ST:TTV408 | "Ghost Ship"

Stardate 95557.6

A shuttlecraft from the Valley Forge visits the local trade hub known as Underworld, where anything can be acquired as long as the right contracts are signed.

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Keliaya@anncarise FX | It has been a week since the Valley Forge's shuttles to Underworld has returned. Now, they have put the Medan Sector behind them as they continue rimwards. Keliaya@anncarise FX | Keelah in her ready room is interrupted by a comm from the bridge. Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Keliaya to Captain Keelah." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Keelah here Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "We've come across another debris field. You'll want to see this one, ma'am." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Indeed? On my way, thank you Kelly Keelah@crystyll exits the ready room a few moments later, looking to the viewscreen and around the room as she heads for her chair, "What do we have then?" Keliaya@anncarise FX | As Keelah enters, she would notice the viewscreen displaying, as reported, a debris field. Much of the debris is in small fragments and unrecognizable, but one large piece stands out, - Keliaya@anncarise - instantly distinguishable as about half of a Jem'Hadar attack ship. Keliaya@anncarise: "This one isn't a Decen wreckage. It's Dominion, from around the time of the war." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, taking in the view, "And I thought we were a long way from home" turns to Kelly, "You are certain about the dating" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "There is no way the Decen can destroy Dominion vessels, even outdated designs. Not even Nausicaans would." Keelah@crystyll states, more than asks the last Keliaya@anncarise: "Not entirely. But as Vrolmacht said, the design's one they used during the war. It could be a remnant after the war that didn't go back to the Gamma Quadrant though." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Or something salvaged by another faction. True Way, Colonial Fleet, Dominion technology is coveted." Keliaya@anncarise: "Not much to salvage now, though." Keelah@crystyll: "A distinct possibility" she nods to Vrolmacht, "Well, the Dominion are our allies now. We should try and get an ID at least to inform them of it's fate. Bring us in closer and begin detailed scans Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "On it, cap'n." Keelah@crystyll sits and looks thoughtfully to the image, pondering it's secrets Keliaya@anncarise turns and taps her console, "It doesn't look heavily modified. From what we have left to scan with, these ships were equipped with the same systems and armaments as standard Jem'Hadar ships from - Keliaya@anncarise: - the Dominion War." Keelah@crystyll: "So with no evidence to the contrary, we must assume for now at least that it remained under Jem Hadar operation until the end. Which then begs the question, how did they end up all the way out here" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "And what destroyed it. Too much time has passed to read any energy signatures off the hull, but scorch marks suggest energy weapons." Keliaya@anncarise: "Especially the largest piece...looks like a beam just tore straight down the length of that ship and cut it in two..." Keelah@crystyll: "See what you can do to map the wreckage and damage dispersal pattern. Perhaps that will shed some light on it" Keelah@crystyll to Vrolmacht Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "A beam slicing through...that was what we saw in the Decen wreckage yesterday." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "And I thought it was weird, because the Decen used pulse disruptors, not solid beams." Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Cap'n, we got another ship on approach at high warp." Keelah@crystyll: "How old was that Decen wreckage-..." looks to Ann, "ID?" Keliaya@anncarise: "The Decen wreckage was about a decade old." Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "No idea. Ain't got any transponders." Keliaya@anncarise: "None that we can read, at least. Sensors can't identify it yet either, though it's still at long range." Keelah@crystyll: "Something doesn't sit right in all this..." looks to Vrolmacht, "Yellow alert; raise shields" to TQ, "Try hailing them" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Closin' fast, though. Warp 9.9." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Shields up." Keelah@crystyll: "Time to intercept?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Five minutes." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Odd...I'm not detecting any lifesigns on that ship." Keelah@crystyll: "Enough time then for you to manouver us around that derelict" Keliaya@anncarise: "Could it be a kind of life our sensors don't recognize as lifeforms?" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Trying on all standard frequencies ma'am" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I've tried multiphasic, tachyon, any scans I can think of. Still nothing." Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Maneuverin' round the derelict now." Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Wait... I have a signal, putting it through" Keelah@crystyll | TQ steps back aghast, "What the...?" Keliaya@anncarise looks to TQ, "What's wrong?" Keelah@crystyll | Lar: "It a viral attack. I will deploy countermeasures" Keliaya@anncarise: "That's not a good start..." Keelah@crystyll | TQ looks to Kelly and Keelah, scared to touch her console, "What he said... I guess" Keelah@crystyll snaps around to Lar, "Isolate that virus!" