Episode Twenty Eight: Sentient

[Travis Oxford]

1837 - 1840
X-305 Shuttle
Approaching abandoned vessel

He quietly listened to the interaction that was going on as well paying attention to what Kent had said all while he had studied the PDA that had been handed to him. He looked up when a computerised voice had begun speaking. The only thing running through his mind was, what the heck…. They had at no point had any idea of the ship containing other being let alone a talking computer.

To him talking computers usually meant bad things were about to happen. Yet for a moment he blinked to get a sense of what was going on. He wasn’t being slow, just trying to figure out what was they might be dealing with in the first place. Before he could utter a word, James had already begun speaking; yet Travis let him take the reign for a while.

Watching an extending of a tunnel like feature, Travis made a face, yet said nothing, but nodded in permission to his XO’s question. Alert, watched James’s make his way through and get the colours Kent had translated to come in handy. Following he looked at it console, “I reckon they have to be in certain sequence in order for this to work. Translations only mention the colours, not their order.”

“Kent, Ayden,” he called back at both members of his team, “Does the text mention them being in any particular order? Or are they meant to be random punches?” He was certain that they had to be in some order. Things like this weren’t just placed in the text for the heck of it. He had heard Claire mention that more time than he cared to count. “They won’t place the colours if they didn’t have an order of sequence.”

“I can vaguely recall the game,” he replied to John, “wasn’t exactly a best game I ever came across.”

<<Tag SD-2>>

[Kent McKillop]

1841
X-305 Shuttle
Docking Ring

The archaeologist just starred with amazement as Sergeant Calmara opened the shuttles hatch and stepped out into the airlock. What if there was a leak and all their air had been sucked out? That could happen... right? By no means man a science, Doctor McKillop was not privy to the workings of this shuttle, and if such a loss of air was even possible. Still, it did seem a little foolhardy to place so much faith in an airlock of whose construction they could not be assured of.

Kent was one of the last to step out from the shuttle and into the docking collar. Another new member of the team, a sergeant by the name of Valenti, suggested that the team stick together and buddy-up. By no means sharing the same team wish, there was little he imagined Major Oxford could to to get Kent to wander this ship alone. Who knows what horrors could be lurking in here waiting for devour them the moment they were alone. "A wise suggestion," Kent replied, a slight tinge of sarcasm tainting his voice.

The group examined the inner air locks door mechanism, pondering how the colours Kent had translated would be able to help them gain access to the ship. Travis asked if the colours had been in an order, which they had, but McKillop took a moment to double check his translation just to be certain. If someone was going to mess up and have the group dumped out into the cold of space, it was not going to be Kent.

Forgetting for a moment that there was a chain of command that needed to be followed, Kent stepped forward and punched the green button once, the red button twice, and finally the blue button. A collective gasp was let out at the suddenness of his actions. "I... ummm... hope that was right," he stammered in reply, acknowledging that he may have overstepped his mark.

Thankfully, the inner door of the airlock slowly slid to the side, granting them access to the ship. Knowing full well he was already in enough trouble, Kent stepped sheepishly to the side, allowing the big boys and their toys the chance to step through the take the first look.

This mission could certainly have been going better.

< Tag SD-2 >


EDIT: My 200th post! ;D

[James Calmara]

1841
Unknown Vessel
Docking Ring

Standing ready a few feet from the door control while the activation code was confirmed, “I remember it, never had one but a buddy at school did, played it a couple of times.” He commented in response to the observation made by Valtine. At that point McKillop decide to open up the door without warning, prompting another knee jerk reaction from Calmara. He pulled his P90 rapidly up to his shoulder in the ready position, but could help letting out a sound that mixed exasperation and caution. He’d stopped just short of pointing it at the opening airlock, experience had taught him that if there were people of some description on the other side they might not take to kindly to that type of ‘greeting.’

All that was on the other side of the airlock was an empty corridor. The lack of anyone shooting at or threatening them was a good thing, but the empty corridor had an eerie quality which was a worry. Calmara looked towards Oxford for permission to make his way into the ship, then slowly advanced down the corridor. He’d swapped his usual M4 for the P90 this time out because of the confines of the ship, the non-combat nature of the mission and, the fact he would be salvaging components for the most part.

