"Limits of Intelligence" - Part 7 - Commo Sebastian Ascari, SFI

Posted on 241606.02 @ 11:04am by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Non-Plot Log
Location: Stellar Reference: XKR-21199-B (Moon)
Timeline: Current-ish

Log Title: "Limits of Intelligence" - Part 7
Setting: Rocky, ice covered moon and underground cavern complex

== Continued From Part 6 ==

Navigating several identical looking hallways, Commodore Ascari was led through more of the underground facility composed of the same jade green energy absorbing materials as he had seen earlier. The functional design of the complex had something of an aesthetic being pleasing to view, while also utilitarian. He wondered who had built this structure and what purpose it served. Why construct such a place? Why underground? Why this moon? From everything he had read or heard there was scant evidence to indicate this place had been anything more than a frozen wasteland since it's birth untold eons ago.

He rounded a corner lost in thought as they stopped at the edge of what looked like a small refugee camp. Various silver tents lined the hallways in close proximity. Medical equipment and supplies were laid out on various tables and benches. Instead of lanterns, stoves, kitchens more fitting for the surroundings were microscopes, scanners, and computer equipment. Medical supply crates were stacked in every conceivable nook. Ascari felt as if he were in a medical field hospital on the front lines of some far away conflict. It was an odd sensation seeing the crudity of the tents and equipment juxtaposed against the jade walls that housed technology beyond their understanding. It was if cavemen had taken up residence in the grand ballroom of a modern luxury hotel. It was a silly metaphor, but germane nonetheless.

Bernard stopped to speak with a technician as Ascari followed.

“How is the team progressing”, she asked pulling a padd from her jacket checking various notations.

“About the same. The close proximity of these walls slowly drains the power from the equipment. We've yet to find a suitable insulator or shielding that can counteract the effects. The computers, the medical equipment, the containment filters and shields – keeping it all running has been a challenge. We're making do though.”

“Does the machinery and equipment include personnel”, Ascari asked joining the conversation.

The technician suddenly noticed the commodore's rank and instantly came to attention. “SIR”, he shouted.

“At ease. I'm here to observe, not interfere.”

The technician glanced at the professor who nodded. The technician slowly relaxed still unsure about the commodore and his intentions.

“What about the personnel?”

“Oh right. Well, yes sir, us...that is, the personnel are not immune from the effects.”

“How are you mitigating that fact? We're also complicated biological machinery with internal power sources.”

“Personnel aren't allowed to spend longer than 48 hours below the surface. We have several shifts and share each others research duties. These walls eventually lower core body temperature as they slowly siphon away body heat. It's not a problem if you keep your distance, but prolonged exposure to the wall's energy absorbing influence can quite literally, drain you. You are aware its unwise to touch or come into contact with the walls correct sir?”

“Oh yes. The professor here demonstrated that point quite clearly.”

“Oh..well good”, the technician replied obviously nervous speaking to a high ranking officer. “I..I should get back to my duties then if there's nothing else sir.”

“How are you keeping all of this running”, Ascari asked curious about the power problems.

“We have several industrial fusion generators. Their efficiency is reduced of course, but with additional insulation and shielding we've been able to improve power output despite the wall's effects. We still cannot completely negate the adverse effects.”

“Well keep at it.”, Bernard stated. “If you need additional supplies or equipment let me know.”

“Yes doctor.”

Bernard turned toward the commodore. “This way.” She approached one of the larger silvery tents and entered. Ascari followed. As he entered he noticed a clinical setting which surprised him.

“Here commodore”, Bernard stated handing him some sort of respirator mask “Put that on.”

“What is this”, Ascari asked examining the helmet like equipment attempting to decipher the best way to go about putting it on.

“Level Two biohazard filter.”

“Biohazard?” Suddenly he realized the implications of all the medical equipment.

“You don't mean you've found...”

“Yes”, she stated taking the mask from his grasp. “Here”, she stated helping him to put it on. The mask covered his entire head. She pressed a button on the side of the mask which tightened somewhat uncomfortably around his neck as several internal systems began functioning within the helmet.

“This will allow you to breathe without risk of possible contamination. We haven't detected anything foreign, dangerous, or otherwise, but we aren't taking any chances.”

“I'll say”, Ascari muttered his voice sounding computerized by some sort of electronic communications system built into the mask. She handed him a pair of gloves to put on while she too donned her own mask. “Can you hear me alright?”

“Affirmative.”

“Then follow me.”

Ascari followed the professor as she made her way through several plastic barriers stopping at large box like apparatus the blocked the way forward. “This is a field decontamination filter. It's set to maximum. I'll warn you. It's going to sting...a lot.”