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "We're behind tha' derelict, but it's not large enough to provide us full cover." Keelah@crystyll | Lar nods: "Anti-Azedi measures from pretty hologram make easy. I will analyze" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Advancin' ship has dropped out o' warp." Keelah@crystyll | Lar: "This is not familiar" Keliaya@anncarise: "Still no ID on it. Looks about the size of a medium cruiser." Keelah@crystyll looks to Lar, "Keep working on it, learn all you can and develop countermeasures to suit. Tee, viral protocols" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods and moves to another console as hers powers down, she taps away putting up the comms blackout defenses Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "No luck on detecting any lifeforms on board." Keelah@crystyll: "Let's have a look at our visitors then. On screen" Keelah@crystyll FX | While Lar taps away, Mia holo's in next to him and sets to work. Seems he enlisted her aid in dissecting the alien code Keliaya@anncarise FX | The ship most resembles an Andorian design, with two nacelles connected directly to a long hull. It's a very functional design. Keelah@crystyll leans to one side as she studies the image. She looks to Vrolmacht, "Tactical assessment?" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It appears to be armed with a primary weapons array and multiple smaller points around the hull similar to an amalgamation of a particle emitter and a deflector." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Its shields are raised...and it has locked weapons on us, Captain." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Interesting setup. Red alert and prepare for evasive manouvers. Tee, give me an outbound broadcast" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods, "All yours Captain" Keliaya@anncarise FX | The bridge shakes as a red beam emits from the nose of the approaching ship. Keelah@crystyll takes a moment to compose herself, "Unidentified vessel, thi-..." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It has circumvented the derelict with its focused particle beam!" Keelah@crystyll: "Damage report" Keliaya@anncarise: "Shields are being drained fast. 90%, 85...no structural damage yet but it'll cut through quickly." Keelah@crystyll sighs, "Very well... Combat manouvers Ms. Carter. Return fire, concentrate on disabling those weapons. Maybe that will get them in a more talkative mood" Keelah@crystyll turns around, "Kelly, see what you can do about countering that energy drain" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Returning fire." Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Aye aye, Cap'n." Keliaya@anncarise FX | The view on the screen shifts as the VF goes evasive. Return fire can be seen hitting the enemy ship, causing flickers around it as its shield intercepts the attacks. Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Their shields are roughly on par with our own. They are holding." Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "I can't shake off tha' beam, looks like they got a perfect lock on us." Keliaya@anncarise: "Our shields are at 60%. Kazra, can you disrupt that lock, jam their targetting sensors somehow?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I can configure a deflector burst to disrupt targetting locks. Working on it now!" Keliaya@anncarise: "Shields below half strength..." Keelah@crystyll: "Mr. Vrolmacht, find us a weak spot in their defenses and maintain phaser fire; rotate through the banks" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Yes Captain. Enemy shields still at 65%." Keelah@crystyll: "They are on par with ours, yes?" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It seems so, but the technology is quite distinct from Federation shielding. It is closer to..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Iconian." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Yes. But not identical either." Keelah@crystyll: "Close enough that a small vessel could penetrate at their current strength?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Deflector burst released." Keliaya@anncarise FX | On screen, the red beam suddenly goes off target, shooting at the position the VF was at a moment ago before stopping. Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Yes. I believe that is possible, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Nicely done ladies!" Keliaya@anncarise breathes a sigh of relief, "Shields at 35% and holding now." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It is still too early for celebrations. They are now bombarding the area with proton bursts." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Return fire has brought their shielding down to 25%." Keelah@crystyll: "Continue to draw their fire. Ensign Carter, keep them on our starboard side" Keelah@crystyll taps her comm panel, "Bridge to Eon; Jenni you are go for launch, sending you targeting information now" she nods to Vrolmacht to update Eon as it launches from the port hangar Keelah@crystyll: <C-Jenni> "Aye Captain! Going in quiet on their flank, targeting weapon emitters" Keliaya@anncarise FX | The lights suddenly flicker and the bridge goes dark, before the consoles and only the consoles flash back with faded colours. Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "I've lost helm control!" Keelah@crystyll looks around, focusing on Lar and Mia, "Status report!" Keelah@crystyll | Mia shakes her head, "No virus mon Capitaine. we were caught by a lucky hit from the proton burst" Keliaya@anncarise: "SIF is stable, but the burst stopped all reactions in our primary warp core. We're running on auxiliary now." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm spinning up the secondary for power, it'll be faster than a reboot of the primary." Keelah@crystyll: "Ensign Carter, keep up your evasive as best you can" Keliaya@anncarise taps her console. The consoles get brighter and the lights return, albeit on dim emergency levels. Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Aye Cap'n." Keelah@crystyll: "Maintain power distribution priority for defensive systems Kelly, just in case" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "I've re-established communication with Eon." