ST:TTV304 | "Valley: Forged Pt. II"
Stardate 94839.5
Having identified space debris found to bear the name of their own ship to be from a pre-warp predecessor, the Valley Forge tracked it's course to a newly discovered colony - descended from the original ship's occupants.
Now, whilst Captain Se'Lai meets with the colony leaders to establish relations, the crew and guests of the Valley Forge are entrusted to host the colony pilot who made first contact with them, and introduce them to Starfleet and the Federation...
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Jenni@crystyll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=207&v=8PkDXbPB4UM Jenni@crystyll ---Previously on TTV--- Jenni@crystyll FX | After encountering ancient debris bearing the name of their own vessel Jenni@crystyll FX | The crew managed to identify it as belonging to a pre-warp colony ship named Valley Forge Jenni@crystyll FX | They managed trace a route for the ship and found a heavily populated colony with signs of advanced technology Jenni@crystyll FX | Upon arrival in the system; VF was intercepted by a small defense craft, whose occupant was quick to ID the vessel, and it's significance to the 'Forged Earth' colony Jenni@crystyll FX | Now, as CAPT Se'Lai visits the colony leaders for a formal greeting, said pilot has been welcomed as a guest on board the VF Jenni@crystyll FX | the small orbital interceptor is now docked in the VF hangar, ready for the welcoming party to greet the pilot Jenni@crystyll: (( https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54cdefc7e4b0c104bd226e52/57c64254f7e0abc8f6a99442/57c64255f7e0abc8f6a99446/1472610906174/EON1.jpg )) Jenni@crystyll ---And now the continuation...--- Eunha@turtles#8407 looks to Kelly "We always get sent for these onboard diplomacy missions." Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, you always do at least. I don't think I was there when Mana first arrived on the Gainsborough, but I remember you went down." Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods "True." she looks to Kiera "I'm so sorry I don't believe we have met." Keliaya@anncarise: "You are the counselor after all...who better to get to know new species? Or...old ones who've been isolated for centuries." Kiera@falconecoose shakes her head slightly "Lieutenant Commander Kiera Laski, and no I do not belive we have." Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'm the Head counselor, Jung Eunbi. I'm assuming the Captain sent you down here to.." Keliaya@anncarise: "Shall we go meet our new guest?" Kiera@falconecoose: "To get some more experience with diplomatic encounters, got a recent promotion in post so my chief thought I needed some more experience." Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods "Very well, lets go in then." Keliaya@anncarise leads the group into the shuttlebay Jenni@crystyll 's ship is still powering down while she slips out the cockpit as the welcoming party arrives Eunha@turtles#8407 Whispers to Kelly "I'll let you take the lead on this one." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm sure you've got more diplomatic experience than me, but if you insist..." Jenni@crystyll turns as her feet hit the deck, looking around in awe and admiration at the alien surroundings before settling her gaze on the crew Jenni@crystyll: "um... Hi!" Keliaya@anncarise steps forward towards Jenni, "Welcome to the USS Valley Forge," she smiles. Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm Lieutenant Commander Keliaya, Chief Engineer, and that's Lieutenant Commander Eunbi, our Head Counselor." Jenni@crystyll beams, "It's really real... /this/..." she looks around, "...all of you! Aliens and all, wow!" Keliaya@anncarise: "You've never encountered other sentient species before?" Jenni@crystyll: "Oh right, where are my manners! Flight Lieutenant Jennifer Baelai. But please, folks just call me Jenni" Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, a fascinated eye passing over Kelly's racial features" Jenni@crystyll: "This ship... you are from Old Earth?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I guess it's our privilege to be the first then!" Keliaya@anncarise: "And well, we didn't come from Earth, but the Valley Forge was constructed and refit in the Sol system." Keliaya@anncarise: "Utopia Planita Fleet Yards at Mars, to be specific." Jenni@crystyll: "Oh..." she clearly sounds a little disappointed, "...but, Mars? It is still there at least then. Is that where Earthers live now?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh no, Earth is still very much populated!" Keliaya@anncarise thinks for a moment, "Did your ancestors leave Earth during its Third World War or its aftermath?" Jenni@crystyll: "Oh no, that was over almost a century before the Valley Forge left Earth" Jenni@crystyll: "The logs speak of increasing frustration between Earthers and some race of, um what was it now... 'evil hopgoblins'?" Jenni@crystyll: "So with the Valley Forge already constructed in orbit from before the Phoenix flight, our ancestors left in hopes of settling a new world where humanity could flourish freely" Jenni@crystyll: "That... did not exactly go according to plan, and when they emerged from the anomaly which brought them here, they crash landed and had no astrogation data to map their relative position on + Jenni@crystyll: + Forged Earth relative to that of Old Earth. So... they just settled and set about their plans" Keliaya@anncarise: "Ahh, that makes sense..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, Earth is the centre of the United Federation of Planets now. All the damage from the earlier wars have been cleaned up and it's a great place." Kiera@falconecoose walks in, after dealing with the tactical matter that had detained her, as she offers a nod to the other officers before she turns to look at the pilot and their ship Jenni@crystyll: "Really?" her eyes widen, "God, I'd love to see it some day..." Jenni@crystyll: "I wonder if it's a beautiful as Forged Earth..." she looks around again, "If this ship is anything to judge by, I can only imagine it would be!" Keliaya@anncarise: "I've only been there for four years during my time at the Academy, but from what I've seen it's wonderful" Keliaya@anncarise: "I've only been there for four years during my time at the Academy, but from what I've seen it's wonderful" Jenni@crystyll: "Academy?" Jenni@crystyll: "Is that like... the United Federation's military school or something?" Kiera@falconecoose: "I grew up on Earth and it is an amazing place to live." Jenni@crystyll: "Ooh, I'd love to hear all about it!" Keliaya@anncarise: "From what I know of military academies of the past...it's that and more." Jenni@crystyll: "Oooh. Our FEPD school is probably quite similar - they teach a lot of scientific study and stuff" Jenni@crystyll: "I studied specifically in system defense after growing up dreaming of making first contact with an alien species. Never thought it might actually happen..