[B]When was the last time contact was made? Has anyone heard from them, since? Other agencies, contractors, corporate entities.
James remembers Morgrym saying something about them being expected to make contact with a sales agent three days ago. Other than that, you have little information.
Are there regularly scheduled planet visits, deliveries or pickups?Are they equipped with a passive beacon or heartbeat, if so when did that stop?
Few, seemingly.
Most importantly, planet side main systems... what tier are they... and where can I access the latest map of the surrounding mine region and mining operation schematics?
It's approximately 06:00 hours Zothune time when you arrive at Firehelm III, a pinkish iceball floating 1.19 AU from the red sun. Isis was on deck prior, prepared to place the ship in orbit.
Shalavaka wondered why the ice was pink. Heavy iron content? That would seem possible, but he was no mineralogist. It didn't matter either. Instead, he looked over to Esh. "Anything in orbit?"
On the bridge Isis asked "Eshenvral, do you still need time to decide?"
I'm going to focus on the planet itself, and making contact with any viable systems down there.
Who has planet atmosphere, orbit and the void? Would suck to be surprised.
"Well, it's uh ball o' ice . . .."
The elf is about to do just as Sharlavaka asked, before the human spoke up. Beneath his mask he frowns, and narrows his eyes at him.
Engineering, sensor array, planet-side
The data the new engineer brought up scrolls across Esh's monitors. The Elf, a little irked at being beaten to the punch, nevertheless attempts to interpret the raw data.
Physical Science, pink ice
Turns out the ice is not actually pink; just a trick of the light due to a high-methane atmosphere.
Computers, scanning for access point.
There are access nodes, but they seem to be powered down, so they're only responding with basic functioning data. Either the facility is VERY secure (which is unlikely) or the main computer core is off-line/non-accessible.
He sighs to himself, and decides it's best to push the irritation aside from now. They were a newly hashed crew after all, They were bound to step on each other's toes in some ways. Instead he decides to prices the information and make some greater sense of or all.
On the bridge Isis asked "Eshenvral, do you still need time to decide?"
Esh concludes several things from "Joyride's" scan data. The ecosystem is barren as can be expected in such hostile places. There life signs in the vicinity of the mining colony, but you'll have to be considerably closer to differentiate beyond "humanoid." The atmosphere is very thin and high methane; even if it was warmer, you'd need environmental protection.
Meteorologically, there is a hostile wind-storm outside, with high silicon and sodium content. Very dangerous to delicate equipment, and to your e-suits in the long term.
As far as "things in orbit" (Sharlavaka's question), yes, there is one metal husk floating nearby; it appears to have once been an artificial satellite of some sort.
Bringing the former satelite up on the screen, Sharlavaka began to examine it for the source of its destruction. It was probably part of the reason for the communication blackout, but a meteor hit was a different beast to weapons fire.
Tamrat sits at the captains chair, a bit antsy. He says, "Perhaps we check out that metal husk. Could be of some interest."
Tamrat sits at the captains chair, a bit antsy. He says, "Perhaps we check out that metal husk. Could be of some interest."
James, dumbfounded approaches the main screen.
Whoa... how close are we to that thing?
Amaze-ballz...
Bringing the former satelite up on the screen, Sharlavaka began to examine it for the source of its destruction. It was probably part of the reason for the communication blackout, but a meteor hit was a different beast to weapons fire.
Knowledge (engineering)
You can't tell much more than it's an older design, probably something from Aballon or Absalom Station.
Whoa... how close are we to that thing?
Amaze-ballz...
Looking at the screen magnification, you'd estimate a few dozen kilometers.
Sharlavaka turned the job over to those more qualified. "Can we determine cause of Satellites destruction? Indicator of problems on surface."
If you could magnify a bit... Or a slightly better angle...
Joyride would GUESS it was either energy weapons fire or some other energy strike, with the former being the much more likely answer. He'd need to inspect it closer in order to answer that for sure.
Awww... Scat! I'd put my money on, energy weapon. Can't be sure. What are the implications? Startship? Surface to air?
I don't mind sharing, this is very different than what I'm used to.
He seems excited and a bit nervous.
"Likely initial strike of Azlant or pirate attack. Cripple orbital facilities and communications before commencing surface attack." It was what Sharlavaka would do before he attacked a surface facility. Even an easy target could take longer than planned to deal with, and you did not want their reinforcements sooner than you'd like.
Most likely they were too late. The facility was most likely gone or captured. Well, they couldn't do much about gone, but they might be able to free the people there if it was captured. They could even retake the place...but without heavier armaments, they couldn't likely hold it. Maybe the Azlant would be nice and install some before they took it back.
"Recommend cautious approach. Azlant may have new defences. Surprise may be required for success."
Isis asked "Tamrat, do you think we should set down a few klicks away and approach on foot with stealth?"
You're in orbit within line of site of the facility, approximately 400 km above the panet's surface. Probably a little late for stealth; that said, you're not picking up any starships, and the facility's main computer is down; if the Alzanti are scanning, it's got to be pretty limited portable passive scanners.
When she pressed him for an answer, he could only grimace behind his mask. He hadn't meant to ignore her so blatantly. "We're on a mission right now. Let's try to focus on that first, before anything else."
Turning away from her he took notice of the satelite and it's damage, but left it to Sharlakva and Joyride to assess more thoroughly.
