Star Trek: Theurgy

Day 11 [1000 hrs.] Aldean Cloak Take 2

May 10, 2020, 06:19:42 AM

Aldean Cloak Take 2
Stardate: 57583.77
March 21, 2381
1000 Hours | IKS SeDveq

[CPO Sithick | Bridge | Deck 1| IKS SeDveq ] Attn: @Masorin 

Sithick sat at the OPS station aboard the DujHod class chariot lent to the crew of the Theurgy by General Chu'vok. He did not know what strings the brass had pulled but it had to be many. The Klingon version of a captain's yacht, the SeDveq would serve nicely for today's test of the Mark II Aldean Cloaking device aboard the Wolf 16 Valkyrie. The Mark I's functioned acceptably except for one major flaw discovered after the first weeks of patrols. The Aldean device drew a substantial power from the Valkyrie's reactor cores, so much so that many of the bio-neural processors and relays had to be replaced on those Valkyries utilizing the cloaks after 34 hours of use. One Valkyrie had suffered a power surge that cracked its reactor core. Luckily its pilot was able to shut it down before there was a breach.

Sithick had expected these problems. There was going to be compatibility issues. It was a rush job getting the cloaks installed. Too many systems had to be bypassed, proper adaptors had yet to be invented, and power converters were not even considered. So Sithick and his team went to work reverse-engineering the Aldean Cloaks. Doing what should have been done to begin with, what they would have done had they not been under pressure to get it done yesterday. The pressure still existed. He was given a deadline to fix the problem. The Valkyries had to fly and with the cloak. They had enough processors and relays to replace the burned-out ones for the time being, the reactor cores would be closely monitored between and during flights but were not as easy to replace. A solution was needed sooner rather than later.

It took the better part of a day for Sithick to strip out and reinstall Wolf 16's systems with a modified Aldean Cloak, adaptors, power converters, and a more user-friendly interface. Lt. Jhoza had volunteered her fighter to undergo Mark II testing. Considering how possessive the Wolves were of their craft, Sithick thought Jhoza's gesture the epitome of Andorian bravery. However, when she failed to report to duty and for the flight test today Sithick immediately evaluated his assessment. Luckily he was able to secure another volunteer to pilot the test craft, as well as a bridge crew to help him on the SeDveq.

CWO Liliana Walton would pilot Wolf 16 and attempt to evade the Klingon chariot.  Aboard the SeDveq, Lt. Salem Martin would man the tactical station attempting to target the Valkryie. Lt. Hieronimus Smith would monitor the Valkryie for power fluctuations and other anomalies. Dr. George Hernandez would monitor Walton's vitals while Master Chief Mala Kariko would pilot the SeDveq.

"Therrresss. Everrry onesss terrrmialsss ssshould readsss ssstandarrrd nowsss." Sithick spoke to his crew. Reading Klingon was hard even for those who had studied it at the academy. Luckily for his crew, Sithick had a translator chip, a simple isoliniar chip that could be inserted into the OPS console forcing a translation algorithm to spread through the ship converting Klingon Cuneiform to Federation Standard.

"Don't change the subject Chief, I want to see you in Sickbay for your physical. I will not let you reschedule again. No more excuses. Don't make me list you unfit for duty." Hernandez scolded the Gorn.

"Yesss, Eyes willsss beesss therrresss asss sssoonsss asss these cloaksss arrresss donesss." Sithick was avoiding Sickbay, no, he was avoiding Deck 11 all together. The entire deck reminded him of his Lahkeiss. Her scent was still present in the corridors. He needed more time before he faced her ghost again.

"I'll hold you to it."

"Chief, we are in position," Mala interrupted.

"Wolf 16 is showing green across all systems," Smith added.

"Tacticalsss rrreporrrt, Lieutenantsss," Sithick asked Martin.

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #1 – May 17, 2020, 06:27:14 AM

|Lt JG Derik Veradin | Bridge | Deck 1 | IKS SeDevq ] Attn: @Masorin  @jreeves1701
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Derik beamed onto the IKS SeDevq just a minute before the tests were to begin. His presence wasn’t specifically necessary, but since he had overseen the installation of cloaks on their shuttles, he thought he might be able to offer at least some assistance. That being said, the shuttles didn’t pull nearly as much power to operate their systems like a Valkyrie.