A short way down the corridor they came to a staggered junction, even in that short distance it was clear that the ship had been out in space for sometime. How ever there was no evidence that that it was anywhere close to major failure. From the for there approach of how far along the ship they had docked, Calmara tried to work out which way the engine room would be. “Sir if there’s any logic to the ships design engineering should be that way.” He commented to Oxford, indicating the corridor that led aft. “Not sure about the bridge or flight deck each race seems to be a little different on that location.”

Then the disembodied voice piped up suddenly and without warning.

Statement: Sergeant Calmara is correct.

Statement: Engineering accessed via the aft gangway.

Demand: The rest of your party are required to vocalize your designations.

A little shocked at the fact the computer was able to identify him. Calmara rather oddly had to questioning aloud to someone or something he couldn’t see. “Who or what are you? How do you know me?

The reply came back swiftly.

Statement: I am CHENN.

Statement: Your voice pattern was recorded and transferred from the Automated Docking System.

Demand: The remaining members of your party must each state there designations. This is a security requirement.

Calmara glanced at Oxford and then to each one of his teammates, this mission was becoming more and more interesting by the minute. Calmara was being to think along the lines of salvaging there needed components with only a computer to deal with that might presented its own challenges.

Tag SD-2

[Kent McKillop]

1841
Unknown Vessel
Corridors

Kent followed his cohort as they moved out of the docking ring and into the corridor beyond. He hung toward the back of the group, letting those with the guns go ahead, at the back of his mind assuring himself that if someone attacked them he'd be the last to go down. Surely whatever blood thirsty alien had built this ship would look on him kindly if he didn't try and shot it, right?

The ever jumpy archaeologist darted his eyes between the doorways leading off from the corridor, convinced a three-headed beast was about to jump out and tear them limb from limb. It was always the case when he left the base - a perfectly good mission would go downhill the moment they were away from safety. It had happened to Kent on his last outing with SD-2 on Charon - first a member of the team had tried to kill them, then he and Major Oxford had ended up being attacked in a giant library. Imagine what sort of horrors lived on this creepy and supposedly abandoned ship?

Sergeant Calmara extrapolated the location of the engine room, where they'd be most likely to find the parts they were after. It was at this point that the booming voice they'd heard before decided to return, asking them all to identify themselves. How did it know they were there? And how did it know Sergeant Calmara's name?

Kent's gut told him they were moments from instant death.

He was rarely wrong about these things.

Doctor McKillop looked to the Major for a moment before responding. "I'm Doctor Kent McKillop... of Earth... we, err, come in peace?" He slammed his mouth shut. What the blooming heck was he meant to say. "We mean you no harm," he added, trying not to stammer as he spoke. "We... err... want some parts. Yes some parts, for our ship you see. Just a couple, you won't even notice they're gone. We can probably even bring them back..."

It was at this point Kent become aware of the fact everyone on the team was staring at him. He closed his mouth and took a step back, looking down at the deck to avoid eye contact.

The voice paused for a moment, before continuing. "Inquiry: What parts do you seek?"

< Tag SD-2 >

[Travis Oxford]

1841
Unknown Vessel
Docking Ring

He waited as Kent double checked his translations and what not before deciding to announce that order of sequence was right. While he didn’t mind that the man was mostly correct in his work, but his interaction with ‘humans’ needed work as the doctor brushed past him to punch the code. He knew there was no point in telling the man regarding the chains of command, since that would be ignored anyway. In fact, Kent most days barely paid any attention to military.

Hearing what his team member had said, Travis nodded, while resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was glad that they were still standing where they were. Raising his gun as the doors opened, he saw Kent stepping aside. James’s reaction didn’t go past him, but for now he decided to let it go. With more pressing matters on hand, his XO’s lack of attention could be dealt once the mission was over. Stepping inside, he led his team down the corridors. So far it was deserted of any life form on any shape or type.

Asserting the intersection from all angles he faced his team, be he could utter a word, overhead speakers came to like, listening to its demands, he silently stared at Kent, this round really wanted to kill the man then and there, instead he stepped forwards, “This is Major Oxford,” he spoke in his rarely used tone of his rank he held, “We don’t know what parts we need till our people find out which ones are damaged and are in need of replacement. In the meantime we will take look at the engine to see if there are any similarities.”

Even as he spoke he took out his note pad and scribbled on it: “Do not leave any doors unattended at any time and make sure you aren’t locked inside.” Making few copies he passed the folded papers to each member of his team. Last time he had dealt with a crazy AI, they all had been locked in after she over took all the controls.

Then there was a near silence before the thing spoke, “Access will be granted once the information is received.”

