Colony Mystery

Posted on Sat Apr 1st, 2023 @ 5:53pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard

Mission: Unknown Colony
Location: USS Washington

The Washington dropped out of warp on the edge of the star system and began the journey in at half impulse. The outer most planet was a gas giant that looked similar to Jupiter, with several moons that looked promising, with several habitable moons. As they moved closer to the source of the signal, Deanna was able to get more information from the sensors.

"Captain, the planet is definitely class K. I am seeing three major continents and a thin atmosphere. This planet could be terraformed with little effort to convert it to class M. I'd say the planet is a lot like a cross between Mars and the high elevation of Colorado of the North American continent of Earth."

Shran looked at Jon, "The strangeness of this keeps increasing."

"Couldn't agree more sir." Jon replied as he listened to Deanna's statement on the planet.

"The signal is originating from a mountainous area on the northern portion of the largest continent." Deanna continued working with the sensors. "I'm detecting an underground river and I am detecting an enclosed facility. I am detecting ship wreckage nearby, and there is debris in a low orbit as well."

"I want to have the debris in orbit transported aboard and analyzed. Anything else?" Shran asked as he looked at Celes.

"I have begun deciphering the tachyon signal" Celes replied. "It appears to be automated, a call for help. The signal does have a human element to it."

Shran looked to Jon, "Take Ayana and those others you wish to have with you and take a look around down there."

Jon nodded, "Yes sir." He would take Ayana and Sam to be sure. He wasn't sure about taking Callie or Phoenix though an extra security officer couldn't hurt.

"Any lifesigns?" Shran asked.

"I am detecting humanoids on the planet, I would say they are human, but I can't give a definite answer because sensors are being impeded and reflected by the structure" Celes replied.

"Can we transport into the facility?" Shran queried.

"Yes sir, but we would need to go into a low orbit. I wouldn't recommend transporting more than 4 people at a time though." Celes continued her analysis. "I will begin transporting larger parts of the orbiting debris to cargo bay 3 for analysis."

Shran looked to Jon, "We'll try to make contact with the facility, gauge if they are friendly or not. Don't like the idea of you going down there completely unprepared."

Sam emerged from the turbolift at the rear of the bridge. "Sorry I'm late" she quipped as she took her seat on the other side of Shran. "What have we got?"

Jon turned in his seat to face Sam. "K-class planet sending out a distress message using a tachyon beam. With debris of a ship in orbit." Jon summed up. "You, Ayana, myself are going to transport down and see if we can find out what is going on.
He looked at Shran. I know I said four people but considering what Deanna has said, I don't want to task the transporter, so we'll go with three."

"Can we communicate with them Deanna?"

"We can try. Not sure about visual communication, but possibly audio at least." She hit a few controls, "Attempting to make a connection. Channel is open sir."

Shran stood up to speak, "To whomever can receive this message, this is Capt Shran dh'Klar of the Federation starship Washington. We have detected your signal and would like to determine if you require assistance."

A few moments of silence before Deanna looked back at Shran, "I believe they are trying to reply with a tachyon signal. I think it has a visual component. Putting it on screen."

The viewscreen came on and a humanoid appeared. "Are you receiving? I am Cole Turner III, chief counsel. We received your transmission, and though we are unsure what the Federation is, we recognize the ship name Washington as human. We are from Earth, enslaved and marooned here over three hundred years ago. Your signal is far more powerful than anything we have access to, but our scientists have theorized on such things. If you are getting this, please respond."

Shran looked to Deanna, "Try to keep the channel open." He looked to Jon, "Humans descended from enslaved humans from at least the 21st century. Your away team seems appropriate."

Jon nodded, "I hope so sir. Seems we're getting more questions than answers."

Shran looked back to the viewscreen with understanding. Jon's point was well taken. "Mr. Turner, if you are still receiving, I will send down a small party to greet you. They can assess your situation and determine what we might be able to do to assist you."

"That would be welcome captain. We haven't had guests since our ancestors arrived here. It would be a welcome visit to be sure. But if I may ask, how will your people traverse the terrain? I sincerely doubt you have craft that would be compatible with our docking ports to get into our habitat."

"Just remain where you are, and my team will arrive at your location presently." Shran looked to Jon and Sam, "It would appear you will have a receptive audience. A pleasant change I hope."

"So it does sir and for some reason that worries me more than going into a hostile environment." Jon answered soberly.

"I know our track record isn't great, especially of late, but let's try to be a little optimistic, at least until we have reason to be worried. I understand a need for caution, but as Deanna is fond of telling me, the law of averages says that eventually we will come due for a nice peaceful first contact. Now seems like as good a time as ever for that to happen" Shran said with a smile.

"I'll try to remember that sir, when they have us hanging in cuffs." Jon answered. "I hope Deanna is right but I don't know."

"We're due for a break that's for real" Sam smiled as she stood and prepared to leave "I'll just grab my kit from sickbay and I'll meet you both in the transporter room" she commented as she headed off the bridge. Warm reception or not, experience had taught her to always be prepared.

"I will begin analysis of the debris immediately, try to get some answers" Deanna said as she got up from the Ops station.

"Safe trip you three" Shran offered as they all headed to the turbolift. "Deanna, have engineering send somebody to assist you in the carbo bay with that debris."

"Will do" she replied as she joined the others in the turbolift.