A-drifting we will go...

[spaceshipit]

To some passengers, the hand-holding planet has been a much-needed resting place. To others, it came with its own set of trials and tribulations. Whether the world of the Magic Tree has been a blessing or just another thorn in their side, passengers will soon notice that the Marsiva is beginning to move again, ready to begin the next stretch of her long adventure.

It is time to pack up and head back into space! But as the crews all settle into their next week of drifting, something odd appears on one of the ships...



THE DRIFTING WEEK.

For those who may be new to the Drifting Week, this is a week-long break between star systems where passengers have some time to catch up with crews, work on (or start) backdated threads, check in with CR, make network posts, and play out threads that are confined more to ships, individual shuttles, and the occasional waystation that passes within range of the Fleet.

The Marsiva should be coming in range of another Star System once this week is over--but until then, there's a surprise waiting for crews who investigate!


COMMUNICATION ERROR.

Shortly after the Fleet leaves the previous star system and returns to the endless black, the S.S. Golden (chosen at random!) has a bit of a communications systems meltdown. This lucky ship gets to suffer a massive internal malfunction that takes its entire main communication array offline. It disappears off every other ship's radar, and members of the S. S. Golden's crew are only able to call out or receive signals through their personal communication devices.

When the ailing ship is inspected by someone with a communications or engineering augment, it is found that the calamity was caused by a small, foreign device that had apparently been installed in the internal workings of the communications array. It looks like a palm-sized, square jumble of parts. At some point during their return to space, this little hacking bug's system had failed, and this failure subsequently caused the whole comms board to short-circuit. Being that this complex device is now fried, it is readily apparent that causing a communications system breakdown was not this device's original intention.

If anyone is worried that this is not an isolated event... their suspicions are well-founded. Any member of the crew that thoroughly searches their communications array for a similar device will find that their ship has been bugged as well!

Who could have installed such devices?? What does this mean for the rest of the Fleet? What else is there to be discovered?


THE DEVICES.

The hacking device on the S.S. Golden is the only one that has malfunctioned, which means that the others will be be online and functioning when they are discovered. They can either be left in place to do... whatever it is they are doing, or safely removed (as described below.)

The devices must have been installed while the ships were parked somewhere stationary, either on stations or on some planet, but it is impossible to tell when. Routine scans and upkeep on the communications array would miss these devices completely, so there is every possibility that these devices could have been in place for several months.

If the devices are inspected and tested more thoroughly--either while still online or after they have been removed--the following can be discovered about them:

• The devices seem to be capable of recording/downloading information, and could potentially have access to everything stored on the network.
  
• The devices also seem to be emitting a potentially powerful field, perhaps to scramble or disrupt, against some frequency that the Fleet can't quite get a lock on.
  
• They very likely could be broadcasting/sending information elsewhere, but this can't be locked-onto or tracked.
  
• The technology level is quite sophisticated, but the devices don't have the same shiny, indestructible qualities as Atroma tech seems to.
  
• The word "Interceptors" is painted in English/Common on the outer plate of every device.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Any device can be removed by any communications or engineering officer, though teamwork is advised between all crewmembers, and even between different ships. The devices deactivate themselves upon removal and cannot be brought online again (yet), but they can be studied and potentially tinkered with until the proverbial space cows come home! More information about them and what can and cannot be done with them will come out later.

The S. S. Golden should be able to get their entire communications system back online in a day or two--though it probably wouldn't hurt to offer them some help!

In general, players are each welcome to play with or ignore this mini-event during the drifting week as they so choose! Make posts or threads about it, imply involvement, or just cruise on and focus on other things. Everything described above is there for optional RP flavor.

After the Questions comment, there is a second comment asking for definite involvement--whether you are planning on RPing or implying--but it's only so that the mods can have a loose idea of how the passengers/ships are reacting to the discovery of hacking devices in the fleet. It is not meant to be a complete list of every character getting involved, so if you miss it or choose not to reply, but still want to be involved, that's just fine.

However the specifics play out, dismantling the devices will take roughly a week--at which point we will tune in again with updates on that, along with information about the Fleet's next destination!

As always, please reply to the Questions comment below to ask us anything about the Drifting Week, and reply to the Involvement comment if you happen to know for sure how your character and/or ship will be reacting to the presence of the hacking devices.

Enjoy your Drifting Week, everyone!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[spaceshipit]

Got a question about this event? Ask us here!

Re: QUESTIONS

[tetractys]

So. Once it's taken off, can it be put back in? Duplicated? Reprogrammed by a comm specialist?

If someone's listening in on the other end, what would they say to a little double agenting? Bill may offer to re-hide the interceptor or give false information to other comms officers if he can get some things in return~

[spaceshipit]

I just woke up and am still sick, so let me know if I miss something here!

Firstly, the Golden's in particular is fried, so it's definitely not working.

The ones on the other ships continue to function until they are removed from where they are installed--at which point they shut off and as-of-yet cannot be rebooted, which means you'll be experimenting with something that has no power and cannot function. Someone can attempt to reinstall the device, but it won't be successful, because it seems that they sort of self-sabotage when they're detached.

