Deciphering Acronyms

Posted on Fri Nov 29th, 2024 @ 3:29pm by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant Commander Kelly Kerrigan & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami & Ensign Karri

1,417 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Mess Hall | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Current

ON:

Adrianna wandered around to the mess hall. The loud crowd always helped her focus. It was a strange contradiction, but true. She was looking at a PaDD, doing some research for the mission. A lot made sense to her from her days undercover, but there were a few acronyms that puzzled her. She looked up and saw Karri and waved them over. As a supplies professional, perhaps they'd know.

Karri was drinking a tea when she saw that she was being waved over. She went right over. "Yes lieutenant? the Caitian said. "What's up?"

She gestured to the seat opposite and smiled, "I worked in a smuggling ring for years, but it has been some time. I don't suppose you know what these acronyms mean. This is one of the ships that disappeared -- they used these acronyms and symbols next to specific items in the inventory." She slid the PaDD over, "any ideas?"

"Anything to help." Karri said. She looked them over. "These first few look pretty standard." She said. " But this one here, it could be a greeting. But it also could be a cry for assistance. I'll admit most of the time I was behind the scenes on the freighter. But I've seen this one many times"

Adrianna raised a brow, "which one?"

Karri pointed to the one that she meant. "This" she said. "Since it was in the inventory. Simply "do not open "

"Are you sure?" Adrianna asked, "in what context? As in, anyone, or 'this is my lunch box not yours' situation."

"Honestly I couldn't say. My life on board was more of less I did my thing, they did theirs. It could mean "Private Stock" or "Hazardous" Karri said.

"That may be something though," Adrianna thought aloud, "if something is marked like that, it would never be opened. This was merely a textiles and 'safe' cargo ship. They could hide anything in there. Even an explosive, or technology to disarm. Hell, it could even carry a stowaway for a bigger plan." She sat back a little, "that would be genius, actually."

"What better place to hide something? In plain sight?" Karri agreed.

"Not only plain sight," Adrianna added, "but away from any checks-- like security. It's a weak spot."

Fang had come in to get an extra large coffee when he spotted Kerri and Adrianna. He walked over to the table. "Hello All. Nosy XO here but...Adrianna anything on the deciphering thing?"

Karri nodded greeting

"Maybe," she replied, "Ensign Karri believes this one means 'do not open'. The items they are listed next to though-- doesn't make sense for a sign like that."

"Yeah but do not open how like ewww it's disgusting, this is mine, or danger?"

"That's the thing," Adrianna showed Fang, "the manifest suggests that only textiles should have been on board. Nothing hazardous. There's no reason for a 'do not open', subject to putting it on a box with some garish material that may burn retinas." She shrugged, "this Dead zone may just be a science thing, but you have to admit that it's a little odd."

"So are you thinking the dead zone was created by some blocker rather then being natural?" He coughed. "And for the record I know a Bolian that would be very upset if someone touched the materials he ordered."

"I know many a person who would be upset, but that doesn't mean that you label boxes as such," Adrianna looked back at the notes, "to be fair, I'm just doing due diligence. It's worth us noting that smugglers and pirates, and so on, often use dead zones to mask activities."

He thought a moment. "Can we come at this from both sides? As in investigate as if this were a naturally occurring thing and if it was a man made Dead Zone?"

"Way ahead of you," she replied, "I've looked into both scenarios and both make a lot of sense. I'd suggest, owing to the size, that it is natural, but if it's not then that is some tech we could use."

"Let's keep exploring. Can you use Navigation and Helm to help? Work with Sabastian to plot a sensor sweep that makes the most sense and get that done."

Adrianna nodded, "sure. I mean, I can try." She smiled.

"Okay good. I also had an idea but your Coms expert so tell me if I'm way off okay?"

Adrianna nodded for him to continue.

Karri definitely took mental notes. Ordinarily she was counting things . She loved this excitement.

"Well I was thinking can we test the strength of the Dead Zone. I mean we can't send coms out but we can send something stupid like...nobody here but us chickens and see if there are any holes in the zone."

"What do chickens have to do with-- oh-- it's an expression," Adrianna chuckled at her stupidity, "It's not a bad idea, it may help us in terms of escape routes-- just in case."

"And we can see if there are any receptors to bounce off of. He sighed. "Can you both work on getting the Acronyms as clear as possible?"

Adrianna nodded, "of course. I'm sure we can work some things out."

He sighed. "Keep me and the Captain informed." He looked over as Kelly walked in. A goofy smile spread across his lips. "Carry on. I'll brief the Captain." Fang hurried away.

Adrianna caught the look and couldn't help but take a mental note to ask later.

'Aye, sir" Karri replied

As Lieutenant Commander Kerrigan walked in he saw Fang approaching. "Some good news I hope, Commander?" He himself did not have the best news to bring up. Hopefully his First Officer had something.

"Yes, sir. We're still working to get things sorted Baciami and Karri were working on getting the acronyms sorted and it amounts to do not open, for textiles so that is a bit weird. They are working to get the rest sorted and going through manifests. I have Sabastian Walker and Baciami working on sensor sweeps in a targeted grid pattern to map things out. I also have Baciami sending out tone pulses to see how dead the Dead Zone is and if there are any holes or bounce backs. Could help us figure out if this zone is man made or natural." He looked at the Captain. "Um...can I ask a question?"

"Man made?" Kelly looked confused. "Do you think something created by a civilization out here prevents communication signals from reaching the next relay?" He had simply gone with the rationale that the distance between the relays were simply to great, or that a natural phenomena caused too much interference.

"I don't know for sure but...it's better to check all the options at once then be wrong and have to go back and restart."

Kelly nodded. "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth" quoted the man. "The words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

"We'll check it all out." He looked at Kelly. "Now if I may, you look tired."

"Absolutely knackered by that brother of mine" replied Kelly. "I think he found a pound of sugar in the cargo bay and ingested it. He has far too much energy."

Fang laughed. "Sorry...it's not funny but it is."

Meanwhile Adrianna was subtle watching the interaction. Fang's gaze, the smile, his odd laugh. Oh gawd... The captain was why he had been too happy lately! She smirked, keeping it to herself, but no doubt would tell Vance.

Fangs smile softened. "Why don't you go rest Captain. We'll be starting the scans shortly and I'll let you know if anything shows up."

"I'll do that," replied Kelly. "Get some rest then have a set of fresh eyes and ears to help out a bit. Maybe my years at Communications will be useful."

He gave a nod. Fang thought a moment. He wanted to bring something up but decided against it. "I'll see you later then." He sighed. With everything going on he decided another time then. "Have a good rest, Captain."

"Thank you, Fang. I will certainly endeavor to get as much rest as my brother permits." Which lately meant a few hours if Kelly was lucky. This is why I don't have kids he thought privately.

Fang watched the captain go and then sighed. Off he went confident that things would be figured out.

OFF:

 

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