12-02-2024, 05:37 PM
Chief Science Officer's Log
Stardate 202412.02
Our latest mission started out simple enough, but then took an unexpected twist. This is a perfect example of why we perform certain patrols and make sweeps of various sectors. As much as we like to think that we can predict things, life constantly reminds us that there are a great number of things that are unpredictable. This time we were within range to respond to a distress signal from a Cardassian ship.
We sent over two seperate teams, at different times. The first had the priority to perform a search and rescue. They did everything they could to locate and recover any and all casualties and survivors. Wounded were given medical treatment, dead were collected with care and treated in accordance with the known cultural guidelines and all received emergency care that was exemplary and by the book. The situation was not without danger, but all injuries to crew were relatively minor and were treated swiftly after their return.
The origin of the emergency was highly questionable. There was a device on the ship that appeared to me malfunctioning. The unidentified energy signature and scans related to the device are part of the attached detailed report that should be available for review by those with clearance to do so. There was serious concern about a possible lingering danger and hazard to navigation, so a second team was then sent over to assess the situation and investigate enough to be able to hopefully provide answers to the Federation authorities, as well as the families of those that had not survived the incident. It is this second team that was in the most danger and I question how we might better handle such things in the future.
I will not speak against the decisions that were made, nor those that made them, but as is often clear in hindsight, there are things I would do differently in the future. It was known that the device had caused at least two detonations and we had a rough timeline to assume that another detonation would occur. Instead of limiting the risk to exposing a minimal number of people and only sending in those required to make an inspection, take scans and leave, a full team was sent over. This included a number of security, medical and other staff, as one might send on any other landing party. In my opinion, only two or three crew should have gone, all cross trained and experienced in such dangerous field work. This is also an example of a situation where drones might have been employed instead of living crew, but there will always be times when such decisions will need to be made, so this is nothing new.
I will ad here that drones were employed by this team, to aid them in their investigations. In fact, much of the data that was gathered was from their scans. The attempts to make some repairs to correct a possible source of the malfunction were made, which could not have been attempted by the drones. Although those attempts were ineffective in rendering the device safe, those calls and efforts could not have been possible with normal drones alone. Unfortunately, as the device began another reaction sequence, it created an interference pattern that caused us to lose transporter locks on the team. It was only through great effort by both the team and the crew on the Aquila that together a place was found that the team could be beamed from before the remains of the ship destroyed itself.
I was surprised when the FO had requested that I send my own version of a drone with the team. Cindy was specifically requested and since I am always prepared to accommodate such requests, a chassis was manufactured with the industrial replicator and Cindy piloted it very effectively. I had not anticipated having Cindy physically active on the ship, but the program is certified for Star Fleet use, so there are no problems with it. I presume that I will now have her stand down and return to her simpler functions, though the performance report will be logged for future review, as with all such drone device use.
As always, I'm available to answer any further questions or discourse that might be required about this report.
End Log
Stardate 202412.02
Our latest mission started out simple enough, but then took an unexpected twist. This is a perfect example of why we perform certain patrols and make sweeps of various sectors. As much as we like to think that we can predict things, life constantly reminds us that there are a great number of things that are unpredictable. This time we were within range to respond to a distress signal from a Cardassian ship.
We sent over two seperate teams, at different times. The first had the priority to perform a search and rescue. They did everything they could to locate and recover any and all casualties and survivors. Wounded were given medical treatment, dead were collected with care and treated in accordance with the known cultural guidelines and all received emergency care that was exemplary and by the book. The situation was not without danger, but all injuries to crew were relatively minor and were treated swiftly after their return.
The origin of the emergency was highly questionable. There was a device on the ship that appeared to me malfunctioning. The unidentified energy signature and scans related to the device are part of the attached detailed report that should be available for review by those with clearance to do so. There was serious concern about a possible lingering danger and hazard to navigation, so a second team was then sent over to assess the situation and investigate enough to be able to hopefully provide answers to the Federation authorities, as well as the families of those that had not survived the incident. It is this second team that was in the most danger and I question how we might better handle such things in the future.
I will not speak against the decisions that were made, nor those that made them, but as is often clear in hindsight, there are things I would do differently in the future. It was known that the device had caused at least two detonations and we had a rough timeline to assume that another detonation would occur. Instead of limiting the risk to exposing a minimal number of people and only sending in those required to make an inspection, take scans and leave, a full team was sent over. This included a number of security, medical and other staff, as one might send on any other landing party. In my opinion, only two or three crew should have gone, all cross trained and experienced in such dangerous field work. This is also an example of a situation where drones might have been employed instead of living crew, but there will always be times when such decisions will need to be made, so this is nothing new.
I will ad here that drones were employed by this team, to aid them in their investigations. In fact, much of the data that was gathered was from their scans. The attempts to make some repairs to correct a possible source of the malfunction were made, which could not have been attempted by the drones. Although those attempts were ineffective in rendering the device safe, those calls and efforts could not have been possible with normal drones alone. Unfortunately, as the device began another reaction sequence, it created an interference pattern that caused us to lose transporter locks on the team. It was only through great effort by both the team and the crew on the Aquila that together a place was found that the team could be beamed from before the remains of the ship destroyed itself.
I was surprised when the FO had requested that I send my own version of a drone with the team. Cindy was specifically requested and since I am always prepared to accommodate such requests, a chassis was manufactured with the industrial replicator and Cindy piloted it very effectively. I had not anticipated having Cindy physically active on the ship, but the program is certified for Star Fleet use, so there are no problems with it. I presume that I will now have her stand down and return to her simpler functions, though the performance report will be logged for future review, as with all such drone device use.
As always, I'm available to answer any further questions or discourse that might be required about this report.
End Log