Recon the Gorn
Posted on Thu Apr 18th, 2024 @ 7:53pm by Lieutenant Victoria Sandoval & Lieutenant Carson Goodwin & Lieutenant JG Miranda De León & Lieutenant JG Cole Peterson
Edited on on Thu Apr 18th, 2024 @ 7:54pm
Mission:
Miyamoto S1, E1: Discovery Awaits
Location: Various
Timeline: MD001 1115 hours
3876 words - 7.8 OF Standard Post Measure
Location USS Miyamoto, Science Lab
Victoria, Miri and Cole were in the science lab. The captain had given them a challenging request. They needed to decrypt Gorn transmissions. T’Sal wanted to know what the Gorn were doing in the area.
“You can use this station over here, Cole.” Miri said with a warm smile on her face. She was very impressed by how far he had come over the past few years.
Victoria was also proud of him. But at the moment, she had a lot of experience in encryption. So Miri was happy to have her on the team.
“Shall we get to work?” Cole said with an easy smile. “It isn’t going to be easy, but we will do it.” He looked to Victoria. “I believe the best way to do this is to sit at a console together and try to decipher the communication one phrase at a time.”
“I don't know typically when we sit down together it doesn't work out good for either of us.” Victoria said in a teasing voice.
“All right you two, cut it out.” Miri suggested at the two love birds. Their relationship reminded her of her relationship with Brandon.
“Which is why we have Miri here.” Cole grinned. “To keep us in line.” He brought up the computer. “Let’s download what we have.”
“I am not a babysitter.” Miri pointed out to Cole. She was a scientist, and that's What mattered to her.
“It was a joke.” Cole said as he looked over to her. “I would never seriously disrespect you that way. Let’s get to work on this. I apologize, Miri.”
“Hey, maybe I wanted a babysitter.” Victoria said and she decided to tease Cole. She thought why not, it was fun to pick on him. Mainly because she loved him.
Miri tried not to roll her eyes. It's good to get inside of their system now so they can focus on their work.
“I’ll babysit you anytime.” Cole said as the information loaded. “This is going to take us a little bit.” He commented seriously. “There is a lot of data here.”
“Now I don't need a babysitter.” Miri said with a smirk on her face. Two could play their silly little game.
“We should ask Brandon that question.” Cole grinned. He waited for her comeback. Miri was good at this.
“I am reasonably confident that Brandon will tell you it's none of your business.” Miri said with a big grin on her face. She then went on to ask, “Are we ready Cole?”
“I know I am, I'm already starting my encryption keys.” Victoria said as you work at a console next to theirs to try to see if they can get this filing encrypted. The USS Miyamoto had recorded the message so they could put it into a file and try to decrypt it.
“Let’s do this.” Cole said with a smile. He had his encryption codes as well and they went to work. The first conversation was about how weak the Federation was and how they would show them their superiority.
“The dialect is going to be tricky, this species has a lot in common with reptilians which I don't know if our database has a lot of information on reptilian species.” Miri said and she looked over to Cole and Victoria.
“It is limited.” Cole admitted. “I managed to decipher a word or two but nothing substantial or helpful to us.”
“Don't hug that information to yourself, share it.” Miri suggested it to him, wondering why he hadn't already shared it.
Cole passed the words he had managed to decipher over to her. “See there! They are talking about us I am assuming with the word inferior.”
“Okay that's just one word, we need to crack this fast.” Victoria said if she started to get more serious about the word, she also didn't like the fact that he got the first word translated before she did.
“Well that gives us a reference point to start, let's build on it.” Miri said that she decided to chime in, and started taking the information trying to see if she can make heads or tails of it. She was definitely out of her League.
“Some of these are just puzzling.” Cole murmured. “It is almost as if the words have more than one meaning.”
“A lot of our words have similar double standard meanings so it doesn't surprise me that they would too.” Miri said from the scientific standpoint.
“You make a point.” Cole nodded. “We need to think about it from that approach. See what words mean the same.”
“I believe that's wise, finding common words will make it a little easier assuming they use a similar alphabetic system that we do.” Victoria said if she looked over to Cole and Miri.
“It doesn't hurt to try, I say let's go for it.” Miri said but a warm smile on her face. She had high hopes this would work.
“I am in agreement as well,” Cole nodded. “Once we have a few words it is going to be much easier to figure out the others.”
A few minutes had passed, and Miri was stuck on a word. ”What does this mean?”
Victoria grinned because she had already determined what the word was. “Holstering.”
