Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1116 Alpha Shift

“Something is slowly eating away at the probe’s shields,” Stark worriedly reports. “I show absolutely no reason for this but it is a slow and steady decline.”

“Der ist a great deal of strain on ze probe’s energy matrix, Commander,” Wilhelm remarks with such rush that his accent nearly makes it impossible for Max to grasp what he’s saying.

“Find out what’s causing that drain people,” Max taps the reading and brings it into prominent view.

“The probe is a mere two hundred meters into the uppermost atmosphere, Commander,” Siric informs him. “The drain appears to have begun at one hundred and two meters, five centimeters inside the—”

“What’s your point, Mr. Siric?” Cole interrupts. He can see the data being cited right in front of him.

“Perhaps, with only two hundred meters—of which one hundred might not be… infected with whatever it is that’s jamming our sensors—we could transport the probe into the shuttle’s cargo bay along with a small volume of the atmosphere surrounding it.”

“A level six containment field should be sufficient for security purposes if we were to, Commander,” Lt. Stark adds.

“Can we stabilize those shields?” Max looks to Kurt. “I’d rather not claim defeat so readily.”

"Sir?" Jenna glances at Commander Cole. "While the containment field should be sufficient enough to contain the probe as specified, The WaveRider doesn't have a transporter onboard, Sir. The GWC would have to bring it directly to the cargo bay." She took a deep breath. " I don't know what the probe's collection and chemical sensors are saying, but it ought to be able to collect a sample of the atmosphere on its own. With your permission, I can take the WaveRider into the atmosphere, right up to that one-hundred-meter line. Close enough to get a direct scan, up close and personal." Jenna returned her gaze to the display screens in front of her.

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1117 Alpha Shift

The WaveRider shudders just enough to notice as the probe is released. The trajectory of the device is recorded by blue lines across the gridded screen. Data immediately begins to be downloaded to the WaveRider and in turn, uploaded to the George Washington Carver for additional analysis. After a few minutes, Cole’s screen lights up with alerts.

“What’s going on?” he asks, brow furrowing.

“Something is slowly eating away at the probe’s shields,” Stark worriedly reports. “I show absolutely no reason for this but it is a slow and steady decline.”

“Der ist a great deal of strain on ze probe’s energy matrix, Commander,” Wilhelm remarks with such rush that his accent nearly makes it impossible for Max to grasp what he’s saying.

“Find out what’s causing that drain, people,” Max taps the reading and brings it into prominent view.

“The probe is a mere two hundred meters into the uppermost atmosphere, Commander,” Siric informs him. “The drain appears to have begun at one hundred and two meters, five centimeters inside the—”

“What’s your point, Mr. Siric?” Cole interrupts. He can see the data being cited right in front of him.

“Perhaps, with only two hundred meters—of which one hundred might not be… infected with whatever it is that’s jamming our sensors—we could transport the probe into the shuttle’s cargo bay along with a small volume of the atmosphere surrounding it.”

“A level six containment field should be sufficient for security purposes if we were to, Commander,” Lt. Stark adds.

“Can we stabilize those shields?” Max looks to Kurt. “I’d rather not claim defeat so readily.”

"Sir?" Jenna glances at Commander Cole. "While the containment field should be sufficient enough to contain the probe as specified, the WaveRider doesn't have a transporter onboard, Sir. The GWC would have to bring it directly to the cargo bay." She takes a deep breath, " I don't know what the probe's collection and chemical sensors are saying, but it ought to be able to collect a sample of the atmosphere on its own. With your permission, I can take the WaveRider into the atmosphere, right up to that one-hundred-meter line. Close enough to get a direct scan, up close and personal." Jenna returned her gaze to the display screens in front of her.

“I advise against taking the WaveRider into the atmosphere until we have an idea of what’s degrading the shields on the probe,” Lt. Stark replies with maybe a little acid. “Doesn’t make much sense to feed us all to the… whatever it is.”

“Keep it together, Lieutenant,” Cole warns. Don’t need people poking holes in their shipmate’s confidence right now.

