[Away Mission:] Arrivals Post, Alemar III (Party Post!)

[ten_fwd_npcs]

"Welcome, everyone, to geothermal field two-nine-one," Dr. Johanna Sk'Amor says, once everyone has gathered in the entryway.

The shuttlebay the group has just left is behind them, while the large entrance to the facility is directly ahead. The building is quite spacious, and despite the high volume of visitors no one is cramped for space while standing here. It's like a museum lobby, with fixtures in the center of the room and wings on either side. While the design is not as bright and clean as the Enterprise, the high ceilings and white walls give a feeling of spaciousness. To the right is the main observation room, where the convex wall making up one full corner of the drilling facility is primarily floor-to-ceiling windows. The vistas beyond are stunning: tall, grey mountains and low valleys, all covered with snow. To the left is a winding staircase that leads to an upper level, and beyond that are several labs.

"This is one of five scientific outposts located on Alemar III," the doctor continues. "At one time we had seven, but two have been destroyed by earthquakes. Alemar III is highly geologically active, so our remaining facilities have been reinforced to withstand even the most devastating natural disasters. There's nothing to worry about, our engineers are some of the best in the quadrant, but if you feel some tremors while you look around just keep in mind that this is normal.

"Two of our outposts are at the polar north and south of the planet, while the other three, this one included, are evenly spread across the globe. Our staff is small, only about ten scientists and five archaeologists, and enough engineers to keep everything in working order. In all, the entire planet only has about ninety occupants at any given time. It's rare that we're able to entertain guests.

"If you'll follow me, I'll show you some of the work we accomplish here."


[ooc: This post is open to those who signed up for our game plot only! As it's being run party post style, all characters are encouraged to tag in and mingle; since teams have not been divided yet, any participating character can tag anyone else, you don't have to stick only to those on your teams. You may also tag in as many top level threads as you choose if you're doing the full tour, just be sure your character ends up in the room where their team will be positioned for the rest of the plot (for those who will be divided in the mines due to cave-ins, the main mine connects to many other rooms and alcoves, so simply tag in under the Main Mine subheading and have your characters move around the different passageways to explore. Wherever rocks fall, that's where the rooms will be divided). Threadhopping and backtagging are encouraged! This post will remain open for as long as it takes all characters to tag in.]

Comments

[decideformyself]

They'd been on the Enterprise for so long that the novelty had started to wear off, and Philip had just grown bored and restless. This was a wonderful change of pace.

Though he tried to keep his ears open for whatever information Dr. Sk'Amor might have to impart, Philip also stopped to stare at basically every little thing they passed. The technology in the science lab was of particular interest. He rambled at Shotaro about how advanced everything was, here.

He shot Shotaro a fondly skeptical look at that arm drape, but he didn't shrug away from it. Instead he just gestured to the cataloguing machine's holographic display. "Do you see this? It's a far cry from the novelty holographic imaging of Earth in 2011."

[tanteiotaku]

He really couldn't resist reaching his hand out to prod at the image. But his hand passed right through it. He dropped his arm from around Philip. "Haaah?" Yeah, totally over his head. "This is all pretty crazy..."

But the actual physical artifacts he could understand better than all the technology around him. It was weird how a people that were once similar could end up so disparate that they were such a mystery. Well, maybe they had it figured out, anyway.

[decideformyself]

Shotaro's bafflement was kind of endearing. Not as endearing as it had been a few weeks ago, when Philip was freshly restored and everything about Shotaro was endearing, but still somewhat so.

He leaned in closer to get a better look at the holographic image. "It's a simple progression of technology. I'm sure that our world will develop something similar in time. In fact, with my increase in knowledge after viewing everything this time period has to offer, it's inevitable."

[tanteiotaku]

He chuckled a little bit. "Are you saying you might try to build some of this stuff when we get home?" He really wasn't surprised. He'd probably found some room in that brain of his for all kinds of Starfleet tech. But then, having a replicator in the office might be kind of handy. Akiko wouldn't complain at all, it would reduce most of their expenses to nil.

[decideformyself]

"I very well might." He grinned. "It would revolutionize everything!"

[tanteiotaku]

Sorry, Partner, but someone has to be the rational one here. "But how are you going to explain where the idea came from?" Though he thought he knew what the response was going to be.

[decideformyself]

"I'll tell the truth," he replied with a quizzical glance at Shotaro. "Why?"

[tanteiotaku]

Okay, he guessed wrong. "Sure, Akiko and Terui might believe us, but if you tried to tell this story to anyone else they're going to think we've actually gone crazy." Instead of the usual Narumi Detective Agency eccentricities.

[decideformyself]

"The technological advances I'll be providing will more than corroborate the story."

[tanteiotaku]

"Yeah, but that might bring a few too many questions into us and especially you." Hate to crash the party, but drawing attention to his impossibly brilliant partner is not high on his priority list.

[decideformyself]

"The Museum threat has been all but eliminated, you know," he points out. "On the other hand, there is likely a good reason the Federation has its Prime Directive in place..."

[tanteiotaku]

He fidgeted a bit with the knot of his tie. Maybe he was just being too paranoid. He'd only had his partner back for a couple months, after all.

"Maybe there is," he finally said. "Makes you wonder just how many times they deal with time travellers."

[decideformyself]

"With an entity like Q around, I do wonder indeed." Philip couldn't help laughing.

He also wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, even as the tour proceeded to move on. This room was just too intriguing.

[tanteiotaku]

Shotaro was more interested in seeing what else there was in this facility than he was wrapped up in any one thing in particular up here. "Hey, we're gonna get left behind. You coming?"

[decideformyself]

He nodded and waved a hand at Shotaro. "I'll catch up shortly, don't worry."

[tanteiotaku]

He patted his partner on the shoulder before heading on his way. "Alright."

And off he went to follow the tour group, fairly sure Philip was so wrapped up in that that he wasn't going to be right behind him. But that was Philip, after all.