With the rest of the crew having nearly every aspect of the tests covered, the helmsman took one of the side stations, switching the controls to another OPS station with CPO Sithick taking the primary. So instead of focusing exclusively on just a couple of things like the rest of the team, Derik focused on things that weren’t there, signs that anything could be out of the normal, not just with the ships but surrounding space itself. He routed a copy of the sensor input data to his station from each of the other stations, creating an overall web on the screen before him.

Amusingly, Dr. George Hernandez was threatening to take the Gorn off duty if he continued to skip out on his physical. ”Would love to see you try to enforce that one doc.” Veradin muttered just loud enough for the big lizard to hear, a big grin crossing his face. Unfortunately, before the banter could continue, Ms. Kariko interrupted, bringing everyone back into focus on the task at hand.

The last of the data feeds syncing into his station, Veradin checked each feed, cross referencing the feeds for inconsistencies. There were some minor variances but nothing worth noting. Satisfied, he spoke up for the first time. ”This is your show Mr. Sithick. Feeds look good and no anomalies so far.”

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #2 – May 28, 2020, 11:38:14 PM

[CPO Sithick | Bridge | Deck 1| IKS SeDveq ] Attn: @Masorin @Argyros

"Thanks yous lieutenants." Sithick responded. "Lieutenants Martins do nots holds backs ins yours efforts toos targets Wolfs-16s. Chiefs Waltons engages cloaks."

Sithick was pleased that everything was going according to the script. His primal subconscious was simply electrified with the prospect of hunting prey.

"Chiefs Karikos, lets hunts some Valkyries."

Wolf 16's Aldean cloak fired up masking the fighter from the SeDveq's sensors. Chief Walton would attempt to evade detection while the SeDveq hunted for her. Lieutenant Martin would make every efforts to not only find the Valkyrie but place an active weapons lock on it.

"She has vanished from sensors Chief." Smith reported. "Running multiple scans. No signs of Wolf 16."

The Aldean cloaks had proven effective in cloaking the fighters from all but visual scans. Skilled pilots could use this tactical advantage to hide without powering down their ships. The problem was it pulled too much power.

Sithick opened a channel to Chief Walton aboard Wolf 16. "Meerkats status reports."

"She sparked a little on activation, but circuit seems fine. Power levels stable."

"Proceeds withs flights patterns ofs yours owns discretions. Lets plays whats Terrans childrens calls hides and seeks."

"Forgive me Chief but I feel it more like cat and mouse with you in that Klingon rig."

"Crews, lets us catches us a ghosts." Sithick responded to Walton's joke. Sithick knew that the crew he selected to run this test would excel at the job. Martin was the brother of a former love interest of Sithick, but there never seemed to be any sign of misgivings between them. Sithick had faith he would make every effort to target Wolf 16.

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #3 – June 10, 2020, 05:39:00 PM

[ Salem Martin | Bridge | Deck 1| IKS SeDveq ] attn: @jreeves1701 @Argyros
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Salem took a breath watching the sensors, he had taken a full hour or two to familiarize himsefl with the IKS SeDveq's capabilities and the difference between Klingon and Federation systems even with the console running english he had an unfamilair array of orange, red and yellow buttons and icons that showed very little. He wasn't a fan of the archaic design of Klingon ships, but he had to admit that the empire had done steps to keep up with the latest technology.

Watching the cloaking device activate he nodded at the idea of a hunt. "Establishing a search grid." He started with the usual sensor sweep but also running a more in depth Tachyon beam, the issue was the fighters size, it could easily slip around the beams, but Salem had a thought for that.

"Our search pattern will be too small to find anything." He thought about it. "We could start modifying sensor probes, spread them out in a grid like a mine field light it up with tachyon if they are in the grid we would find them, but that could take some time."

