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The team began by inquiring about the Hawlat’s own knowledge of the creatures and their history, with Sahim able to provide some knowledge of their biology and behaviour as well as recommendations for respectfully studying the creatures<ref name="Sahim-Establishing">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/iYkLafTsZ1w/m/Zg9xzjf0AgAJ "Establishing some limits on religious figures"], [[Kelrod]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Following that, discussion turned to culturally sensitive options for mitigating the creatures’ interference in local operations<ref name="Ukinix-Letting">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/ajqrhZw8dfY/m/ngCfmhz-AgAJ "Letting Someone Else Have Your Way"], [[Wil Ukinix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Eventually, it was determined that a field-study of the “Angels” was in order and Wong’s team was assigned the shuttlecraft USS Yosemite to get a closer look at the creatures<ref name="Ukinix-MOU">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/Dbo4Jgn6FlU/m/YeRht1fZAwAJ "MOU"], [[Wil Ukinix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. During their study, they determined that the creatures ingested gasses and plasmas from the surrounding nebula and incorporated them into their carapaces, explaining why they were hard to detect on ordinary scans<ref name="Wong-Natures">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/52hKDrk3838/m/9NVs6MNUCAAJ "Nature's Wonder"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>,<ref name="Kivik-YouAre">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/hw2xurxg6SY/m/dYGMXACWCAAJ "You Are What You Eat"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Lieutenant Wong filed an initial report on their discoveries<ref name="Wong-TheAngel">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/dI9qKk5-w_s/m/AH_zHWCVCQAJ "The Angel Report"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. | The team began by inquiring about the Hawlat’s own knowledge of the creatures and their history, with Sahim able to provide some knowledge of their biology and behaviour as well as recommendations for respectfully studying the creatures<ref name="Sahim-Establishing">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/iYkLafTsZ1w/m/Zg9xzjf0AgAJ "Establishing some limits on religious figures"], [[Kelrod]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Following that, discussion turned to culturally sensitive options for mitigating the creatures’ interference in local operations<ref name="Ukinix-Letting">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/ajqrhZw8dfY/m/ngCfmhz-AgAJ "Letting Someone Else Have Your Way"], [[Wil Ukinix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Eventually, it was determined that a field-study of the “Angels” was in order and Wong’s team was assigned the shuttlecraft USS Yosemite to get a closer look at the creatures<ref name="Ukinix-MOU">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/Dbo4Jgn6FlU/m/YeRht1fZAwAJ "MOU"], [[Wil Ukinix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. During their study, they determined that the creatures ingested gasses and plasmas from the surrounding nebula and incorporated them into their carapaces, explaining why they were hard to detect on ordinary scans<ref name="Wong-Natures">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/52hKDrk3838/m/9NVs6MNUCAAJ "Nature's Wonder"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>,<ref name="Kivik-YouAre">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/hw2xurxg6SY/m/dYGMXACWCAAJ "You Are What You Eat"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Lieutenant Wong filed an initial report on their discoveries<ref name="Wong-TheAngel">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/dI9qKk5-w_s/m/AH_zHWCVCQAJ "The Angel Report"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. | ||
