Post by Daenerys Targaryen on Jun 4, 2012 18:01:27 GMT -6
Dr. Victoria Jean Harper
Dig Site Alpha
Operation: CRACKING CRUST
Dig Site Alpha
Operation: CRACKING CRUST
March 6th, 2532.
"And here we are! Artiface! This dusty old rock might still have some secrets to give up!!" Stated Dr. Victoria Jean Harper with all the enthusiasm she could muster.
----Prologue----
A few months ago, Dr. Harper was on Reach, studying samples of covenant technology versus the very scarce samples of an ancient species of aliens, Forerunners, technology along with it. She even began to theorize that most covenant technology might just be a bastardized version of this strange ancient technology, but that was when she received communications from higher ups in section three that a lonely mining planet in a human system in the outer colonies had uncovered something alien.. and it wasn't covenant. That is all she really needed to hear, so she decided to head a xenoarcheological expedition to the planet.
By the time she had everything set, the paper work finished, and the ONI controlled Frigate, the UNSCS Bakers Field, ready for launch, she had a team of eight scientists, including herself and her assistant ready to go. The higher ups did send a UNSC detachment of Marines for her protection if ever the time came, but she didn't see the point.
So with that, the Bakers Field launched from Reach to travel to Artiface.
The team consisted of, Herself, her assistant John, and eight other scientists, along with a Marine Sergeant Sarah Chapman and her squad.
Alexis Jarkovaic, a young and attractive scientist, she would be in twenty first century terms a genius, able to retain an incredible amount of knowledge because of her remarkable memory. She was born and raised on Reach, like most of the rest of the team.
Jake Sekyevek, another young scientist, because of being less disciplined in his childhood, he tends to shirk duty from time to time, but he is more or less entertaining to keep around. His studies have made him one of the leading scientists on the topic of xenobiology, only rivalling few others on that topic. he was born and raised on Reach.
Berek Oszar, a 38 year old man who grew up mostly before the Covenant attack and who had been a member of ONI for many years. He started in on xenobiology when he was young and is now a respected leader in the study of it. He was a quiet man who only ever spoke when he felt like it, which wasn't a lot. He was born and raised on Earth untill he joined ONI, then was stationed at Reach.
Jordan Cratz was more of a middle aged man and the stuck up intellectual type, Dr. Harper had met him before and worked with him on several different occasions. When he wasn't being snarky he spent most of his time in his books, like he did growing up on Reach.
Johan Brackzvy, a very charismatic young man who loved what he did, almost as much as Victoria, and was so fasonated with the discovery of this ancient alien relic that he was never actually asked, he begged Victoria if he could come.
Christina Pompaduore, a french woman like Victoria, was the last of the team. She was a young woman who spent most of her time exploring and studying things hands on, she always hated veiwing things from a distance and it drove her wild, she even opted to help with the excavation more then the studying in the labs that would be set up.
Brian Shelton, an overall quiet man who keeps to himself and his work. He is probably socially awkward from his childhood years or he just really isn't;t that much of a talker, either way he only ever really talked when reporting things.
----End of Prologue----
"I don't see why they would want to put anything here, there is nothing attractive about this planet at all." Mumbled John, Victoria's ever grumping assistant.
"Exactly, something burried here, a place that seems to be a dusty old rock, either once supported life or.. maybe it was hidden here for a reason." Deduced Christina as she wiped the red dust that was already sticking to her lab coat off so it could travel back to the cracked sun baked ground.
"Excellent observation." Responded Victoria, taking out a compact device, a hand held digital video recorder. "Xeno-Palentology Data Log 1998." She stated, speaking loud so her voice would be picked up on the camera clearly.
"Now you all start hiking down to the crater and get to your barracks next to the Labs. They are at the front of the "building" if that is what we can call it." She ordered, before walking toward the edge of the excavation crater. "As for you Sergeant, have your mean do what they want untill the sun goes down, but keep them in check, I don't want any problems with the miners." The Doctor added, turning the camera toward the crater.
Large bolders sat at random places, and in other more uniformed places sat gigantic mining machines meant for pulling out much ore and other materials. Smaller more carefull mining lazers could be found closer toward the far end of the crader, meant for carefully mining at the 13t foot peice of Forerunner metal jutting out from the ground.
ONI BETA PRIORITY TRANSMISSION 04592J-88
Encryption Code: Red
From: Dr. Victoria Jean Harper, ONI Civilian Scientist, Artiface Xenoarcheological Team/00284-10294-VH
To: ONI HQ, REACH
Subject: Expidition Report #1
Classification: Classified (BGX Directive)
/start file/
March 6th, 2532.
To ONI Section III, the UNSCS Bakers Field has succesfully dropped off Dig Team Alpha to the find site where they are currently getting into operation. Follow up reports will be sent every month unless something significant is discovered.