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #4 – June 12, 2020, 09:14:06 PM

[CPO Sithick | Bridge | Deck 1| IKS SeDveq ] Attn: @Masorin @Argyros

Sithick glanced at the vacant central seat. The mission did not require a captain and despite being the officer in charge, the center seat consoles would not give him the kind of readouts the Gorn needed to observe this field test. Sithick needed to to be able to monitor readouts across multiple systems.

Salem Martin interrupted his thoughts. "Lt. Martins that's woulds bees a tacticals approaches, however these Aldean's cloaks does nots emits tachyons." Sithick didn't fault Martin's attempt. Had the Aldean cloaking tech operated anything like traditional cloaking devices like the Klingon's or Romulan's, a tachyon detection grid would be successful. However, Sithick had studied the Aldean cloak, dismantled, and reassembled one to fully understand how it worked. The nomenclature for the device was misleading. It was more accurately a sensor jammer.

"Insteads ofs tachyons, these Aldeans cloaks generates thorons." Thorons were naturally occurring radioactive isotopes. Commonly known as Radon-220 and was effective at blocking sensors. Before the Dominion War the Maquis used portable thoron generators to block tricorder scans. The Aldeans had developed a much larger generator that wrapped vessels in a thoron radiation shield. "Yous wills finds its difficults toos isolates these generateds thorons froms these naturals occurrings ones." It may have been possible to set up a sensor grid utilizing multiple probes, but with a half-life of under a minute locating a concentrated cluster of thorons would be difficult. Martin's plan would be effective under certain conditions. One, they had more ships or probes to set up a detection grid. Two, the ship they were seeking to find was larger than a fighter.

"Buts eyes concurs with yours strategies has merits. Buts Klingons don'ts use probes, yous wills haves toos modifies plasmas torpedoes....." Before Sithick could complete his sentence the communication channel broadcasted the voice of Chief Walton aboard Wolf 16.

"Chief, I'm starting to show the same energy fluctuation and drains that the Mark 1s were showing. Should we abort? Please advise."

The Gorn emitted a low decibel growl. "Negatives. Proceeds withs cautions." Sithick did not want to waste this test run. He also didn't want to be responsible for the death of a crewmember or the loss of a fighter. "Yous shoulds haves enoughs powers toos continues. Keeps a close eyes one readouts. Its goes yellows, weeze aborts. Eyes wills runs diagnostics toos fix energies drains, once weeze ares dones." Sithick was becoming more frustrated with the incompatibilities the Aldea Cloak was presenting him. The jerry-rigged model they initially used demonstrated the same power demand issues that the Mark 2 version presently started to show.

"Looks likes weeze haves less times toos finds ours preys." he announced to his crew. "Let's nots lets hers gets aways."

---

OOC: I will let each of you have a chance to post a response to this development before we jump forward to the diagnostic analysis back on Theurgy where we fry our Mr. Smith.

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #5 – June 23, 2020, 07:47:06 AM

|Lt JG Derik Veradin | Bridge | Deck 1 | IKS SeDevq ] Attn: @Masorin  @jreeves1701
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“Right…” Derik said low to himself as Sithick explained that the cloaks generate thorons instead of tachyons. The trill had forgotten that little detail. Even so, the realization gave him an idea of how they could find the Valkyrie.

Tapping into the active sensors, Veradin began scanning for changes in ambient thoron concentrations. He focused almost exclusively on those that might be moving, looking for a flight path somewhere amongst the data. Unfortunately, this idea was geared more towards larger vessels, and given the size of their target, finding it in any useful time period was unlikely. Especially since Klingon sensors were nowhere near as sensitive as Starfleet’s.

Yet before he could really worry about attenuating the sensors to even attempt his plan, Wolf 16 began reporting energy fluctuations. Despite the initial signs of the cloak failing, CPO Sithick ordered the test to continue. The Trill immediately began to get nervous. The idea was to make sure the cloaks functioned safely.  Aborting the test at the first sign of a system collapse would have been smart. More in line with standard procedures. This desire to push the limits was…dangerous.

“Mr. Sithick, if we can’t get the power drain under control in the next couple of minutes we should abort, yellow readouts or not. We don’t want any casualties.”

