08-31-2026, 02:54 AM
Sebastian listened carefully as Lieutenant Keti and Ra’an discussed the possibility of disguising their communications. The idea immediately caught his attention. It was another piece of the puzzle, and perhaps one that could give them an advantage without requiring them to violate the Captain’s orders.
“An old Bajoran transmission could work,” Sebastian said, studying the data on his display. “Especially something from the Occupation era. The Cardassians would have encountered thousands of those signals. If we could reproduce the characteristics of one and make it appear sufficiently degraded, they might have little reason to investigate it.”
He paused, considering the other possibility.
“Although I think the ancient Earth transmission idea has some merit as well. Something predating the Federation would be difficult for them to associate with us. If we could reproduce the characteristics of an old terrestrial radio signal and then bury it within naturally occurring interference, it might appear to be nothing more than an old transmission passing through the region.”
Sebastian glanced toward Amila.
“And we can test all of this without transmitting anything. We could model the signals against the Cardassian sensor data we already have and determine what they would likely see from their perspective.”
His attention returned to the display.
“If we understand what their sensors are most likely to identify as unusual, we can make sure our deception doesn't accidentally create the very signature we're trying to hide.”
Sebastian considered the nearly empty region surrounding Starbase 214.
“It's almost ironic. There isn't much of scientific interest out there, but that may actually work in our favor. If the Cardassians are accustomed to seeing mostly empty space in this region, then an unusual signal might actually stand out more than we want.” Added Sebastian.
He began organizing the available data.
“So perhaps the best approach is to make the signal appear ordinary first, and then use the natural interference to obscure it further. If they do detect it, they should have no obvious reason to associate it with a Federation vessel.” Suggested Sebastian.
Sebastian smiled slightly.
“We aren't really trying to disappear. We're trying to give them something more interesting to investigate than us.” Stated Sebastian.
He looked toward Amila again.
“And I'll continue working strictly with the data we already have until you give us permission to do otherwise.”
== Tag Ra'an and Keti. ==
“An old Bajoran transmission could work,” Sebastian said, studying the data on his display. “Especially something from the Occupation era. The Cardassians would have encountered thousands of those signals. If we could reproduce the characteristics of one and make it appear sufficiently degraded, they might have little reason to investigate it.”
He paused, considering the other possibility.
“Although I think the ancient Earth transmission idea has some merit as well. Something predating the Federation would be difficult for them to associate with us. If we could reproduce the characteristics of an old terrestrial radio signal and then bury it within naturally occurring interference, it might appear to be nothing more than an old transmission passing through the region.”
Sebastian glanced toward Amila.
“And we can test all of this without transmitting anything. We could model the signals against the Cardassian sensor data we already have and determine what they would likely see from their perspective.”
His attention returned to the display.
“If we understand what their sensors are most likely to identify as unusual, we can make sure our deception doesn't accidentally create the very signature we're trying to hide.”
Sebastian considered the nearly empty region surrounding Starbase 214.
“It's almost ironic. There isn't much of scientific interest out there, but that may actually work in our favor. If the Cardassians are accustomed to seeing mostly empty space in this region, then an unusual signal might actually stand out more than we want.” Added Sebastian.
He began organizing the available data.
“So perhaps the best approach is to make the signal appear ordinary first, and then use the natural interference to obscure it further. If they do detect it, they should have no obvious reason to associate it with a Federation vessel.” Suggested Sebastian.
Sebastian smiled slightly.
“We aren't really trying to disappear. We're trying to give them something more interesting to investigate than us.” Stated Sebastian.
He looked toward Amila again.
“And I'll continue working strictly with the data we already have until you give us permission to do otherwise.”
== Tag Ra'an and Keti. ==