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Much of how Starfleet Academy operates is derived from old Earth customs, so I'm not surprised there's quite a few similarities!" Jenni@crystyll beams, "It's very exciting to see how old Earth culture has survived through extreme cultural contamination!" Jenni@crystyll looks to Kelly, "Umm... no offence..." Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "No worries. That is one of the reasons many species like the Klingons refuse to join the Federation despite all its benefits. They're afraid of losing their cultural identity." Keliaya@anncarise: "The Federation does its best to preserve individual uniqueness though, and most species still maintain what sets them apart from others." Keliaya@anncarise: "If anything, human cultures have influenced the rest of the Federation members a lot more than the other way around." Jenni@crystyll: "Sounds amazing! So... how does this work now exactly? I mean, if I'm actually to be confined in this hangar while the bigwigs make good, mind if I pull a seat down from the ship?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh, right, of course! We...probably should show you around the ship or find a better environment to discuss..." Eunha@turtles#8407 Combadge chirps "Excuse me." Jenni@crystyll: "Well a tour does sound great! But... I assume all the really interesting parts will be off limits for now..." Keliaya@anncarise: "The command staff usually does the diplomacy, but a tour I can do!" Jenni@crystyll: "That is unless you've /really/ let go on the whole discipline..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Unfortunately so...but I think you'll still enjoy where you are allowed to go!" Keliaya@anncarise waves Jenni along. Jenni@crystyll beams happily, "Well I sure won't say no!" Keliaya@anncarise speaks as they walk, "Do you have matter-energy converters on your Forged Earth?" Jenni@crystyll looks around in fascination at every detail they see, especially the alien crewmembers Jenni@crystyll: "Of course! We have streamlined the names of such things and just call them replomats" Keliaya@anncarise: "Wow, you've advanced very far...for an isolated colony at least." Jenni@crystyll: "Well we had a fair start" she chuckles Keliaya@anncarise: "We call them replicators here, but we've also developed a way to repurpose the technology to transport entire individuals across short distances." Keliaya@anncarise: "And across dimensions...but that's rarely done intentionally." Jenni@crystyll: "Ooh dimensional teleportation? Now /that's/ a whole new aspect to exploration!" Jenni@crystyll: "We never got further than inter-planetary..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh it's not something we do on a regular basis, or are even allowed to do except under extreme circumstances." Keliaya@anncarise: "It's /very/ unpredictable and dangerous." Jenni@crystyll: "Yeah... we tend to prefer ships and shuttles too, at least for personnel" Jenni@crystyll: "We only really use the tech to support mining on the outer planets" Keliaya@anncarise: "We use transportation most commonly in Starfleet. We have ships to travel long distances of course, transporters have very limited range." Keliaya@anncarise: "Shuttles are generally only for instances where transporters experience too much interference." Jenni@crystyll: "Wait... you take shuttles to other dimensions too?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Not other dimensions!" she chuckles. "We use them to travel to planet surfaces if there's something preventing transporters from working." Jenni@crystyll: "Oh! So your teleportation is for orbital visitation? Cute!" Keliaya@anncarise looks to Jenni curiously, "Cute?" Jenni@crystyll: "I guess you could say we do the same, just without the orbital ships part. System relays are stationed in orbit around the colony and they progress our teleports throughout the system" Jenni@crystyll: "How do you think we detected your arrival at such an extreme distance?" she chuckles Keliaya@anncarise: "That's...an interesting way of inter-system travel." Keliaya@anncarise steps into the officer's lounge, "Anyways, this is one of the lounges we have on board. The Valley Forge is a very big ship, as you've no doubt noticed from outside." Jenni@crystyll: "Our world lacks the resources for a viable warp programme, so we had to devise other means to expand. And yes, it is an impressive sight... inside and out!" Keliaya@anncarise: "By no means the largest in Starfleet, but big enough to contain several facilities like this." Jenni@crystyll: "Such luxury on a military vessel..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Defence is only one of many functions of a Starfleet ship. We're scientists, explorers, soldiers, diplomats, all in one organization." Jenni@crystyll: "Of course, clearly a programme on the scale of your Starfleet could not suffice on a purely defence strategy" Keliaya@anncarise: "Definitely not. And even if we were a purely defence fleet, well...we're not Klingons." Jenni@crystyll: "Like the FEPD really; the larger whole is a military, but only the defense wing is an armed force" Jenni@crystyll blinks, "Klingons?" Jenni@crystyll: "Another alien species I assume" Keliaya@anncarise: "They're...well, a fuedal military species in short. Much more complex than that, but there's entire databases on the specifics..." Jenni@crystyll: "Hopefully I well get the chance to study these databases..