[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

[morphitudinous]

"As opposed to...whatever we faced up there at first," Billy agreed heartily. "Hopefully, all that suspicion's over, and we can carry on learning about this world. The past...and hopefully the future."

He peered out the window, imagining just what could be done to make the planet livable on a wider scale.

A pause. "...Would you live somewhere like this?"

[splendid_roman]

He nodded to Billy's first comment. Things were better now they could move around the ship more or less as they pleased and have access to more of its facilities.

Billy's question he had to think about. "I suppose it would be nice with the view and feeling like you were doing something important, even if just for this planet. But not for too long - I think it would feel very small after a while. How about you?" He looked over at Billy.

[morphitudinous]

"It's always felt a little small to me," Billy had to agree. "But Starfleet...it's never too small except when they're trapped on a ship, is it? It's a whole new frontier, and I've always wanted to know what that's like."

Now he almost did. And he loved it. "I'd love to do something important, though. Anything...making contact, building a device."

[splendid_roman]

He smiled at that. "The smallest thing can be important. You never know how much difference you could make, even to just one person."

[morphitudinous]

"Are you thinking of someone specifically?" Billy asked before he thought better of it.

[splendid_roman]

He nodded. "Someone I knew when I was younger, who taught me science." He was quite happy to talk about it all in vague terms to someone he didn't know that well yet. Plus he was sure Billy would understand the importance of an inspiring teacher.

[morphitudinous]

"I can't say I've ever had a mentor like that," Billy admitted wistfully, "but it sounds like an incredible experience. I've been mostly self-taught for a while, so I'm hoping to find someone while we're out here."

If any of the crew are willing to take on 90s kids, he thinks doubtfully.

[splendid_roman]

Ian would quite happily, but he knew that he didn't know enough - he was still learning himself. "There are enough people on the ship that there's bound to be someone. And someone who wants to learn is a joy to teach after a class of bored pupils." He chuckled.

[morphitudinous]

"I had the same argument with a few friends of mine," he admitted with a smile. "They just don't seem to understand why the makeup of our planet is so interesting...and that's not even scratching the surface of the wider universe."

He grinned. "I look forward to learning about it. We're still studying together, right?"

[splendid_roman]

Ian smiled, understanding that. He'd met plenty of people not interested at all in anything scientific.

"Of course," he replied. "I'm not sure I've quite been going in order, but I've been reading about all sorts of interesting discoveries and inventions since the mid-twentieth century. Including the discovery of planets outside the solar system, which doesn't sound quite so exciting when you're standing on one." He grinned.