“That is great!” Cole replied. “See this word right here. It is death and this one is Federation so I’m pretty certain the words in between are, to the, or something close to that.”
“That seems to add up, not sure why you needed me here.” Victoria said with a big grin. He was very good at decrypting. She thinks he missed his calling. He should have went into communications.
“You have helped. “Cole replied. “He pointed to a word. “I cannot figure that one out at all.” It had him stumped.
“I'm not sure that's a word.” Victoria said if she looked at it a little more closely, if she had to guess it was probably their version of a period.
“Okay if it's not a word is it a letter or some kind of punctuation mark?” Miri asked as she waited for Cole or Victoria to respond.
“Hmmm.” Cole looked to Victoria. “She may turn into one of us.” He studied it for a long moment. “I think to us, it would be an exclamation point.”
“Or their variation, we don't know enough about their language to make a proper assessment but based on our own parameters I would say yes that looks like an exclamation point.” Victoria said as they put the information into the computer.
“I'm making some headway, but this is going to take forever if we have to characterize every character individually. It has to be an algorithm or something we can do to speed this process up.” Miri asked, hoping there was a faster way to speed this up.
“We know that we have enough words to feed into the computer's encryption software.” He turned and started typing.
“How long will it take for the algorithm?” Miri asked, hoping not very long. She was eager to complete this particular assignment.
“Less than five minutes.” Cole said with confidence. “And then we will have information to take back to them.” He felt good about what they had accomplished.
“Captain T'Sal will be pleased.” Miri thought she hoped that the Vulcan Captain would be pleased with their performance. She didn't think that they took too much time trying to come up with some answers.
Victoria was still trying to get used to the new captain and her approach, she wasn't like any other Vulcan that she ever met. Which was a good thing. I meant she was unique.
“She will indeed.” Cole said with a smile. He hadn’t had as much confidence as he had displayed when given the assignment but he was feeling good now.
“I could probably get to the bridge, and report our findings.” Victoria suggested that she looked over to Miri and Cole.
“Agreed, I don't think there is anything else we're going to learn. I can help us. We have deciphered the message.” Miri said she did believe that they had discovered everything they're going to. The scene starts to fade away.
“Let’s head to the bridge and pass this on.” Cole said with a smile. He knew they had done well.
Location: Bridge
“Please tell me, you cracked the communication?” Carson said as he looked at the three person team returning to the bridge. Miri, Victoria and Cole. They all had big smiles on their faces. He hoped that was good news.
“We did!” Cole replied. “The data is all uploaded here so you can read it.” He walked over to his console. “Come take a look, Sir.”
“I can, but maybe you should give your report to the Captain.” Carson suggested to him. This was his moment to shine.
“Indeed.” Cole replied with a nod. “He walked over to Captain T’Sal and stopped. “Caption.” He said respectfully.
T’Sal stared at him for a moment and spoke. “Report, Lieutenant.”
“We were able to crack their communication.” Cole informed her. “There is a lot of communication on there about the Federation and how weak we are.” He paused. “And then there is this one section where they discuss a great battle that is coming. Unfortunately there is no other reference other than they will take us by surprise.”
“Very well done.” T’Sal replied. “Keep monitoring them for more information,” She looked at Carson. “We need to get more details.”
“It’s so strange, Captain. So much history with this planet. Why does it feel like we are going to be the next part of the planet's strange history?” Victoria called out from her station. She was not fond of the Gorn using this planet. Especially given the planet's history already, and the conflicts with the Klingon Empire in recent years past.
“The Gorn chose this planet for a reason.” T’Sal spoke up. “We are missing important information about this planet or the system around it.” Her eyes went to Carson. “I want you to have a team find out everything you can about the planet and the surrounding area .”
“I think it's some kind of outpost, some of it's hard to tell from this data.” Carson suggested to her as he started looking for the date himself.
“I agree with the XO, it does appear to be an outpost of some kind.” Victoria called out and she waited to see what the captain would say.
“I will contact Starfleet.” T’Sal informed Carson. “To gain insight into how we are to proceed. Keep monitoring them and gathering information.”
“I wonder if we can beam down, send a small observation party and try to get some better information.” Victoria suggested to the group.
“Excellent.” T’Sal said her eyes on Victoria (I assume) and then to Carson. “Form a team and head down to see what information you obtain that I may report back to headquarters when I call for further instructions.”