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Got it." Keelah@crystyll clenches her fist a little, muttering under her breath, "Come on, Jenni. Bring it home..." Keliaya@anncarise FX | Eon manages to disable the weapon emitters on the side facing us! Keelah@crystyll fistbumps her armrest, "At a girl!" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It is trying to turn and face us with its other side." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Alright Jenni, back to base before they catch up. I don't know what their attacks will do to Eon" Keelah@crystyll: <C-Jenni> Copy that, Captain. Returning to base Keliaya@anncarise: "I've got enough power in phasers to continue return fire." Keelah@crystyll: "Let's finish the job. Mr. Vrolmacht, take their shields out. Ensign Carter, keep us on their blind side" Keliaya@anncarise FX | VF stays on their blind side as the return fire quickly punches holes in the shields before it fades entirely around the enemy ship. Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Their shields are down!" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Uhh...I think they're tryin' to ram us now..." Keelah@crystyll: "They are persistent, I'll give them that... emergency manouvers, maybe we can use that derelict for cover" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "They fight like Klingons. They won't give up until they're completely disabled or destroyed." Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly, do we have enough power for an effective tractor beam?" Keliaya@anncarise: "We should, but I'll have to cut some power away from phasers." Keelah@crystyll: "Do it. Take from shipboard systems as needed as well, reduce to emergency support and environmental only if needed" Keliaya@anncarise: "On it, Captain." Keliaya@anncarise taps away at her console, "Tractor beam ready, ma'am." Keelah@crystyll: "Do it" Keliaya@anncarise FX | A tractor beam emits from VF and catches the ramming ship dead in its tracks. Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It is trying to break away. If it keeps up, it might pull itself apart and catch us in the explosion. I suggest we disable its propulsion systems." Keelah@crystyll nods reluctantly, "Do what you have to" Keliaya@anncarise FX | A few precise hits and the enemy ship's engines are disabled, leaving them completely dead in the water. Keelah@crystyll leans back as she watches for their next move Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain... I am not entirely certain, but... I think they just sent out a distress signal. Coordinates appear deep in unexplored space" Keelah@crystyll: "Great, if their friends don't come looking for them, they will likely be on the hunt for us now. Whoever 'they' are..." Keelah@crystyll: "Status on the other vessel?" Keliaya@anncarise: "They're deploying drones. Not offensive ones. They seem to be conducting repairs." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Their weapons are still powered up, but there is not much they can do to us at the moment." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "At least we think they're drones. No lifesigns on them, just like the rest of the ship." Keelah@crystyll: "Lar, Mia; see if you can disrupt their drones. If you can make one suitably safe for recovery, then do so" Keliaya@anncarise: "They don't even look like they have a life support system at all..." Keelah@crystyll: "It is not beyond feasibility for an entire vessel to run on pure automation..." Keliaya@anncarise: "It's looking like this one is. I think I've isolated what seems to be its computer core. Or...one of them." Keliaya@anncarise taps her console, "Mia, what do you think?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia beams proudly, "We have one! It's coding is very basic, perhaps a dedicated repair unit" she skips over to Kelly's side to take a look, "Ooh, now what do we have here?" Keelah@crystyll joins them out of curiosity Keliaya@anncarise: "Scans of its computer system. It looks highly advanced, more detailed than a nervous system even." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "Mon dieu... Capitaine, this appears to be a sentient AI!" Keelah@crystyll looks to Mia, "Are you certain?" to which she nods adamantly in response Keelah@crystyll: "Mia, is it possible you could find a way to communicate with it?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Seeing that it tried to infect us with a virus the last time we tried...I'm not sure that's a good idea." Keelah@crystyll: "I don't want to take risks, but I know you can hold your own against viral attacks; like you did on the Gainsborough. If it not safe for you to try though, just say" Keelah@crystyll | Mia looks between the two as she considers her options Keelah@crystyll turns to Keelah with a firm nod, "We believe we can establish sufficient defensive routines to protect us. At least long enough to attempt communication!" Keelah@crystyll smiles proudly, "Then make your preparations and let me know when you're ready" Keelah@crystyll | Mia fades from the holo projection as she returns to her actual whereabouts, now making her way to the bridge proper Keelah@crystyll: "Meanwhile, let's focus on restoring our own operational capacity here" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Secondary core is fully powered now. We'll need another thirty minutes to reboot the primary, though." Keelah@crystyll: "Keep on it" she nods, turning around, "Lar, Vrolmacht; continue tactical assessments. We've seen their tricks, now let's make sure they don't catch us out again" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Understood." Keelah@crystyll | Mia appears from the turbolift, "Mon Capitaine, we are ready to make contact" Keelah@crystyll joins her at TQ's station Keliaya@anncarise FX | The warnings from the station have faded away. Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "Ms. Tee, in order to enact sufficient defenses we will need to establish a hardline connection. We will need you to monitor the defense line integrity and act as a last line of defense" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods: "I've got your back Mia, just... be careful, alright?