<<Tag SD-2>>

[James Calmara]

1842
Unknown Vessel
Docking Ring

Calmara glanced at Dr McKillop who was the next to speak. Who went a little further than just idenfying himself, trying in his way to soothe things over and help them gain access to what the team needed. From CHENN’s responses it was obvious that they were now dealing with an AI that was adaptive and that seemed to be learning quickly.

When the question about parts came up Calmara considered replying, but first he glanced over to Major Oxford, who responded in a definite manner. CHENN was not going to get any more information until they knew the extent of this AI’s influence, was it just able to speak or was it able to control other systems, if it could which. It being able to control things like doors and access could make things awkward, it being able to control critical systems could prove deadly.

Calmara palmed the note that Oxford handed him and scanned it quickly.

Do not leave any doors unattended at any time and make sure you aren’t locked inside.

Giving his CO a quick nod to show he’d read and understood the message, before sliding into one of his vest pockets. CHENN’s next demand did however pose a problem.

Thinking for a moment Calmara stepped next to Oxford and quietly suggested a course off action. “Might be worth throwing CHENN a bone just to get us into the engine room. Specifying one maybe two types of things we’re after, being as vague as possible, just in case.” Then another slightly more risky option. “Or we could ignore it move on and I’ll have a go at hotwiring the door controls when we get there if its necessary.” Both courses involved an amount of deception and carried an amount of risk. Calmara was keen on the former course of action at this point in time, it might give an opportunity to gain a limited knowledge of the systems on this ship, an advantage if it came down to having to hotwire systems to get the team off the ship.

Tag SD-2

[John E. Valenti]

1841 - 1843 Hrs
Docking Ring
Allegedly Abandoned Vessel


John listened as the voice spoke, stating it wanted everyone to introduce themselves more or less. He waited for everyone else to go, as he was the new guy on the team, but when Kent spoke up and stated they were seeking parts, John almost growled at the man. Never before had he felt the urge to shoot a member of his own team, but they say there is a first time for everything. Kent had to be the stupidest smart person John had ever met. Giving away the entire purpose of their visit before even getting anywhere close to gaining some useful Intel was probably the worst thing this man could have done. John found himself hoping that the Commander would rip him a new one when this was all over.

After Major Oxford spoke up he handed everyone a piece of paper, John read it, nodded in agreement and slid it into one of his pockets. He found it was sound advice but felt that it showed someone had dealt with something like this once before. It seemed the AI or CHENN was trying to gage them as they were doing the same, it was testing their intelligence levels, and John was afraid they were failing the test miserably. After a while, everyone seemed to be looking around, waiting for the next person to speak up, so he did.

"Master Sergeant John Valenti, just a peaceful explorer seeking to learn new things."

It wasn't entirely a lie, after all he was seeking to learn new things (even he didn't understand them) and he was a peaceful man until someone or something else threatened his life or the lives of his teammates. He hoped the machine he was talking to wasn't keying up the controls to some unseen weapons and getting ready to take them all out if they answered incorrectly. Man he hated these games. Although, seeing as they were still alive after Kent's little 'give away everything in our plan and take away our bargaining chips' maneuver, perhaps there was a chance of making it back alive after all, but he highly doubted it.

Calmara stepped closer to Oxford and began whispering, John couldn't hear what he was saying but he was afraid that this CHENN thing might be able to, he didn't like their chances when they had left the main ship he was not enjoying watching them get smaller as they continued on this mission.



TAG: SD-2

[Travis Oxford]

1842
Unknown Vessel.
Docking Ring

Travis knew that he was by no means a man with understanding of engineering, at least not to the depth of Alien engine parts. It was hard enough to know what their enemy might spring up in the middle of a battle. Dealing with an AI was another thing altogether. Since it was an unseen and unpredictable of what it was capable of doing or going to do. At least in the battle field you could watch the actions and respond accordingly. Yet this was the second time he was dealing, so guiding his own team with right advice was paramount. As far as his knew, he was the only one in the current formation of his team to come across an AI, if anyone else had prior experience, he was going to welcome any advice handed down to others.

James’s idea was a good one and maybe sufficient enough to get them around the whole vessel without throwing any doubts. But he wasn’t keen on breaking and entering the engine room by hot-wiring, “Lesson one, don’t try hot-wiring,” he replied in whisper just as soft, “last time that was tried or was it something similar, we got locked for hours. I’m not keen on using air vents for escape. Long story don’t ask.” They had been tight, small and cramped, but they had gotten out.

