Probes, might be a way

Posted on Wed Sep 19th, 2018 @ 9:39pm by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Sonak
Edited on on Fri Sep 28th, 2018 @ 12:11am

Mission: Hera v Hera
Location: USS Hera, Deck 6, Main Science Lab 5
Timeline: 2395 Stardate 72676.2

Everyone was busy now that the mission was known. Every department had a dozen tasks to perform and McBain had a few more. He had asked the XO about using probes and she had sent him to Science. So he was in Science. He saw the Vulcan from the briefing, Paris' husband and the person she had said to speak with. He walked over to the Vulcan and smiled "I want your opinion Sir. The XO, Commander Paris sent me to you. I was thinking of the idea presented to use probes. My thoughts were to send in two or three class-8 with transponder signatures of patrol class ships. Maybe even a program to show signs of life. Those would pass through the system and be a decoy. You see we might learn something about their fleet's reaction time to intercept a threat? Maybe even draw away a few ships chasing the high speed probes."

McBain decided to push on before he was shut down. "The second step would be to use four class-5 probes to make an actual recon of the system. As well as assist in communication security once we enter the system. They have stealth technology so they should be undetected." McBain made eye contact, his own had a quality of mirth. He was thinking of the hot XO and this guy. Talk about opposites attracting each other! "So do you think the plan has merit, Sir?"

The Vulcan took a second to obviously make several quick computations and permutations in his head before replying with an even tone.

"Your approach is quite logical, Ensign. Gathering data is the very first step in Starfleet's Rules of Engagement and most important in our present situation. Taking into account the aggressiveness of our adversary, your decoys should in all probability ellicit an immediate response. Engineering can certainly install transponders as you suggest and also modify the warp signature accordingly. Using one of our transporter organic test tubes in it's payload, we could create the organic reading you propose to make the deception all the more convincing."

He played his thin fingers on the console next to him to activate the listing of the Hera's probe complement and select the holographic schematics of those selected by McBain plus one more.

"For the actual reconnaissance, I would suggest class VII probes instead of the class V. They too have stealthy properties, but more importantly, they work with the best passive sensors we currently have. Their probing will therefore remain undetectable."

He made a pause and a few other calculations before adding another suggestion.

"Since like the class V they are also low warp capable, you could install a magnetic clamp on the class VIII to have each piggy-back one high warp decoy probe and dropped inconspicuously during the fly-by."

He completed the suggested modifications on the display and showed the finished product and the computer simulation of the whole idea to the young man.

"Does this meet your requirements, Ensign?"

McBain listened while the Lieutenant replied, the slow methodical answer allowed him time to think about each part of the answer. Now he was seeing how adding Engineering would be useful as they could add in the needed equipment quicker than he could himself. They probably would be better at it as well. He had used the class-5 before which was why he had thought of them but the class-7 was newer and Sonak was right, it had better tech to remain undetectable. Piggy-backing the slower stealth probes he would not have thought of. He had been planning on suggesting a shuttle launch of the class-5, which was what he had done in the past. The piggy back was a better idea and less chance of being detected. So he had seen the wisdom of Commander Paris' orders, so maybe a committee was not such a bad idea.

"Yes Sir, that sounds like it covers all aspects.Would you be interested in helping with the project yourself Sir?" McBain felt the help might well be useful as the Science officer had already made him see how he might enhance the success of the endeavor.

"I come to serve," the Vulcan replied with the traditional formulation.

Then he looked at the schematics for a few seconds.

"I could try to enhance the sensory capabilities of the probe by narrowing their targeting scanners to what you might prefer to look for. I do not think you would need to measure the geomagnetic field of the planet as much as you would wish to better locate the specific energy source of this entity, for example. I could also program the probe's transmitters to send us encrypted compressed blips, thus making them... and us... less likely to be noticed."

His grey eyes then locked with those of Mc Bain.

"However, this is your project, Ensign. I will do my best to comply to what you see best for this critical endeavor. Knowledge is our first, best weapon.Your efforts in this might very well mean the difference between success and failure."

McBain smiled, "it was brought up at the meeting but I guess it would be under the Intelligence department to ramrod an information gathering endeavor. Where would you want the class-7 probes set up to make adjustments?" He made eye contact "I was thinking the shuttle bay? We could all work together that way. You with the sensor package, Engineering with the transponder and mag-locks, I could program the flight plans as well. That way any problems we could discuss as they came up."

The Vulcan nodded.

"And we will have the flight personnel on hand to help. A logical choice, Mister McBain. Let us proceed."

"I think I can cover that. I spent three years training to be a pilot and about a year in a fighter. My nave's are solid as any pilot who has to find his mother ship in the blackness of space." McBain figured he had flight covered,he had learned to plot courses when he was just a kid after all. "I will contact you as soon as I get everything set up?" He did not want to waste the Lieutenant's time as he was sure he was busy with his own ideas.

"Affirmative," simply answered the Vulcan and his customary deadpan way.