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Our smaller ships like the Defiants or Sabres might be more familiar to you as they're more minimalist, but still far from a Klingon ship." Keliaya@anncarise: "Ships like the Valley Forge, well...we're meant to be in deep space for months at a time." Keliaya@anncarise: "Without the proper comforts, even the most disciplined crew will start having some trouble." Jenni@crystyll: "Eon is one of our newest interceptors. We have no need of ships beyond system defense, and so most are single person fighters" Keliaya@anncarise: "We're quite the opposite of you, actually. We have fighter craft, but they're usually only carried by stations or specialized carrier craft." Jenni@crystyll: "Like this ship?" Keliaya@anncarise: "We carry smaller shuttlecraft, but we're not designated a carrier. Nor do we have any fighters." Keliaya@anncarise: "Our shuttlebays aren't particularly large. By Starfleet standards, at least." Jenni@crystyll: "Aah, yes I saw some further down in that hangar bay" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Those would be it! Our bays are large enough to carry fighers, and our sister ship does carry some, but it's far from what actual carriers in the fleet are equipped with." Jenni@crystyll: "I remember reading about the naval carriers of Old Earth... never really imagined reproducing that in space!" Kiera@falconecoose: "My last post was aboard a carrier, one of the older Akira classes and she had an entire strike squadron in her hangers plus support craft." Jenni@crystyll: "Are you also a pilot?" Keliaya@anncarise leads Jenni through the lounge. Kiera@falconecoose: "I have the basic training, but I could never match the pilots in the squadron on the carrier, tried to a few times and they didn't even break a sweat." Jenni@crystyll grins, "Sounds like my kind of folks! Maybe some day I'll get the chance to compare notes..." Keliaya@anncarise enters a turbolift. Jenni@crystyll: "Vocal interface?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Mhmm!" Keliaya@anncarise: "Nothing very fancy, just convenient." Keliaya@anncarise: "Since you're already familiar with transporter systems, I thought I'd show you something else." Jenni@crystyll: "Indeed!" Jenni@crystyll follows curiously Keliaya@anncarise steps into the sickbay, "Another thing the Federation is renowned for is our medical technology." Jenni@crystyll: "Wow, I can see why..." Jenni@crystyll: "Advantageous I suppose in evolving as part of such a diverse inter-species culture..." Keliaya@anncarise: "We don't allow research into potentially dangerous bioscience such as genetic manipulation and biological weapons, so this area is safe for you to visit." Keliaya@anncarise: "Having many difference species is definitely an advantage, and it also makes medical knowledge of these species a necessity." Jenni@crystyll: "Which in turn must drive advancement in the technology required to accomodate such diversity!" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Exactly!" Keliaya@anncarise: "It's a cycle that naturally just fuels itself!" Jenni@crystyll: "I think there is no denying that we are less advanced in this area..." Jenni@crystyll: "Our technology has progressed substantially, of course. But not to this degree..." Keliaya@anncarise: "I thought you might be interested in seeing this part of the ship!" Jenni@crystyll: "I wish I could pretend to understand it all! But this would be of far greater interest to some of my old classmates" Jenni@crystyll: "I only ever really had a knack for one thing" Keliaya@anncarise: "If our captain's negotiations with your people go well, your classmates might get the chance to study our medical techniques and formulas very soon!" Jenni@crystyll: "An enticing thought! I am certain we have a lot to share in kind too!" Jenni@crystyll: "Stellar cartography, teleportation technology and energy efficiency are among our proudest achievements" Keliaya@anncarise: "You've already come a long way from the technology you had when you first arrived here!" Jenni@crystyll: "The same could be said for the Humans left behind on Old Earth" Jenni@crystyll: "If you think about it; the only difference is that we evolved independently of alien influence" Jenni@crystyll: "um... again, no offence... sorry" Keliaya@anncarise: "None taken! It is a good observation and a difference that is very important.” Keliaya@anncarise: "Without research and ideas from other Federation members, I'm sure humans would have developed very differently." Jenni@crystyll looks over with a chuckle, "...we did!" Keliaya@anncarise: "I think your Forged Earth will be very interesting to sociologists and historians!" Jenni@crystyll: "They will be welcomed like the long lost family they are. Of that I have no doubt!" Keliaya@anncarise: "Anyways, I think there's a few labs I'm authorized to show you around in." Keliaya@anncarise: "The Federation's made numerous scientific advancements in all areas, not just biological." Jenni@crystyll: "Sounds good to me!" Keliaya@anncarise stops by a transporter room briefly, "This should look familiar to you." Keliaya@anncarise: "Nothing special, just a standard transporter!" Keliaya@anncarise: "Unless yours look very different?" Jenni@crystyll: "This... whole room?" Jenni@crystyll: "Is the teleportation chamber?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Just the pad and the console is really necessary, but we often assemble away teams and equipment in these rooms." Keliaya@anncarise: "So they serve as a general preparation/reception area as well as just transporting people and items." Jenni@crystyll: "Huh... Just kind of hard to imagine needing such a large space for it" she chuckles Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, with the size of Federation cruisers, we can afford the space!" Keliaya@anncarise continues on towards the turbolift to show Jenni around other areas of the VF. Jenni@crystyll: "Of course" she chuckles. Still thinking it's 'cute'
Keliaya@anncarise steps into the lounge and nods to Timo as she approaches, "Captain."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois is doing literally nothing, standing near the bar:"Ah, commander."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Our guest is behaving very well. I've got a few of our science officers to show her around the labs, I think she'll be back here again shortly."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Nods slightly:"Good to know." he says, thinking for a moment:"What do you think of her?"
