-= USS Charon - Science Lab =-
Like the static hiss of of the most basic untuned analogue radio unit the Charons' sensors, left unfiltered, picked up the vast array of noise that filled space. From the repetitive thump of the long dead pulsar to the more erratic song of a solar flare, space was far from quiet. Like a crowded shopping street it took effort to filter out this background noise and still be able to focus on what might be considered useful, relevant, without removing the ability to detect something that should be there but wasn't. Matters become more complicated when you consider that your point of reference is not stationary and in fact moving many times the speed of light, often deviating from a linear path, the problem of designing an interface to the actual sensors becomes apparent.
Some years into his study of this side of sensor technology Skon had begun working on a complex system of algorithms to augment the existing sensor system. The task was vast and there was a high probability of failure but the Vulcan found the work fascinating and a welcomed distraction from his sometimes more mundane responsibilities. Often his work spilled over into his off duty time.
It was with some irritation that often inspiration for a change or addition came at time Skon had put aside for rest. In those moments before sleep took hold an alternative method would present itself and the mind would spring back into motion. So the Vulcan scientist found himself back in the lab, steaming cup of spiced Palanquin tea to one side, rubbing a bit of accumulated tiredness from his eyes.
It was late but Skon, knowing his work could take him through the night, had showered and dressed for duty. The chill of standard environmental settings brought some stiffness to his back and limbs and his uniform was the best protection from that.
The screen in front of him scrolled through a random dump of discarded sensor data. The shear weight of data that passed through the ships sensor systems as noise made a full analysis practically impossible for a system so deep in its infancy that random snippets of data were all that it could handle without trying to take a disproportionate slice of computer time. It was sufficient for his purposes.
The system provided a list of 'hit's and 'misses' for compassion against the main sensor log which in turn revealed more tweeks and the cycle would begin again. Although the actual progress was slow Skon had his attention firmly fixed on the display.
The console to his right chirped as an incoming message made itself available. It was from Ensign Lindstrom, cartography to all science personnel. Raising an eye brow Skon tapped the display and the message came up in full. Three sets of numbers and the brief enticement 'Take a look.'
Picking up his cup of tea Skon turned his full attention to the second display and brought up those spacial co-ordinates. The image of a star filled the screen with the name SBDC78 and Skon's brow furrowed as he strained to understand the meaning of the message. It was as the rest of the screen began to scroll with information that the cup of tea stopped part way on the journey to his mouth, a journey it was never to complete.
Moments later the cup was back resting besides the display and the doors to the Science Lab swished to a close as Skon hurriedly left on his way to Stella Cartography.
--
Ens Skon
Science officer
USS Charon
"Logic is the beginning of wisdom."
