Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 19:21:44 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: Christina fmlyhntr@sunset.net Title: Planetfall Author: Julie Evans Contact:season7_5@yahoo.com Series: VS7.5 story 39 Codes: others Rating: PG Part: 1/9 Date Posted: 2/9/04 summary: While Voyager and Odyssey are dealing with the Vidiians, disclaimer: yada yada--everyone should know the drill by now! Reposted to correct a heading error Planetfall A Voyager Virtual Season 7.5 Story by Julie Evans Prologue: Stardate 57889.6 Datastream queue, personal letter n43. From: Lieutenant Commander Michael Ayala, USS Pioneer To: Lieutenant Ro Laren, Deep Space Nine Routing: DQ Sec837--AQ Sec411 Rn554681.6Bj Text: *Dear Laren, *It's great to hear from you! Your letter didn't reach us on New Earth, as you hoped, but right now I am looking at the planet from the viewport in my quarters. I have a few minutes before I go on duty, so I'm sipping my raktajino and enjoying the view. We're in geosynchronous orbit over the northern hemisphere. I can see parts of the two large continents, and several sizable islands. The seas are a brilliant turquoise blue, the land masses are shaded from amber to deep green, except at the north pole where there are ice-capped mountains, and there are lots of white clouds in billowed formations across the equatorial area. The primary star is disappearing to the east, and the night shadow is starting to crawl in from the west, fronted by a rosy band of twilight. In a word, it's beautiful. *Okay, it does sound pretty much like your average M2 planet--lots of water and green vegetation. But it's still beautiful. We've been here nine days now, looking down at our new home, so near yet at the moment it's off limits to all but the survey teams. We're still waiting on word from Captain Janeway that the treaty has been signed and we have official sanction to colonize. *I can see you rolling your eyes right now! Yep, that's Starfleet and its unending regulations, crossing their t's and dotting their i's, as the old saying goes on Earth. I know you remember it all too well. At least I did have a chance to go down with a team to secure the colony site. We'll be settling on the smaller of the two continents. The Ocampa will have most of that continent for their resettlement, and we'll be on a wide peninsula at the southwestern tip, near the shore of the planet's largest ocean. The area is rather like the Keslet province on Bajor, or the lands around the Mediterranean Sea on Earth--hilly and dry, with very mild weather variations. It should be very pleasant. And it won't be a moment too soon. *Most of the colonists aren't accustomed to living in the confined space of a starship, but they've been relatively sanguine about it during the journey. That's probably because many of them are refugees who experienced far worse during the Dominion War than the relatively minor discomforts of cramped quarters. But now that we're here the cabin fever has intensified, and tempers are starting to fray a bit. So far there haven't been any major conflicts (I won't bore you with the minor ones), but I'll be glad when the tension of waiting is over. *Luis, Raul and Lajen actually adjusted very well to shipboard life (with the amazing adaptability of youth!), but I know they are eager to get down to the planet too. All that room to roam, and no imminent threats to occupy their minds. After the Dominion War this planet seems like a peaceful paradise to them. You and I both know there are always threats, but I'll be more than happy to keep up the pretense for them as long as I can. *Raul and Lajen have both made several friends, and they're doing well in their classes. Raul has been spending more and more time in the animal bays, making himself useful rather than a nuisance, I hope. At least Mahara Tibuku, the head of the colony's animal husbandry director, says he's been useful. He helps exercise the dogs in the holographic meadow, and he can't wait to run them on real grass. Mostly he can't wait to get down to the surface so he can have Dobby with him all the time. That's the name he's given the black Lab puppy Kajee and I agreed he could have. *Luis is doing well also, though he still tends to keep to himself. He does enjoy his classes, and he is getting more sociable, when Raul needles him enough. Kajee thinks their opposite personalities are less a result of their environments than their natural dispositions. I'm not sure that's true, though I want to believe it. It gives me hope that Luis's experiences won't shadow his whole life. At least the dreams that used to disturb his sleep aren't as frequent, which is a good sign. He has me now, and he takes being a big brother to both Raul and Lajen very seriously. Raul especially has done wonders for him. And, of course, Kajee's done wonders for all of us. *But you know that, don't you? I never thanked you properly for giving me the push I needed. I was worried Kajee would regret her decision to come, but I think she's as happy as I am, though I know she's going a little stir-crazy too. The boys and Lajen seem very satisfied with our family unit, which is what we are now. I think we're all going to enjoy settling here for awhile, and starting a new life together. It may end up being more than the eighteen months I told you. But it won't be forever, I promise you that. We'll be back someday, and you'll barely recognize us, we'll be so boringly normal! *Meanwhile, how are things on Deep Space Nine, really? I suspect you paint the situation cheerier than it actually is. There must be a little more tension over Bajor's admission to the Federation than you're letting on. And why did I sense I was missing something between the lines in that final paragraph of your last letter? Yes, Quark is truly a character, but is it only my imagination that you sound like you're getting genuinely fond of the shyster? I'd say don't trust him as far as you can kick him, but I know you can take care of yourself. As for the other--just a second, Laren-- *Sorry, I cut that last sentence off abruptly, but I've just been called to the briefing room by Captain Merves. It seems Captain Janeway has finally given the word. The treaty is a done deal, and we can start beaming down the colonists. I've got to cut this short, but I'll write you again once we're on the surface, and let you know how it's going for us. Kajee sends her greetings, and you can tell her sister to expect a letter soon. Take care, and give our love to all. *Yours, *Michael.