Jenni@crystyll returns from the restroom, her security escort taking posts outside the door
Keliaya@anncarise: "Kind of reminds me of Mana when she first got on the Gainsborough, actually."
Keliaya@anncarise: "She knows plenty about tech, but fascinated by the specific ones we have still, as ex- oh, there she is!"
Jenni@crystyll: "That is much better. These sonic facilities you have... quite remarkable!"
Jenni@crystyll: "And it makes for a very refreshening clean up after being in the cockpit for hours!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: A wide and welcoming smile when he sees Jenni approaching:"Yes, quite useful, aren't they?"
Keliaya@anncarise: "You don't have sonic showers on Forged Earth?"
Jenni@crystyll: "Things like water management and reclamation are among the more distinct reasons why we developed FTL ships like this"
Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, "Just some good old fashioned plumbing!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, a nice old fashioned bath or a swim is sometimes very enjoyable as well! But not quite as convenient or effective as modern sonic showers."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Nods:"Quite an usual thing for most planets."
Jenni@crystyll: "Indeed..." she glances back to the door, "...I must say, I most impressed with your discipline as well. I had visions with such a diverse alien culture of people coming and going freely"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Coming and going freely?"
Jenni@crystyll nods, "my security escort"
Jenni@crystyll: "To see such regimented discipline maintained still; it is quite reassuring"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Quirks an eyebrow out of curiosity:"Well, a starship needs discipline to operate properly. Even a civilian one."
Jenni@crystyll: "Is this what you classify as a civilian vessel?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Chuckles slighlty:"Not at all. The Valley Forge is a Starfleet vessel, not a civilian one, of course."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Civilian freighters are usually significantly less disciplined, but like Captain Timoreev said, they still have some regimentation."
Keliaya@anncarise: "There's usually a clear cut captain, and everyone aside from passengers have a specific role they're expected to perform."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Some of them serve organizations too, so they actually have a sort of rank structure."
Jenni@crystyll nods along, "I hope I get the chance to learn about them!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "But they don't expect their people to follow as strict of a ruleset as Starfleet officers adhere to."
Keliaya@anncarise: "They're quite common, and depending on the ship it can vary quite a bit in what they're like and how they're run!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Risian cruise ships for example are often just as big and beautiful as Starfleet vessels, but cargo freighters and mercenary ships tend to be significantly more utilitarian."
Jenni@crystyll chuckles, "I can just imagine"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "And more relaxed too...I mean, the Risian ships" he chuckles:"They've a reputation to uphold, after all."
Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "That they do, and from what I've seen they're usually very good at it!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "I know a lot of Federation colonies on the very fringe don't have much in the way of luxury facilities. Does your Forged Earth have something like that?"
Jenni@crystyll: "What, luxury?"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, places for people to just enjoy. Holographic recreation rooms, cinemas, parks...I presume you have bars and restaurants."
Jenni@crystyll: "Oh that we do" she smiles, "Over the centures the colony has spread across most of the planet; the southern continent is home to luscious coastline and dense nature reserves"
Jenni@crystyll: "In the north - where the capital city is - things are lot more... up market, you might say. Bars, restuarants, clubs and so on"
Keliaya@anncarise: "I thought you'd have something like a capital city!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Is it like the smaller colony capitals, or the...wait, you wouldn't know how large those are..."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Well, it is unusual, though not unheard of, for a planet not to have one, commander. Particularly a planet shaped by ancient Earth culture."
Jenni@crystyll smiles proudly, "It is my home! Evolved around the original landing site"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Indeed. I'm wondering if they have...well, towers and skyscrapers and such in your capital, or the other cities."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "I bet thy have! But our guest could answer that."
Jenni@crystyll: "The northern continent is the most developed. Many of the smaller settlements tend to be more rustic, for tourism and such"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Remind me a bit of my homeland." he says smiling
Jenni@crystyll thinks a moment, "If I recall right, the tallest building is the FEPD HQ at 70-something storeys"
Keliaya@anncarise: "That is definitely more developed than the outermost frontier colonies we have."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Sounds a bit like where I grew up too."
Jenni@crystyll: "Oh?"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Altair IV's one of the Federation's older colonies. We've got larger cities with tall buildings as well as farmsteads and the typical colonial settlements."
Keliaya@anncarise: "It's a lot like many of the homeworlds, including Earth, just much less dense in its population."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Speaking of Earth...are you the only species from Earth here, or did you import any livestock or crops from your homeworld?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Out of curiosity, do you have ancient pictures of Earth on your planet?" he asks almost at the same time as Keliaya:"Oh, sorry..."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh, my bad!" she looks to Jenni, "Feel free to answer whichever one you want first."
