Sending ET Home (part 2)

Posted on Wed Jul 13th, 2016 @ 12:52pm by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Illise Hale & 1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia & Crewman E.M.H. Galen

1,036 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Point of View

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"I'll send you the data from the probe," Illise said to Leroy, "the scans can give you a more accurate picture of the forces we are dealing with out there. I would suggest coordinating with engineering on how to retrofit a fighter to get close enough. It will need some structural reinforcing, increased shielding and stronger shield emitters, just to get within twenty thousand kilometers of the rift. We also have a nearly complete map of the gravitational distortions, which you can use to program a navigational course around the worst of them." She paused before continuing in a serious tone, "I cannot stress enough how dangerous this region is. Even with a map and fighter's increased speed and maneuverability, the space near the rift is highly unstable."

[NEW]

Galen listened carefully to the conversation. As a medical professional she had little to contribute to the scientific discussion, however she found it all very interesting. Illise last few words though, had her concerned. "You are not suggesting that a crew member pilot such a mission, are you?"

Illise shook her head, more out of frustration than from any real denial. "The exotic matter within the rift is effecting subspace in unpredictable ways. Considering the dangers I cannot in good conscience recommend that the fighter be manned," she drew in a breath and let it out slowly, "but I am also not sure that the computer could successfully fly the fighter in these conditions."

"Commodore do we still have those 'I'm going to do something stupid' wavers?" Leroy asked looking around. "I will of course listen to a medical professional before ignoring them, but a computer program isn't going to be able to get a fighter in and then back out again. Even if it can't come back out, the computer isn't going to be able to deal with random distortions that can and will happen."

The computer beeped that its search was complete. "There are three occurrences with similar effects. Two involved damage to a ship, one involved the destruction of a vessel." The data scrolled across the console. Only one of the three ships was in Federation territory. One was a Romulan ship and one was Ferengi.

"If we keep the fighter in transporter range, we could beam the pilot back to the ship if it got too dangerous," Sam said. "We also haven't factored in Harry himself. Could he be able to take over the fighter's computer and navigate himself through the rift?"

Galen looked over at Harry, a hopeful expression on her face. "Would that be possible?" she asked him, then quickly added, "Please consider carefully. We would not risk your life any more than we would one of our own."

"Sr'inn, you and Talia prep a spare fighter for me and an atmospheric suit just to be on the safe side. We may have a way to send our friend home." Clicking off the comm, he looked around. "I'd prefer if someone that kind of knows how to pilot take our friend back home, plus it can send back some nice data to send to the Vulcan Science Institute. May be a way to keep some of our other friends from coming in from fluidity space?"

"Harry" considered the data, and what was said. He was becoming more adept at understanding these beings, but it was still confusing. He quickly checked structural integrity and force fields and how the rift could affect them. To show that he understood, he performed a quick maneuver of the Calypso.

"Bridge to Commodore York."

"York here."

"Umm, ma'am, the ship just, well, it just did a barrel roll. We can't explain what happened."

"It's okay. Put it down to testing a theory. York out."

Sam couldn't help smiling. "I think that means Harry believes he can pilot a fighter." She also understood Leroy's concerns. "Perhaps a combination of both ideas. Leroy takes our friend as close as we deem it safe, takes some readings and then we either transport him out or he bails, then Harry takes the ship the rest of the way through the rift. That would give us more data to study as well."

"Commodore, please stop me if I'm wrong;" Leroy said looking a little confused. "You're suggesting sending a Federation Fighter through the rift, and thereby possibly contaminating another species. Besides Harry here, who knows how many species don't have warp drive, or do but they're still in the pre-warp five category. Harry and the rest of his kind will be fine, but what if this rift does enter fluidic space and we just can't tell at the moment? Or its a mirror universe with the possibility of another Calypso, much like the Universe that Kirk and the Enterprise ran into where they kill each other for promotions? How would that help them come at us again?"

"By the data we have and what little we know of the other side, I do not expect the fighter to survive the trip," Sam explained. "I'm expecting it to be destroyed as it enters the rift and Harry to continue through. He came this way unaided, he can get back the same way." She looked to Illise for anything she had to say on the subject. "Lieutenant Hale, what is your opinion?"

Illise looked at both of them. "The Commodore is correct, the fighter will most likely be torn apart well before reaching the rift. But even if by some miracle it does manage to get that far, a cosmic string is less than one proton wide - and the rift is inside it. The fighter will not be able to enter the rift."

Sam gave Illise a nod of thanks. "Our primary concern right now is sending ET home."

"Right." Illise turned back to her console and began transferring the probes' data. "We have a lot of work to do," she finished and handed Leroy a PADD. "Let's get to it."

____
OFF

Lieutenant Illise Hale
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

Crewman Galen
EMH

1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia
Flight Leader
USS Calypso

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

"Harry Potter"
Visiting Entity

Ensign Talia "Phoenix" Richards
Fighter Pilot
USS Calypso

 

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