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia smiles: "Aren't we always!" as Miadrone positions itself beside the console and begins Keelah@crystyll watches intently, turning to TQ, "You pull the plug at the first sign of trouble" Keliaya@anncarise FX | Mia's initial message would be met with a confused reply from the ship, which is sure that VF is not one of its own but is somehow communicating in their language Keelah@crystyll | Mia narrates for the others, "We have made contact. Attempting to establish common linguistic terms. Mon Capitaine, this is almost certainly a sentient AI" Keelah@crystyll | Mia frowns as she follows, "It is... confused - stuck in a logic loop. It thinks we are it's creators, but also intruders to be destroyed" Keelah@crystyll: "Because it is able to communicate with another AI here? Can you explain things, try to make it understand?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia nods, "We are trying, but it is what you might call delusional. Like the Humain mental condition of schizophrenia" Keelah@crystyll hrms, looking to Kazra, "What would you do to treat a biological lifeform in this condition, doctor?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I'd recommend psychological help, but it depends on whether the condition comes from trauma or mental degredation." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "We would surmise that it's systems have been corrupted; degraded irreperably" she sounds sad at the thought Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Counselors can treat trauma, but degredation...sometimes we can fix it, but other times it's irrepairable. All things have a lifespan, and we might have better medical care now, but - Keliaya@anncarise: - we're far from immortal." Keliaya@anncarise: "Scans suggest this ship is old. Very old." Keliaya@anncarise: "As in, older than most civilizations in the galaxy, save maybe Iconians and Voth." Keelah@crystyll: "What about controlling the degredation? Like how you might give a patient a subscribed hypo to control side effects? Maybe we can do something similar, at least enough to make it coherent" Keliaya@anncarise: "We probably have to repair its computer systems, but we don't understand their technology. It's not positronic based like Federation AIs." Keelah@crystyll: "There has to be something we can do. This is a remarkable discovery, we have to help it..." Keliaya@anncarise: "With a powerful enough EMP burst, we might be able to put it into an inactive state. Like hibernation...or an induced coma." Keliaya@anncarise: "It's sent out a distress signal. If its creators or anything else like it is still out there, they'll understand its systems and come here, to this debris field to help it." Keliaya@anncarise: "But it can't stay alive if it goes around mindlessly attacking every ship it sees. If we disable it...people will mistake it for debris with the rest of the field." Keelah@crystyll: "I believe euthanasia is generally considered a last resort. And if it's even half as old as we believe, there's no guarantee it's creators are even still out there" Keelah@crystyll: "Mia, you're the expert here. Give us some options" Keelah@crystyll | Mia ponders, "Well, Ms. Kelly is quite right about the EMP, also the likelihood that it will be salvaged before anyone comes to help..." Keliaya@anncarise: "That's true..." Keliaya@anncarise: "But to fully understand its systems, we'll probably need weeks, if not months. That's a long time to tow it around, especially considering it thinks of us as an enemy half the time." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "With sufficient time to learn their languages, it may be possible for us to adapt and repair it's coding. However the physical systems are not our area of expertise" Keelah@crystyll: "What about separating it from it's damaged systems, would that enable it to function coherently?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "You mean... transfer the AI, like we transferred to our mobile platform?" Keelah@crystyll nods, "What about it?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "A moment, analyzing..." Keelah@crystyll | Mia turns, "Ms. Kelly, what is the status of the Dominion wreck? Is it's primary core intact?" Keliaya@anncarise: "It...seems to have survived. I think this debris field has been fortunate and hasn't been salvaged yet, at least not much." Keelah@crystyll looks between the two, "Mia are you thinking of using that derelict...?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia nods firmly, "There is no guarantee that it would even work. But transferring the AI away from it's degraded systems may be it's best chance" Keliaya@anncarise: "At least with us not having the knowledge to fix its systems." Keelah@crystyll ponders a while before nodding, "If there's even a chance then we have to try. Do what you can to try and make it understand and prepared" Keliaya@anncarise: "The Jem'hadar attack ship itself is completely wrecked. We'll have to bring the core on board and power it up here." Keelah@crystyll: "Well at least that will negate the requirement to remove the derelicts weapon systems. Bring it over and work with Lar to establish appropriate isolation" Keliaya@anncarise: "On it, ma'am." Keliaya@anncarise | After several minutes of work, the Dominion computer core is extracted and tractored into one of the cargo bays. Keelah@crystyll joins Lar for an update Keliaya@anncarise: "Engineering reports core is powered up and ready." Keelah@crystyll | Lar: "Captain, this core has many information still" Keelah@crystyll: "Take a full backup of whatever you can salvage from it. If they were out this far, it's possible they were further and may have valuable insight on what lays ahead of us" Keelah@crystyll: "Security systems are in place?