“Ze Lieutenant is correct, sir,” the Engineering CO calmly informs the ship. “Vithout any uhzer proof ve can only assume dat ze same degradation vill happen to ze WaveRider.”

“So what’s doing the damage? Come on, people. We’ve got this,” Max rises from his chair and begins strolling about the two cabins, pausing behind each of his team. “Look past the numbers and put this puzzle together.”

“Vell,” Wilhelm pushes his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “Ze drain did not begin until ze probe vas actively scanning.”

“That’s right,” Sari declares thoughtfully. “As though the scans acted like a magnet.”

“Or a beacon,” Stark amends.

“Vait,” Kurt cautions. “Dis is not entirely true. Zee here?”

Tapping his screen, he quickly brings up the data points from another report. “Ze impulse drive of ze probe…”

“The trailings are extremely diluted,” the science officer concludes. “That’s not right.”

“Correct,” Siric now chimes in with his monotone voice. “We should have a clear reading of a highly ionic trail in the wake of the probe. We do not. We have a faint trail as though the probe passed through days ago.”

“Why would that be the case?” Cole frowns over Kurt’s shoulder. What could possibly cause the energy to dissipate so quickly?

“Ze trail begins to devolve seconds after ze probe emits it,” Lt. Wilhelm muses. “Ravenous.”

“What did you say?” Sari turns and looks at the CEO with wide questioning eyes.

“Uh,” Kurt glances at her and furrows his brow. “I said ze trail begins to—”

“No,” Crewman Uhnari interrupts. “After that.”

“I vas just saying dat it looks like ze trail vas ravenously devoured.”

“Could it be?” She trails off.

“Please enlighten us, Mr. Uhnari,” Max pushes in amusement.

“Could it be a living organism that’s feeding off of the energy being produced by the probe, sir?” She looks embarrassed by the question, Max observes.

"The probe's shields are at seventy-three percent," Siric reports from his seat next to Falcone.

“Well,” Cmdr. Cole raises his eyebrows and looks around. “Thoughts?”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1119 Alpha Shift

“Ze trail begins to devolve seconds after ze probe emits it,” Lt. Wilhelm muses. “Ravenous.”

“What did you say?” Sari turns and looks at the CEO with wide questioning eyes.

“Uh,” Kurt glances at her and furrows his brow. “I said ze trail begins to—”

“No,” Crewman Uhnari interrupts. “After that.”

“I vas just saying dat it looks like ze trail vas ravenously devoured.”

“Could it be?” She trails off.

“Please enlighten us, Mr. Uhnari,” Max pushes in amusement.

“Could it be a living organism that’s feeding off of the energy being produced by the probe, sir?” She looks embarrassed by the question, Max observes.

"The probe's shields are at seventy-three percent," Siric reports from his seat next to Falcone.

“Well,” Cmdr. Cole raises his eyebrows and looks around. “Thoughts?”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1119 Alpha Shift

"So you're saying that the cloud is... eating the probe's energy? That's very... interesting. How is that even possible?" Jenna paused. "Well, it's not trying to eat our probe, or us, from there. Could it be something that requires direct contact? Or proximity? Mister Siric, what would you think about testing that hypothesis? If we took the WaveRider up to say, five hundred kilometers or so out from the cloud, and scanned it from there? If it reaches out toward us, then we haul ourselves away from there really quick. That might give us an idea of whether it's eating the shields because of the probe or not.

If it started at where the probe began, a hundred kilometers in, then five hundred kilometers *ought* to be a reasonably safe distance." She did her very best not to turn and glare at Stark. Don't tell me my job, Stark. she thought angrily.

"Or, we can return to the GWC and get another probe. But the WaveRider is meant for atmospheric and surface studies. That's what she's built for."

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1117 Alpha Shift

“Why would that be the case?” Cole frowns over Kurt’s shoulder. What could possibly cause the energy to dissipate so quickly?

“Ze trail begins to devolve seconds after ze probe emits it,” Lt. Wilhelm muses. “Ravenous.”

“What did you say?” Sari turns and looks at the CEO with wide questioning eyes.