As these initial forays came to a close, Amity’s resident journalists, Arthur Summerside and Kiyaini Ri’zella, each published articles concerning the ongoing predicament. Ri’zella’s article for the Federation News Service (FNS) was titled “Amity Tested As Mining Operations Grind To A Halt”<ref name="Rizella-Amity">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/r7egQZfbkHw/m/HJ4V0dVSAwAJ</ref> and Summerside’s, for the Briori Sun, was titled “Federation’s Benamite Mines - Touched By An Angel?”<ref name="Summerside-Federations">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/bVT0UfsY2PY/m/aKRCwJfeCQAJ</ref>. | As these initial forays came to a close, Amity’s resident journalists, Arthur Summerside and Kiyaini Ri’zella, each published articles concerning the ongoing predicament. Ri’zella’s article for the Federation News Service (FNS) was titled “Amity Tested As Mining Operations Grind To A Halt”<ref name="Rizella-Amity">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/r7egQZfbkHw/m/HJ4V0dVSAwAJ "Amity Tested As Mining Operations Grind To A Halt"], [[Ceciri Ariadust]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref> and Summerside’s, for the Briori Sun, was titled “Federation’s Benamite Mines - Touched By An Angel?”<ref name="Summerside-Federations">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/bVT0UfsY2PY/m/aKRCwJfeCQAJ "Angel's Guardians"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. | ||
With the immediate diplomatic situation seemingly under control, and with initial information gathering efforts proving fruitful, Ambassador Vataix called for a general regrouping of the various teams to determine the necessary next steps<ref name="Carcetti-Hard"></ref>. | With the immediate diplomatic situation seemingly under control, and with initial information gathering efforts proving fruitful, Ambassador Vataix called for a general regrouping of the various teams to determine the necessary next steps<ref name="Carcetti-Hard"></ref>. | ||
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==Act II== | ==Act II== | ||
With the Independence-B and Yosemite both returned, Ambassador Vataix summoned senior staff to discuss their findings and work on appropriate next steps towards a mutually-acceptable resolution<ref name="Vataix-Getting">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/T94aedrtgeY/m/du-biGtzAQAJ</ref>. During the meeting, a new scientific designation for the creatures was proposed by Wil Ukinix: Stellaesirenia Amicus, in reference to their resemblance to Earth’s manatees and Amity’s latin etymology<ref name="Ukinix-AllStar">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/pefyt6AAzwA/m/uvwRf3iQAQAJ</ref>. The name stuck as a more generally-acceptable uniform term for the creatures and the contraction “Stellae” began circulating. Following some discussion, it was generally agreed that a technological solution which encouraged the Stellae to avoid the mining operations would be the most appropriate response<ref name="Ukinix-AllStar"></ref>. | With the Independence-B and Yosemite both returned, Ambassador Vataix summoned senior staff to discuss their findings and work on appropriate next steps towards a mutually-acceptable resolution<ref name="Vataix-Getting">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/T94aedrtgeY/m/du-biGtzAQAJ "Getting Caught Up"], [[Rivi Vataix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. During the meeting, a new scientific designation for the creatures was proposed by Wil Ukinix: Stellaesirenia Amicus, in reference to their resemblance to Earth’s manatees and Amity’s latin etymology<ref name="Ukinix-AllStar">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/pefyt6AAzwA/m/uvwRf3iQAQAJ "All Star"], [[Wil Ukinix]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. The name stuck as a more generally-acceptable uniform term for the creatures and the contraction “Stellae” began circulating. Following some discussion, it was generally agreed that a technological solution which encouraged the Stellae to avoid the mining operations would be the most appropriate response<ref name="Ukinix-AllStar"></ref>. | ||
Meanwhile, a secondary team was set to work designing and building a prototype drone that might be used to distract the Stellae from vulnerable equipment<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/D29iaj2P-EI/m/l-xsUlGlAQAJ</ref>. Suggested by Lt. Ariadust, the project team also included Reade, Kivik, and Iko<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref>. The group met in Amity’s Science and Research Center<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref> (colloquially known as “The Basement”) and began working on designs for a drone that could generate both Stellae-attracting vibrations and vented plasmas<ref name="Kivik-Brainstorming">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/BeeGyzppOFY/m/EFHNqDDlAgAJ</ref>. Dubbed Project KIRA, an amalgam of its designer’s initials<ref name="Kivik-Squeezed">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/rR_2gZIFJIs/m/rBoexd5YAgAJ</ref>, the drone proved extremely attractive to Stellae in holodeck simulations<ref name="Kivik-Squeezed"></ref>. | Meanwhile, a secondary team was set to work designing and building a prototype drone that might be used to distract the Stellae from vulnerable equipment<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/D29iaj2P-EI/m/l-xsUlGlAQAJ "Mo-Mo Milk, Mo-Mo Problems! | ||
