In this scenario, a routine mission to drop off a probe becomes a first contact scenario when another vessel is encountered unexpectedly.

Scenario Premise

What Endeavour encounters is an automated probe left in the system by an unknown intelligence. The probe's purpose is to detect and interact with other vessels entering the star system to determine whether the civilisation that sent the vessel is worth further contact.

To achieve this, the probe scans the incoming vessel (the target) and then creates a holographic simulation of a vessel that is approximately the same size and with the same speed/maneuvering characteristics of the target. By doing this, the probe seeks to judge the behaviour of a target that perceives it is on an equal footing, whereas a simulated vessel too much bigger than the target may invoke a fearful "fight or flight" response; a simulated vessel too much smaller than the target might simply be ignored or invoke overconfident behaviour.

The holographic simulation includes a force-field technology that appears as solid to scans, with scan analysis showing materials roughly equivalent to those composing the target. The simulation is not perfect, however - the scan analysis will reveal inconsistencies.

Probe Mission Aims

The probe has three mission aims which it will seek to satisfy in order:

Target scans

Initial low-power scan of the target so that the probe can generate an appropriate simulation

The probe will observe model first-contact behaviour and not attempt a high-power scan until it has at least been subject to a low-power scan by the target.

The probe will not mistake a high-power scan from Endeavour as weapons fire.

Combat Response Assessment

Once the probe has completed its high-power scan it will seek to test the response of the target by closing to weapons range and firing "test shots" - beam weapons fire that appears real but only overloads systems rather than damaging them.

Before before beginning to close the probe will send a message. While this won't be interpreted in time, the message is in fact a territorial challenge, to which the correct response would be retreat.

Once the probe's weapons range is reached it will fire an initial shot (depending on the conditions set, this may be a warning shot - not aimed directly at the target). Returning this with a warning shot will not stop the probe continuing to fire.

The probe will continue to fire until the target scores a hit or moves outside the 1000GU range from the probe.

Summon the Mothership

Once the probe has completed its combat response assessment, either cause it has gathered sufficient information or if it comes under sustaniend fire, it will summon a mothership that will appear via FTL. The probe will enter the mothership and then depending on the target's conduct during the mission will either:

• transmit a message that is identifiably friendly and seeking further contact and then disappear; or
• transmit a message that is identifiably friendly but lacks contact details and then disappear; or
• fire on and destroy the target.

Endeavour Anticipated Response

It's expected that Endeavour's crew will detect the probe's initial propulsion EM and will close on the location.

As the probe's low-power scan and transformation likely happens before Endeavour reaches it's own scanning range then the transformation will not likely be spotted.

Endeavour is expected to continue closing until it reaches its own scanning range where is is expected at least low-power scans will be made. These scans will indicate a discrepancy: the density is too low for the type of material the probe is composed of.

Once the probe has completed its own scans and closes to fire, it is hoped that Endeavour will not fire first even though the probe's approach may legitimately be interpreted as hostile.

If Endeavour retreats at this point it will lose the respect of the probe and the outcome will be sub-optimal.

The probe's initial shot will be a warning shot which will not hit Endeavour. Endeavour may fire back with a warning shot or retreat without additional penalty to the mission outcome. Once the probe continues firing (and scoring hits) Endeavour may fire back or retreat without additional penalty to the mission's outcome.

Scenario Principals

Probe

The probe is physically a tiny but powerful autometed vessel designed to ineract with other vessels and gather information on their behaviour and intent. The probe creates a simulation that is roughly equivalent in size and capability (speed, maneuverability) to the target based on what it learns from its scans.

What the probe cannot detect from scans includes the target's scanning and weapons ranges or the target's weapons technology. The probe therefore assumes that these parameters are the same as its own.

Power

The probe has a small matter-antimatter reactor that generates enormous power output compared to Endeavour despite the probe's (actual/physical) small size.

Propulsion

The probe uses an "exotic" propulsion system that outputs EM mostly in the ION range. The propulsion system is a constant drive system.

The probe is capable of subluminal speeds only. Due to the probe's smaller size and higher available power it is capable of higher velocities than Endeavour but after its transformation it will maintain speeds equivalent to Endeavour's. 

Weapons

The probe's primary armament is a beam weapon system which is carefully calibrated to appear like normal weapons fire but without inflicting lethal damage to the target.

Weapon intensity/amplitude will be analysed as high enough to cause lethal damage but it fact it only induces overloads in systems close to the hit area. The systems will shut down, giving the appearance of damage, but diagnostic codes will revela the nature of the damage as a system overload which is easily repairable.