The dwarf grumbles. "Ah know yer jest tryin' ta be shur, but we know whut happ'n'd, don' we? Azlanti killed long-range comms 'fore attackin'. Any sign o' t' occupyin' army on yer blasted sensors? Ship onna ground?"
The dwarf grumbles. "Ah know yer jest tryin' ta be shur, but we know whut happ'n'd, don' we? Azlanti killed long-range comms 'fore attackin'. Any sign o' t' occupyin' army on yer blasted sensors? Ship onna ground?"
Ground's been scanned as thoroughly as may be through atmosphere. There are humanoids in the central facility; not ships detected on the ground either, thought it would be difficult to discern between large mining machines and downpowered ships through the atmosphere. No power signatures detected at this range.
"There's nothing else for me to scan at this range. If we want to see what happened, we'll likely have to go down to the surface ourselves." He informs, a frown in his voice.
Joyride would GUESS it was either energy weapons fire or some other energy strike, with the former being the much more likely answer. He'd need to inspect it closer in order to answer that for sure.
"Joyride, I can get us closer to be sure."
"Unless it was manned, no point. Enough to know it was weapons fire, not meteor." If it was manned they'd need to check for the crew. People had survived dying planets, as unlikely as it was. But Sharlavaka didn't see a point in deciding which weapon had killed the satellite. They couldn't enhance there defences against it, after all.
Whatever the others think is best, I'm OK right here.
I do feel like making something though... I'll be in the workshop.
With that, the young man start to walk to turn...
Though he eyes the human curiously, in the end he decides it's not worth the effort of asking for clarification. Inatead he works to transfer the atmospheric conditions and meteorological data to his internal computer for later recall. Who knew how long they were to be down there after all.
Over his shoulder... If anyone needs anything fabricated, just let me know as I'm pretty good at it. I'll just need the material and a little time.
Down the corridor he goes.
Isis advised "Captain, I can put down anywhere at any time."
"Jest git us down, so's we cin see whut's left." He shakes his head as he collapses into a seat.
"Indeed. Best we get down to the surface. Let's hope there's nothing too horrendous that's occured."
Isis lands the Exsilium and powers her down. She secures her armor's environmental field before exiting the airlock, arc pistol in hand and ready for anything.
How far from the mining facility are you landing?
1. There's a dock, which you can tell is destroyed once you get closer to the facility. You could land on top of the facility and try to get through the remains of the dock.
2. You could land near the facility and try to get in through one of the surface exits
3. You could land further away, if you had reason to. Though as I mentioned, there is currently a wind-storm, so staying outside long might be hazardous to your health.
Also, Esh or Joyride can try to get more information on the layout of the building via the sensors, if they choose.
Looking at the images of the ruined facility, Sharlavaka pointed to an external entrance. "Suggest landing close to there and entering that way. Cutting through docks wreckage will take time and leave us vulnerable." He carefully left out the option that would seem them in the cold for too long.
The elf humms slightly to himself as Isis angles the ship closer planetside. Via his dirrect connection to the ship's sensors he makes an attempt at better grasping what the facility is like.
Looking at the images of the ruined facility, Sharlavaka pointed to an external entrance. "Suggest landing close to there and entering that way. Cutting through docks wreckage will take time and leave us vulnerable." He carefully left out the option that would seem them in the cold for too long.
Isis asks "Captain?"
Based on Esh's imaging taken during landing. Esh's scan gets residual energy readings of a downpowered fission reactor (above the location marked 25), which for modern facilities is a really old and unstable technology. There's residual radiation, but the chain reaction was safely stopped and the fuel is in a cooled state; in other words, safe as long as you don't enter the that part of the facility without special precautions.
The area marked 13 is the damaged docking portal; the roof is set up for landing of transport shuttles (ships up to size Small). Area 19 is a set of large bay doors. Area 33 appears to be the only humanoid sized exit.
"Looks like we need ta head in from t' North. Reactor shut down's uhnuther bad sign, 'less you see 'nother power source? Startin' ta think there ain't gonna be uh home team."
"Seems to be a fine idea. I suppose there's nothing we can do except head out into the cold."
Tamrat scowls slightly. He clearly has no great love of the cold.
Sighing sadly at the idea of the cold, the massive Lizard moved to the exit ramp and scanned the area visually to make sure it was safe-ish. Or at least that there weren't a pack of guards on the door. If there were it shouldn't take long to train the ships guns on them. There were very few ground-based problems that couldn't be removed by judicious application of starship mounted weaponry.
Isis exits as described above. I'd like to keep my phenomenal navigation roll (37).
Thalin moves to lead the team to the door, taking advantage of navigator's tools as necessary.
Sighing sadly at the idea of the cold, the massive Lizard moved to the exit ramp and scanned the area visually to make sure it was safe-ish.
Sharlavaka doesn't notice any immediate threats other than the environment itself. He can already hear the abrasive slamming of particles against his sealed armor. He notices the bay doors, a ground transport truck, an out-building of some sort, and three storage silos.
There's not much "navigating" necessary in this case. You can see the facility clearly even through the flying debris, which there is a lot of (both micro-particles, which cause a general haze, and bigger items like hunks of ice or loose small equipment).
Which door are you heading toward? The bay doors or the ground entrance? Or would you like to examine the out-buildings?
"Suggest checking outbuildings first. More likely to hold survivors or ambushers." Sharlavaka considered the latter more likely, but checking for both was just smart.