* Day One, USS Pioneer: Commander Michael Ayala slipped into the only vacant chair in the briefing room. He was the last to arrive, though he'd come straight from his quarters, pausing just long enough to pull on his uniform jacket. He'd wanted to call Kajee, but he knew she had already started morning classes. She'd hear soon enough anyway. "The virus is no longer an issue, but what about the insects?" Captain Merves was asking Doctor T'Pren. "Several of the survey teams reported that the bites were causing severe itching." "I've treated the bites with an ointment that contains an analgesic to relieve the itching as well as an antibiotic to prevent infection. I have also formulated a repellent for the colony's medical team to distribute. It should prevent further occurrences." "Thank you, Doctor." Captain Merves looked at his assembled senior staff. "Are there any further matters that need immediate attention?" "We've been preparing for days," Lieutenant Harriman murmured, loud enough for only Ayala to hear, though Doctor T'Pren arched an eyebrow from across the table. "We're ready, Captain," Commander Bryna Rees said. Merves nodded approvingly at his first officer. "Excellent. Notify the first landing parties that we're starting the beamdown procedures. Tell them to be ready and at their assigned transporter in one hour." "Yes, sir. Given the, er, regrettable absence of Ambassador Diaza, shall I notify Administrator Glera in his place?" Merves's mouth quirked at Rees's rueful tone. Ambassador Diaza had not endeared himself to anyone on the crew, least of all the captain. If Diaza were here right now, he would be imperiously ordering everyone about and doing everything he could to control the entire process, Ayala was certain. "I suppose you must," Merves replied to Rees. He took in his officers with a sweeping glance. "I think we all know our duties. You may each report--" The door to the briefing room slid open, and Merves stopped in mid-sentence at the unexpected interruption. An ensign from Tactical entered the room, PADD in hand. "This just came in for you, sir. Priority from Starfleet Command." Merves took the PADD and began reading as the ensign exited rather quickly, having performed her duty. At the thunderous expression that settled on the captain's face, Ayala wondered if the ensign had another reason for departing post-haste. "What is it, sir?" Commander Rees asked. Merves set the PADD down hard, and it clattered as he spoke. "The Romulan observers are to be assigned office space adjacent to the new Federation Embassy." Several mouths dropped open. "They're staying on New Earth?" Chief helm officer Lieutenant Inaxa asked, her tone incredulous. Chief Engineer Valinsky, his face glowering in the best of times, glowered even more. "This is Prolak's doing!" "Perhaps," Merves said, while Ayala considered silently that it was more likely part of the original plan of the Romulan Senate. "Not that it matters. And they are not staying, Lieutenant. They are establishing an embassy post, in the interest of equal representation for the Romulan government within the Delta quadrant. Once Prolak returns they'll be leaving in their runabout." "And just who is going to staff their embassy?" Harriman asked. The captain shrugged. "Perhaps the Romulan government plans on sending an actual ambassador at a later date. In the meantime this will be the headache of the embassy staff, for the most part, which is one more subject for you to discuss with Administrator Glera, Bryna." The first officer rolled her eyes but offered no further comment. "Right now we all have other matters to attend to," the captain said. "Commander Ayala and Lieutenant Harriman please remain here for a moment. The rest of you are dismissed." Merves waited for the officers to file out of the room before he spoke again. "Michael, since you will be head of security for the embassy and colony, I'm leaving it to you to keep an eye on the Romulans. I don't expect them to cause any trouble." Ayala understood the captain's implication--it was up to him to make sure that was the case. He nodded as Merves continued, "Harri, I assume you are prepared to take over here as Security Chief, and that the beamdown process will be orderly and efficient." "Yes, sir," Harri replied. "Security will be stationed at the cargo transporters, and at the turbolift entries on the Bay decks. I can't promise it will be quick, but it will be orderly." "Fair enough. Michael, your people are set to accompany each beamdown party?" Michael nodded. One of the thirteen security officers who now compromised his colony security team would accompany each party. He expected no trouble, but with over a hundred colonists beaming down at a time it was a better to have a presence, and to deal immediately with any potential conflicts. "Very good. I'll expect the regular update from each of you at sixteen hundred hours." The captain frowned at the PADD in front of him before picking it up again. "Dismissed." "Looks like you're going to have the easier job for the time being," Ayala said to Harriman as they exited the briefing room together. "I think I envy you, Harri." "No you don't." Harri--Lieutenant Helen Harriman--smiled. That smile lit up her angular face. "You can't wait