The only way to play with one that is up and running is to leave it on one of the ships intact, without removing it at all. It doesn't seem that the devices can be accessed through the network or any other software path, so tampering/reprogramming attempts would have to be done through just the hardware. And what happens there depends on exactly what kind of tampering is attempted, haa...

Also, as for double-agenting, there doesn't seem to be any way to communicate directly with wherever the signals are going, since the frequencies can't be locked on or tapped into. So, theoretically, if "they" are listening in to whatever is on the network, the only way to communicate with them would be to make a broadcast or put something on the network... which is potentially viewable by anyone (or any comms officer, if it is encrypted.)

[tetractys]

his rough plan was to make an encrypted message to himself/nobody

saying like "ok i'll leave this thing on for 24 more hours. you'll give me private filter access across the fleet. if i don't have that when 24 hours are up i'll assume your answer is no"

[spaceshipit]

It's at least worth a try! And it will be interesting if another comms officer catches him. :'D

If you'd like to play with that, with the possibility that absolutely no one will answer, go for it!

[tetractys]

HIM GETTING CAUGHT WOULD BE SO GOOD

edit: also: i am to assume they WON'T respond and/or give bill what he wants, right? no filter access for terrible triangle man?

[spaceshipit]

Sorry, triangle bro.

[syntech]

Once found, since he won't be sure he can take it apart and put it back together, Fox will probably focus on the actual programming side of it. While he obviously can't get a lock on where stuff's going/coming from, is it at all possible to tap into the thing as far as what it's already gathered?

Additionally, would it be possible for a particularly astute person to find anything more than the word "Interceptors" on the machine, or is that all there is at least for now?

.... Would the field the interceptors emit cause any harm or malfunction to any of Fox's existing implants/his HUD?

[spaceshipit]

Firstly, once the devices are removed from the communications array, they shut down and sort of self-sabotage to where they can't be powered up again. So, if he wants to play with one that is still functioning, he'll need to do so while it's still attached to the ship.

He probably can't tap into exactly what is stored on the device, but he can figure out that it seems the storage size seems to be quiet small. So, it's likely that there is only enough room on it to store a good buffer for beaming the information to another location.

"Interceptors" is all there is marking the machine, but the fact that there are no numbers of any kind stamped anywhere might clue someone in that it's another point toward this possibly not being Atroma tech. Almost everything that has been found to be related to Atroma has had identification/part numbers stamped on at least some parts of it.

And the field is very specifically being "focused" on particular frequencies, and seem to cause no harm to anyone being in close contact with it. However... who knows if any recent augment malfunctions have been due to these things, since they could have been installed for months.

Re: QUESTIONS

[grandstanding]

Do the devices have any magnetic components?

[spaceshipit]

Oh, yes. The whole thing is made of rather mundane alloys and polymers, some of which are magnetic--especially when it comes to the ways it is embedded in the ship.

[aigue]

Does it have an unusual scent, or does it have general metal/electric smells?

[spaceshipit]

Definitely typical computer-y smells, at the very least. Anything more depends on exactly how sensitive the sniffer's nose is, I would imagine.

What sorts of things might they be able to detect, especially after sitting embedded in the ship's guts for several months?

[aigue]

Hmmm, I am not sure Renart would be good enough to notice anything unusual, but someone like Bigby might? His nose is a crazy godmod nose. Renart only has a regular fox nose, which Google says is good but weaker than that of a specialized dog.

[spaceshipit]

Ah, then yeah, probably only computer-type smells. Although, the fact that the object definitely smells like the engine and not much else might be some evidence toward the fact that these have probably been installed in the ships for some time now.

[aigue]

Cool, thanks!

[tetractys]

new thread new question this one less annoying lol ;;

when does this kick off? will there be a mod announcement or can we just start posting whenever?

[spaceshipit]

Oh, you guys are welcome to just start posting about it! There will be no mod prompting this time. :)

INVOLVEMENT

[spaceshipit]

Know for sure how your character and/or ship will be reacting to the presence of the hacking devices? Let us know!

This is not mandatory, and you're welcome to comment whether you're threading things out or just implying that they happened. This is just to help us get a rough idea of what's happening around the Fleet.

[spontaneouscombustion]

Well, since Dany's sleeping this month, Pinkie'll probably be trying to maintain the communications system on the Caprine as well as her usual systems while she's asleep. She can probably go over the schematics and say "hey, thaaat's new" and take it out. Probably going to thread it out in the Caprine mingle at least, maybe ask the fleet about it if I decide the comms stuff might be over her head.

Hee hee, and just when I was wondering what Pinkie's project for this month would be~ Thanks for the awesome plots, mods!

[everydayhero]

hiro wants to dissect this thing and try to figure out where it's sending information to, that's for sure

[syntech]

wanna buddy up, my friend?

