3.1 Seconds

Posted on Sun Mar 27th, 2011 @ 2:39pm by Lieutenant JG Talri & Lieutenant JG Tramira Kyt

1,167 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Forests of Mythraeli
Location: Stellar Cartography

Still unsure as to exactly why Ronnie Lancaster had requested that she and Tramira both work on the ship's communications, Talri decided that the best place for them to discuss the matter would be her stellar cartography lab. It was spacious, and had full computer access should they choose to take any action.

Talri took her usual seat behind her desk, and then looked over at Kyt, whom she had asked to go with her. Without preamble, Talri stated: 'It appears we have two options. Strengthen the signal we are sending out, or alter it.'

"Always been a fan of excess force." Kyt said with a chuckle.

'It is, perhaps, the simplest option to allocate more power to the signal boosters,' said Talri. 'This makes it an appropriate first option. Should it fail, however, I was considering modifications to the carrier wave instead.' She paused, wanting the other woman's opinion.

"Well, my knowledge of communications devices is limited. In the Marine Core, I was a medic, not an engineering-oriented one." Kyt said. "But a higher frequency may also pierce the interference."

'Possibly,' Talri reflected. 'Recollect, Ensign Tramira, I have no particular expertise in this field either. I am a stellar cartographer. These modifications will not be difficult.' At least, Talri hoped that they wouldn't be. 'As we do not know how to overcome the interference, perhaps a test is in order? We might broadcast a variety of signals in turn, and see if there is any response?'

"That'd be probably the wisest course of action." Kyt said with a nod.

Talri moved over to one of the computer terminals. 'It would also be wise to begin right away, would it not?' she said, disguising her uncertainty with the question.

Kyt nodded again. "We don't know what kind of trouble they are having down planet. Let's give it a test."

After tapping at the console for a few moments, Talri turned back to Kyt. 'I have sent out the first signal,' she told her. 'It is at a very high frequency. Let us see if there will be a response.'

Kyt watched the console. "Now is the annoying part. We wait. They might be sleeping, or unavailable to respond."

'It is possible,' Talri agreed. 'How long ought we to wait before it is determined that the signal has been lost to the interference? We have many signal variations to attempt. We cannot allow an entire sleep cycle for each.'

"Perhaps, we should just cycle through them all now. If they get a bunch of them, it might wake them up, or it might let them know we're insistent about talking with them." Kyt suggested.

'You are optimistic,' commented Talri. 'It is possible that not one of our attempts to communicate will make it to the surface.'

Kyt slammed her fist on the table. "And that doesn't mean we shouldn't bloody well try." There was more than a touch of anger in her voice.

'There is no need for agitation,' said Talri, impassive. 'We are trying. That is what we are doing here. I was simply stating that your expectation was unrealistic.'

"Positive energy being added to the universe encourages the prophets to help." Kyt said, with a scowl. "Don't try and impede my methodology."

Talri shook her head. 'Unless your prophets are likely to actively intervene, positive thought makes little difference,' she said. It wasn't that Talri didn't have a certain respect for the spiritual beliefs of others, only that such thinking was to her no substitute for the scientific method.

"That's your beliefs. The prophets intervene in all of our lives, every day." Kyt said. "But we have no time for such arguments. If we do it this way, we can cover them all, in a short time, before pursuing other options."

That, at least, Talri could agree with. 'I shall alter it,' she declared, and then set about sending a variety of signals to the surface. She changed frequencies, modulated the carrier wave, and even went so far as to switch to a non-Federation carrier entirely. Only when the work was done did she look up at Kyt again. 'Now it is time to wait,' she said.

"Or discuss other ideas, if you are so sure this won't work." Kyt countered.

'I did not say that it would not work,' Talri corrected. 'It is quite possible that it will. It is simply not certain.' She was silent for a moment, and then, curiosity getting the better of her, asked: 'Do you have other ideas?'

"Not really. I'm in half a mind to try beating some better responses out of Lieutenant O'Conner. His personal issues, whatever they may be, seem to be impairing his duties." Kyt noted. "And that, I'm capable of doing. This stuff is a bit out of my capability."

'I may not have been here long,' replied Talri, 'but I do believe Starfleet regulations prohibit physical violence. As to Lieutenant O'Conner, if he cannot focus well enough to complete his duties adequately, he should stand aside,' she said thoughtfully.

"Lieutenant Jaxara seemed to get away with physical violence. And when I gave Jerry a good uppercut to the jaw, it seemed to get him to suggest more valuable, and useful things." Kyt countered.

'I do not know Lieutenant Jaxara, and thus I cannot express an opinion on the matter that is fully informed, yet it remains clear that such behavior runs counter to regulations. Furthermore, there is no evidence suggesting that O'Conner's ideas came as a direct result of your action. The notion is absurd,' said Talri plainly. 'Were I to hit you now, it would not cause you to suddenly know how to solve the problem of the interference, would it?'

"No. I tend to think better when I hit people. Not when I get hit." Kyt said with a nod.

'Even if that is true, I do not condone violence as an aid to cognitive processing,' said Talri. This was certainly one of the stranger conversations she had had in a while. 'I find that meditation is more effective.'

"To each, their own." Kyt said.

Talri made no reply, simply sitting in silence for a moment, watching the displays in front of her. Then, suddenly, she pointed at the screen. 'Look there,' she declared. 'High-frequency non-Federation carrier. It cut through the interference for approximately 3.1 seconds.'

"Fascinating." Kyt said, with a nod. "Repeat the signal. Let's see if we can recreate it."

Talri stopped the outgoing transmission, isolated the signal that seemed to have succeeded in overcoming the interference, and sent that one out again. 'It is working...' she said slowly, watching the display. 'Perhaps not for long enough. 3.1 seconds before compromise by interference.'

:OFF:

Lieutenant JG Talri
Stellar Cartographer
USS Calypso

Ensign Tramira Kyt
Chief Security Officer
USS Calypso

 

RSS Feed