After clearing up from breakfast, we left my cabin and moved to the main bridge. We all took a seat by the tactical display. Snezana and Cyrille looked at me, it seemed I was elected to start things off.
"Ship, let us assume that the probe returns with news that there are several pirate vessels in that star system ahead. What can we use to neutralize them, without putting ourselves at risk?" I asked.
"I have several pulse energy weapons that have a long range. If we keep a distance, we could fire on a pirate vessel without getting too close. Of course they might have similar weapons," said Ship.
"What about defensive shields? Can we cloak this ship like you did with the probe? Please educate me on what we have," I said.
"Our shields are most likely comparable or better than the shields on the pirate vessels. We are cloaked currently, although the energy requirements allow either continuous shielding or cloaking, but not both," said Ship.
"I think direct confrontation is too risky. What if several pirates attack us at once? They could overwhelm us," said Cyrille.
"I agree with Cyrille. We need a way to not be there at all," I said. "Ship, can your cloaked probe deliver a payload or carry anything offensive? That way we can keep out of harm's way."
"Confirmed. It can be done," said Ship. Snezana watched me with a look of awe. It made me feel uncomfortable as a Tian I was not used to such open display of feelings. I certainly did not feel they were warranted. What am I missing here?
"What do you have in mind?" Cyrille asked.
"Well, um, I think I have an idea. Does Baglogi technology include nano-bots?" I asked.
"What do you mean by nano-bots?"
"Small microscopic robots, sometimes used for medical purposes. They can perform simple tasks. They can also be programmed to replicate themselves," I answered.
"Yes we have those, we use them for medical and other delicate applications. Do you intend to use them on the pirate vessels?" she responded.
"If we can, yes. Can you create a batch of self-replicating nano-bots, that latch onto and consume the outer hulls of the pirate vessels? I would need them to know the difference between the hull of a pirate vessel and Ship's hull, and it would be good if there was something we could broadcast to activate or shut them down. They would need to function in space, and after a few days they should shut down permanently, so they do not remain a hazard to others," I said.
"That sounds nasty! I can work with Ship on that," Snezana responded.
"Confirmed," Said Ship.
"And Ship, as far as delivery, I have in mind some kind of spray, that delivers a minute quantity of nano-bots in the desired direction. Density should be low, no more than 100 nano-bots per cubic unit of space, to avoid detection. The probe can creep up on the pirate vessels and spray nano-bots towards them. We could even create clouds of nano-bots in the flight path of a pirate vessel. It would be hard to detect and hard for the pirate vessel to change course in time to avoid it."
"Acknowledged. I can have two probes outfitted with a delivery mechanism to those specifications. The shielding on the pirate vessels might neutralize the nano-bots, so delivery is best when their shields are down," said Ship.
"Thank you Ship. Uh, does anyone have something to add to the plan so far? What are we missing?" I asked.
"We should be in the system, cloaked. Far enough from the action, but close enough to control the nano-bots. And make double sure we can turn them off safely," Cyrille said.
YOU ARE READING
The Star Guardian
Science FictionIan was a human, but he wasn't from this earth. He realized he was among the stars, and he could see his future in that reality.