“Uh,” Kurt glances at her and furrows his brow. “I said ze trail begins to—”

“No,” Crewman Uhnari interrupts. “After that.”

“I vas just saying dat it looks like ze trail vas ravenously devoured.”

“Could it be?” She trails off.

“Please enlighten us, Mr. Uhnari,” Max pushes in amusement.

“Could it be a living organism that’s feeding off of the energy being produced by the probe, sir?” She looks embarrassed by the question, Max observes.

"The probe's shields are at seventy-three percent," Siric reports from his seat next to Falcone.

“Well,” Cmdr. Cole raises his eyebrows and looks around. “Thoughts?”

"So you're saying that the cloud is... eating the probe's energy? That's very... interesting. How is that even possible?" Jenna pauses. "Well, it's not trying to eat our probe, or us, from there. Could it be something that requires direct contact? Or proximity? Mister Siric, what would you think about testing that hypothesis? If we took the WaveRider up to say, five hundred kilometers or so out from the cloud, and scanned it from there? If it reaches out toward us, then we haul ourselves away from there really quick. That might give us an idea of whether it's eating the shields because of the probe or not.

If it started at where the probe began, a hundred kilometers in, then five hundred kilometers ought to be a reasonably safe distance." She does her very best not to turn and glare at Stark. Don't tell me my job, Stark. she thinks angrily. "Or, we can return to the GWC and get another probe. But the WaveRider is meant for atmospheric and surface studies. That's what she's built for."

“Mr. Falcone’s suggestion has merit, Commander,” Siric peers up at his superior officer, slightly turned in his chair. “The WaveRider can certainly… ‘haul’ us away should there be a need.”

“That’s assuming that whatever is degrading the probe’s shields doesn’t move faster than the WaveRider,” Stark mumbles.

“Sixty-two percent,” Siric reports on the shield’s condition.

“All right, Mr. Falcone, take us in,” Commander Cole places his hands on the back of her chair and stares out the window.

(OOC: assuming Jenna does so&hellip

“Sir,” Kurt calls out. “Perhaps if ve reverse ze polarity of ze scan emissions ve might cause ze attack to remove itself.”

“If these are living organisms that are feeding on the energy, we must make sure we don’t do anything to harm them,” Doctor Draci finally adds something to the conversation. “It wouldn’t do well for us to start killing species before we even know what they are or what their intent is.”

The Betazoid is right, Max chews on the inside of his left cheek. “Hold off on that trick of yours, Mr. Wilhelm. We might call on your skills in the near future but for now, let’s see how this plays out.”

“Yes, sir,” Lieutenant Wilhelm responds.

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1120 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rao Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1120 Alpha Shift

“Well,” Cmdr. Cole raises his eyebrows and looks around. “Thoughts?”

"So you're saying that the cloud is... eating the probe's energy? That's very... interesting. How is that even possible?" Jenna pauses. "Well, it's not trying to eat our probe, or us, from there. Could it be something that requires direct contact? Or proximity? Mister Siric, what would you think about testing that hypothesis? If we took the WaveRider up to say, five hundred kilometers or so out from the cloud, and scanned it from there? If it reaches out toward us, then we haul ourselves away from there really quick. That might give us an idea of whether it's eating the shields because of the probe or not.

If it started at where the probe began, a hundred kilometers in, then five hundred kilometers ought to be a reasonably safe distance." She does her very best not to turn and glare at Stark. Don't tell me my job, Stark. she thinks angrily. "Or, we can return to the GWC and get another probe. But the WaveRider is meant for atmospheric and surface studies. That's what she's built for."

“Mr. Falcone’s suggestion has merit, Commander,” Siric peers up at his superior officer, slightly turned in his chair. “The WaveRider can certainly… ‘haul’ us away should there be a need.”

“That’s assuming that whatever is degrading the probe’s shields doesn’t move faster than the WaveRider,” Stark mumbles.

“Sixty-two percent,” Siric reports on the shield’s condition.

“All right, Mr. Falcone, take us in,” Commander Cole places his hands on the back of her chair and stares out the window.