[scanninggaydis]

Felix may not have the appropriate augments but tech is His Thing, and he will definitely be getting involved in anything that caused another ship's comm units to just short out?? That might be collecting and sending data?? Yeah no, this mystery needs solving. (I mean, it might just be an Atroma trick but if it's not that's Bad.)

I'd be more than interested in threading out tinkering/collaboration. Possibly Felix will make a broadcast about it, possibly he'll just be responding to discussion about it.

[nedstarksbastard]

Jon is going to be low-key pissed when it's found and he finds out what it's for, and will most definitely end up trying to detach it all by himself if he has to. he'd really like not to, but he will. he'll also be bringing it to Shirley and/or a comm officer from another ship who's conveniently currently on the Three Twins instead, bc Anders.

[wolfehawke]

Hey buddy lol. I said on plurk but I'll say here so people know. Adalwolfe will be on Three Twins lurking around the med bay while Anders is in a coma so he could totes help there.

[winn]

Winn is a hacker, an engineer augment, and a conspiracy buff - he'll be all over a mysterious hacking device.

[ecclesiophobic]

Feel like an epic team-up?

[winn]

ALWAYS!

[unbearablynaive]

Willing to help, too!

[winn]

Welcome to the nerd squad, half-captain! Winn would love his help!

[unbearablynaive]

He's thinking a simple Faraday cage - basically a metal mesh with an electric current running through it - which should prevent most wave-form communication from getting in or out.

[c0nsequences]

Over on the Blameless, the Stalker will absolutely be curious and upset about this. Usual drama ensues. Sorry, everyone.

WANTED: an interceptor that hasn't been claimed for removal, another comms officer.

[tetractys]

Well well well well well.

I'd like to call dibs on discovering the Golden's bug for Bill? Comms officer. He'll offer tips or to go around helping other people find theirs and remove them, when the dust settles BUT

WANTED: A ship that nobody's called bug removal for, that he can offer to "help" and then not help in any way and try to use as a bargaining chip.

WANTED: maybe another comms officer to catch him doing this

[goldenglasses]

Vash is interested if maybe it's how the ships that occasionally attack the fleet is tracking them or something. He's also not surprised to see something like that as: reality TV show. He's actually surprised by the lack of cameras so far. He's on the mindset of removing it so it won't cause ship problems later, but study rather than destroy.

However, seems his ship mates may feel differently and he won't be against destroying it either. Or as he's not an engineer or communication officer he may break it by mistake studying and/or playing with it.

[spontaneouscombustion]

Want a study buddy? [Once one of the Star Wars members of her crew tells her... what bugs actually are.]

[goldenglasses]

Vash is always happy for a study buddy!

[spontaneouscombustion]

Sweet! OOH! Maybe a ship-wide study in the Iskaulit labs!

[goldenglasses]

That could work. It could almost be like a...

/looks left
/looks right

A study party. Okay, maybe not. Most people would want to take this overly seriously or some silliness like that

[spontaneouscombustion]

Yes good~

[syntech]

Fox is like 150% guaranteed to check this out if nothing else tbh. Once he finds the thing, he'll basically do all but dismantle it even if he can't put it baCK TOGETHER AGAIN someone please stop him god.

Re: INVOLVEMENT

[unbearablynaive]

Yeah, this thing is not staying on the Windrose. At least, not installed. Vision will probably stick it in a little Faraday cage so no signals can get in or out.

Re: INVOLVEMENT

[privatizes]

Tony is going to remove the ones in the Pathstone as soon as he figures out they're there and dissect them as is his want. He's also the communications officer, so -- uh, feel free to harass him. He'll give up his toys. Probably.

BLUE FISHES GIT HERE

[alwayscomeback]

Sokka is sure going to be investigating this. Good job they have some Starfleet tech to throw at it, too. He'll still ask his crew first, if they'd rather the device be moved or kept as is. He can see the benefits of both actions.

He's gonna be pretty salty about Atroma continuing to be giant creepers though.

I'M HERE!!

[save_the_souls]

First Mate Allen will have no strong opinion about what should be done with it, and will go with the will of the crew. If really pushed for an opinion, he'd be pro-removing it.

He'll also be skeptical if it really was Atroma (he's dealt with problem groups in RPs before), but again- not gonna have a lot of strong opinions here. People spying on him is such a regular thing in his life ok.

Re: BLUE FISHES GIT HERE

[bryces_pup]

Riona will vote to burn that thing to a crisp.

Okay and maybe after some reasoning and explanation - as this tech is not known to her - would be pro-removal and studying it.

[wolfehawke]

Adalwolfe may be the comm officer for First Breath, but he'll be on the Three Twins for he event. He will transfer info to the First Breath though, probably directly to Tyrion and/or Furiosa and urge them not to remove the thing but to monitor it instead since it kills itself when removed. They can only trace it eventually if it's functioning, he knows that much, and nothing on the network is particularly imparatively private or incriminating or so he thinks.

ON THE SS STARSTRUCK

[resnipstance]

Ahsoka will for suresies be investigating this and trying to disable it :'D

Re: INVOLVEMENT

[axiomed]

Charles will probably discover some and let Winter and Erik know.