Pop Goes the Bubble

Posted on Thu Sep 1st, 2022 @ 4:53am by Graham & Master Chief Petty Officer Lucas Nilsson

1,208 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Roll With It
Location: Engineering "Forward Base", Haumea Colony
Timeline: MD 01: 0724 Hrs

Lucas had been standing around staring at the "bubble" far too long for his liking. That's why he'd taken up residence at one of the few remaining pubs left outside its bounds, establishing it as the technical "forward base" for dealing with the situation at hand. It was close enough to see the bubble out the window, but far enough away to give the bubble some "breathing room" to expand if it decided to - they still had no idea what it was. However, the scientists and engineers on staff were now working together to figure out a solution.

"Any insights on the readings, Graham?" Lucas asked the holographic science officer - a symptom of Haumea's endless staff shortages.

"At this current setting..." Graham let the silence fall, dramatically, "... No. I will have to run multiple tests to ensure our analysis is thorough. It may take me a few minutes." While streaming his presence from a remote holographic model drone, the hologram found that the lag time between what he could analyze through the computers in the science labs and this temporary base of operations of theirs... troublesome.

"Sir, not to be rude," the hologram switched gears as the science computers did their work. He took in the sight of multiple people worriedly trying to solve the issue in front of them, a mere few steps outside the door of this pub. Not all of them were equipped quite like he and the Chief were. "But is this the best place for our discussion? We may have... interference."

"Do you think that's somehow causing the bubble? Interference from what exactly?" Lucas asked, misunderstanding Graham entirely. He was tired and wasn't always the best at picking up on nuances anyway.

"Not at all, Chief Nilsson," As a hologram, Graham was nonplussed by the other's reaction. "We do not have reason to believe that locating ourselves here would in any way be aiding the unidentified field's existence. I was inferring interference from our investigation, by more... biological means." He made a small look toward the other patrons of the bar, who had yet to notice them. "If you were after sustenance, I could have easily sent word to the right channels..."

"Oh.. Ohhhh!" Lucas said, realizing, "Let's move outside. The sunrises are nice this time of year anyway. Might help me clear my head." He began walking toward the door and motioned for Graham to follow him.

In his limited capacity, the hologram found the idea of a scenery change a minor setback. It would have been more efficient to do this in the lab, but that was not his call to make. He made a gesture, and the small drone whirred to life, following after the chief and taking Graham with it.

Lucas stepped out into the clear morning air. He took a deep breath. It was still early enough to be cool, but the rising sun would soon change that.

"While we were moving," Graham stated dully, "The results from a number of tests have returned. We can rule out tachyeons, dilithium, kefnium, molybdenum..."

The hologram continued on, without regard for how utterly boring he sounded.

Lucas nodded as Graham continued, making mental notes to himself. He was not a scientist, so he let Graham take the lead on this train of thought.

"Apologies, Sir." Graham cleared his throat, a signal that he was processing more information. "What I mean to say is, we can rule items out, but we cannot bring ourselves to a conclusion without further data on this field's centralized location, or at the very least its energy source."

"Ah, so we need to localize the origin then," Lucas began thinking through such a process in his head, "Is there an indication it's emitting any known type of radiation besides the ones you've mentioned? I presume not, because you would have told me otherwise, right?"

"Correct on both counts," Graham stated. "The scans seem to indicate that one of the civilian science facilities may hold the source, but to find which one specifically... we would need to be closer in proximity to them. Which may be difficult, considering our current situation. I can see what the scans from the Marines may suggest as well, if you believe that would help."

"It certainly can't hurt. Do you have access to their network or do we need to ask?" Lucas responded.

There was a moment of silence from the hologram. "There's a turn of phrase in the department; ask for forgiveness, not permission," Graham stated. "That being said, it seems that there are more accessible files within their databases that should not garner any immediate reaction. I shall scan those files first."

After a beat, Graham felt the need to ask, "... Is there someone you're missing currently who could be trapped in the forcefield?"

Lucas winced, "I haven't heard from my wife since... it happened. She's not at home and I can't reach her on comms. Her office is in the... general vicinity of the bubble." Lucas had been trying to focus on doing his job instead of thinking about this for the last few hours, but Graham's question had brought it back to the front of his mind.

"Ah." Graham's image flickered. "If it is any comfort, there does not seem to be an indication that anything within the bubble is life-threatening. All of the scans and databases suggest that, while there are odd events occurring, life signs have not decreased - nor have they increased - since the initial point of identification."

Lucas feigned a smile, still not really at ease.

Graham fell silent. "And it seems that the databases I have accessed are offering a little more clarity to the situation itself. The Bray facilities that are further in the city seem to have a higher energy reading than the surrounding areas, suggesting it as a focal point of the anomaly."

"Hmm... I'm no scientist, but might that indicate that the facility is the origin of whatever this is?" Lucas inquired, "How far into the bubble is it?"

It would not take long for Graham to determine the answer. "After reviewing the scans and cross-referencing with the map of the affected area, I would say it is in the center of the anomaly itself, which would support your theory of it being an origin location. This is also supported by Marine scans, which initially pointed in that direction as well."

"Alright. Has anyone tried entering the bubble, even just with a probe or a sensor on a long pole?" Lucas started concocting a plan for an expedition into the bubble, hoping Graham wouldn't dash his hopes.

"I would have to cross reference with the Marine logs, but -" Graham's image flickered, and he looked toward the door. "We may not have to wait for long to have some form of answer, it appears that someone may have breeched the field themselves, from the inside. If they managed to do such a thing, then we may be able to find a way in." He looked toward Lucas. "Shall we investigate?"

"Alright, let's go see them then," Lucas replied, his mood elevated by the prospect that a way into the bubble could soon be at hand.

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