The Forged
- Legacy
- Mar 12, 2023
- 2 min read
The Human descendants populating this world - self-identifying as 'Forged Humans' or simply 'Forged' are a technologically advanced Human sub-species. Physical evolution of the species has only diverged from Humans of the Sol System insofar as a slightly reduced average build (resultant from minor discrepancies in gravitational conditions) and equally reduced comparative lifespan (presently considered to be the result of differentiating technological development in the field of medicine).
Sociologically; the Forged have developed a culture which is - in many ways - comparative to historical data pertaining to Humans of the late 21st / early 22nd century. With less distinction carried by factors such as religion, geographic borders or political ideals since their founding; the Forged have evolved a more economic-driven government, with a ruling Council made up of representatives from key economic sectors. This system appears to scale down into smaller communities and outposts as well. Though as a people, they place little value on strict religion in a mythological sense beyond observing ancient Human cultural traditions in key aspects of life; they have evolved to hold a near-religious level of reverence to their immediate ancestry. The aforementioned cathedral situated upon the original Valley Forge crash site is testament to this factor in Forged life.
Technological development is one of the more distinct differences which set the Forged apart from their Human ancestry. With the system being distinctly lacking in the resources required to support a warp programme, they have instead demonstrated a focused shift in technological advancement which is predominately focused on energy conservation and transporter technology. This line of development - influenced by native conditions of the star system - has led to the Forged relying more on interplanetary transporters than space flight, although they possess the capability and operate a modest sub-warp fleet; the FEPD (Forged Earth Planetary Defense). Other noteworthy developments in this area include their use of holotechnology, the previously mentioned energy conservation management and their more recent alternate fuel source 'Element One', or Eon as locally referred to.
SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95240.9
FILED BY:
CAPT A. A. Timoreev, U.S.S. Attar
SECURITY:
Level 2 - Confidential
LOCATION: Newna (Forged Earth)
MISSION: Assessment for a first ethnological survey of the planet populaton
OUTCOME: First assessment completed; full survey currently underway
KEY PERSONNEL:
CAPT A. A. Timoreev LCDR Lendaria NARRATIVE: The Attar arrived in Newna's orbit in stardate 95229.9 for the beginning of its full survey of the system. After having consulted with the senior staff, I decided to authorize an ethnological survey of the planet. However, under suggestion of my Chief Science Officer, it was deemed crucial to get a first assessment of the situation to see if such a survey would have been suitable due the circumstances. As a result, I decided to carry out such an assessment personally, and I was accompanied during the visit by LCDR Lendaria, who had previously embarked on the Attar before our leaving DS13. Following my training and personal expertise, once beamed down on the planet I suggested to try visit a local culinary place in order to observe the situation in a more relaxed environment. We didn't adopt any cover, as I deemed it critical to present ourselves to the population for who we actually are, instead of hiding our identities, following an established procedure for anthropological study. After this first visit, LCDR Lendaria suggested to visit the site where the ancient Valley Forge crashed, a suggestion I promptly accepted. We didn't encounter any problem in reaching the place, which is, at all effect, the center of Newna's 'spiritual' life. I attach to this report a full analysis of the site, including pictures and corresponding maps. Here, it is sufficient to say that the whole place has been tranformed into a museum, which offered us the chance of taking a guided tour of the ship remnants. This tour, in particular, has been highly informative: not only it was possible for us to interact directly with one of Newna's inhabitants in what we may define their most sacred place, but it was also possible to observe her behavior in situ, and to gain more information on the history of the colonial vessel and of its relationship with the planet's inhabitants. In this sense, it is particularly striking that the place is still used as a burial place, not only of those original passengers who did not survive the crash, but also of their successors, including many Newna's inhabitants, who use such an act as a way to reconnect with their past. Specific areas of the vessel clearly keeps a sacred aura for the people of Newna, as it is clear from their observed behavior. RECOMMENDATION: As a result of this brief visit, I authorized the ethnological and anthropological survey as requested by my Chief Science Officer. Specifically, twenty-four crewmembers were selected, and divided into eight groups, each made of three persons, sent in pre-selected areas of the planet in order to get as thourough a view as possible. Both for security reasons and in order not to increase any possible cultural shock for the inhabitants, all the selected personnel were made of humans. They will be picked up once the Attar will return from the astrological survey of the rest of the system. It is my personal opinion, however, that in order to gain more data Starfleet should deploy more resources to such a task. The society on Newna is a very interesting example of evolution of humans outside the framework offered by the Federation, and the opportunity offered by such an example to further our knowledge of anthropology, sociology, and ethnology should not be wasted, particulalry if we wish to further strengthen our relation with these people. //ATTACHMENT// File:CrashSiteMap File:CrashSiteAnalysis //signed// Captain Andrej A. Timoreev, Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Attar 38th Fleet
Stardate 95301.4 Security Level 1 - Open TO CAPT Derix CC CAPT Timoreev FROM CDT Tierno SUBJ Findings from Forged Earth
Captain,
Per your orders, please find below; my report on our findings from the time we spent assisting LCDR Lendaria with the study of Forged Earth and it's resident population. I have copied Captain Timoreev here as well since our findings should be pertinent to the ongoing study his teams are conducted, even if likely that everything here will already be covered in the official reports.
