2208.04.01
"Fine, I admit it, we can't get in close enough to scan the platform directly", Captain Reid finally admits. The remote scans of what appears to be an ancient lighter-than-air atmospheric structure have provided interesting data by themselves, but you can see it pains the meticulous scientist to leave a stone unturned.
"Maybe you'll be able to come back with a more robust ship some day," you try to reassure her. "But for now, there's a lot of important work still to do."
She just sighs. "You're right. Like always."
-o-o-o-
The new science ship, the ISS Aldrin, floats free of its dockings, carrying the now-Captain Wang toward his passion project. His replacement -
Who was hired to supervise sociobiological research?
[] Cheryll Pickett, a fellow biology expert (Expertise: Biology)
[] Mitsue Watanabe, a jack of all trades with a reputation as a quick study (Adaptable)
[X] Luke Chamberlain, a brilliant polymath (Spark of Genius)
2208.06.01
"What do you
mean they had already figured it out?" you ask Dr. Wang incredulously.
"When we landed, the research team on the ground came to meet us and brought a file explaining everything they had already puzzled out." He sounds genuinely dejected. "The fungi were responding to sound, and transmitting electromagnetic waves in response - like a living wireless microphone. But as far as they could tell, it wasn't transmitting to anyone - perhaps it was designed by some former inhabitant."
You consider your colleague's situation.
Who should hold captaincy of the Aldrin?
[X] (Ship) Dr. Wang; the man clearly needs a vacation
[] (Ship) The new hire; you need Qiang's expertise at home
[] (Ship) Nobody; you need those alloys back
What should its mission be, assuming it will stick around?
[X] (Task) Surveying
[] (Task) Act as an additional orbital lab around Earth