“Joy”, Ascari replied with mock enthusiasm. He waited as the doctor stepped in and then out on the other side after several seconds. He followed her example as the machine blocked his path forward and sealed him in. Some sort of concentrated beam washed over him which did indeed sting – quite harshly. He cringed as the beam made several passes before terminating. The opposite side of the unit opened granting him an exit.

“Anything else I need to be prepared for? Alien leech therapy or something of the sort?”

The professor chuckled. “That's the worst of it. This way commodore.”

Ascari was led down another series of hallways. Eventually the crystalline covered walls ceased for the first time since he arrived. They were replaced by a polished white surface that had a pearl like sheen that shined and sparkled as if it had been freshly washed and waxed. Time seemed to have little effect on this place. He had yet to see any signs of rust, neglect, or decay one would expect to see on a structure thousands, millions, or perhaps even billions of years old.

As he walked down the corridor he could see his own reflection in the panels. The opalescent white surfaces were like the most opulent hospital setting imaginable. The professor stopped as Sebastian focused his attention ahead. The room widened into a multi level complex. White walls and floors became interspersed with pieces of heavy technology. Large conduits ran vertically along the walls disappearing into junctions only to reappear further and higher above. Gold etching like computer circuitry was visible on the surfaces of some walls seemingly indicating that some form of technology was also embedded into the surfaces of this area. The white walls were occasional stopped both by the massive conduit cables and by diamond shaped panels which housed some sort of computerized interface or junction. Beyond those features lie still further wonders as Ascari slowly moved deeper into the area.

Silver capsules lined the walls on each level slightly recessed into the walls at a slight backwards angle. They were similar in size and shape to a Mark VI photon torpedo casing only somewhat larger and deeper.

“Go on” she stated having stopped in the center of the complex. “Have a look at the landlords. Well the former landlords. Honestly we aren't sure if they are the landlords or the tenants – perhaps they are both. We just don't know, at least, not yet.”

Ascari cautiously approached one of the capsules. A small window covered in frosty mist granted a view inside. He reached up and cautiously wiped at the misty glass. After several strokes he was met with a face of an alien being. A face looked back at him from behind the glass although desiccated and twisted. The being was humanoid and appeared to be bipedal. It was tall. Taller than an average human. Its size also indicated it possessed a muscular or robust body. Bone structures were large and thick likely a result of their larger bodies or perhaps high gravity or both. Equal parts macabre and fascinating, Ascari stepped back having seen enough. He was no scientist. He'd let this being rest in peace.

“Are they all like this”, he asked surveying the room.

“The ones we've found so far yes. There's likely dozens or hundreds more rooms like this further down in the complex. It's possible some of the units may still be functional.”

“Wait? Functional? You mean some of these beings might still be alive?”

“The rest of their machinery and technology is still operational as far as we can tell. There's a good chance some of these pods may alsol still be operational. If so, depending on how they work, there could be a living member of this race that could at least in theory be revived.”

“Astounding”, Ascari muttered. “Any indications of who they are?”

“None. There are no records past or present that match anything like them. It is as if this civilization never existed.”

“How is that possible”, Ascari asked. “I meant to ask you this earlier. How could such an advanced race exist and leave no trace in the galaxy of their presence?”

“No trace that we've found, but your question has been asked many times. We don't know. A race this sophisticated should have left some evidence behind. Perhaps some cataclysmic event forced them underground? Everything we've discovered so far seems to suggest this entire facility, the energy core, everything was built and designed as some sort of lifeboat. It appears as if this race went into hibernation with the intent of emerging at some later, future date. Their plans nearly worked – their technology certainly survived. We don't know much more than what you've just seen yourself. Starfleet has issued orders for us not to disturb the bodies until a decision is made on how to proceed.

I can tell you one thing. Whoever they are – were, they're ancient.”

“How ancient?”

“Since we cannot perform an autopsy our preliminary scans suggest they could five billion years old. Perhaps older. We need some tissue samples to narrow the time down with any precision. This facility however dates to about the same period. Their technology and robotics seem to be self replicating and regenerating. Too bad they couldn't use the same techniques on their biological components.”

“So these...individuals – they're all billions of years old? How have they not turned to dust?”

“Some of the capsules have failed. In those cases the bodies have deteriorated as you would expect. Many of the capsules are still operational. We aren't sure how they work, but whatever technology is keeping them running has also slowed the rate of decay to a near standstill. It's possible some of these beings are still in suspended animation using some sort of highly advanced bio-stasis technology. We've only explored two percent of this entire facility. There could be other areas distributed all around the moon just like this one connected to the moon's energy core. It wouldn't surprise me if this is the only facility.”

“What would force an entire race into hibernation on this scale?”

“We have no idea. Perhaps a disease they couldn't cure? War?”

