Looking at the Science

Posted on Mon Apr 9th, 2018 @ 2:29pm by Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn & Lieutenant Azusa Nakano & Lieutenant Xander Oroyo DSci

1,602 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Cloud Surfing
Location: Astrometrics

ON

Amber followed Xander into Astrometrics. "How do you want to do this?"

"Well let's start with the obvious first, Commander," Oroyo said as he began to study the data. "If we're in the Beta Quadrant, let's see if we can determine where exactly we are. Check our coordinates against what we know of this quadrant of space."

Amber nodded. "This is the place to find out. Do you mind if I start looking at the data from the anomaly while you do that? Or do you want us both to work on both projects? I don't mind either way. I figure there's plenty of analyzing to go around."


"That works for me, Commander. I feel that with both of us working on this, we should be able to come with the answers that captain wants. I also feel that we should both examine the data from the anomaly and try to see if we can come up with a way to reverse the effect and get us back to Federation space," Xander said trying not to sound completely overwhelmed by the task that lay before him.

"I agree," Amber said. She went to a nearby computer and began to organize the data from the sensors, comparing it against the data in the science database for any similarities and separating out any data they would need to look at later.

"I suggest we start at the time when we first approached the anomaly and work our way inward. Starting from the beginning seems like an ideal place to start, don't you, Commander?"

"Generally, yes," Amber replied. "But it is also important to get some organization or you'll spend hundreds of hours sifting through useless data. Any luck finding something familiar?"

"Not as of yet, Commander. Though, I have found planet where we may be able to pick up some supplies. It appears to be class M."

"Good. Inform the Captain," Amber said. She went back to her computer and looked through the data.

After a while, she sat back. "I've isolated the specific phenomenon that brought us here. I've put it in the computer so we'll know if we find anything similar. I'm not sure just yet if we can recreate it. Have a look."

"This is most interesting, Commander. I've seen this particular phenomenon before. It's called a subspace funnel. It pulls things in but doesn't let them out; at least not with out a fight."

Amber was well aware of what a warp funnel was. "Yes, but we haven't been near any gas giants, and the theory states that the funnel would take us back to the planet nearby. As that is not the case, we need to look for another answer."

"You're thinking of warp funnels; this is a subspace funnel, Commander. A completely different phenomenon that occurs in open space. Which makes our job even harder owing to the fact that there are no nebulae in this area of space that we know of but in the meantime I've located a planet where we should be able to procure supplies."

"They're the same thing, lieutenant," Amber said kindly. She could do this on her own, she had the background, but she was trying to include the new head of science and work with him. "Good. Send the information on the planet to the captain. I'll compare the data from the bridge to the science database and see what comes up."

The doors of Astrometrics swished open and Azusa walked though. "Oh..." she said seeing both of them in there. "I didn't realise anyone was in here." She looked at both of them and it seemed like there was some sort of debate occuring.

"Wait..." Azusa said as she saw the data on the screen. "Are you looking at Subspace funnels?" she asked. "Because if you are, and thats why we're trapped. All we really need to try is an inverse warp cascade. If we use the warp nacelles, we might be able to break free..." she explained. "Sorry, you probably already know that..."

Amber looked up. "It has the properties, but none of the factors that should create one. Besides, if we don't know how this was created, how can we know where to get back to?"

Amber pulled up another screen and tapped in some commands. "As far as I can tell by the star formations, we're approximately here." A holographic map of the Beta Quadrant appeared in the center of the lab. A few more keystrokes zoomed in to one sector of space. "This matches what we know, but it's still hard to pinpoint our exact location. If we did fall through a warp funnel, where did it come from? A warp or subspace funnel connects two points. There are no clear points here or where we came from."

"I think we're working with a combination of anomalies here. So Commander, you are correct but also incorrect. From the data, I think we are seeing a subspace funnel and a subspace vacuole. See the vacuole pulled us in with its gravitational shear; that's what we felt in the nebula. Now the funnel, it pulled us through space to here. It's the only conclusion that fits, but if you are bent on finding another answer to this question, I'll go up to the bridge and inform the captain about the planet I located and you two can work here," Xander said as he left his fellow officers and the lab.

"You're the one who said it was a funnel," Amber muttered under her breath. Xander was quick to jump to conclusions and equally quick to find fault. This did not bode well for their future working relationship. She didn't like the idea of having to separate herself from science because she couldn't work with the new Chief. Nor did she like the idea that she would not be able to trust his analysis because he jumped on the first thing that appeared viable without proper analysis.

Amber was still not sure what they'd run into. The data was inconclusive. Yes, there was something that looked like a warp funnel, but without the necessary causation to actually be a warp funnel. "A subspace vacuole?" That sounded odd. She turned back to her console.

"Yes, Lieutenant. It's a phenomenon that was first coined by the crew of Voyager during their 'away mission' to the Delta Quadrant. It sucked them in a 'void' that was a region of space that was encased in an inert layer of subspace that had no stars or stellar bodies of any kind," Xander said. "But as we obviously aren't in a a void, thankfully, we can only assume that it is connected to the region of the Beta Quadrant through some other means. Wouldn't you agree, Commander?"

Amber sighed. "No, I don't agree, lieutenant. Our anomaly suddenly appeared, so it does not follow the established pattern. Therefore, once again, we are looking at something more complex. I prefer taking the time to find out what this is than jumping to conclusions because it has properties similar to other spatial phenomenon."

"Erm..." Azusa said raising a hand. Her face was full of confusion. "You kind of lost me like a whole seven paragraphs ago..." she explained. "Do you think we can just get out of this. Its really playing havoc with ships systems and I could really use some sort of answers as how to get the ship out of this... funnel/vacuole/intersteller vacuum cleaner/sucky space holey thingy or whatever... know what I mean?"

"Not until we can find out what it is," Amber said. "That's what we're here to do. You're welcome to help look through data, but until we know what brought us here, we're not getting home." She hoped this didn't mean they would have to find the long way back.

Xander was becoming irritated with the commander's dismissal of his every idea. He decided to check the science station on the bridge. "I'll be on the bridge. Suddenly, Astrometrics has become to small for the three of us. And with that said, he left the lab for the bridge.

Amber sighed. He was too quick to jump to conclusions without taking time to look at all the data. But, as the information from the bridge had been transferred to Astrometrics, she had no problem with him working up there as well. All she wanted him to do was take the time to review all the data and take into account the parts that disputed his suggestions. He was simply too green.

Unfortunately, between the Captain and the new Chief Science Officer, she was seriously wondering if she'd made a mistake in accepting the position of First Officer.

The Chief Engineer left right after.

An hour later, Amber and the computer had completed the compilation and data analysis. It was not as clear-cut a problem or solution as Xander thought. The data indicated it was some type of irregular wormhole--or something that acted like one. Yes, there were vague similarities to a warp funnel, and to a subspace vacuole, but it acted like a wormhole. She wished they'd had more time to study the phenomenon. But, right now, they needed to focus on finding a way home. Another irregular wormhole was not likely to pick them up and take them back to Kansas if they7 clicked their heels together and said "There's no place like home."

____
OFF

Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Xander Oroyo
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Azusa Nakano
Chief Engineer

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