"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Suggested by Lt. Ariadust, the project team also included Reade, Kivik, and Iko<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref>. The group met in Amity’s Science and Research Center<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref> (colloquially known as “The Basement”) and began working on designs for a drone that could generate both Stellae-attracting vibrations and vented plasmas<ref name="Kivik-Brainstorming">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/BeeGyzppOFY/m/EFHNqDDlAgAJ "Brainstorming"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Dubbed Project KIRA, an amalgam of its designer’s initials<ref name="Kivik-Squeezed">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/rR_2gZIFJIs/m/rBoexd5YAgAJ "Squeezed for Time"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>, the drone proved extremely attractive to Stellae in holodeck simulations<ref name="Kivik-Squeezed"></ref>. | |||
While the Federation teams worked to determine how best to resolve the ongoing zoological and diplomatic problems, the three Hawlat representatives also met to discuss their perspective and determine who should participate in the Ritual of Trust<ref name="Prarim-TheCalling">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/_z81ckN_xsI/m/tFi5SpXhAgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Sahim-Whatever">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/r1XvfG_jXxU/m/EzxWgwtXAgAJ</ref>. Concurrently, Keehani Ukinix, Orrey, and Daniels met to discuss the Federation perspective and how best to relate to the Hawlat<ref name="Daniels-Educational">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/42KiZ2WLhnQ/m/4m_l6VZ1BAAJ</ref>. Eventually, the Hawlat rejoined their Federation counterparts to begin preparations for the Ritual<ref name="Prarim-TheToken">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/ShE7HTeB9EQ/m/YFoISdFiAgAJ</ref>. | While the Federation teams worked to determine how best to resolve the ongoing zoological and diplomatic problems, the three Hawlat representatives also met to discuss their perspective and determine who should participate in the Ritual of Trust<ref name="Prarim-TheCalling">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/_z81ckN_xsI/m/tFi5SpXhAgAJ "The Calling"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>,<ref name="Sahim-Whatever">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/r1XvfG_jXxU/m/EzxWgwtXAgAJ "Whatever it takes, for the Angels I'll do."], [[Kelrod]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Concurrently, Keehani Ukinix, Orrey, and Daniels met to discuss the Federation perspective and how best to relate to the Hawlat<ref name="Daniels-Educational">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/42KiZ2WLhnQ/m/4m_l6VZ1BAAJ "Educational Suggestions"], [[Carter Daniels]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. Eventually, the Hawlat rejoined their Federation counterparts to begin preparations for the Ritual<ref name="Prarim-TheToken">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/ShE7HTeB9EQ/m/YFoISdFiAgAJ "The Token"], [[Kivik]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. | ||
One element of contention, however, was Carter’s participation in the Hawlat Ritual of Trust ceremony and the required imbibement of the unfamiliar “Angel’s Milk”. Having run an analysis of the substance<ref name="Wong-Delicious">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/KlHRvm9mgLc/m/jL0zjTznAgAJ</ref>, Wong disagreed with his commanding officer’s decision on medical grounds<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref>,<ref name="Wong-DidSomeone">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/3FX3BYSmKBs/m/9L_gIcH6AgAJ</ref>, eventually leading to an outright verbal conflict between the two<ref name="Wong-TheCMOs">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/Q5Ijog7ndB0/m/qkTj0QT4AgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Carter-Raise">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/KtE6ZH1vX1c/m/S7EfOCOUAwAJ</ref> in which Carter pulled rank<ref name="Carter-Raise"></ref>,<ref name="Wong-TheWestward">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/GeW88KPiH_A/m/_FR989c6BAAJ</ref>. | One element of contention, however, was Carter’s participation in the Hawlat Ritual of Trust ceremony and the required imbibement of the unfamiliar “Angel’s Milk”. Having run an analysis of the substance<ref name="Wong-Delicious">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/KlHRvm9mgLc/m/jL0zjTznAgAJ "Delicious Milk or Terrible Poison?"