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #6 – July 15, 2020, 04:58:16 PM

[CPO Sithick | Bridge | Deck 1| IKS SeDveq ] Attn: @Masorin @Argyros

Sithick's chest cavity rumbled but Lt. Veradin was correct. They should abort this trial and run a Level 1 diagnostic on the fighter.

"Verys wells, goods points Lieutenants. Wolfs 16, returns toos these flights decks."

"Aye sir."

---

1200 HRS | Maintenance Bay 1 | Fighter Assault Bay | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy

Wolf 16's maintenance panels were all opened in Maintenance Bay 1. Dr. Hernandez had returned to Sickbay to conduct a post-flight physical on Chief Walton and Chief Kariko was piloting the SeDveq back to General Chu'vok. The remaining officers stood in the maintenance bay around the fighter craft.

"So weeze ares stills experiencings powers drainages. These cloaks pulls mores energies thans these powers cells produce." Sithick explained. "Buts theys functions. Lt. Martins, weres yous ables toos targets Wolfs 16?" Sithick asked hoping that the power fluctuation didn't create a detectable signature for tactical to target. The Gorn hoped that he was presenting a professional appearance for the commissioned officers. As a CPO, Sithick knew that his next promotion came with a choice of switching tracks and having commissioned officer recommendations would improve his chances of moving toward a full commission.

---

OOC: Ok guys the climax of this thread is just around the corner. @Masorin we need 2 posts from you to meet Story Objective requirements and @Argyros you need 1. I figure we can have a few dialogue posts leading to Smith's touching something he shouldn't.

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #7 – July 22, 2020, 07:25:25 AM

|Lt JG Derik Veradin | Bridge | Deck 1 | IKS SeDevq ] Attn: @Masorin  @jreeves1701
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Admittedly releived that Sithick chose to abort the test, Derik set the sensors to gather any last bit of data and begin transferring it to a PADD for review.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

| Maintenance Bay 1 | Fighter Assault Bay | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy
The Trill stood back a little, pouring over the reports in a vain attempt to figure out a solution to their issue before they even cracked Wolf 16 open. So little of the data made sense. Why was the integration so difficult? What was not really compatible between the two technologies? The answer had to be there somewhere. Unfortunately, it was like trying to catch smoke with a net. Every time an answer seemed close, it slipped away.

As frustrating as it was, hopefully they would finally figure out a solution using this test’s results and examining Wolf 16. Veradin knew it how important it might be for their ongoing mission. They needed these cloaks to function. The recon potential alone was worth the headache it was seeming to give everyone. Given the inconsistencies of the tests though, there may not be a solution for the fighters. Shuttles were one thing: they didn’t pull too much power. Theurgy had power to spare. The fighters though were a careful balance. It may simply be outside the realm of possibility without major overhauls.

Despite the notion though, Derik watched with deep interest as they removed the first bolt.

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #8 – July 27, 2020, 04:50:02 PM

[CPO Sithick | Maintenance Bay 1 | Fighter Assault Bay | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy] @Masorin  @Argyros

The report Martins gave was direct and to the point as expected. Sithick was pleased to receive a nod of approval at the end of it. Nothing like an 'at-a-boy from a superior to put pep in ones step.

Each of the remaining mission team members gave their individual reports until it was finally Lt. Smith's turn. The maintenance crew had disassembled the Valkrye for inspection and Smith was going to use the actual craft as a visual aid instead of the portable holographic projector, Sithick had wheeled over for this purpose.

"My scans of the fighter were thorough and I believe I know what the problem is." Smith began. "It is a simple issue of not enough insulation and a too narrow conduit. The device pulling too much power is only part of the problem. It's getting clogged creating a pressure build-up that slowly leaks out through the poorly insulate conduits and forces leakage at the primary coupler here." Rather than point at the coupler, Smith made physical contact.

BOOM

Sithick watched in horror as a static discharge from Lt. Smith's finger ignited residual plasma inside the conduit. The resulting shockwave caused Smith's body to take flight as it was engulfed in plasma fire. His flight ended when it made contact with the bulkhead wall above everyone's heads. Automated alert klaxons began to sound in response to the explosion and a forcefield immediately activated separating the maintenance bay from the rest of the flight deck. Sithick could also feel the blast door gears unlock in preparation for secondary protocols.