Inhaling, he spoke in normal volume, “We just want to see if a fuse or a wiring that needs replacement and if a spare is around to take. I’m certain that it’s something small as that.” And he hoped that was it was going to be or else, having a crazy AI chasing his butt wasn’t appealing. And explaining this one to Troy would take the cake. Frank would be amused. While he wasn’t a chick magnet by any means, he would definitely be a ‘crazy AI magnet’.

It was a long couple of second before there was a reply, “Very well then. I’ll grant access for now. No parts are to be taken without my knowledge.”

Glaring at Kent to keep shut, “You have my word. Nothing will be removed to touched.” Once he had green light, he led team out the docking area and to doors that led to the main part of the vessel. Once inside, he moved inside the corridors, before pointing to James, John and Kent to take his left where the engine room was, the remaining members were to follow him down the right of the corridor. And he prayed that for all their sakes Kent didn't stuff up. If he did, it was going to be both good and bad.

<<Tag SD-2>>

[James Calmara]

1843
Unknown Vessel
Corridors


Calmara merely nodded in reply to Oxford and then stepped away, although more than slightly intrigued by his response. The ‘Long story don’t ask’ tagged on the end was conformation, as if he needed it, that this was not the time or the place for an explanation.

The bluff approach it was and to be fair there was an element of truth to what Oxford said they were after, it more than likely the alien equivalent of fuses and wiring.

Another point in there favour was that CHENN bought it for the moment up to a point, it still set strict verbal limits on the teams activity’s, if it had the ability to prevent them from breaching these limits remained to be seen. Calmara wasn’t ready to test them just yet and would be upholding Oxfords word for the moment.

As they moved inside he was pointed down the corridor to his left where the engine room was along with John and Kent. “Take six Valtine, McKillop in the middle, remember we need as much information as possible.” Calmara said as they started to move down the corridor, maybe a little to ridged in his approach but habits die hard. As they went Calmara ran his gaze up one wall, overhead, then down the other wall, looking for any obvious monitoring or imaging devices that CHENN might use to keep an eye on them just in case they had to neutralize them, while questioning the AI attempting to gain further information on there host. “CHENN I’ve got to ask does that stand for anything or have any other significance?”

At that point a door slid across the corridor further up. Calmara threw up a fist to call a halt, was about to enquire, CHENN was ahead of him.


Statement: Pressure loss detected up ahead. Rerouting in progress.

Request: Please hold your position.


This set Calmara on edge the timing was just to convenient as far as he was concerned, just after they had split up and as they were pushing ‘it’ for a little more information, this seemed like a little avoidence tactic.


Statement: Reroute complete.

Request: Please proceed, taking the next door to your left.


He moved off down the corridor until he came to the door that had been specified. It seemed to be a room with another conveniently open door leading off it. Pointing his weapon as he gave it a cursory scan then entered.

<Tag SD-2>

[Kent McKillop]

1844
Unknown Vessel
Engineering

The rest of the team rattled off their names and occupations before being granted permission by the invisible yet omnipresent CHENN to proceed toward the engineering compartment. The major and sergeant took the lead, with Kent assuming his usual position in the centre of the group, protected on all sides by the armed personnel.

After moving around a suspiciously unpressurised compartment the group arrived at the engineering compartment and began to spread out. Word has still not come from Akrotiri as to what exactly they were looking for, and Travis had promised the ships ever present personification that nothing could be touched. It seemed as though the group would be looking around for the time being, trying to get a feel for what this ship possessed.

The archaeologist activated his radio to ask for an update on the parts list, explaining that they were interacting with some sort of advanced artifical intelligence. "Hold your position and keep your heads on a swivel SD-2," replied the voice of Colonel Loveridge, the expedition's leader. "We're on our way over to give you a hand. I say again, hold your position and keep your heads on a swivel. Loveridge out."

A cold chill ran down McKillop's back.

He wasn't exactly sure what 'keepings ones head on a swivel' meant, but it couldn't be good. He'd heard the expression before - didn't it mean 'keep your eyes open, you're about to be attacked'? That was hardly what he wanted to hear when he was stuck on a creepy alien vessel that was possessed by a talking computer.

"Interrogative," CHENN declared to the group, signalling that her next statement was to be a question. "Are you being joined by other members of your party?"