“That doesn't make any sense”, Ascari answered. “Surely a race this advanced could have taken steps to protect itself against disease. Even virulent outbreaks do not kill everyone. I don't buy the conflict argument either. An advanced race such as this could have defended itself – it harnessed the power of black holes and stars. Weaponry wouldn't have been a problem. If they were escaping a conflict, why put all your eggs into one basket? Why not flee in a thousand ships? Escape the fighting. Expand, move out, adapt? Furthermore, if they were in a fight to save their race and the presumption is they lost – with this sort of technology then who were they fighting? Someone more fearsome and technologically advanced than themselves? The Iconians at least have legend and myth to substantiate some of their existence. I find it difficult to believe nothing has been found to date that hints at this race's existence especially one this advanced. It's as if they have been wiped clean from the pages of history.”

“And herein lies one of a thousand questions and mysteries”, Bernard answered. “Nice bit of logical reasoning also. The bottom line is everything is conjecture. We have few answers and almost nothing on which to form or base even the crudest of hypotheses. Whoever they were – they're an enigma. Time it seems erased their existence except for here. However, I agree. A race this advanced obviously had mastered space travel. They likely moved vast quantities of material and supplies to this moon to construct this place. I also find it hard to believe there are no remnants of this race in the historical record. There would be cities, artifacts, legends, debris, bones – something left behind. An entire civilization does not vanish without something left in its wake.”

“Has anything been found that might indicate who they are or where they are from?”

“We've taken samples of their writing from various locations. The computers are working on building a translation matrix, however that could take years and may never yield results. If we could link them to some sort of ancestor we could work our way backwards, but we can't even do that.”

Ascari glanced back at the capsules. “Who are you”, he silently mused.

“That's the end of the tour commodore. It's likely we will uncover more information as we progress further inside. Given the size of this facility it could be years before we manage to search all of it.”

Bernard noticed the commodore's odd expression even through the bulky helmet they were both wearing. “Is there something wrong?”

“No..not exactly”, Ascari stated looking around the chamber. “You said you've been here four months correct?”

“Yes.”

“Have there been any encounters with their machinery or has anyone been hurt or injured?”

“We've had several minor injuries due to slips, falls, that sort of thing and the ones relating to those studying the crystalline walls, but no, no serious injuries so far thankfully. Where we've encountered their machines we've kept our distance. They seem to ignore us. Why do you ask?”

“Where is their security”, Ascari asked turning to face the professor. “All of these individuals, helpless, asleep, waiting for some future date to be revived. They wouldn't just close the lids and hope for the best – not after constructing this. I find it implausible that this facility has no security systems.”

“Well...I..I see your point, but maybe it's malfunctioned over the eons?”

“Unlikely. Such a system would have the same regenerative, replicating functions as the machines that maintain your power core. The wouldn't leave something this valuable, this important like their lives unguarded just like you wouldn't go to sleep without locking your door at night when in a dangerous location.”

“Professor, I don't think it's wise to continue exploring this facility. It's highly likely you or your researchers will come face to face with their security at some point. Given everything we've seen and their level of sophistication their weaponry may make our phasers look like sticks and stones.”

“Commodore, I can't and I won't halt our efforts due to a hunch. We've seen nothing to indicate any danger. This so called security – where is it? We're standing in the middle of thousands of them. If they had threat mitigation systems wouldn't they be targeting us as we speak? We will exercise caution. All of us are aware of the risks, but don't go shooting your mouth off about this up above! It will only hurt morale and hamper our research efforts.”

Ascari scanned the walls and ceiling. He was convinced there were security measures here. Vulnerable bodies in suspended animation wouldn't be left unguarded in this century or ones long since past.

“Are you listening to me Commodore”, Bernard asked with a healthy dose of frustration which crackled over the helmet communications.

Ascari turned to restate his case, but not before a burst of static filled his helmet. “Professor Bernard! We're under attack! They just showed up out of no where! The marines are....” Several discharges of weapons could be heard over the open comm line before the entire link erupted in static and went silent.

“High frequency disruptor fire”, Ascari stated. “I'll bet my career on it.”

“What the hell”, Bernard shouted. “Bernard to surface ops. Bernard to Doctor U'Lan! “Bernard to anyone. Come in!”

“No time for that doctor”, Ascari stated grabbing the doctor's hand. “Where do you keep weapons?”

“Weapons? What are you talking about? We don't have any weapons. We aren't a military operation!”

Ascari grit his teeth. “You have to have some sort of security? Where?”

“Some of the laborers double as security patrols. They have some weaponry I think, but...”

“Let's go”, Ascari shouted yanking on the doctor's arm. “There's no time to argue!”

*** To Be Continued ***


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Commodore Sebastian Ascari
Director, Starfleet Intelligence

and

Doctor Elsa Bernard
Lead Project Scientist