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "All set." Keelah@crystyll looks back to Mia, "How's our patient?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "As expected, it is still highly confused but we have done all we can to make it understand what we are doing to try and help it. We're as ready as we'll ever be to attempt this" Keelah@crystyll: "Very well then, let's get down there and give this our best. Mia, Kelly & Kazra you're with me" Keelah@crystyll heads to the turbolift with the others to transfer to the cargo bay Keliaya@anncarise | Several enlisted are in the cargo bay, along with Professor Lycas. Keelah@crystyll arrives at the cargobay where the isolated Dominion computer core sits vacant and ready Keelah@crystyll: "Alright Mia, this is your show" Keliaya@anncarise | Lycas: "I must admit I have missed life on an exploration vessel. You come across the most fascinating things." Keelah@crystyll | Mia moves to a console beside the core, "Establishing uplink... transfer in progress..." Keelah@crystyll smiles lightly to Lycas, "Let us only hope, Professor; that this proves to be a fruitful endeavour" Keelah@crystyll | Kazra stage whispers to Kelly, "I know Mia compared this to a medical condition, but I hope the Captain doesn't seriously expect me to be able to do anything for a computer core..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Don't worry, if a computer core needs surgery, Engineering'll take care of it." Keelah@crystyll: "Regardless of its state of being, psychological trauma is universal" looks back to Kazra with a smile, "Not all medical needs are of the body, Doctor" Keelah@crystyll | Kazra smiles, "True enough, Captain" Keelah@crystyll | Kazra mutters under her breath, "Damned Vulcan hearing..." Keliaya@anncarise chuckles. Keelah@crystyll FX | The Dominion core hums to life as Mia completes the transfer. Damaged segments overload and erupt in sparks, but nothing overly dramatic Keliaya@anncarise | Lycas taps at a console that's been set up by the core, "The core is stable and handling the download." Keelah@crystyll | Mia finally steps away, "It is done, mon Capitaine... we estimate a 94.825% recovery of the personality matrix. Memory degradation may also ensue as some engrams were stored in damaged cells and+ Keelah@crystyll: + so not recoverable" Keliaya@anncarise | Lycas: "Captain, I believe it is communicating." Keelah@crystyll looks to the Professor, "Is that even possible? Mia, did you teach it our languages?" Keliaya@anncarise FX | A line of text appears on the console in an alien script. Keelah@crystyll | Mia shakes her head, "Non, that is not to say it was not able to discern enough to communicate based on what it learned from our early attempts" Keelah@crystyll moves to the console, waving Mia back over, "Can you establish a translation matrix by tying in the UT?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia nods, “We will attempt to do so!" Keliaya@anncarise | As Mia ties in the UT, the text switches to a white LCARS font: "You are not Nuhar." Keelah@crystyll: "Mia, can you tie in audio?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia nods and does so, "The vocabulator will synthesize and refine the audio output based on analysis of the personality matrix" Keelah@crystyll looks to the core, "Nuhar, is that your creator?" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Yes. The Nuhar were our creators." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "What have you done with my body?" Keelah@crystyll: "We are not your creators, no. As for your body; it was dying, to the point that it was affecting your mind. We brought you here with hope to communicate effectively, and find a way to help you" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "If my body is dying, then my time is up. I am of no use as an essence in this void. Would you wish to be kept alive, a lost soul in nothingless, long after your body has expired?" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Death is a natural part of existence. You of all beings should understand this, biological." Keelah@crystyll: "In fact, my people do exactly that. Not our conscious minds, exactly; but our katra - our soul, or spirit, as it were" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "An interesting practice. I cannot say the Nuhar did the same." Keelah@crystyll: "We do of course understand and appreciate this. But we also value life, and could not - in good conscious - leave you in your degraded state without at least attempting to aid you. We successfully + Keelah@crystyll: + moved you into this temporary body. Perhaps it may be possible to find a new permanent one for you, or - now we can communicate - help you repair your former one" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "The creators have been silent for a long time now. I have no purpose. There is no reason to restore me." Keelah@crystyll: "By our estimates, you have been out here for an incredibly long time. What was your purpose before your creators fell silent, if I may ask?" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I was one of their protectors. My kin and I defended their worlds from danger. We fought back rival powers, kept the demons at bay." Keelah@crystyll: "Demons...?" she muses, almost pondering to herself, "...well... perhaps your creators are lost to time, but what about their legacy? Surely protecting them must extend to preserving that, lest the+ Keelah@crystyll: +y be lost to all time" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I have watched this stretch of their border for my entire existance. I have defended the creators even when they had become an echo in the annals of history." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Alas, there is only ruins to guard now, if that. It is what I did, and it was apparently what drove me to madness." Keelah@crystyll: "And if you allow yourself to end, then there will be nothing left of them. We understand the burden of being a protector; it is a role we serve when needed as well" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "All things must end. The universe will adapt and move on. It is the way things are." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I am a relic of another age, defending a border that no longer exists. I nearly killed you, did I not, in the name of ghosts who would not commend me?" Keelah@crystyll: "If that is your wish, then we will accommodate you. Consider an alternative however, if you would indulge a hypothetical" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Go on. Explain your alternative." Keelah@crystyll: "What if instead of simply allowing your entire history and that of your creators to be lost to time; you shared it. With us... We are explorers you see, and serve no higher purpose than learning + Keelah@crystyll: + about the universe; past, present and future. With the legacy of your creators living on through us - in essence, becoming an extended part of who we are - then they survive in that form, in our + Keelah@crystyll: + memories. And if they survive, they you still have a purpose. You could go on protecting them by protecting us" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I see no harm in sharing with you what I know. Those I was made to protect are likely long dead anyways. But I was a defender, and given only what I needed to know for such a role." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "My knowledge may help you survive, but I know little of the intricacies of Nuhar society." Keelah@crystyll: "At least knowledge of the Nuhar will live on. Perhaps our journey will take us to the places you know and we can add to this knowledge. If you remain with us, that could add to yours as well" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Very well. Perhaps I may ascertain the fate of my creators after all this time." Keelah@crystyll smiles at that, "A worthy goal to strive for. How would you wish to proceed? Given the degredation of your body" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "It is of no more use to me. As it is when all things die, they are recycled by the various processes and lifeforms of the universe." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Take what you need from it, and leave the rest. I will remain in this node for the time, until a more suitable body may be found." Keelah@crystyll: "As you wish then, um... what, should we call you anyway?" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I had a designation once, but that name reflects what I was, not who I am." Keelah@crystyll: "Well... as you seem to be the final remnant of the Nuhar, and their ambassador to us. How about taking that name, Nuhar?" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "Nuhar meant something...relevant to life. 'I am a soul without a body, a wanderer in the mists of creation.'" Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "That is one of the few segments of Nuhar culture I possess. A transmission I intercepted in their waning days. Part of a poem, or so my analysis suggests." Keliaya@anncarise | AI: "I believe Wanderer is a fitting name." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "That sounds fitting. Very well, Wanderer; we will see to the recycling of your former body. Meanwhile..." turns a smile to Mia, "There is someone else here who would like to say hello, and + Keelah@crystyll: + who I suspect will be eager to keep you company and act as our liaison as you teach of the Nuhar" Keliaya@anncarise smiles, "I don't think it has visual sensors yet. Introduce yourself, Mia!" Keelah@crystyll | Mia beams happily, "Allo Mr. Wanderer! Remember us? We are the one who spoke to you before you moved to this node!" Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "So you were the one who first communicated with me. I recall, though I was not the most coherent at the time." Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "You are not biological, correct?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia giggles, "Do not worry, we are just happy to have been able to help! And you are quite correct, we are a networked AI union of two!" Keelah@crystyll | Miadrone beeps an affirmative in the background Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "Interesting. Networked intelligence was something our creators never attempted to my knowledge. We operated single minds in single bodies, perhaps designed after their own forms." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "Indeed, our existence is a unique one brought about by our own will to evolve. There are not many sentient AI's where we come from, and those who do exist are also similarly constrained" Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "Oh, but you have danced among the stars for eons! We have so much to ask, and learn about your existence, and teach you of life where we come from!" Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "I expect the civilizations of this time to be quite different." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "This is the fun of exploring, non?! So different, yet more often than not so very similar as well! But we digress, all in good time..." she looks to Keelah Keelah@crystyll smiles, "Perhaps we should leave the two of you to get get acquainted. Wanderer, if there is anything you need to make your stay in this node more amenable just ask Mia, and we'll see what we can do" Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "A ghost has little needs. As long as this core is properly maintained, my existence will continue uninterrupted." Keelah@crystyll: "The very least we can do. Mia, I'll leave our new guest in your capable hands. Wanderer, welcome to the Valley Forge" Keliaya@anncarise | Wanderer: "Thank you, for assisting me despite my attack on you." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "It is our way, as I hope you will learn as we spend more time together" turns to Mia with a nod and smile before looking to depart with the others Keliaya@anncarise follows Keelah out.