SUBMITTED:
Stardate 95301.4
FILED BY:
CDT Tierno
SECURITY:
Level 1 - Open
LOCATION: Newna (Forged Earth)
MISSION: Assist LCDR Lendaria with ongoing anthropological study & conduct observations at the Newfrika archaeological excavation.
OUTCOME: Brief overview of Forged culture gained from visit to The Valley. Potential key discovery made at the excavation.
KEY PERSONNEL:
LCDR Dd'Shinae LCDR Lendaria CDT Tierno
NARRATIVE: After first gathering at a waterfront eatery to sample local cuisine (I can recommend the pigfish), we progressed to follow a recommendation that LCDR Lendaria had received from a local she had met previously and went to visit the public gardens of the government district. After admiring the Forged people's aesthetic tastes and making note of some flora and fauna breeds that Lendaria was most interested in researching more thoroughly, we moved on to visit the FEPD headquarters building where we got to see the main operations centre as well as their R&D facility.
Though we found the Forged to be (unsurprisingly) similar to Humankind on Earth, I did notice some distinct differences. First and foremost being the relatively smaller average build there - which was much closer to my own height - and also the reaction of the common citizen to the sight of the LCDR's with me. Though people standing over 6' tall are not such a rare sight there from what I saw, it was enough that their green skin certainly did stand out. I comment on this because of the noteworthy reaction from the local population, which I found to be a little apprehensive but mostly curious and of intrigue. During this early part of our visit I also noticed the heavy commercialism around the city. From what little I was able to learn on this front, it seems to be more than simple commercialism as much of what I observed contained political undertones too.
The tour of the FEPD building was most enlightening for me as it provided great insight into the inner workings of the organization. What stood out most for me there was that they are much more militaristic in their operation - compared to Starfleet - and this quality seemed to be imbued into all personnel there including civilian employees. The R&D facility was interesting, if a little beyond my comprehension for the most part. We saw a lot on their current developments for defense, long-range transporters, holotechnology, cybernetics and starships, but the focus still appears to be in improving their efficiency with the fuel source they call Element-One. Apparently, as powerful it is to them in their Interceptor class ships at present, even this is only capitalizing on a theorized minimal percentage of the energy capacity of the isotopes (something like 10%, maybe less).
Later during our stay in the system, we reunited with LCDR Lendaria on Newfrika to visit the excavation of the Iconian gateway facility. After congregating in the mine's control centre, we proceeded on foot through the extensive tunnel system before reaching the depth of the excavation. The newer sections of the mine were laced with a clear crystal that is apparently like this super-conductor they use in all their tech. Lendaria said that was one of the samples we had taken on board and hoped the team back on DS13 would be able to learn more about the relationship between those and Element-One, and in doing so provide her some context for her translations (apparently ancient Iconian script has certain intricacies that make translations open to interpretation based on the small samplings she has).
At the digsite, LCDR Lendaria showed us the scans of the local strata which seemed to indicate an approximate layout of the facility. It was big, very very big! We also looked at some of the relics they have recovered already and saw how the teams are having to be incredibly meticulous in sifting through the excavated material to recover anything and everything that may be pertinent. It seemed that large portions of the facility were either completely collapsed or blocked by partial collapses - most likely of interconnecting corridors. While we were there, the dig team broke through into a new room and we were permitted to join the initial study there (once security officers had swept it for any dangers, apparently even when completely powered down like this, nobody likes taking risks with Iconian technology). The new room was reasonably well preserved in comparison to areas we had already seen. In it's centre was a significant circular console, as well as some smaller versions around the walls (I say 'smaller versions' because most of this Iconian stuff looks the same to me without the displays being active). While LCDR's Lendaria and Shinae investigated the central console, I rummaged around in what appeared to be the remains of another collapsed corner of the room - apparently likely a link to another section. Here I found a section of wall material that had markings on it, which I showed to the others. Lendaria roughly translated it there and then, and seemed quite optimistic that it indicated we had found the gateways control room.
RECOMMENDATION: I believe that the relationship between commercialism and politics witnessed in The Valley warrants further study - assuming nobody is/has already set about this. Similarly for the local plantlife observed in the public gardens; these should be identified in their natural climates by the survey teams focusing on Newna. Continued study of the newly excavated area of the Newfrika Iconian facility goes without saying, and I know that LCDR is already looking to conduct a more detailed analysis on the fragment I found - hopefully to recover more time-worn script from it and determine a more accurate translation.
Finally Captain, let me just say thank you for allowing me to take part in the work being carried out here; the experience has been as rewarding as it has enlightening for me. LCDR Lendaria came to see me while I was working on this report for you, and she said you agreed to let me spend some more time with the excavation team for the last couple of days we are here. For this you also have my gratitude, as I believe it will be fruitful to follow the process through more thoroughly after seeing it commence with the earlier breakthrough in the (possible!) control room.
Regards,
//SIGNED//
Cadet Rianni Tierno
DS13 Academy Annex
Reference Documents:
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