"Yes, Sir," Jenna said and moved her hands confidently over the console. Moving in now."

“Sir,” Kurt calls out. “Perhaps if ve reverse ze polarity of ze scan emissions ve might cause ze attack to remove itself.”

“If these are living organisms that are feeding on the energy, we must make sure we don’t do anything to harm them,” Doctor Draci finally adds something to the conversation. “It wouldn’t do well for us to start killing species before we even know what they are or what their intent is.”

The Betazoid is right, Max chews on the inside of his left cheek. “Hold off on that trick of yours, Mr. Wilhelm. We might call on your skills in the near future but for now, let’s see how this plays out.”

“Yes, sir,” Lieutenant Wilhelm responds.

"Five hundred kilometers, Commander," Jenna responded. "Ready to maneuver in closer at your command." She turns to Siric. "Mr. Siric, did the shields start to deteriorate as soon as the probe hit that" she had a slight grin on her face, "One hundred two kilometers and 5 centimeters, or as soon as it entered the cloud?"

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rao Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1122 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1120 Alpha Shift

“Sixty-two percent,” Siric reports on the shield’s condition.

“All right, Mr. Falcone, take us in,” Commander Cole places his hands on the back of her chair and stares out the window.

“Sir,” Kurt calls out. “Perhaps if ve reverse ze polarity of ze scan emissions ve might cause ze attack to remove itself.”

“If these are living organisms that are feeding on the energy, we must make sure we don’t do anything to harm them,” Doctor Draci finally adds something to the conversation. “It wouldn’t do well for us to start killing species before we even know what they are or what their intent is.”

The Betazoid is right, Max chews on the inside of his left cheek. “Hold off on that trick of yours, Mr. Wilhelm. We might call on your skills in the near future but for now, let’s see how this plays out.”

“Yes, sir,” Lieutenant Wilhelm responds.

"Five hundred kilometers, Commander," Jenna responds. "Ready to maneuver in closer at your command." She turns to Siric. "Mr. Siric, did the shields start to deteriorate as soon as the probe hit that—" she has a slight grin on her face, "—one hundred two kilometers and five centimeters, or as soon as it entered the cloud?"

“The available data indicates that the drain began at exactly—”

“I think she is having a little fun with you, Mr. Siric,” Cole interrupts the Vulcan’s reply. “Maintain position, Mr. Falcone. Let’s get those scans running.”

“I am initializing a narrow beam scan now, Commander,” Siric states, his fingers running along the console in front of him.

“Ze probe ist at fifty-percent,” Wilhelm reports.

“That’s quite the jump for such a short time,” Max glances at the CEO. “Any idea why it has accelerated?”

“Negative, Commander,” Kurt looks up at the senior officer and pushes his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. “Zer ist just not enough data being returned.”

“There is a change in the density of the atmospheric particles,” Siric’s brow furrows.

“Explain,” Cole orders.

“The density of the atmosphere surrounding the point of contact by the beam has tripled if these readings are correct.”

“Are they extending along the beam? Coming toward us?” Max follows-up.

“Negative, Commander.”

“Well, that’s certainly interesting.” Folding his arms across his chest, Max settles on his heels and studies the scene outside of the viewport. “Falcone, how long would it take us to pick up the probe and breach that atmosphere? Maybe a more precise question would be, could we pick up the probe, get down to the surface and if things still aren’t looking up, break atmosphere again and return to the Carver before our shields are depleted?”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 ) 
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1121 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1121 Alpha Shift

“Are they extending along the beam? Coming toward us?” Max follows-up.

“Negative, Commander.”

“Well, that’s certainly interesting.” Folding his arms across his chest, Max settles on his heels and studies the scene outside of the viewport. “Falcone, how long would it take us to pick up the probe and breach that atmosphere? Maybe a more precise question would be, could we pick up the probe, get down to the surface and if things still aren’t looking up, break atmosphere again and return to the Carver before our shields are depleted?”