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>, Wong disagreed with his commanding officer’s decision on medical grounds<ref name="Wong-MoMoMilk"></ref>,<ref name="Wong-DidSomeone">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/3FX3BYSmKBs/m/9L_gIcH6AgAJ "Did Someone Bring Cookies?"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>, eventually leading to an outright verbal conflict between the two<ref name="Wong-TheCMOs">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/Q5Ijog7ndB0/m/qkTj0QT4AgAJ "The CMOs Gambit"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>,<ref name="Carter-Raise">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/KtE6ZH1vX1c/m/S7EfOCOUAwAJ "Raise, Call, but Never Fold."], [[John Carter]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref> in which Carter pulled rank<ref name="Carter-Raise"></ref>,<ref name="Wong-TheWestward">[https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/GeW88KPiH_A/m/_FR989c6BAAJ "The Westward Journey Part 1"], [[Ikaia Wong]], [[Amity Outpost]]</ref>. | ||
As plans began to take shape, Wil Ukinix, Dr. Aleksandrov, and Amity’s Chief of Security, Casian Iovianus, met in Astrometrics to begin working on a solution to prevent the Outpost itself from becoming overrun with Stellae<ref name="Ukinix-Herd">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/wSg6HTVMy-s/m/K7w39QXqAgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Iovianus-Space">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/30FCxrwjA0Y/m/SGEWMiKaAgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Aleksandrov-Flavors">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/nrRJKmDAKTI/m/ixEQccS3BQAJ</ref>. During this time, A new junior Operations Officer, Ensign Paarus Zalbac, arrived on the station<ref name="Paarus-IHope">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/3xLkY1JbJBU/m/Vi912cmFBAAJ</ref> and quickly found himself swept up in the situation with the Hawlat following a brief meeting with Ambassador Vataix<ref name="Paarus-AreThose">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/7K7cuW-7_-c/m/7MtutZ8QBQAJ</ref>. As the Stellae began to ‘swarm’ the station, bumping into the glass dome covering the Mezzanine<ref name="Ukinix-Weird">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/czthyGP773g/m/v3PJlPEIBAAJ</ref>, a plan took shape to lure the creatures away using modified Work Bee craft<ref name="Ukinix-Good">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/yecscvDTSGs/m/5sSQRl8tBgAJ</ref>. | As plans began to take shape, Wil Ukinix, Dr. Aleksandrov, and Amity’s Chief of Security, Casian Iovianus, met in Astrometrics to begin working on a solution to prevent the Outpost itself from becoming overrun with Stellae<ref name="Ukinix-Herd">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/wSg6HTVMy-s/m/K7w39QXqAgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Iovianus-Space">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/30FCxrwjA0Y/m/SGEWMiKaAgAJ</ref>,<ref name="Aleksandrov-Flavors">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/nrRJKmDAKTI/m/ixEQccS3BQAJ</ref>. During this time, A new junior Operations Officer, Ensign Paarus Zalbac, arrived on the station<ref name="Paarus-IHope">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/3xLkY1JbJBU/m/Vi912cmFBAAJ</ref> and quickly found himself swept up in the situation with the Hawlat following a brief meeting with Ambassador Vataix<ref name="Paarus-AreThose">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/7K7cuW-7_-c/m/7MtutZ8QBQAJ</ref>. As the Stellae began to ‘swarm’ the station, bumping into the glass dome covering the Mezzanine<ref name="Ukinix-Weird">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/czthyGP773g/m/v3PJlPEIBAAJ</ref>, a plan took shape to lure the creatures away using modified Work Bee craft<ref name="Ukinix-Good">https://groups.google.com/g/sb118-amity/c/yecscvDTSGs/m/5sSQRl8tBgAJ</ref>. |