Meet The Colonists, Part 2

Posted on Thu Oct 13th, 2022 @ 2:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Lieutenant Talsi Carey & Lieutenant Commander Aalis Rinne & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Ensign Jordan Peterson

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Tuhvon IV
Timeline: current

Screw it, Diane thought, "We may as well all go. We can beam down with the supplies, tell them what we have to tell them, and go from there."

“Everything okay Commander?” Sky offered a warm smile as she looked at Diane.

Diane nodded, "Yeah, I'm leading this away mission, so I may as well lead it all the way. We can lock down the runabouts before beaming down. I think the more of us that go the less of a chance the colonists will try anything stupid. Mister Peterson? You have the beam-down coordinates?"

"Inputting them now, Commander." Jordan replied as he tapped the console. He walked to the padd, energizing in 30."

CJ stopped down to the pad next to him and smiled, "I think they’ll respond well to my country boy charm."

Sky couldn’t help but smile at that comment as she looked towards CJ. “We might need something to lighten the mood. One silly question, I take it they will have a problem with having a Betazoid/Romulan on their world?”

"You can pass off as a vulcan hybrid." Jordan replied as he felt the dematerialization start.

Aalis nodded. "It's easy enough to pass. Even if they were to do an in-depth exam, physiology is similar enough that you should be fine. I doubt that they are going to scan that deep. If they do and if they have a problem with it, we can leave. Simple as that." It wasn't something that she thought would be a problem with them considering the tensions rising weren't with the Romulans. "They would prefer that we not be Starfleet is the biggest thing that we need to worry about right now."

As they dematerialised and rematerialised on the surface Sky stood politely in place awaiting formal introductions with the colonists.

A group stood in front of the location, which was a public fountain. Jordan walked up to the one standing in the front of the group, embraced the woman, and shook hands with the elder man. "Commander, this is Mitchel and Michelle Peterson... My parents, and the leader of the colony."

Diane smiled warmly, "It's a pleasure to meet you." It was easy to give people bad news when they were on a screen, but once you see them face to face, it becomes difficult. Diane knew this and mitigated those feelings in herself. "We're from the starship Resolution," she purposely left off 'Federation' and 'Starfleet' knowing it might be a sore spot for the colonists. She waved over to some crates that were beamed down a few meters away. "Our captain asked me to drop off these supplies... and this." She handed Mitchel Peterson a PADD she was holding. It contained all the information about the impending invasion and evidence of how they'd be treated if they survived the event. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have."

The man took the pad. "Thank you." He replied as his attention got side tracked by a school being dismissed and kids running around laughing and running. "This has been our home for decades, Commander. Those kids have never even ventured outside the village."

Diane kept a pleasant expression and answered, "I can't stand here and tell you I know how you feel, and that I understand. I've never been a colonist. But I can tell you, if you want those children to have a future, to be able to live, grow, and have families own someday, then I have to urge you to evacuate."

“You should listen to the Commander,” Sky offered a warm smile as she handed back a stray ball to a little boy who’d ventured close enough to try and get it. “You don’t want your children growing up as slaves, or not going growing up at all.”

"How long do we have to decide." Mitchell replied as he watched the kids, he turned to the group. Who were also watching the kids. Then to his wife who gave the nod. "We have our stipulations... we will do as you ask, but we need something of you... there are three colonies within this area. Our numbers are high... we have our supporters within the Federation, and have been given intelligence on just how likely an attack would happen. Until you showed up, we did not think, assistance within this matter would be offered. But we did convene to discuss a plan. Given you being here the Federation must be desperate. I cannot speak for those that do not choose to evacuate... but we will..." He took a pad of his own. "This... is what we need. Our own planet, with similar in climate. we are mostly farmers, plants and animals. A lot of the native animals for this planet, have become our livelihood. They will be required to be relocated as well."

Diane took the offered PADD containing the colonists conditions. "We can take some now, we have three runabouts in orbit. The Resolution will be here in three days to pick up more. Once we have a better idea of just how many we're taking on, additional transport ships can be provided." She glanced over at the children and looked back to Mitchel Peterson, "I know this isn't easy for you but I believe it's the right thing to do given the circumstances. We'll do everything we can to get you re-situated. Is there anything else we can do now?"

"Your ship will be here in three days, be our guests. There is the festival of lights going on the next week, which will be its last. Consider yourself honoured guests." He turned to the group. "Security, counsellors... leader... are there any science officers... we have a few requests regarding the best way to transport our animals. And being able to find a home that would be suffice for them to survive."

Diane waved over to Paige Bryant, "Paige is our team's science officer. I'm sure she can help you out."

Mitchel walked over and extended his hand. "Welcome, I notice you do not wear the rank. Civilian officer onboard a starship. Impressive. Most of our scientists do not know the issue that our animals have with transport. We tried transporting several of our bovine-like beasts to other colonies, although our transports do not meet standards that Starfleet has regarding animals. We have done so, and it does not seem to be transporting that seems to be the issue. It happens after the animals are on the planet where they begin getting sick."

Paige took his hand shaking it warmly. "It was an unexpected, but not unwelcome thing." She was sometimes a little self conscious about her appointment to the Resolution. "Many animals can have reactions to transport. They're decidedly more fragile than you might think. We can certainly look at causes."

Bouchard sauntered over to the fence that was corralling the bovine creatures. He flashed his boyish grin and made a clicking sound with his throat, a large animal came toward him and he scratched under it chin.

We have similar bovines back home, my granddaddy had a similar problem when we'll transport them." CJ paused. I don't remember the story that well, but I think they injected them with some kind of isotope. I'm sure there's something about it in the historical archives types perhaps Miss Bryant can figure out something similar."

"I can try to figure it out. I would need time, and that is not something that we have an abundance of."

"We have already attempted that as well... that is a well known solution to earth bovine, more commonly known as Cattle. However as soon as we start getting them settled, and eating what should be healthy food for them to eat... it usually drives them mad... and soon death follows."

Diane's commbadge chirped for attention. She stepped away from the group to take the message. It was a notification from the Resolution relayed to her through the runabout in orbit. Those paying attention saw her tilt her head to listen, her face remained neutral. She tapped her badge and returned to the group.

"I hate to break into this conversation," she apologized to Paige and Mitchel, "I've just gotten word from Captain Carey, we have to accelerate our schedule. A Dominion Fleet was detected coming through the Bajoran wormhole. Admiral Ross says we're not at war yet but it doesn't look good. Transport ships with escorts have been put on alert and will be here sooner than expected."

"Then perhaps we should talk somewhere else Miss Bryant. While your other team mates start working on things." He replied as he stared at the animals. "They are magnificent creatures... being bred in captivity, they depend on us as we do them. I cannot do that to them."

"The Resolution will be here a little ahead of schedule, we can beam up when she arrives," Diane informed them.