"It's the picking up the probe part that is the mitigating factor, Sir," Jenna replies. "I only have manipulator arms to grab the probe back. However, barring that, If we don't scan before we're through, I should be able to get us through and back with approximately thirty percent of shields left, if the readings are correct. I'm not a mathematician, but judging from what I've heard, it's the scanning that is making the drain more prominent." She pauses for thought. “I'm going to approximate ten minutes to breach, and then I can use her full capacity to move and scan. Hopefully to get better readings. I'm ready to try at your command, Sir."

“Any other suggestions?” Max peers about the shuttle with slightly raised eyebrows emphasizing his hope.

“Ze probe has a vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion zeestem, zat vill propel it through ze atmosphere to ze planet’s surface. With ze shields down to forty-five percent, ze probe vill likely sustain damage on entry but zer ist a goot chance zat ze probe’s data core vill remain unharmed allowing for retreival on ze planet’s surface.” Kurt frowns. “Zat ist if ze surface is somezing ve can land on.”

“I strongly advise against charging ahead without knowing what’s there, sir,” Stark enforces his position as security chief as he turns in his chair and drapes his right arm over the back so he can better observe Commander Cole’s reaction.

“I feel that I need to add,” Siric pipes up, “that we can bring the probe out of the atmosphere and return it to space where we can retrieve the data without risking either ourselves or the probe.”

“As much as I’m in a hurry to get planetside…” Max leans forward and puts his weight on the back of Jenna’s chair. “Pull that probe and Mr. Falcone, pick it up, please. Let’s see what mysteries we can unveil.”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1123 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1123 Alpha Shift

“As much as I’m in a hurry to get planetside…” Max leans forward and puts his weight on the back of Jenna’s chair. “Pull that probe and Mr. Falcone, pick it up, please. Let’s see what mysteries we can unveil.”

"Moving into two hundred and fifty kilometers, Sir. Arms ready to collect the probe. Issuing commands to probe to return to space. Mister Siric, estimated time to return?" Falcone asks.

“Five minutes and twenty seconds,” the Vulcan responds.

Jenna makes an adjustment in course, "I can attempt a manual retrieval of the probe if necessary."

“That will not be necessary,” Siric admonishes. “If my readings are correct, the probe was not followed by anything within the atmosphere.”

“I’m seeing some difference in the initial density in the wake of the probe,” Crewman Uhnari chimes in. “There’s a pattern…”

“Don’t keep me in suspense, Mister Uhnari,” Max presses.

“I’m not sure, Commander,” Sari winces as she hesitates. “But it appears that the probe was initially followed.”

“Initially? Then what?”

“Then it stopped,” the science specialist frowns, “right at the outermost edge of the atmosphere, sir.”

“Is something restricting its expansion?” Stark’s brows come together. “Why wouldn’t the… whatever it is, follow its source of food?”

“There are no unnatural barriers,” Siric informs the others. “However, the levels of nitrogen take a severe dip at the point where the atmosphere… ends. Where the atmosphere remains dense, the nitrogen levels are seventy-nine-point-zero-eight percent. At the exact point of decay, the nitrogen level drops to twenty-three-point-seven-nine percent. Perhaps this is the barrier that is keeping the unknown elements from chasing the probe.”

“Well, that indicates a possibility of intelligence, don’t you think, Mister Draci?” Max turns to the doctor. “Let’s see what that probe’s brought us? How long until we have it, Mister Siric?”

“Two-minutes and fifteen seconds.”

“I have the containment field ready to go,” Lt. Stark reports.

Cole watches his crew work their magic and procure the probe within its security field as an outsider. He has nothing to do during the work but watch. Efficiency is the name of the game and within short order, the commander has data streaming into the shuttle’s computers.

“All right, let’s have it. What does our little friend here have to say?” Max says after a short few minutes allowing the others to interpret the information.

“Nothing within these reports show intelligence.” Sari tilts her head to the side. “Only——”

“You’re seeing what I’m seeing, aren’t you, Crewman Unhari,” Draci looks up from his instruments with a smile. “There’s life.”

“Yes, sir,” Sari returns the smile. “Microbial, but life nonetheless.”

“Well,” Max leans back against the bulkhead and folds his arms, “what more can you tell me about this microbial lifeform?”