to get down there and settle in with Kajee and the kids. It's very obvious you're a family man first, and a Starfleet officer second, Michael." Ayala couldn't deny that. It was common knowledge that he wouldn't have rejoined without his family along. *His* family. Ayala liked the sound of that. Harri nudged his shoulder. "Hey, you can wipe that smug smile off your face. There's no need to rub it in." "Sorry," Ayala said, though he really wasn't. He also saw the gleam of humor in Harri's gray eyes. "As if you have any interest in anything but Starfleet." "You're right," Harri agreed as she stepped into the turbolift. "Starfleet is in my blood, I guess." Ayala knew she was speaking literally. Helen Harriman was a blue-blood when it came to Starfleet, a status informally conferred on families like the Noguras, Harrimans, Sulus, and Parises, who'd had a presence in the fleet for a century, or two, or three. One of her great, great grandfathers or something like that had even commanded Enterprise, the long-standing flagship of the fleet. "Maybe one day I'll think about having a family," Harri mused. "But for now, I'm perfectly content playing the field." Ayala grinned just as his combadge beeped. Before he could react a high-pitched voice filtered through. //Dad, we got called out of class! We get to go to New Earth now! Where are you?// "I'm on my way, Raul." //Kajee's packing our stuff. We might have to leave without you!// Raul sounded more excited than worried about that possibility. "I think we have a few minutes to spare," Ayala replied dryly. "You and Luis help Kajee." //We will! Hurry, Dad!// "Sounds like you're holding up the party," Harri said, grinning. Ayala grinned back. There was no party without him, since he was head of colony security. His family benefited by being among the first to beam down. "Raul's a little anxious to get down there. I must admit, so am I," he added as the turbolift stopped. "No!" Harri said with mock astonishment. She smirked at him. "You have fun out there on the north forty. Watch out for those runaway tractors." "Ha ha," Ayala said as he stepped out of the turbolift. "I'll invite you to our first barn dance." "I can't wait," Harri rejoined as the doors started to close. "I'll wear my best gingham dress for the occasion!" Ayala chuckled. That stereotype of the Federation's many millions of colonists was a source of good-natured humor in Starfleet, even though the majority of colonies weren't primarily agricultural. He was certainly no farmer, but he'd been a colonist before, and now he would be again. He smiled wryly as a thought struck him, then nodded to a passing officer from Sciences. He supposed that in one sense his life had now come full circle. ^*^*^*^* Distor Stann, recently of Keaynn, and now the last of his race, walked down a busy corridor on Pioneer. Those passing him looked preoccupied as they hurried to and fro, completing their final tasks before they beamed down to their new home. The frenetic atmosphere right now reminded him of the tri-tower buildings in the capital city on Keaynn, where the administrators and brokers like his father had rushed about, conducting the urgent business of their busy world. To him such lively bustle had always been the evidence of productive existence, the music of life. But now it reminded him that was no more for the Keaynnin. A sharp pang stabbed at Stann's heart, intensifying the ache of loss that was never gone, except in the first awakening from slumber when for a few moments all seemed as it had been. Before he remembered the harsh truth and his next inward breath seared him, making it each day as if the loss was brand new again. And every day, with every new thing he saw, every new story he heard, he thought of his people, and what they would make of it all. The priests and elders had concluded that the Keaynnin were the lone sentient beings in the galaxy. The best knowledge and data supported that conclusion. Yet Stann had occasionally looked at the stars and wondered what it would be like if, against all odds, there *were* others out there; if some of those pinpoints of light had planets like Keaynn circling them, with sentient beings living on them, perhaps even flying ships like his own *Seeker Ten* out to the stars. In his imaginings Stann could never in a million teradorcals have imagined *this*. He wondered again how the elders and priests would have greeted the fact that the galaxy was filled with sentient beings, both benevolent and hostile. Some would celebrate, while others would probably greet the news more cautiously. He would never know. He could only speculate now what they would have thought, and how his own parents and siblings would have reacted, because they were all gone forever. "Hello, Stann. Will you be beaming down today?" Melia Gend, a Betazoid who was part of a close group of several extended families, matched his faltering step, and smiled at him. Stann had found the Betazoids perhaps the warmest of all the people he'd met here, genuinely welcoming and deeply concerned about his welfare. "I am in the last group," he told her. That had been his request. "I beam down tomorrow morning." "Our offer still stands, you know. I hope you will join us." "Thank you. I have been honored by your offer, as well as many others. Everyone here is very kind." Melia's brown eyes warmed with that strangely palpable sympathy he'd felt from the Betazoids. It was not pity but a deep understanding, as if they had experienced a similar loss. Indeed he knew Melia had lost both family and friends during the war from which most of those on Pioneer were still recovering. "The offers are sincere, Stann." She rested her hand on his shoulder. "We may come from different worlds, but we are all one here, and you are part of us now." TBC -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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