/end file/
March 8th, 2532
A loud pop resounded off of the closest crater wall as a cork sailed through the air, followed by a small stream of champaigne. "Ah there we go! Perfect! You know they found this bottle just sitting at the bottom of a lagoon back on earth, it is apparantly about one hundred and seventy years old! " Boasted Berek, holding the bottle closer to the heat lamps to show of the date in the glass.
"Bull shit Oszar, That could've been made by anyone." Proded Jake, chuckling a little as he took the bottle to look at it himself.
"Oh quiet down and drink some of the stuff Jake, we are celebrating Alexis' birthday, not debating bottles of wine." Stated Dr. Harper, who was sitting next to Berek on one of the slabs of rocks positioned around the heat lamps outside of the barracks.
"Yes why not sing the 'Happy Birthday Song' first then." Offered Christina in her french accent, a sweet sound next to all the rougher hungarian accents.
"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Christina,
Happy Birthday to you!!!"
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Christina,
Happy Birthday to you!!!"
"Oh stop it!! I don't need any songs sung!!" Cried out Alexis in mock modesty.
"Oh course you do sweetheart, that's why we are singing for you." Offered Jake with a wink before handing the birthday girl her drink.
March 23rd, 2532.
Dr. Victoria sat behind her desk in her small office next to the lab, closely studying several strains of bacteria found in a region of the planet when she heard a voice. "Dr. Harper?"
"Yes, what is it?" She asked, looking up from her microscope to see Johan, the man was practicley beaming with joy.
"We finally got those sonograms back online and sent the first waves down by the peice of metal today to see what we found, you won't believe it unless you see it with your own eyes.
ONI BETA PRIORITY TRANSMISSION 04692J-89
Encryption Code: RedFrom: Dr. Victoria Jean Harper, ONI Civilian Scientist, Artiface Xenoarcheological Team/00284-10294-VH
To: ONI HQ, REACH
Subject: Expidition Report #2
Classification: Classified (BGX Directive)
/start file/
March 23rd, 2532.
We found out a few days after arrival that our sonograms where offline, engineers have by now managed to get them working again. This report has been sent out early because of our findings. initial sonogram pictures showed a massive structure, nearly two hundred and nineteen feet tall and with a width of at least one hundred feet wide in most parts, that is all we know for now. Expect another follow report on May 6th unless something happens before then.
/end file/
April 3rd, 2532.
"Don't fucking touch it again!"
"What are you going to do to stop me!?"
"How about I fucking break that nose of yours!"
These sounds and other voices muffled by the shouts are the sounds that woke Dr. Victoria Jean Harper from her sleep and a nice dream. "God damnit.." She muttered, throwing on something before leaving her room and the barracks all together. Jordan Cratz and Jake Sekyevek stood five feet away from the entrance to the Barracks screaming at each other, Jake was clutching a small letter in his right hand and Jordan seemed to be getting in his business about it.
"Why can't you just tell me what the hell it is?" Jordan sneered, reaching toward the letter, which he had probably done several times before already.
"Jordan Cratz!" Dr. Harper barked, using a commanding voice she hardly ever spoke in. It definatly stopped the man, because when he heard his senior scientists voice he looked like he almost jumped out of his skin.
"Dr.. H-Harper.." Began the now sweating scientist.
"Cut the bullshit Jordan. This is a place of science, not your fucking idiotic little bouts of pestering, if I see or hear about you agitating the others again you are off this planet faster then I can say decommissioned." She snapped, glaring at him long enough to make his skin crawl.
"Y-yes.. sorry." He replied, giving one last look at Jake before walking off at a brisk pace.
"And for you Jake, get back to the lab, breaks over." Dr. Harper ordered, but in a softer tone.
"Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am." Jake replied, obviously still steamed about Jordan.
"Good man." Dr. Harper mumbled before walking back to the barracks to put some proper clothes on.
April 15th , 2532.
"These stars are really beautiful.", Berek stated, watching the stars. Dr. Harper and him where seated on one of the edges of the Crater overlooking the stars.
"Yes, I suppose they are. Just imagine what they looked like to people back in the 21st century... so far away... so untouchable.. and now we are here, light years away from Earth on a planet circling another star. It almost seems ironic.. how far we have come.. just to be pushed back by someone more advanced then us. " She mused.. moving her hand along the dusty cracked ground.
"Yeah, but it's surprising how some things could be so much more beautiful." He said in a softer tone.
Victoria felt his hand move to the top of hers and she jumped slightly, not expecting it. But before she could say anything, Berek stood up and held out his hand. "We should go back even if that parka looks nice and comfy." He stated, chuckling.
"Hey, you know that it is damned cold outside!" Victoria stated with a small smile before taking his hand and pulling herself up.
April 17th, 2532.
"I hate the heat!!" Complained John, her assistant. As he and Victoria stood in front of the now a 16 foot peice of metal sticking out of the craters floor.
