Land Dispute

Posted on 05 Oct 2025 @ 7:55pm by Ensign Ryan Collingway & Lieutenant Commander Sandra Boren & Ensign Balen Oran & Lieutenant Commander Adrian Sorvak
Edited on on 06 Oct 2025 @ 1:58pm

1,062 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Fractured Accord
Location: Tavrik III - On the planet

=/\= Tarvik III =/\=

Lt Cmdr Sorvak looked around the survey site. The away-team all had to get inoculated for various planet-born organisms, and for now, they were all wearing spacesuits. The atmosphere here was breathable, but just barely.

The Arawyn crew were working in what would be the extension of the Federation colony. The domes of the existing colony were about a kilometer away. The area was generally flat, with low, rolling hills here and there. It was the perfect spot for extending the colony.

With all the "excitement" on the way here, it was easy to forget their actual mission.

Being a half-Vulcan, he was not affected by such human emotions and efficiency was not impeded. He could easily start with all the advanced planning he had prepared for this mission.

He already had people on the ship assigned to modeling the planet's surface and preparing options for the placement of the colony itself. On the away team were specialists to check out the flora and fauna, as well as the atmospheric, soil and planetary conditions.

Ensign Oran approached him. "Sir?"

Oran crouched over the portable scanner, watching the spectral readings crawl across the small display. At first he thought the instrument was miscalibrated—the cadmium spike was too sharp, too localized—but a quick systems check confirmed everything was functioning normally. His brow furrowed. Tavrik III had not been expected to pose heavy metal contamination issues, at least not according to the survey reports he’d studied aboard the Arawyn.

He took a steadying breath and straightened, adjusting the loop of his Bajoran earring out of habit. If the readings were correct, this wasn’t just a geological curiosity; it could affect the entire colony expansion plan. Tapping the data into his PADD for confirmation, he headed toward the Vulcan science officer.

"Yes, Ensign?" He asked the Bajoran science officer.

Oran handed a PADD over. "Preliminary scans of the new colony area indicate the soil has high levels of cadmium and chromium".

Sorvak raised an eyebrow. "That was not listed on the preliminary survey. This would affect the terraforming modules, we'll need to ensure the soil contamination is not spread further."

He looked around for the Chief Engineer.

Sandra just finished her discussion with Lt Powell about which module should come down next when she noticed the Chief Science looking around and then stopping when he had spotted her. The logical conclusion was that she was needed. She walked over to him and nodded in greeting, "Commander, you appeared to be looking for me."

"Indeed." Sorvak handed the PADD over. "The soil has high levels of cadmium and chromium".

"Cadmium and Chromium," Sandra mumbled. "heavy metals, unhealthy for most species, and definitely for anyone human. We should not be terra forming on that. Is there a way to neutralize it? In the old day on earth they would take the soil away and put clean soil in before building on it. Any recommendations, Commander?"

Sorvak turned to look around. "We could clean the soil, as you say, by replacing the soil. For this area I estimate it will be a process of a week." He turned back to Boren. "Do you think we could modify the nanobots for this purpose?"

Sandra was considering the option mentioned while Sorvak gave some more orders to one of the science crew

"Ensign Oran - continue surveying this area and all adjacent areas. There might be more surprises here."

Oran nodded briskly. “Aye, Commander.” He expanded the scan parameters and moved methodically toward the edge of the designated site. As the tricorder chirped in a steady rhythm, he marked several hotspots on his map where the contamination levels were highest. A nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind—whether this contamination was natural or the result of some previous, undocumented activity. Either way, he intended to find out.

Tarvik III wasn't exactly a paradise planet but compared to what happened on the Newton it was a vacation for Ryan so far as he worked on receiving the next shipment of supplies. He noticed Lieutenant Commander Sorvak talking to Commander Boren nearby. Though they hadn't met personally, he was very envious of Vulcans (including half-ones) and their ability to handle emotions. The counselling meeting yesterday left him rattled. He continued working, still lost in his own thoughts, but available to assist if needed.

That was until Ryan overhead Sorvak talk about using the nanobots. He immediately froze at what he was doing and glanced at them.

Sandra was still going through the possibilities in her mind, and she noticed Collingway looking at the two of them. Very briefly she allowed her shielding to drop a little and she could sense fear from him. Not wanting to intrude in any way, she reinforced it again and looked at Sorvak. "There is too much we do not know about these nanobots, and they are adapted Borg technology. I would be very reluctant to adapt and use them. Too much risk, besides, they feed on any power, I do not want to risk any ship by taking one out of the stasis to do research. That needs to be done in a specialized lab."

"The Fastest course of action is to take the soil somewhere safe, neutralize the contamination and then return it to the site, or to another location if we want to be faster. I recommend that groundwater is also tested to ensure nothing has leached into it." Sandra finished.

Ryan released a held breath as she spoke. He didn't want to show this much emotion, but in this case, he couldn't help it. The very idea left him aghast. He glanced at Sorvak to see his response.

But before Sorvak could respond, a small shuttle flew towards them. It was unclear as to the origin, as the markings on the shuttle had been burned away.

All Starfleet crew stopped what they were doing to watch the shuttle come down. Seven people appeared once the door opened. They were all armed.

"Kaldari?" Sorvak quietly asked Boren.

"This land does not belong to you." The head of the group shouted out.

TBC

A JL by
LtCmdr Sandra Boren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

Lieutenant Commander Adrian Slovak
Chief Science Officer
USS Arawyn

Ensign Balen Oran
Science Officer
USS Arawyn

Ensign Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

 

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