“Right away captain.” Carson said he looked over to Victoria, Cole and then called out their names and then over to Miri and called out her name all four of them then started to head to the transporter room.
Location: Priors World
After a few minutes they're on the planet's surface. “This is simply a reconnaissance mission.” Carson called out as he looked to his away team. “Lieutenant Peterson I believe this is your field of expertise, actually safely execute our mission objective?” Carson asked.
“Yes Commander.” Cole nodded as he looked at his tricorder. “We will head in a westerly direction, over those hills right there. I would recommend, we stay within the cover of the trees and foliage at the far end and observe them from there.”
It Sounds like a good plan to me, was carried out.” Carson said as he was very proud of Cole's plan. He was tactically sound and their best option for safety. Staying in the tree line would give them a tactical advantage.
Cole started heading in that direction, keeping his eyes out for trouble. “I don’t think they expect any company. There doesn’t appear to be any patrols going on, they are staying in that one area but it is wise to keep our eyes on the look out for any trouble that comes our way.”
They slowly made their way through the tree line. Carson made sure that everyone is on point. You can see the Gorn outpost. There appeared to be no activity. This is very strange for him.
“They are just sitting there.” Cole whispered to the commander. “I would suggest seeing if we can pick up their conversation at all, commander.”
“I recommend we proceed with caution, going out there might put us at a tactical disadvantage.” Victoria suggested, she didn’t want to get too close to the Gorn.
“I don’t plan to be seen.” Cole looked over to Carson. “Just close enough to pick up some more of their talking.”
“It seems dangerous. I'm not sure what we hope to learn but it's not my call sir.” Victoria said she didn't agree with her boyfriend's assessment.
“Lieutenant Peterson, why don't you try to make it closer to the Gorn. Do not risk your safety.” Carson said hoping he didn't regret that decision.
“Yes sir.” Cole nodded. He stealthy moved closer to the structure and took a few minutes to pick up their conversation. After a few moments he headed back. “This is strange.”
“Report.” Carson said as he wondered what got the man's attention. Roy was concerned about their safety, and if this is something to jeopardize it he wants to know about it.
“They are repeating the same conversation over and over.” Cole informed him. “It is almost as if they are stuck in a pattern or something, maybe it is a recording.” He shook his head. “And their body patterns are the same as well.”
“Maybe they're practicing for something, but I think in my mind I'd make sense of why they would be repeating the thing over and over.” Carson suggested to Cole.
“It might be but what are we going to learn if they are?” He asked. “We could stay a while and see if the pattern changes.”
“It's your call, I think we should observe from here. I do not believe we will get any better scans. There's something in these rocks that are interfering with our tricorders.” Victoria said as she continued to scan, but getting mixed results. However she didn't want to get any closer.
“I agree with that assessment.” Cole spoke up. “If our tricorders are off it is possible it could be reading what it already has picked up.” He should have caught that but he was glad Victoria had.
Carson thought about their plan, and they were right. It's better to be cautious. “Very well we'll spend about the next 20 minutes here observing, seeing if anything happens after that since you're probably regrouping a little further away where we won't be spotted.”
“It is puzzling that there are only two Gorn here.” Cole said in a low voice. “They usually have more than that. It seems they are over confident. Or others are hiding somewhere that we cannot detect them.”
“Maybe they are a Patrol, and not doing a good job of that.” Victoria suggested the two of them.
“That is possible.” Cole nodded. “I just am going to look at every angle and be cautious. You are my responsibility.”
“i think you mean we're all your responsibility.” Carson suggested to Cole. This wasn't date night, and he didn't want to be second seat in defense.
Cole’s eyes widened. “That is what I meant, Commander.” He shook his head. “I did not mean…that is she is my girlfriend but I meant I feel responsible for all of you, of course.”
“That's a better answer.” Carson said, giving the man a little slack still.” Carson looked to Cole, to carry out his part of the plan.
“I’ll begin observing now”. Cole said as he took his tricorder and went to work. A few minutes later, he spoke. “One of them is headed outside. I am getting some different readings.”
“Well don't keep us in suspense.” Carson said to Cole. He wondered what readings Cole was getting.
“From where I am standing now.” Cole replied. “There are four Gorn in there, not two. The other two appear to be building something.” He looked at Carson. “They are not speaking, however.”
“This is strange, can you make out what they're trying to build?” Carson asked, Matthew debated about heading towards Cole’s position to get a better look.
“I can’t tell.” Cole returned. “The building is pretty sparse so it could be something useful to them while they are staying on this planet.” He thought going closer was a high risk now that he knew they were moving around.
