Agent047
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859 - Mental Evaluation
🕑 Added 2025-03-05 03:20:21 +0000 UTC“What is your name and rank?”
Inside a sparse room containing only a table and two chairs, a man in a suit posed the question to the individual seated across from him.
“I am Specialist First Class Amir Riza,” Amir responded, clad in his TSF exploration uniform, its insignia and decorations reflecting his rank, despite the fact that this interaction was taking place within a virtual reality.
“How are you feeling?”
“Excited to finally be back home, grateful for the opportunity to explore space, and relieved to have returned safely.”
“Can you give us a summary of the exploration?”
“Yes. Once we entered the heliosphere of our designated star system following our arrival and initial rudimentary mapping…” Amir began, methodically recounting his experience.
Across the station, every member of the TSF TRAPPIST-1 expedition crew was engaged in a similar debriefing process. Each sat in identical rooms, providing their accounts as part of the mandatory post-mission psychological evaluation. Having successfully docked at the inspection station, they had now entered the next phase of their return—quarantine, physical assessments, and psychological screenings. These protocols ensured that no unforeseen threats, whether biological contaminants or the psychological strain of deep-space travel, would jeopardize their reintegration into imperial society.
………………….
{Sir, the tests on the software of TSF TRAPPIST-1 have come back clean. We can begin data migration. Do you want to review it with me now, or would you prefer to wait until the collected information is cross-referenced with the materials they brought back?} Nova inquired.
Although no discrepancies had ever been found between collected data and retrieved materials in any of the previous exploration missions, the empire maintained the practice of cross-referencing both. This precaution ensured that no false initial interpretations would mislead scientists, preventing wasted efforts on incorrect assumptions.
“That’s just us being paranoid. No need to wait—show me the summary of the information,” Aron said, deciding to review the preliminary findings immediately. He knew that Nova and the empire’s primary AIs had already begun processing the data the moment it was deemed safe.
In response, Nova instantly projected a holographic display in front of him, presenting a summarized version of the data she had already analyzed. As Aron began reviewing it, Nova continued parsing through the remaining information, updating the summary in real-time, confident that her processing speed would outpace his ability to read through the findings.
[TSF TRAPPIST-1 Exploration Mission – Live Summary]
Rudimentary star system mapping conducted while waiting at the heliosphere's exterior confirmed initial astronomical observations. The system's cool red dwarf and its seven Earth-sized planets were all found to be tidally locked.
Initial investigations of the four planets within the habitable zone revealed no signs of water or life.
Orbital mapping of all seven planets uncovered a peculiar surface material that did not match anything in existing databases. Due to the limitations of long-distance analysis, landers were deployed for closer investigation…
As Aron continued reading, his curiosity deepened. The information thus far was intriguing, but it was the unknown elements—particularly the unidentified surface material—that caught his attention the most.
Meanwhile, across the inspection station, the mental evaluations of the TSF TRAPPIST-1 crew were still in progress.
……..
The man in the suit leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Amir, clearly intrigued. “So, you’re saying that this new material found on all seven planets is unlike anything you’ve ever encountered before?” His question reflected his growing interest, which was heightened by the live brain data feed from Amir. The evaluator wanted to direct the conversation toward this material to observe Amir’s reaction more closely and gauge the impact it had on his neural activity.
“Yes,” Amir confirmed, nodding. “There were no signs of life on the target planets, and with this new material present on all of them, we decided to proceed with further investigation. We began by continuing research from orbit, collecting as much information as we could from a distance. During this time, we also aimed to assess whether the material posed any danger before making the decision to send a lander.”
He paused briefly before continuing. “We also attempted to locate similar material in asteroids, but our efforts were in vain. Nothing remotely resembling it was found in space. After three months of remote observation, we decided to send a probe. Its task was to scan and retrieve a sample for further research. A mobile lab was set up during that time, which would allow us to study the material and determine if it was hazardous. We planned on conducting VR-based research in conjunction using the scanned data.”
The evaluator leaned forward slightly, sensing a crucial point. “Did the probe succeed in its mission?” he asked, eager to keep the conversation on track.
“Half successful, half failure,” Amir replied.
“What exactly succeeded and what failed?” he asked, looking as if he was eager for more details.
“The sample collection was successful,” Amir replied. “But the scanning failed. This made it impossible to use time acceleration in the VR environment, which severely limited the research to what could be done in the physical lab.”
Amir paused, clearly reflecting on the complications. “Despite the scanning failure, it didn’t halt our research. If anything, it only heightened our interest in the material. For the next month, we focused on trying to unlock its secrets. Unfortunately, the only thing we discovered was that it reacted to mana. That was the result of our month-long research... until one day, something unexpected happened.”
“What happened?”
“One of the researchers took off his headgear as he was about to leave the lab,” Amir explained. “That was when the material finally reacted.”
…………….
Aron, now engrossed in the details of the material’s reaction, muttered to himself, “What is this material?” His thoughts began to spiral as he considered the implications. The headgear, while seemingly just a protective layer against contamination, had far more advanced functions. Even though all the research was conducted inside secured research boxes, with layers of protection keeping the researchers safe from the materials, the headgear played a crucial role.
Integrated into all headgears in all of the TSF, regardless of the type, was a specialized psionic shielding. This technology was designed to protect the mind from anything that might attempt to breach it—whether to manipulate, take control, or inflict mental harm. The thought that the material could trigger a reaction only when the headgear was removed hinted at something far more troubling than mere physical properties.
He didn't waste any time and quickly moved on to the next section, eager to uncover the reason behind the material's peculiar reaction, silently hoping it wasn’t something dangerous.
Comments
Sol_Invictus
I’m waiting for the reaction of the stunned researchers to the changes in the empire after so many years of absence. It will be funny if they arrive just in time for the launch of the Stargates in the solar system. The second most anticipated reaction for me is Seraphina’s.
Sol_Invictus
TYFTC!! That's interesting
Jade
No so like for real though. The previous two weeks I have been on Vacation at home and happened to be on my phone when I see a chapter drop, and got first, but now I'm back to work doing 13 hours days like usual and I still see the chapters when I get back to the hotel room.
Jade
FIRST!! At least I hope haha I'm a minute late. TYFTC!!