“Commander,” Sari opens and closes her mouth a couple of times, her confused eyes flitting from side to side, searching, “we would need more time to study the organisms. We just have preliminary data. There’s still so much to learn.”

“Like why our scans don’t penetrate their space,” Stark remarks sardonically.

“Fair enough,” Cole tilts his head towards the security officer. “Maybe you can tell us why that it with what you’ve got.”

“Give us some time, Commander,” Draci continues to smile. “The crewman and I will combine our efforts.”

“You’ve got fifteen minutes,” Max replies. New life forms are kinda the reason we’re here… why am I not as excited as these egg heads? “We’ve been ordered to get planetside. I want to make sure it happens sooner rather than later.

“Mister Falcone, please relay to the Carver an update of our situation.”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1134 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1136 Alpha Shift

“Give us some time, Commander,” Draci continues to smile. “The crewman and I will combine our efforts.”

“You’ve got fifteen minutes,” Max replies. New life forms are kinda the reason we’re here… why am I not as excited as these egg heads? “We’ve been ordered to get planetside. I want to make sure it happens sooner rather than later.

“Mister Falcone, please relay to the Carver an update of our situation.”

"Aye, sir." Jenna replies.

/= Falcone to Carver. /=

/= Carver here. Go ahead. /=

/= Preliminary scans after retrieval of the probe, potentially revealing microbial life. Something in the atmosphere seemed to feed on the probe's shields, and followed it to the edge of the atmosphere. Transmitting data to you shortly." /=

Jenna waits for the Carver to analyze the data.

/= Rouhani to WaveRider. /=  Jenna starts at the Captain's voice, then composes herself.

/= Falcone here, Captain. /=

/= Mister Falcone, what do you think will happen if you take the WaveRider into that atmosphere? /=

/= It's what she's built for, Captain. If the calculations are correct, then I believe I can take the WaveRider into the atmosphere, and perhaps through it. I have complete faith in Mister Siric's calculations, Sir. If the shield drops to below forty percent, I can turn the WaveRider back and return to space. The sensors of the WaveRider are better than the probes, and I believe we can get better readings by entering the atmosphere. /=

/= I see. Commander, do you agree with Mr. Falcone's assessment of the WaveRider and its capabilities? /=

“Mister Falcone is the expert here, Captain,” Max remarks. “The drain on the probe’s shields increased the longer it was in the atmosphere. This is pure conjecture, but that might have been the result of more of these microbial lifeforms gathering at the site, like a bunch of Klingons to a Buffet table.”

/= The mental imagery aside, we will continue to analyze the data that you’ve provided. Let’s see what the WaveRider can do. =/

“Yes, sir,” Cole once more drops his hands to the back of Jenna’s chair. “You heard the Captain. Take her in.”

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1138 Alpha Shift

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1138 Alpha Shift

“Mister Falcone, please relay to the Carver an update of our situation.”

"Aye, sir." Jenna replies.

/= Falcone to Carver. /=

/= Carver here. Go ahead. /=

/= Preliminary scans after retrieval of the probe, potentially revealing microbial life. Something in the atmosphere seemed to feed on the probe's shields, and followed it to the edge of the atmosphere. Transmitting data to you shortly." /=

Jenna waits for the Carver to analyze the data.

/= Rouhani to WaveRider. /=  Jenna starts at the Captain's voice, then composes herself.

/= Falcone here, Captain. /=

/= Mister Falcone, what do you think will happen if you take the WaveRider into that atmosphere? /=

/= It's what she's built for, Captain. If the calculations are correct, then I believe I can take the WaveRider into the atmosphere, and perhaps through it. I have complete faith in Mister Siric's calculations, Sir. If the shield drops to below forty percent, I can turn the WaveRider back and return to space. The sensors of the WaveRider are better than the probes, and I believe we can get better readings by entering the atmosphere. /=

/= I see. Commander, do you agree with Mr. Falcone's assessment of the WaveRider and its capabilities? /=

“Mister Falcone is the expert here, Captain,” Max remarks. “The drain on the probe’s shields increased the longer it was in the atmosphere. This is pure conjecture, but that might have been the result of more of these microbial lifeforms gathering at the site, like a bunch of Klingons to a Buffet table.”