“Let's not risk it, head back to our position.” Carson suggested they were at a disadvantage right now a 4 on 4 against the Gorn and minimal weapons was a good idea.
“Understood.” Cole nodded. He held his position, wanting to take up the tail end in case they were detected. He waited for the others to move out.
“I think we need to regroup and figure out how we're going to tackle this.” Carson suggested to his away team.
“I agree.” Peterson said in reply. He felt like they were walking into something they knew nothing about and it was best to see what other information they could come up with.
Carson went to group the way but he still wanted to make sure you keep an eye on them, so they wouldn't try to sneak up on them. But he felt like they were safe, so he looked to his group and then asked. “Thoughts?”
“It is hard to ascertain what is going on in there without a visual.” Cole spoke up. “They aren’t patrolling the area so I doubt they are building a weapon to fight anyone off.” He paused. “My biggest question is why sit down here? They don’t even know we are here that we are aware of so they obviously aren’t scouts.”
“They could be security or maybe scientists.” Victoria suggested to the group. They weren't acting like military members.
“I think you may be right.” Cole nodded after giving her comment some thought. “I wonder if we could have a small probe beamed down and have it go take a look, Commander. They aren’t looking out the window, just staying within their building.”
“Approach could be traced back to us, we would have to make sure that we are ready to beam out in a moment's notice. You're not going to engage the Gorn, scientists or not.” Carson advised his crew.
“The other option is one of us tries to sneak up to the building and look in a window.” Cole continued. “We already agreed that isn’t a good idea. I am trying to think of a way to get them out of there.”
“Great you want to be a peeping tom, and what happens if they fire back at us. The Gorn ruthless inefficient hunters. We haven't been practicing defense strategies with the Gorn Hegemony.” Victoria pointed out to him.
“I didn’t mean for us to be their target.” Cole returned. “The commander said they can’t see us. It was just a thought.” He wondered why she had thrown him under the bus like that.
“You said us, I was referring to you, if they see you they're going to realize we're here. It's not my call, the commander really wants you to go, he'll let you.” Victoria said absolving herself of any of this responsibility. She wasn't the first officer, she wasn't in charge of the way mission, she was just a concerned girlfriend.
“I'm going to go ahead and authorize this, Lieutenant do me a favor and be careful.” Carson said hoping he didn't regret this decision. He would have referred to be the one to go but he also understood the importance of the mission.
“Yes Sir.” Cole said. He left the others and doubled around the side of the building. There was some foliage he was able to use for cover, but the last few feet, if the Gorn were looking in the right direction, would see him for certain. He took a breath and ran up against the building, dropping low. After a few moments, he carefully looked into the window from the right.
The Gorn in the chairs were talking back and forth, it was what the other two were doing that captured his attention. Cole watched for a few seconds to make certain his assessment was correct. He then turned and headed back in the direction he had come. He was almost to where the team was hiding when the door opened and one of the Gorn stepped outside. He looked from left to right, stood for a long moment and walked back inside and shut the door.
“That was close.” Cole said as he made it back to the team. “I thought for a moment they had seen me.”
“Did you not hear the commander, you were supposed to be careful.” Victoria said with an annoyed tone in her voice but at a low level so the Gorn couldn't hear them.
“I was. Cole replied. He looked at Carson. “They are trying to repair a transmitter. I believe they are marooned here.”
“Were you able to get a good look at how many there were?” Carson asked, hoping that he would have a little more information.
“There are four of them.” Cole replied. “Two are sitting in chairs while the other two are working on the transmitter. There is a bit of arguing going on between them.”
“What do you think, Lieutenant?” Victoria asked that she look at Carson. He was in charge, and this was their mission.
“Our mission objective was simple, reconnaissance only. I believe we have achieved that objective, we should signal to the Miyamoto that we're ready for transport.” Carson suggested as looked at the other two.
“I agree.” Cole said with a nod. “We had once close call, we know what they are up to and it is time to return to our ship and report in.” He was proud of Victoria, he thought she had made the right call in speaking up.
Carson grinned and nodded. ”Miyamoto three to beam up.” He said, watching the two of them dematerialize right in front of him, the next thing he know they were all in the transporter PAD as the scene starts to fade away.
Victoria was grateful that he was beaming them out of there. The further the way she was, the more safe she would feel.
Cole felt good about the mission. They had gotten the information they needed and would be able to fill the captain in.
