Task Force Argo Captains,
Waydis System Reconnaissance
Stardate 45814 (anytime from 06-13APR13)
The recently named Waydis system (formerly cataloged as star system EE-116.B ) is a medium sized star with gravity-anomaly measurements indicating at least four planets of mass large enough to stabilize and clear an orbit. Prior to the diplomatic talks with the Waydi, a science vessel needs to recon the system. A vessel will fly in and then passively collect scientific data on each of the planets within the system. It is important to avoid direct contact with the Waydi species. This is just a scientific collection mission, not part of the diplomatic process.
The questions to be answered are as follows:
What type of planet is each gravity-anomaly reading?
What planet(s) are the Waydi living on?
What is the climate of any M-class planets?
What is the state of their inter planetary travel and communication systems?
Were any unusual readings detected?
Once the recon mission is complete file a report through the Fleet data-net.
Lieutenant Jal'Shan
Task Force Argo
(This is a foundry mission named: Waydis System Recon - TFA . Ok, so I know no one voiced a desire to do a scientific mission as opposed to the combat oriented ones, but I'm just going to post this one for this week because the combat one from last week is still open. (Actually its not required that anyone do this or any other mission, but there MIGHT be some details in this recon that the diplomatic team will want to know in the coming weeks!) I think this is a great short mission to generate a bit of content from the fleet about the Waydi diplomatic mission story arch. And who knows what you're going to find when you poke around a system! As many or as few can go, all at once or several different times IC, one ship could even do it twice if they wanted, though that MIGHT get boring. Technically this mission makes sense to IC have two different groups, or individuals, complete it at separate times. The second to confirm the first's findings. Don't worry about the scientific stuff, when you get close enough to the planet, your BOFFs will tell you all the info you need for the report. I'm going to leave this one up for completing UNTIL we do the official diplomatic meeting. After that, I will probably take it down to let the Waydi story line expand. Good luck to anyone who partakes. If you have questions, please let me know.)
Captain T'Par disseminates orders to his crew to prepare the U.S.S. Semmelweis to launch in one day. Shortly, many of the new faces around Outpost Argo and the IR can be seen scurrying about and making themselves busy with those preparations. One Shotheakour may also be seen grumbling miserably about his lost bet while also preparing to embark.
At the same time, Captain T'Par puts in a request for additional ships to escort the Semmelweis, both for protection and for the presence of experienced task-force captains to help T'Par ensure that the mission is executed to task-force specifications.
((I would like to attempt this mission tomorrow and, so far, think I have convinced Quaen and Razor to come along. If anyone else would like to join us, feel free. I'm volunteering Quaen to handle coordinating people.))
The following report is submitted to the fleet data-net; an alert is sent at the same time to Chassy Quaen noting this report as of interest.
---Begin Report---
The Semmelweis and the Sushruta entered the Waydis system and conducted scans of the four planets found in the system. The mission was overseen by Captain T'Par of the Semmelweis with Captain Hassiri of the Sushrata and Lt. Margaret Hob of the Semmelweis directly coordinating the data collection. Shotheakour accompanied aboard the Semmelweis as AG-21-8 liaison to ensure the mission was handled to task force specifications.
Waydis II is a typical terrestrial body with sufficient gravity to maintain atmosphere but no actual atmosphere due to its proximity to the system's star. No life was detected on Waydis II, and no technological contacts were detected in orbit or nearby.
Waydis III is a smaller terrestrial body with insufficient gravity to maintain atmosphere. Again, no life was detected and no technological contacts were detected in orbit or nearby. Shotheakour requested permission to perfom terraforming viability tests on the planet and permission was granted. His report will be filed separately.
Waydis Prime is the system's only M-class planet, and has an ocean-dominated biosphere. Several urban centers of city size were detected on the larger landmasses, and numerous satellites were detected in orbit. Of the technological contacts found near Waydis Prime, all were satellites, and most were dedicated to intra-planetary communications. There were no ships. The prospect of tapping into the Waydi satellite system was discussed but ultimately discarded as too risky in light of the impending diplomatic efforts which would be complicated by evidence of Starfleet espionage. Captain Hassiri was instrumental in reaching this decision.
Waydis IV is a gas giant with an orbital ring of rock and ice. Scans of the planet revealed no interesting phenomena other than the presence of hydrogen-3 in the planet's atmosphere. While inspecting the planet, a partially-functioning derelict mining platform was discovered and scanned. The platform was operating at minimal power, but automated mining of hydrogen-3 was continuing.