Jenni@crystyll: "As a matter of fact we do! Well... did, to be precise. There was no capacity on the Valley Forge for transporting livestock, but they did bring numerous genetic samples from Old Earth"
Jenni@crystyll: "The first generation bred a number of agricultural species, but over the centuries those have interbred with the indigenous so are technically no longer the same"
Jenni@crystyll: "As for images..." she hrms, "...well most families pass down photo albums and such; our heritage has always been at the cornerstone of society!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "I can imagine. But no official pictures? Like one representing some old city, or...I don't know..."
Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, "You have to remember, Sir; that when our ancestors left Old Earth... there was little remaining any wanted to take memory of"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Those were troubled times, I concur. But I was hoping that nostalgia could have had a more...profound effect. There are many things that still lay in the dark corners of our knowledge..."
Jenni@crystyll: "That is - I suppose - where our personal heirlooms come in to play"
Keliaya@anncarise nods, "They've kept Earth culture and traditions strong all the way until now, that is already very impressive!"
Jenni@crystyll: "A most impressive feat indeed!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "That's remarkable indeed." he says, his words accompanied by a slight nod.
Jenni@crystyll: "So what exactly do you do with such a fine ship as this?"
Jenni@crystyll: "I mean... internally is nothing short of breathtaking, but I got my scans when intercepting you and this vessel is heavily armed too"
Keliaya@anncarise: "The Valley Forge is currently serving as an exploration cruiser, so we just chart space and find new planets like yours!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Of course, exploration can be dangerous."
Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Exactly, especially unknown regions."
Jenni@crystyll: "So it would seem... do you often find yourselves in conflict then?"
Keliaya@anncarise: "From time to time. It's not a regular thing, but every once in a while we run into a hostile species."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Most of these tend to be either misunderstandings or species whose policy is to shoot first when someone crosses into their territory."
Jenni@crystyll hrms and looks around, "Well I suppose it can't be that frequent given how many different species you seem to be friends with, even just those I'm seeing here!"
Keliaya@anncarise: "But every once in a while we find a group that's genuinely opposed to us, or try to conquer us."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "The galaxy is far more crowdy than you could imagine." he says smiling, nodding also to Kelly's words:"The Federation experienced its fair share of wars, unfortunately."
Keliaya@anncarise: "The Federation tries to make friends with everyone it can. Even many of our old enemies like the Klingons and the Dominion are starting to develop closer and less aggressive diplomatic ties."
Keliaya@anncarise: "But there's always people unwilling to play nice."
Jenni@crystyll: "Seems like some things never change..."
Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Unfortunately not."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Starfleet thus also fulfills the role of defender of the Federation in case of need."
Keliaya@anncarise: "We do have a number of ships designed with a more military purpose, to protect our planets or our trade convoys."
Jenni@crystyll stiffens subtly to a proud militaristic stance, "A nobel role which I am proud to share in for my people"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "If I may ask....did you experienced conflicts as well?"
Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, "You are our first contact with any outside species"
Jenni@crystyll: "Outside of training exercises, I have never had to shoot down anything beyond a stray asteroid. But that does not lessen the distinction of my service"
Jenni@crystyll: "Even in PD, we serve multiple roles from defender, to rescuer, to surveyor; depending on the need at the time"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Shakes his head:"It wasn't my intention to demote you, of course. I was just curious."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "After all, after three centuries of peace and more, I wouldn't find it weird if someone could begin considering to keep a defense department or force as useless."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Rescuer? You have major mining operations around your system, right?"
Jenni@crystyll nods, "That we do. And though it may not happen frequently, accidents do occur and we act as the first responders in such cases"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "A noble duty as well."
Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Definitely."
Keliaya@anncarise: "What about planetside? Has Forged Earth had trouble with natural hazards?"
Jenni@crystyll: "On occassion..." she nods, "...but the First were prepared for terraforming and have subsequently tamed the populated regions"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Weather control system?" he asks.
Jenni@crystyll shakes her head, "Biodomes in the most extreme regions like the poles"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Didn't you think about colonizing new worlds?"
Jenni@crystyll: "The Southern continent was originally quite tectonically unstable, but a simple geological manipulation was enough to stabilize that"
Jenni@crystyll: "New worlds are all well and good when you have the resources to reach out to them"
Jenni@crystyll: "This system is severely lacking in the minerals required to crystallize for FTL ships"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Moves his head slightly, as to mean 'you're damn right', but only says:"Understandable. Dilithium is rare on Earth too."
Jenni@crystyll: "Besides, our numbers are not that many. And were we to develop such capability, there is only one planet we would ever want to reach..."
Jenni@crystyll: "And we do not know where it is from here"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Let me guess: Earth?"
Jenni@crystyll smiles, "Of course!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Well, in that case you're lucky. We could show you the route!" he says smiling.
Keliaya@anncarise: "It is a long journey though. Even at cruising warp speed."
Jenni@crystyll: "Most kind of you, Captain. I am certain the Council will be negotiating for that with the other Captain"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Indeed it is. Though if the Council will decide to send a representative, to Earth, I'm sure Starfleet will gladly offer you a ride."
