Pilot Episode, Act I

Picks up from the first officer seamlessly. "The Inphirian fleet has a few small ships stationed on Errbex, mostly for transport and research use, but in light of recent hostilities, they've been retrofitted with some weapons. Those ships were scrambled upon detection of the Vruxil ship, which fled immediately rather than engaging. Here are the images captured by the Inphirian ships."

He taps on his PADD and several images appear on the screen on the wall at the end of the room, all taken in deep space. A couple have the Tangle in the background. In all of them, the intended object of the photo is indistinct.

Blakeney continues. "As you can see, none of the cameras captured a particularly useful rendering of the ship in question, but the telemetry from Errbex's sensors indicates strong similarities to the ship from which we recovered the uncertainty drive."

Dr. T'Shen interjects politely. "And how certain are we that the Vruxil were the ones who created that ship?"

"The Inphirians confirmed that its designed matched those of the ships involved in various Vruxil attacks on Inphirian outposts," Blakeney says. He smiles and nods at Oobadek. "Liaison, if you'd like to add any additional insights during the presentation, please feel free.""The ship fled directly into the Tangle once the Inphirian ships approached. The exact entry point was recorded, and the Inphirians were able to chart its course for a brief time. Starfleet Command has ordered the Hodgkin to Errbex to interview the colony leadership, analyze their data, and try to trace the path of the Vruxil ship as far as possible through the Tangle."

Oobadek's tendrils, clearly his most expressive feature narrow when Blakeney discusses Errbex's complement. He does not otherwise respond, other than to say, "My government hasn't given me permission to share tactical specifications of our defenses, but I will say that we have acquired a series of disruptor banks from the Romulans via trade with a rather untrustorthy third party. We are uncertain if these weapons will be more effective than our prior attempts."

When it comes, he stands and takes the opportunity to add the following. His voice is clear and intonated correctly in a pleasant human cadence. "The Vruxil use a full spectrum low power electromagnetic jamming technology that makes them particularly difficult to get anything better out of attempts at imagery, not just in visible light but from low energy levels all the way up to x-ray wavelengths. It is also difficult to lock onto them with targeting systems other than by using custom predictive software. The effect here is consistent with readings I have examined." He uses a small device attached to the back of his hand to fling images taken from Errbex is several different wavelengths, demonstrating the jamming.

"I think we should make analyzing the data on this jamming technology and finding a way to neutralize or get around it a top priority," the security chief says. "If we should happen to run into a Vruxil ship, we need to be able to lock onto them for tracking and other types of engagement."

"Maybe the Inphirians have already done some work on that front," Blakeney says. "Liaison, have your people made any preliminary efforts toward creating that predictive software?"

Oobadek looks uncomfortable for a moment. He says, "I know that we have made progress on tracking them at close range, but we haven't had the weapons to take advantage." He looks about, taking in the ships hull. "Given our immediate concern, would you like me to request that they provide the algorithms?" His eyes grow wide, looking from Blakeney to Iron Eyes to the Pleiades and the captain and back again.

"Please, Liaison Officer. We understand our current treaty is new to all parties, but this truly would help us assist your people."

Hamilton turns her head his way, and tries not to come across as overbearing.

"Absolutely, it would be my pleasure. I will do so immediately. Would you like for me to make the request now? I could do that from the hall, and then come back." He stands up, and fiddles with his wrist-device, waiting to be dismissed.

"Oh, I see. There's a comm box nearby. Perhaps getting the message from our ship will help confirm our intentions to your superiors. Captain, if you'll excuse us. We'll be right back."

Hamilton gets up and heads to the door, gesturing that she'll lead Oobadeck to a place he can communicate swiftly.

Oobadek follows closely. Too closely? Maybe.

That's all right, Hamilton glances his way trying to read his motivations. She taps into a panel on the wall just set aside from the conference room and steps back.

"This will follow Federation security encryptions. As long as you contact your main officers instead of Errbex, the communication shouldn't raise any concerns with the Vruxil."

McCurry raises her eyebrows just slightly, presses her lips together just slightly, as Hamilton takes over handling this particular situation.

"While we wait for information regarding the tracking and recognition algorithm, I have two questions," she says.

First, she turns to Lt. Edison. "What is the status of the uncertainty drive? Are we ready to enter the Tangle?"

The second question she directs to Edgar. "And Counselor, based on your research, is there anything further we can do to prepare ourselves for the neurological effects of the Tangle? And what signs will we need to look for to indicate that we may need to retreat to a safe distance?"

"Either of you can answer first."

Outside, Oobadek looks at the comm panel, them at Hamilton, them at the comm panel again. "I don't understand. Why do you have only hard point access to your communications systems? Why aren't your comm badges linked to the system? I read that this is the way, but I thought it was an error in my briefing notes."

Hamilton pauses.

"Our comms are connected within the ship, we just can't call out. I suppose it's a security clearance so we don't abuse the system."

She looks at Oobadek like he truly is a strange alien, but she's trying to be polite.

Edgar enthusiastically jumps right in, to answer the Captain. In fact he stands up to address the room.

"Nothing we can do to prepare other then be aware of the symptoms of exposure. I am working on a counter, similar to a Geiger counter for measuring exposure in real time in the form of a badge. There will be a minimum Tangens exposure to be determined as my research progresses. As to the signs, well... initially one will notice the incorrect usage of words. For example, one might mean to say give me that spoon, but instead say give me that insulator. As exposure increases, one also becomes agitated, has reduced analytical capability and ultimately becomes aphasic."

"Thank you, Counselor. When you’ve time to devote to it, I think we’d all appreciate having a better sense of when someone’s been exposed to the Tangle for too long," says McCurry. "We should have plenty of opportunity for study, that’s for certain."

She turns them to Lt. Edison, waiting for her answer.

Avery speaks professionally, clearly well versed on the matter. "The uncertainty drive has consistently performed within acceptable parameters during every test we've thrown at it. If there are any issues we have yet to encounter them."

The captain is momentarily taken aback by the confident answer, though for her, being 'taken aback' means eyes widening slightly, eyebrows rising just a bit, and a response that doesn't come quite as quickly as usual.

"So all of the reports I've read from the engineering teams that developed the drive for integration with current Starfleet technology about how it frequently breaks down for unknown reasons and has a difficult time communicating properly with Starfleet navigation systems... are you saying that you've managed to fix all those problems and we won't encounter any issues when we actually have to use it to go into the Tangle?"

It's a pointed question, yes, but the way she states it makes it sound as though she's grudgingly impressed, rather than highly skeptical. Certainly, there's a look of mild, innocent wonder on her face. That has to be sincere, right?

The camera angle changes from McCurry's attempt at sincerity to Hamilton's attempt at.... anything resembling humanoid interaction.

"That won't be an issue, Liaison Officer. I'll need to reset the encryption to standard after this, anyway."

The silence that follows is deafening. Hamilton glances at Oobadek's tendrils, trying to read his expression.

"Can I get you anything to drink? Are your methane levels sufficient right now?"

In the hallway, Oobadek stares at Hamilton, then looks at the wall, then stares again. "Drink? No, thank you, Commander. My methane store is back in the laboratory, I don't require constant exposure." He blinks a few times, his tendrils rigid. "Are your body functions in balance?"