the male voice ,shaking her head sadly the doctor stepped inside =/\= Sickbay =/\=.

Cross CMO.