/= The mental imagery aside, we will continue to analyze the data that you’ve provided. Let’s see what the WaveRider can do. =/

“Yes, sir,” Cole once more drops his hands to the back of Jenna’s chair. “You heard the Captain. Take her in.”

"Aye, Sir." Jenna replied."Closing distance to the cloud." She maneuvered the WaveRider, heading into the atmophere. "Two hundred kilometers, one hundred kilometers." She called out. "Entering atmosphere now."

The WaveRider shuddered slightly, then the ride smoothed once more.The visibility was limited to perhaps a hundred meters, and the cloud swirled aroud them, every so often brushing the shields. Each time they brushed up to it, they lingered a bit longer. At the distance Mister Siric had first stated, the clinging became more and more frequent.

"Mister Siric, please give me a reading on the shields. They're stronger than the probe's were, but I imagine we'll hit the drain. Crewman Suhnari, you said that the atmosphere appeared to be feeding on the shields, right?"

"That was the original assessment, Mister Falcone. While the probe was in there, but it didn't follow the probe out."

"What if we don't give it anything to feed on. Say turn off the shields for ten seconds?" She anticipated the blowing up from Stark after that suggestion. "Any other thoughts?"

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1138 Alpha Shift

“Yes, sir,” Cole once more drops his hands to the back of Jenna’s chair. “You heard the Captain. Take her in.”

"Aye, Sir." Jenna replies."Closing distance to the cloud." She maneuvers the WaveRider, heading into the atmosphere. "Two hundred kilometers, one hundred kilometers." She calls out. "Entering atmosphere now."

The WaveRider shudders slightly, then the ride smooths once more. The visibility is limited to perhaps a hundred meters, and the cloud swirls around them every so often brushing the shields. Each time the clouds brush up against the ship, they linger a bit longer. At the distance Mister Siric had first stated, the clinging becomes more and more frequent.

"Mister Siric, please give me a reading on the shields. They're stronger than the probe's were, but I imagine we'll hit the drain. Crewman Uhnari, you said that the atmosphere appeared to be feeding on the shields, right?"

"That was the original assessment, Mister Falcone,” the Haliian replies, eyes on her console. “While the probe was in there, but it didn't follow the probe out."

"What if we don't give it anything to feed on. Say turn off the shields for ten seconds?" Jenna anticipates the blowing up from Stark after that suggestion. "Any other thoughts?"

“You want us to drop our defenses and hope that these creatures play nice!?” Lt. Stark practically falls out of his chair. “What are they teaching you flyers at the Academy these days?”

“Play nice,” Cole interrupts. “The thought does place the ship’s security at great risk but there’s merit to testing the theory. Only, I’d have preferred we thought of that with the unmanned probe.”

“With all due respect, Commander,” Thomas responds, “There’s nothing good about dropping our defenses to the unknown.”

Max raises his eyebrows and presses his lips together as he looks on his chief of security. I get it. This is your wheelhouse and you’re just doing your job. But for the love of all that is good! Take a breath. Think about the words coming out of your mouth. “I’m not saying we’re going to drop our shields, Lieutenant. At least, not all the way.”

Turning back to the scene outside their viewport, the commander says, “We have a very short amount of time to make this decision. So, I want assessments forthwith. What are the likely results if we reduce power to the shields based on the behavior we’ve witnessed thus far? Furthermore, what might these creatures do to the shuttle if they bypass the shields? Will they be able to get into the WaveRider’s systems? Cause havoc from within?”

“I’d like to go on record as stating that this is a really bad idea,” Stark grumbles.

“Noted. Now… give me some answers, people.” Max begins drumming his fingers along the back of the chair, waiting for his officers to share their expert opinions.

Stardate: 2365.03.29 (Sunday - 42269.8 )
WaveRider Shuttle - Rho Puppis I Uppermost Atmosphere - 1139 Alpha Shift