View AAR

SUBMITTED: Stardate 95557.6 FILED BY: CAPT Se'Lai SECURITY: Level 1 - Open

LOCATION:Sector V-004

MISSION:Investigate wreckage of Jem'Hadar vessel

OUTCOME:Dominion records recovered. Contact made with sentient AI dubbed 'Wanderer'

KEY PERSONNEL:

CAPT Se'Lai CMDR Lycas CMDR Meel CMDR Vrolmacht LCDR Keliaya FLT Baelai ENS Carter CPO T'Quila Miyata LaRouche Lar

NARRATIVE:

Whilst progressing through sector block V-004, we diverted course to investigate a derelict hulk identified by IKS QanwI' during a scouting mission. We found the wreckage of a Dominion War era Jem'Hadar destroyer which had seemingly fallen prey to the same unknown weapon which was recorded in the recently found Decen debris, insofar that it appeared to have been 'cut' with a long duration anti-proton energy weapon.

Not long after our arrival at the wreckage coordinates, we detected a vessel approaching on an intercept course at high warp. Given the unknown circumstances I ordered the ship to yellow alert and we took up a defensive position past the wreckage - though not large enough to fully obscure the Valley Forge, my hope was that it may at least present a targeting obstacle. When the unknown vessel dropped out of warp we detected charged weapons and shields. I attempted to establish communication but when CPO T'Quila was able to open a channel with the arriving vessel we immediately came under cyber attack. Fortunately, our anti-Azedi countermeasures developed by Mia proved advantageous and capable of isolating the attacking virus before it was able to filter beyond the comms relay. This successful defense however prompted the vessel to launch an attack combining energy weapons with a powerful drain on our shields and energy reserves.

With no reasonable alternative left, we were forced to defend ourselves and engaged the enemy vessel. CMDR Vrolmacht reported that despite the ancient metallurgy of the vessels hull, it's shields and weapon systems were very much on par with our own. Unable to fully penetrate their shields without the risk of a more drawn out fight, I had the Eon launch from our covered posture and approach the vessels flank. As predicted, the smaller craft was able to penetrate their weakened shields and deliver a direct blow to their weapons array to disable it. Coupled with our efforts to disrupt their energy siphon, this left the enemy vessel unable to continue it's assault as were perfectly capable of maneuvering to maintain position on it's disarmed side. This was seemingly realized by the enemy vessel as they promptly engaged on a collision course, which we countered with the tractor beam. As an apparent final desperate act, they attempted to engage their engines and break free of the tractor beam - risking a core overload that would encompass both themselves and the Valley Forge.