By the time Sithick looked back to where Smith had hit the wall, the Lieutenant's body was already sliding down toward the grown leaving a smear of charcoal singe and blood. Grabbing an extinguisher, the Gorn ran over to Smith's body in an attempt to put out the flames and save Smith's life. "Someones gets medicals heres." He was about to order the flight deck crew to secure the Valkyrie but they were already on it. Theurgy's flight crew was well trained. A testament to the training of "Pappa Bear."

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #9 – July 29, 2020, 06:26:10 AM

|Lt JG Derik Veradin | Bridge | Deck 1 | IKS SeDevq ] Attn: @Masorin  @jreeves1701
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Derik looked up just in time to watch the series of unfortunate events horrifyingly unfold. Smith’s hand reached for the coupler. A bright flash springing forth upon contact. The searing heat and pressure as an explosion leapt forth. Hieronimus careening through the air, aflame, the sickening crunch as his body made contact with the bulkhead. The streak of greys, blacks, and red as he slid to the floor. Sithick was already moving towards him with an extinguisher.

The Trill tapped his combadge as he too moved towards where the Lieutenant now laid motionless. “Medical Emergency to Maintenance Bay 1. I need a Trauma Team NOW!” The CPO put the Lieutenant’s fire out, but Derik could already tell it was bad. He stepped around the gorn, kneeling at the human’s side. His skin was badly burned, radiating heat the Trill could feel without even reaching for him. Grabbing the wrist Smith hadn’t touched the coupler with, Derik searched for a pulse. Nothing. The skin was rough and dry and so hot the helmsman thought he might get burned just searching for any life left in the man. Maybe the texture and head were throwing him off. He reached for the man’s neck, searching for anything from his carotid artery. Again nothing. He placed one hand on the man’s chest, trying to feel for a rise and fall off any sort of breath. With his other hand he pried open one of Hieronimus’ eyelids. No movement from his lungs and no pupil contraction from being exposed to light.

One knee and one foot on the floor, the Trill straddled the human, initiating CPR. Every fiber of him told the helmsman the man was dead, but to not even attempt it was the greater offense. A medical team beamed in a few moments later, rushing to their sides, and pushing the Chief CONN officer out of the way. They worked on the human right there for nearly 10 minutes. Injections, cardio stimulation, neural stabilizers, everything. The lieutenant was a mess. Derik was sure even stasis wouldn’t help at this point.

“I’m calling it.” The words stung as they reached Veradin’s ears. He exhaled, hard, and fell back into a sitting position, legs bent to rest his arms on.

“Damnit.” So many had been lost on this mission, and now they had lost yet another. Over a foolish mistake of all things. He took several deep breaths in an attempt to get his adrenaline rush under control. ”I’ll need a detailed report filled out as soon as we get the fires under control Mr. Sithick. Document everything. Find out what went wrong.” Another deep breath as he prepared himself for what needed to come next. ”Don’t concern yourself with reporting this to the Captain. I’ll do it.”

Re: Day 11 [1000 HRS] Aldean Cloak Take 2

Reply #10 – July 29, 2020, 04:29:10 PM

[CPO Sithick | Maintenance Bay 1 | Fighter Assault Bay | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy] @Masorin  @Argyros @Auctor Lucan

Sithick extinguished Lt. Smith and stepped back allowing Veradin access. The Gorn turned to note the efficiency that the deck crew had locked down the Valkryie. Turning back Sithick saw the efficiency of the medical team. He felt helpless, vulnerable, weak. The Gorn imperative surfaced in his mind, "The weak must be conquered."

A low rumble began to reverberate in his chest as Veradin returned to his side. Then the orders came. "Eyes sirs." The Gorn had to take control. His first mission as CPO had resulted in the death of a crewmember. Would the captain strip him of rank? Would this be the black spot in his record? Would Starfleet send him back to the slave markets of Orion?

Sithick continued to supervise the cleanup. No one else would die on his watch and his report would be thorough. It was time to go back to the drawing board with the Aldean Cloak.

-FIN