Weapons range is 1000GUs.

Countermeasures

The probe does not heave any form of detectable shielding and does not simulate this, nor does it have any other detectable form of countermeasures.

The probe's simulation can be hit but does not simulate damage. The probe itself is very small and the surrounding simulation itself is effectively a decoy countermeasure.

Sensors

The probe's passive (EMDAR-equivalent) sensors will be able to acheive a track almost immediately.

The probe's active sensors are effective at a range of 4000GUs.

Low-power scans are in the UV band.

High-power scans are in the ION band.

Crew

The probe is automated and has no crew.

Mothership

The mothership is a large starship that appears via FTL to collect the probe when summoned (at the end of the scenario). The mothership is extremely powerful with weapons that can quickly destroy Endeavour if necessary (this will be detrmined by conditions set during the scenario).

The mothership only appears at the end of the scanerio and stays only long enough to collect the probe and transmit a message.

Propulsion

Uses an "exotic" propulsion system that outputs EM mostly in the ION range. Subluminal propulsion system is a constant drive system.

Capable of FTL travel.

Weapons

Primary armament is a beam weapon system which is extremely power ful and capable of destroying Endeavour with a single shot - amplitude is extremely high.

Weapon's range is 2000GUs (although this can be extended where necessary to allow completion of the scenerio).

Countermeasures

The mothership has shielding which prevents high-power internal scans but does not prevent low-power scans.

Endeavour's torpedos do not cause visible damage.

Sensors

The mothership does not conduct scans - it will process data gathered by the probe.

Scenario Timeline

The scenario's timeline will primarily be driven by the range between Endeavour and the probe. The scenario has been divided into tactical ranges reflecting when probe events are triggered.

Tactical Ranges

Above 4000GUs

On entering the star system the target will be approximtaley 5000GUs from the probe. The probe will achieve an automatic track on the target and being closing on the target.

While in this zone  the probe will be in its initial configuration state.

4000GUs

As soon as it enters this zone the probe will begin low-power scans and will quickly change states to its simulated configuration and will remain in this configuration until the end of the mission, regardless of zone.

3000GUs

This zone is specific to Endeavour as it represents scanning range. Scenario conditions will be set depending on the scanning and communications events triggered by Endeavour and their order.

2000GUs

This zone rperesents the mothership's effective weapons range (although this can be expanded if needed to end the mission if required by conditions). The mothership can appear regardless of the range between the probe and Endeavour. The mothership will drop out of FTL around 1-2000GUs from the probe.

1000GUs

The probe will resist efforts by the target to enter this zone as it represents assumed weapons range.

The probe's initial response will be to change course to put more distance between it and the target.

If the target continues to close, the probe will open fire.

Scenario Conditions

Up to three scenario conditions may be set by Endeavour which will determine the behaviour of both the probe and the mothership.

1. Hailing Comms

This condition is set if Endeavour attempts to hail the probe before attempting any scan or to close.

Consequence

Setting this condition means that the probe will attempt to communicate back before making its own scans. This also supports an optimal mission outcome.

2. Weapons Fire

This condition is set if Endeavour fires on the probe before the probe has fired on Endeavour.

Consequence

Setting this condition means:

• initial weapons fire from the probe will not be test shots.
• if Endeavour retreats after being fired on, the probe will continue to fire
• if Endeavour fires on the mothership, return fire will not be a test shot
• the mission outcome will be sub-optimal

3. Early Retreat

This conditon is set if Endeavour retreats before being fired on.

Consequence

Seeting this condition means:

• If condition 2 has already been set, the probe will continue pursuit
• the mission outcome will be sub-optimal

Mission Outcomes

There are three possible mission outcomes.

Comms 1 (Optimal)

This is the optimal outcome. The mothership will send a message to Endeavour before it jumps to FTL that analysis will quickly reveal contains standard indicators for friendship and also navigational markers, suggesting an invitation to meet - presumably after further translation of the message, which would make further communication much easier. This is an ideal outcome from a first contact scenario.

Comms 2 (Sub-Optimal)

The mothership will send a message to Endeavour before it jumps to FTL that analysis will quickly reveal contains standard indicators for friendship but no further guidance to continue communication. This is not an ideal outcome for a first contact scenario (although not a failure) - ideally additional guidance to locate and communicate further would have been evident in the message.

CAT DMG: Catastrophic Damage (Failure)

If the mothership fires directly it will destroy Endeavour with a single shot. This outcome indicates mission failure.