Jenni@crystyll: "I think they would be more interesting in having a representative of Earth come here"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "That seems reasonable to me, though the decision isn't mine, of course."
Jenni@crystyll: "Nor mine, I am but a simple pilot who was lucky enough to be on patrol when you came along"
Keliaya@anncarise: "How does your government work, by the way?"
Keliaya@anncarise: "I presume it has multiple levels, seeing as you have several different cities and settlements."
Jenni@crystyll nods, "The colony itself is governed by a ruling Council; made up of representatives of each economic sector"
Jenni@crystyll: "The principle setup is mirrored at the smaller colonies, though due to the lesser scale the numbers often decrease accordingly. Some really remote outposts could even be down to a single leader"
Keliaya@anncarise: "Not unlike the Federation then, just on a much smaller scale! Are the representatives all elected by the people, or?"
Jenni@crystyll: "Normally by business leaders, since those are generally in a position to know their own economy and it's needs better than the civillians they serve"
Jenni@crystyll: "The PD being exception to this of course, as the Commander in Chief represents the force's interests there"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "It's an interesting system..."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Do you have any kind of admiralty, like a group of flag officers? Or just the Commander in Chief?"
Jenni@crystyll: "It evolved from the growing needs of a pragmatic people. Geological region or political identity meant nothing to the First"
Jenni@crystyll: "The Chief is singularly the head of the PD, though he chairs a board of senior officers; each a divisional head"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Not very different from our own system, then."
Keliaya@anncarise nods, "That makes sense. As you said, regional divisions weren't important, and the PD probably isn't large enough to warrant such separation as Starfleet's fleets have."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Does the PD cover law enforcement too?"
Jenni@crystyll: "Not globally. We do act in that capacity within the bounds of our system, but planetside affairs are handled locally"
Keliaya@anncarise: "So if someone steals something in a city, the local law enforcement will deal with them, but if they stole a ship or...went through that transporter network of yours, then it would be up to you?"
Jenni@crystyll nods, "Exactly"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Like a federal law enforcement agency."
Jenni@crystyll: "Kind of similar to the setup on Old Earth between, say, the local emergency services and the Air Force"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Nods:"In some countries, yes. Old Earth was a kaleidoscope of different systems..."
Jenni@crystyll chuckles, "So I have heard"
Keliaya@anncarise: "What about the off-world mines? Do they have security of their own? You said you responded to accidents there, but what about crimes?"
Jenni@crystyll: "Honestly, Sir... crime is a limited concern here. Nobody really stands to gain from doing wrong against our own, and so it seldom happens"
Keliaya@anncarise: "That's good to hear!"
Jenni@crystyll: "But should the need arise on that rarest of occassions... facilities would have their own security detail for trivial matters, calling on us for support should things escalate to become a danger"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "In a few words, your world really looks like a beautiful, small corner of...home."
Keliaya@anncarise: "Indeed, it sounds like you've developed very well!"
Jenni@crystyll grins, "I know many a Forged who would be extremely happy to hear that from a descendant of Old Earth. Thank you, Sir"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Smiles in remand:"You're welcome. But the merit is all yours."
Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm sure the people of Earth will be very interested and proud in what you've accomplished here."
Jenni@crystyll smiles, "An enticing prospect..."
Jenni@crystyll FX | Timo's combadge chirps
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Excuse me." he taps his combadge:"Timoreev here."
Jenni@crystyll: <C: Keelah> Andrej, Keelah. I'm back from the planet now; would you join me in my ready room to take stock of the situation?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Of course. I'll be there in a moment." he then ends the communication, turning back on Jenni:"If you'll excuse me, I'd have something to discuss with captain Se'Lai."
Jenni@crystyll: "Of course, Captain. It has been a pleasure learning from you and I hope it will not be the last such opportunity"
Keliaya@anncarise: "I can show the Flight Lieutenant here around more of the ship in the meantime, Captain."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "That would be wonderful, commander. And I hope the same as well. Have a nice tour." he says, still smiling, while he moves toward the door.
Keliaya@anncarise smiles back and nods to Timo as he exits.
Jenni@crystyll settles into a new conversation with Kelly, "So tell me about your homeworld..."
------
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois he stops in front of the door, ringing the bell
Keelah@crystyll: "Come in"
Keelah@crystyll taps away at the wall console, PADD in hand as she collates her data
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Immediately moves in, approaching Keelah with a smile:"Welcome back. How did it go?"
Keelah@crystyll: "Honestly... it was all rather surreal!" she chuckles
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Surreal?"
Keelah@crystyll nods, gesturing to the sofa, "Given their near religious association with the ship that carried them here, they seemed to carry an element of that reverence over to me"
Keelah@crystyll: "as the Captain of the Valley Forge" she chuckles, "Can I get you anything?" she offers before joining him
Keelah@crystyll sets her PADD on the desk
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Approaching the sofa, he waves his hand:"I've already taken the opportunity to use your lounge bar, thank you." he smiles:"So they welcomed you like a...prophetess?"
Keelah@crystyll retrieves a cup of Spiced tea from the desk and moves to join him, "Perhaps not quite to such a mystical sense as that, but the value they place on their identity and that ship clearly carried over"
Keelah@crystyll sips her tea as she gets comfortable, "What about our guest? I trust she was well behaved?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "She was a perfect guest. Curious, of course, but also well-disposed toward us. She satisfied all our curiosity."
