[snip]

“Okay! Let’s see if we can locate the source of the signals! We could take up different positions and triangulate from those?” kahuna asked.

Morris watched the exchange between Cross and Kahuna like a ping pong match until Cross dramatically exited the bridge. Once things had settled slightly, Morris responded to Kahuna, “Hello, sir, sorry ‘bout all that. My name’s Clifford Morris, just transferred in. I see you’re in a bit of a jam and would be happy to lend a hand sir”

Morris took a moment to consider the officer’s words about the dampening field. “Perhaps if we send out some probes, we could monitor when then shut off and lose contact and then based on that, have a general map of the dampening field. Then science might be able to analyze the difference between the sections of space and perhaps find a way of detecting the field more accurately with our sensors. Might even be able to find a way of either neutralizing the field or at least shielding the ship from it to allow us to get closer to orbit.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Kahuna replied. “I wish I’d thought of it! We have plenty of probes in stock. We can send them out in different directions and monitor them until we lose contact with them. Hopefully, it isn;t just a bubble around the entire planet but isolated from a particular place. We are short handed on the Bridge, so if you can tale a station rather than taking up the usual position standing by the Turbolift, then that would be very welcome, yes please… you can send the probes from the science station, and follow it through since it’s your idea.”

“Aye sir,” Morris said with a nod as he went to the science station. He checked the log to see the coordinates of the landing party and launched 4 probes towards the planet, each spaced out in a grid pattern, targetted on the hemisphere of the planet that should be housing the landing party. Based on these initial results, he could expand the probe search to get a more ideal understanding of the dampening field.

While they waited for the results back from the probe, Kahuna had the XO transported to Sickbay. =/\= Sickbay. This is the Bridge. Prepare for the Emergency STS Transport of Commander Roger Sanks. =/\=

=/\= Acknowledged =/\= came doctor Kim quick reply.

The probes went out equal distance and above the area where the landing party went down. Once they reached a distance just before what would have been a ship entering a geosynchronous orbit they blinked out as any signals from them stopped being sent.

Morris frowned at the monitor. “Sir, looks like the probes cut out just as they reached geosynchronous orbit. Launching 4 more probes into the next quadrant of the planet to see if the dampening field is the same strength there as well.”

Morris - Security

“Yes, please do that,” responded Kahuna. “I wanted to know if the field extends right around the planet. If it does not, then we might be able to take a shuttle down to Ardan V, far enough away, and pick up the landing party from there.”

• Kahuna, Weapons