Kent paused for a moment, unsure if he was allowed to answer or not. "Indeed we will be, they've... err... they're bringing along the list of the parts we need. For the repairs."

< Tag SD-2 >

OOC: I'll have Troy bring the base personnel over in 24 hours or so

[Troy Loveridge]

< Continued from Akrotiri >

1844
Unknown Vessel
Secondary Docking Ring

While he was by trade a fighter pilot, Captain Cromin had little trouble controlling the newly built X-305 and in no time at all had brought the shuttle up against the abandoned cargo ship's secondary docking ring. A tube extended from the alien vessel and locked in place with a pressurised seal, allowing the team to open their hatch and move into the ship without hinderance.

The security team with their weapons at the high and ready went first, with Troy bring up the rear. The interior of the ship looked in otherwise good condition aside from the thick layer of dust that covered all surfaces, suggesting that the crew had long departed. Torchlight from the marine’s weapons illuminated the corridors and hatches beyond the docking ring with bright shafts of light, giving the vessel a spooky feel indeed.

"Greeting: You are the team that has come to assist Major Oxford and his men?" declared a mechanical voice, whose source the colonel couldn't quite nail down. This must have been the artificial intelligence that Kent had been talking about. "That's correct," Troy replied. "I'm Colonel Loveridge of the Delian Expedition."

"Introduction: I am CHENN - Compartmented Hyperdrive and Engineering Network Node, the only remaining network node on this vessel." The voice was definitely programmed to sound female and quite calm and friendly, though it was unsettling that the voice had no source yet was able to fill the corridors with its speech. "Declaration: Your companions are in the engineering area, third door on your left and then right at the end of the corridor."

Unsure if he should thank to omnipresent voice of not, Troy gathered together the group and headed off toward SD-2's position, quietly informing the security team to keep their weapons at the ready.

< Tag Base Personnel & SD-2 >

[James Calmara]

1844
Unknown Vessel
Engineering

Just about arrived in the engineering room began looking around. There was always something familiar about engine rooms, even those of newly discovered ship, that made Calmara feel right at home. These places invariably became his ‘office’ after all. He wandered over to a console and was about to do a little investigation work, trying to figure out the various systems of this ship and what they could use. Dr McKillop was on the radio at that point asking for a more specific list of parts then they had been given up until now. The response that came back and from whom, Colonel Loveridge, was unexpected to say the least.

"Hold your position and keep your heads on a swivel SD-2. We're on our way over to give you a hand. I say again, hold your position and keep your heads on a swivel. Loveridge out."

This could only mean that the expeditionary personnel on Akotiri had become aware of something concerning the ship they were currently investigating. “Copy That.” Calmara responded simply as he backed away from the console. Pulling his weapon up and moving in to position where he could cover one of the entrances, indicating Valenti to cover the other. “McKillop have a look at what were dealing with would you.”

Although he was in two minds at this point, having a clear idea of what the parts the ship had to spare would be an important thing, but his orders were clear. CHENN’s next interrogative about the other team joining them and McKillop’s response, kind of made him lean to getting into the system and some answers.

He stepped back towards a console it was a hexagonal low pillar-type arrangement. One of several that were placed in the engineering area, with input controls around the edge and displays in the centre. The problem was his linguistic skills always seemed to let him down and randomly pressing buttons generally cause bad things to happen. So he stepped away and joined Kent asking as he did. “Anything so far? What about diagnostic systems? All the while throwing the occasional glance towards Valenti, so he’d be aware of any developments. A schematic of the ship appeared on the display, Calmara could now look into what was where, what bits were necessary, and things of that nature. The great thing about engineering Calmara found was it always had relatively simple indicators that popped up quite frequently making them easy to identify even if you lacked a familiarity with the rest of the language.

<Tag SD-2 & Base Personnel>

[Travis Oxford]

1844
Unknown Vessel
Corridors

He was in the middle of giving orders to Will and Ayden to explore when he heard Troy’s voice and was baffled as to what the commander was doing here. They hadn’t even gotten the parts to the engines they needed. Since James and Co were still making their way to the said room. Hopefully through the access they had some idea what they needed for the City Ship, the expedition called home. Looking at the other two who were with him, Travis gave them an order to hold fort, while he went to see what was going on. Both people were more than capable of handling themselves.

Departing from the group, he moved his hand to clicked his radio to hail Troy, but came across two SF’s he was certain came with Loverigde, “Stevens, Ferguson,” he called out to the two men who were scanning the corridors, “Loveridge?”