Keelah@crystyll smiles, "Excellent news. Tell me..." she pauses for a sip, "...do you believe she would be capable of fitting in on a Starfleet vessel?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Looks sincerely surprised:"Fit in? You mean...joining Starfleet?"
Keelah@crystyll: "Not exactly. The Council I met with; they are understandably eager to reestablish a relationship with Earth - and by proxy - Starfleet"
Keelah@crystyll: "They proposed as a means to building that relationship, something of an officer exchange; wherein they would allows Starfleet researchers to reside on the colony and learn about the Forged"
Keelah@crystyll: "In exchange; they would like one of their officers to serve on board a Starfleet vessel"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "I see...." he thinks for a moment:"That's a clever step. For what I know, officers exchange have always been the perfect way of understanding more about the 'other' and to establish mutual trust. +
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: + Personally, I believe it is a bit premature, since we have just met them. But if you ask for an opinion about our guest, as a person, for what I've seen I can tell you she could be the right person.
Keelah@crystyll: "That is good, since she is their preferred candidate. And I completely agree with the timing, I don't think they are looking for us to depart the system immediately with her on board"
Keelah@crystyll: "I intended to outline the proposal to Command in my followup report and defer to their judgement on the matter, however given this people's natural interest in this vessel; I was curious to know +
Keelah@crystyll: your opinion of their candidate" she smiles, taking another sip
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Well, you have it now." he smiles in remand:"If this exchange will become a reality, she might be your candidate indeed. Also, she has already been exposed to our way of life, so it could easier for+
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: + her to adapt."
Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed. Assuming this does proceed, I will of course speak with her myself before finalizing any arrangement, but I have always valued your opinion" she smiles
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Well, thank you for the consideration Keelah" he answers, still smiling:"I sincerely hope you're not overestimating me, then."
Keelah@crystyll chuckles, "I highly doubt it. So what was your impression of these 'Forged' as a people?" she holds up a hand in pre-emptive protest, "I know that is a big leap based on a brief interaction with one+
Keelah@crystyll: individual, but we all make natural first impressions. I am curious"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Since you already countered my objection..." he chuckles:"They are not so different from the other humans, I could say. More ancient-style, perhaps, but they have evolved as well: curious, +
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: + intelligent, very pragmatic above all."
Keelah@crystyll nods, "They were a little surprised to learn that I am Vulcan. They knew the name but our physical distinctiveness had been lost on them all this time; paled against the exaggeratations of a +
Keelah@crystyll: disgruntled people"
Keelah@crystyll laughs, "I believe by this point, the Forged expected Vulcans to be 8' tall, green monsters with long and sinister-like devil-features!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Chuckles:"So not so far from reality."
Keelah@crystyll 's jaw hangs agape in faux-hurt before she smirks and slaps him across the knee
Keelah@crystyll: "Jokes aside though, they did seem a little surprised to learn of Earth's favourable relationship with Vulcan now; though to their commendation they were most amenable in their understanding of this"
Keelah@crystyll: "Where I had initially feared that old grudges may have only soured further through centuries of isolation"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "You were pessimistic about humans? How so?" he chuckles.
Keelah@crystyll: "Only these Humans!" she defends, "And given the nature of their history; fleeing Earth to start afresh after running out of patience with my ancestors..."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "In their defense, I've heard weird things about your ancestors..."
Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed. The sad part is that it is most likely all true..."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Aren't you exaggerating?"
Keelah@crystyll shakes her head, "Remember Andrej that I myself have felt the persecuting hand of Vulcan society, even in this day and age"
Keelah@crystyll: "Is it really so hard to believe that things may be exasperated historically in line with the reported facts?"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Vulcans are still highly civilized people, and honoured founders of the Federation..."
Keelah@crystyll: "Of course. But even the most stout of which can not deny our violent and troubled past"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Of course not. But we humans have our own troubled past as well. Not to mention the Andorians, or the Denobulans...and the list would be really long."
Keelah@crystyll: "It is a natural part of evolution for more than it is not" she smiles, "And that includes the Forged. They showed me evidence that despite still operating on a largely commercialist system; +
Keelah@crystyll: their society is surprisingly close to Federation levels of utopia"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "I heard something about that from our guest, indeed." he nods:"I was quite surprised."
Keelah@crystyll: "I believe that their strength of unity is at the core of this evolution"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "I'm sure there will be a crowd of anthropologists waiting to fall on this planet and study every facet of their society."
Keelah@crystyll: "No doubt!" she chuckles, "I however will be most satisfied with closing the book on a previously obscure predecessor to our Valley Forge"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Another chapter to add to your book of discoveries." he smiles:"I should really go more out with the Attar."
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Even without our sensors, you're far ahead."
Keelah@crystyll: "Aah, but then what of your Squadron? You can't have it all you know; obscurity and distance is the steep price we pay for exploring the frontier"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Sighs:"There are many things to improve in Gemini, believe me. Almost all my time and energies are being devoted to that right now."
Keelah@crystyll: "And they have no finer CO for the task, than you Andrej"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Shakes his head slightly:"Thank you for the trust, but it is no easy task, believe me. Sometimes I have my doubts about it."