"So does everyone else, the faster we get this uncovered and studied the faster we can go home. Besides you where the one who volunteerd to stand by the mining lasers with me. Lasers tends to be hot." Tutted Victoria as she shifted her position, watching the metal more than the mining lasers.
"Oh haha!! If I would have known you did not want to hear me complain I might not have volunteered." Retorted John.
April 18th, 2532.
"Then watch this!" Dr. Harper exclaimed, pointing yet again to the forerunner piece of metal in the chamber. "No matter what we try, this metal won't show any signs of stress or even the lightest scratch, it is unbelievable! Yet here we are, on an alien world digging the thing up, so I guess that puts things into perspective." Victoria stated as she flipped a switch, allowing a red laser to fall on the ancient metal. Several flashes of red light entered the testing room they where watching, but when they turned the laser off, the metal was perfectly fine.
"Where did you find this again, John?" Asked Jake, it was obvious he was antsy to enter the room and inspect the metal.
"I did not find it, the Miners found this loose piece of metal when they uncovered another foot of the structure this week." Replied John as the two walked into the room to inspect it.
"Do you think it is indestructable?" Christina asked, turning to Dr. Harper with a curios expression.
"No, I don't think it is. It has been down there for a very long time, it may not seem like it, but this planet still has activity... being down that far, it is subject to heat, earthquakes, and other things. The farther we go, the metal could be weaker and weaker. Besides there might be forms of glass down there two, who doesn't love a view?" Dr. Harper theorized, ending her sentence with a question toward the younger scientist before walking off toward the mess area. "When those two get tired of the metal tell them to report to the mess for some food." Called the Doctor over her shoulder.
April 19th, 2532.
"Finally some real food." Mumbled Jake through a mouthfull of steak.
"Chew your food and stop talking." Grunted Berek, looking toward Dr. Harper and sharing a smile with her.
"Your lucky I managed to get this ordered with the supplies shipment ONI sent us." Mentioned John after wiping his mouth on a napkin,
"I.. don't know how to say this John.. but I think I love you." Teased Jake with a small chuckle after swallowing a bite. This comment also got a chuckle from Alexis.
May 5th, 2532.
"You know, we might as well have chairs installed on those cliffs since it is now our place to go to." Berek whispered toward Victoria as the two walking along a dirt path, arm in arm.
"Yes it does seem like a nice place to install chairs." Victoria confirmed with a small laugh. The two continued onward up the path toward their usual place for several more minutes.
"Who's that..?" Whispered Berek, the two stopped in their tracks, about twenty feet away from their usual spot. Two shillouettes that where just lit enough by the moon to make out shown Jake and Alexis sitting in their spot, holding hands and then.. leaning in for a kiss.
"No matter, that spot was getting old anyway." Whispered Victoria right back with a wink.
ONI BETA PRIORITY TRANSMISSION 06732F-80
Encryption Code: Red
From: Dr. Victoria Jean Harper, ONI Civilian Scientist, Artiface Xenoarcheological Team/00284-10294-VH
To: ONI HQ, REACH
Subject: Expidition Report #3
Classification: Classified (BGX Directive)
/start file/
May 6th, 2532.
An all together ten feet have been excavated these last to months, meaning some two hundred and nine feet to go. Requesting more mining laser equipment with the next shipment of supplies. Nothing has gone wrong yet and the Bakers Field, while here, has not picked up any disturbances on Long Range sensors.
/end file/
May 10th, 2532.
"... and then you can be popular, like me!
Bom bom bom~ Laaaa laaa laa la la laaa,
you can be popular, like me!!"
Alexis sang out as she danced around the mess, the song was from a 21st century broadway musical, it was at least some form of entertainment. After she was done, everyone began clapping, she even got a few whistles from Jake. "Encore Encore!!" He cried.
"No no, back to your microscopes for today. Tomorrow night we will watch a movie on the holotube. Today though, we need to introduce the Bacteria to the surface soil of the planet and document reactions, you all have your different strains, now get to it." Ordered Victoria after clapping several times to get Jake's attention from Alexis.
May 12th, 2532.
"Maybe it is a temple that holds some religious significance?" Offered Jake, as he looked toward the projected image of the sonogram findings.
"No, I don't believe it to be that. I am not ruling it out, but why bury a temple? Besides if they were as advanced as we believe they wouldn't place a temple in a place they knew it would be buried by dust if that is what happened. Anyone else?" Said Victoria, watching the sonogram.
"Maybe it was.. or is.. some sort of prison?" Asked Alexis.
"This would make more sense as to why the building would be buried.. but unless it was filled with very dangerous things that could get out of the tough metal then there would be no point in burying it under tons of dirt. Unless when they dissapeared the prison was forgotten." She tutted.
"Maybe it contains some source of knowledge they wanted to keep hidden?" Asked Berek.
"That.. actually makes sense Berek. Hide it from whom though? Unless it was meant to be found. Ok discussion is over, time to head in for the night." Stated Victoria, waiting for everyone to leave the area before she began to work.