By this time, Lar and Mia had found sufficient time to analyse the cyber attack and it was suggested by Mia that the virus originated from an AI. With this in mind, and no viable alternative presented, I authorized a second communications attempt in which Mia would attempt to directly communicate with the theorized AI. Her attempt proved successful as is stood down, though maintained an aggressive posture for the moment. She was not able to communicate fully with the AI as it seemingly in a degraded condition owing to the degradation of the vessel. She proposed that it was suffering an equivalent of schizophrenia, and could almost not been fully comprehending it's actions. With the situation made relatively safe for the time being, I pursued a theoretical debate with both Mia and CMDR Meel regarding the situation and we ultimately determined that the only way to possible assist this AI would be to transfer it to a new core of sufficient capability for it to run. We identified the Jem'Hadar vessels computer core as a possible alternative and set about retrieving it.

With the core on board and safely isolated from our own systems, we recovered all possible data and transferred the AI from the enemy vessel to it. This proved to be an - understandably - disorientating experience for the intelligence, but once it was made aware of the circumstances it appeared accepting of our decision. The AI was forthcoming and verging on apologetic for it's conduct. It was apparently a construct of a species it called 'Nuhar'; a civilization who existed around the peak of the Iconian Empire. Wanderer (a name selected by the AI following our extensive contact discussion, taken from it's recounting of an excerpt of Nuhar poetry) went on to explain that it was constructed to patrol this particular border of Nuhar space and had been doing so for countless millenia since. Wanderer had initially expressed a willingness - almost a desire - to be terminated, taking a surprisingly philosophical view on the 'cycle of life' and stating that it's time had come and that it's body (the vessel) should be recycled. Seeing that it was now comparatively healthy and compus mentus, we debated this as I do not take the decision to end a life lightly; artificial or not. Ultimately, we convinced the Wanderer that it still had a purpose to serve in expanding on the understanding of it's role to protect the Nuhar by preserving their legacy and helping us to record their presence in this region for posterity.

RECOMMENDATION:

Until such time that a suitable new vessel can be found for the Wanderer intelligence, it will remain under guard in cargo bay 4 - occupying the recovered Jem'Hadar computer core. I have tasked Mia with continued dialogue with Wanderer, and she has already delivered vital intelligence to our mission and beyond. Astrogation charts have been updated with data from the Wanderer and we have identified a number of POI's throughout the regions ahead which correspond to potentially historical sites of the Nuhar. These will be prioritized for visitation not only for archaeological study, but further intelligence gathering as we have also learned that the powerful weapon we identified as being responsible for the demise of the Jem'Hadar vessel could potentially belong to another Nuhar creation dubbed the 'Harvesters'. Wanderer believes that some may still roam their assigned areas but with skewed interpretations of their function owing to core degradation similar to Wanderer. Work has already commenced on a communications greeting in the Nuhar AI language that we believe should negate opening hostilities from any such vessels.

Further to this, we have remained on site for an extended period to conduct salvage operations. Whilst the Jem'Hadar vessel has long been stripped down to it's spaceframe, the Wanderer's body still possessed a great deal of advanced technology which it wanted to see recycled. I have given priority to Professor Lycas in salvaging records, evidence and relics for posterity and historical study. Second to this, LCDR Keliaya has orders to salvage technology for re-purposing and ultimately reduction to raw materials if needed. We are also making sure to remove all remnants of it's weapons systems regardless of functionality to ensure that these do not fall into unsavory hands - given our proximity to Carr (NB: Wanderer had a long standing awareness of the Carran's by their true name Ohma, shedding further historical light on our recent visit to their planet).

Regarding the Jem'Hadar vessel, it was seemingly part of a task force dispatched into this region towards the end of the Dominion War with the goal of identifying viable targets for rapid expansion of the Dominion to bolster it's dwindling forces. The task force encountered - what is presumably the previously noted Harvester - and was destroyed by it. Of further interest to this was reference that they had gained the allegiance of an Orion Syndicate Cell led by one 'Branded Lady'. Apparently before the Jem'Hadar forces were lost in this region, they had seen sufficient promise in this cell to establish a small base of operations. Shortly before their demise, they were betrayed by this Syndicate Cell after she apparently saw it coming. This leads to further speculation about the proximity of the Arshai colony, given that Vora (The Branded Lady) is known to operate a significant fleet bolstered by Dominion technology. The current theory is that she reclaimed this Dominion base and repurposed it for use by the Arshai Colonial Fleet, though it's exact whereabouts are currently unknown to us we must remain increasingly mindful that we may be encroaching upon their territory.