Keelah@crystyll: "Come now..." she smiles, "Over the last few years I've had the pleasure of serving under many of the fleet's Squadron CO's and I can honestly say that we - as a crew - never flourished more than when
Keelah@crystyll: under your wing"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "You're too kind Keelah!" he exclaims:"Though sometimes I miss our times in Libra, you know."
Keelah@crystyll smiles thoughtfully, "We did have quite the adventure there for a while, didn't we!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "And also some dark times, don't forget." he sighs:"But it was worthy the danger."
Keelah@crystyll: "Another flipside to the life we lead out here... But let us not digress, I have a report to write and I'm sure you would like to catch up with our guest before she departs!"
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: He stands up:"In truth, I'd prefer a little bit of rest."
Keelah@crystyll: "Of course. Well I shall not keep you, in either case" she smiles
Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Smiles in remand:"See you later, then."
Keelah@crystyll waves him off, returning to her console to continue consolidating her dataView AAR
SUBMITTED: Stardate 94839.5 FILED BY: CAPT K Se'Lai SECURITY: Level 2 - Confidential
LOCATION: POI B-7641. Local designation: "Forged Earth"
MISSION: Investigate identified POI
OUTCOME: Colony discovered and first contact initiated.
KEY PERSONNEL:
CAPT Se'Lai CAPT Timoreev CMDR Meel [npc] LCDR Eunbi LCDR Keliaya LCDR Laski LCDR Vrolmacht [npc] LTJG Chag [npc] ENS Rivett ENS Terik CDT Tonorr CPO T'Quila [npc] FLT Baelai
NARRATIVE: Acting on a recommendation from CMDR Leveson-Scott of Starfleet Intelligence; the Valley Forge moved to investigate POI B-7641 deep in the heart of uncharted space. Information was limited in the recommendation communique, making note simply that a civilian transport had reported sighting debris from what they believed to be a Starfleet vessel.
Upon arrival at the designated coordinates, we confirmed the presence of debris - a hull fragment to be precise which bore the name 'Valley Forge'. Though it matched no known Starfleet configuration, metallurgic analysis did reveal alloy consistencies known to construction methods from Earth. Scans also determined that the debris was at least 300 years old. Ensign Rivett was able to generate a positive match from the Starfleet archives for a pre-warp colony vessel designated 'Valley Forge' which was reported lost in the mid-22nd century.
Having determined that timings were inconsistent, we expanded our scan radius and opened up the search parameters to find supporting evidence to explain how that vessel could have come to be in this region. Though nothing conclusive was found, there was evidence to support the theoretical presence of wormhole activity at some point historically. With no other theory superseding it; the general consensus now is that the vessel was pulled into an unstable wormhole during it's flight from Earth and deposited here. LTJG Chag was able to calculate a projected course for the vessel based on our collected readings, and long range sensors indicated that it could have led to a nearby star system and so I ordered that we move to investigate further.
Upon arrival in the system - consisting of multiple planetary bodies and asteroid belts, though only two M-class planets - our initial scans shows that one of the M-class worlds was densely populated and there were indicators of an advanced civilization. Before we were able to investigate more thoroughly, we detected a small craft on an intercept course and promptly received a hail from the ship. It was a single occupant orbital defense interceptor; heavily armed for it's scale though not to any degree to be a threat to the Valley Forge. Having received the communication attempt on subspace frequencies (albeit non-standard Starfleet range) - and with view to the overall assessment of the situation - I opted to establish contact despite the lack of any definitive warp-capable evidence, and was greeted by a Human pilot.
Our initial dialogue ensued with clear indicators that the people of this world were descended from the occupants of that pre-warp Valley Forge, and we soon received an invitation from the planet's leadership to meet formally. Given their attachment and interest in our own Valley Forge simply as a namesake - and myself by proxy as her CO - I determined that my personal attendance would be most favorable and allowed Captain Timoreev & my senior staff to host the first contact pilot as a guest on board the Valley Forge while I attended on the planet's surface.
RECOMMENDATION: Meetings both on 'Forged Earth' and the Valley Forge itself concluded with exceptional optimism. These are a proud people who are understandably eager to re-establish a connection with their lost ancestors. Though technologically advanced, resource limitation has prevented them from implementing warp travel and they remain isolated in their home system. They are also a highly pragmatic people and sympathetic to the situation from our perspective; to this end they have formally requested that relationships between Starfleet and their own planetary defense organization (the FEPD) are commenced initially with an officer exchange.
My personal recommendation based on our findings here - and following consultation with Captain Timoreev with specific regard to their likely preferred candidate - is to consent to said exchange as a proven technique to accommodate the cross-culture learning experience from both parties. In light of our findings, I surmise that the request will be specifically for attendance on the Valley Forge and that the candidate of choice would be Flight Lieutenant Baelai whom Captain Timoreev hosted on board the ship. Return attendance of the colony remains more open; I believe there are many departments within Starfleet who would find sufficient interest here beyond the anthropological study of isolated Human evolution. Thusly, I would recommend a small cross-function team be compiled from interested specialists; a provision which the colony's leadership has already agreed to in principle.
ATTACHMENTS:
//22c Valley Forge archive image//
//New archive entry: FEPD Interceptor 'Eon'//