Scans of the platform indicated that it is over 50,000 years old. The validity of these scans has been questioned by several officers, including Shotheakour. In light of these doubts, and in the interest of a thorough investigation, Lt. Hob has suggested that the Semmelweis be fitted with a broad array of non-standard instruments in order to collect the most complete data-set possible on the mining platform, as elements of the planet's orbital ring appear to interfere with Starfleet scanning equipment.
The possibility of sending an away team onto the platform was discussed and discarded as too risky at this point.
Captain T'Par estimates a 43.7% chance that the Waydi are aware of the platform's existence despite their primitive space-travel abilities. Considering the extent of their satellite network, it is likely that they have probed the other planets in their system, and that the lack of additional M-class planets in the system contributed to the lack of further space exploration by the Waydi. However, it is also likely that the same interference that affected our instruments would have also prevented any Waydi probes sent to the planet from discovering the platform.
This report is subject to addendum, pending the results of Researcher Shotheakour's requested terraform viability testing.
Based on current information the following actions are recommended based on prior precedent:
A thorough rescan of all planets in the system, sans Waydis Prime.
Standard battery of calculations to determine the chemical mass of the system's central star (sun).
If possible, acquire:
Samples from Waydis II, Waydis III and Waydis IV's ringed rock matter for radiometric dating against Memory Alpha specimens.
Sample of Waydis IV's atmosphere.
This data is necessary to formulate a more thorough profile of the system and solidify any hypothesis regarding the nature of the 'mining platform' found at Waydis IV.
Current hypotheses (not exclusive) are as follows:
1. Waydis IV was 'seeded' or 'colonized' by a prior civilization; 'mining platform' is a relic of that time.
2. The Waydi underwent a catastrophic event (akin to the human Eugenics War) which set their then-advanced technology back to its current state.
3. Waydis II and III were previously gas giants subjected to this 'mining process', which reduced them to their current state. (Less likely.)
Authored in conjunction by Lt. Cmdr. Quaen and Lt. Cmdr. Poertner, TFA: AG-21-8.
Starfleet Command is reviewing our submitted reports and consulting the Vulcan Science Directorate for future possible scientific operations in the Waydis system, focusing especially on Waydis IV. In the mean time, they are asking for any volunteers to conduct a second look at the system to confirm the findings of the first expedition.
Lieutenant Jal'Shan
Task Force Argo
(Ok, I'm going to build a mission to the derelict mining station for all you scientifically curious folks! I'm going to have to work through a few more details in my mind. In the mean time, I put up there the request for a second swing through the system in order to keep the door open for anyone else who wants to do the mission IC. But, its not a necessity for me to grind out the next science mission. Just need some time. Why are my OOC explanations always longer than the actual IC message? I keep trying to NOT do that, but it always happens!)
A secondary recon of the derelict mining platform was conducted on stardate 45242. The ships on the recon were the U.S.S. Semmelweis and the U.S.S. Sutherland. Personnel beaming to the station on this recon were myself, Commander Dae, and Lt. Margaret Hob of the U.S.S. Semmelweis. We also has a small security team, but they stayed at the beam-in site.
The recon team found the platform in the same condition as the last visit. We proceeded to the location were the last team had stopped and re-started our recon from there. the damage to the station was significant beyond that point. Several places were so tight as to require climbing or careful maneuvering as to not puncture evo suits.
Down two long hallways we found what appeared to be a control room. Significant damage had befallen this room as well. A couple key points of information from there. First, a large map was discovered which indicated that the unknown aliens had a good knowledge of the Eta Eridani sector. A computer core was discovered, but it was purposefully wiped. The last residual command, an evacuation order during an attack, was all that remained. A console star map was analyzed and the star formations were determined to be accurate between 50 and 55 thousand years ago. This is further supporting evidence that the station is of significant age. Lastly, a small data-chip was discovered that contained partial information that supported other evidence about the unidentified species being at war.
As I stated the damaged to the station was significant and proved to be a hurdle to the recon team. One team member became stuck behind some debris and was unable to physically get out. Special pattern enhancers had to be moved in to position to beam them out. Any further recon teams need to be aware of the dangers and all personnel on the platform should move in teams to avoid suck incidents becoming life threatening.
(( The irony of it wasn't lost on either of us. There was even an IC discussion on how CSQ might go about her "I-told-you-so" with Gretchen's character. ))