“He will be along in a second sir,” Ferguson motioned back to where they had come from.

Nodding Travis gestured for them to be high alert. Since he wasn’t sure what the AI was capable of to start with and it was something he hadn’t figured out, but was hoping that it didn’t turn out to be like the last time he came across one.

<<Tag SD-2/Base>>

[James Calmara]

1845
Unknown Vessel
Engineering


Beginning to get the hand of the interface that the ship used, some of which used the controls round the edge, which Calmara found tricky to understand. Some were in the form of touch screen, a easer concept to work with, especially when it was a case of taping the area required to zoom in or acquire a more detailed explanation of. That explanation being in a language that Calmara couldn’t read made the task tricky.

Glancing over to the master sergeant who was standing guard, Calmara commented. “Just keep an eye out for Colonel Loveridge, also we are about to start poking round this system. Anything at all out of the ordinary sergeant, and we’re talking the smallest thing, say something.”

Calmara went back to tapping away at the controls tring to find the components that were needed when CHENN piped up again. Interrogative – I have detected your accessing the ships schematics is this an attempt to find your needed components? Looking up to and address his remarks to the ceiling, why, he was still unsure of, it just felt right. “Yes and I’m trying to get my bearings, to understand the ship and the way it works.”

Interrogative – you do not wish to share your entire plan of action, why is that, do you fear me? That was an unusual statement for a machine or computer to make and a quite alarming one. If the thing could detect the motives and feeling behind a persons actions, would it itself work that way. How advanced was this AI? “Not fear, more unsure. You’re a disembodied voice that claims to represent the ships operating system. It’s a difficult concept for us to grasp. So we play it safe and only give out as much information we feel comfortable with. We soon adapt though.” What he said was true he wasn’t ready to trust the thing just yet. But those little bits of information here and there might just make the difference.

Tag SD-2

[Kent McKillop]

1845
Unknown Vessel
Engineering

The arrival of the colonel and more military support was somewhat of a concern for the archaeologist. If SD-2 was only over here to pick up spare parts, why did they suddenly need to be reinforced, and why the cryptic warning from Loveridge to keep their eyes open? Something had happened; yes, something had happened back on Akrotiri that had suddenly changed the mission. The colonel's refusal to acknowledge it only fuelled Kent's fortitude that he and his team were intentionally being kept out of the loop. The team hadn't been gone that long - what would have possibly happened?

Sergeant Calmara asked Kent to have a look around, something the doctor was actually quite versed at. It could have been a ploy to keep the doctor quiet and divert his attention to other matters, aside from whatever impending doom the colonel was unwilling to bring them up to speed on. It could also have been an honest request - a suggestion that Kent do his job and translate what he was seeing around him. Besides, without that ability, what was he even good for?

Preferring to stay away from the computer terminals, McKillop walked along the walls that made up this room, trying to pick out bits and pieces from the native script that was written on the bulkheads. Yes, he could see it now, it definitely was a derivate of Mayan script as he and Agent Sheppard had first suspected. One series of wall markings in particular caught his attention, and the archaeologist wandered over to give them a closer examination.

An inquiry into his progressed was launched by Sergeant Calmara, who was curious to know of Kent's progress. "I may have something here," he replied, his voice trailing off as his focused more and more on the piece of text that he was occupied in. It was at this point that the omnipresent CHENN asked if the group he afraid of her, to which Calmara diplomatically replied in the negative.

Kent's mind however was occupied by the text before him. "Ahh, Ms. CHENN?" he asked, hoping to catch the mechanical voices attention, "Who - or what - was RELNN?" The was a pause of silence for a moment before a reply was heard.

"Elaboration: RELNN was the Respiration, Environmental and Life-support Network Node, the intelligence system responsible for human survival on the vessel. He sadly lost functionality some time ago, forcing myself to take over his duties."

That made a little more sense. The sign Kent was reading made mention of this RELNN along with half a dozen other 'Network Nodes', all of which bar CHENN had been crossed out with a black marker. While he wasn't qualified to make the call, it would have appeared to Kent that something had happened to this ship to damage it's systems, leaving their new friend CHENN as the only remaining system.

"Interesting..." Kent replied, taking a step closer to the sign positioned on the wall in front of him, trying to make out something that had been handwritten in the bottom corner.

< Tag Base Personnel & SD-2 >