[ACT 1] Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Big Trees, Bright Skies
Robin Hopper
((Environmental Sensor Pod C17 – “Irudaimu Sector”, Uwe III))
The Uwezo were fastidious about their environmental monitoring programs – Robin had to give them that. It had been over a century into Earth’s environmental calamities before anyone had really started investing in serious solutions to those problems, and it had taken outside intervention from other helpful species to permanently turn the Earth’s climate crises around.
Every city on every continent was dotted with these ‘environmental sensor pods’, built high in the towering tree-tops of the widespread jungle canopies, often atop natural peaks, overlooking the landscape for hundreds of kilometers in every direction. It reminded Robin a little of one of the lookout towers back in Glacier National Park, where Nathan’s family lived, in Montana.
Gaining access to the sensor pod had been easy – a simple transporter beam from the USS Independence-B had brought Robin, Lael, Torvi, Niev, and Ensign Saavei down, along with their basic supplies. Of course, looking at them now, Robin hardly recognized them. Each of them had undergone cosmetic alteration to resemble the locals and avoid detection (or breaching the Prime Directive).
They had all been given mottled skin, in tones of green, brown, or yellow – their faces lined with complex, almost bark-like, ridges and their irises a glowing amber hue. Their hair varied from long and straight, to short and wavy, to tightly curled with a moss-like texture and colours of dark brown, gray, and red. As a final touch, they’d each been dressed in clothing approximately the current Uwezan styles which, according to their scans, involved fitted tunics made of textured technical fabrics woven from plant fibres and decorated with colorful designs. If any of them wandered off into the jungle, they might quickly disappear amongst the rich foliage – and Robin suspected that was precisely the idea.
Looking out over the city, which interwove amongst the trees down to a glistening harbour, and following the treeline over to the restricted section – where the warp engine development was taking place – Robin felt her heart swell with inspiration.
Hopper: Commander Stros and his team should be joining us on the surface any minute now – though we won’t be seeing them. Hopefully our preliminary findings were exaggerated… You know how the media tends to exaggerate things…
They had found worrying information shortly after landing. That there was a significant portion of the Uwezo population fundamentally opposed to the creation of faster-than-light travel, believing in some prophecy of doom and gloom… It wasn’t their place to interfere with the Uwezo’s social or technological development of course, but still, given the apparent rise in anti-warp sentiment and threats of violent action – Robin and Wil felt it warranted looking into.
Hopper: What’s your analysis of the situation, Commander?
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
Digesting Lael’s update, Robin turned her attention to Lieutenant Galanis.
Hopper: You must be having the time of your life. These environmental sensor pods are pretty incredible sources of data… Speaking of which, how’s your investigation going into the planet’s environmental stability? Anything interesting?
Galanis: Response
Hopper: ::Nodding:: Sounds like something that deserves further research. We’ll have to keep our eyes and ears open then.
Finally, she rounded the pod to where Torvi and Saavei were busy at work. While the Environmental Pod was a treasure trove of scientific information about the planet’s ecosphere, their primary reason for visiting was to learn about the Uwezo Warp project which was (as one might expect) restricted. To that end, her Security/Tactical Officer and Engineer had been assigned to work on cracking into the local government’s security systems.
Hopper: Ensign, Lieutenant – how’s it looking? When we get down there are we going to have any problems entering the secured facility, or can we expect a catered reception?
oO Hopefully something in-between, Oo she thought, not wanting to draw too much attention either way.
Ylvor/Saavei: Response
((OOC – ‘Backsimming’ okay during the above conversations, if people want to add in a few additional tags!))
Hopper: Well, we’re on a limited timeline. Doctor’s orders. And we don’t want to blow our covers. That sounds like enough of a basis to get started. From here, we’ll all just have to work together and figure it out as we go. ::Raising her mossy brows:: Shall we?
((Shortly Thereafter – Main Entrance to the Uwezo Warp Development Facility))
The domed facility, made of high-strength beams and some sort of glass-like resin, stretched almost as tall as the tallest trees. Walking down near the ground level, Robin was shocked by the difference in temperature and brightness below the canopy. Approaching the main entrance, she turned to her team.
Hopper: Any idea what to expect once we get inside?
Galanis/Saavei: Response
Hopper: What about the main entrance. Hopefully our forged credentials will work, but if not, how comfortable do we feel bluffing in the local culture?
Rosek-Skyfire/Ylvor: Response
((OOC – ‘Backsimming’ okay here as well, if people want to add in a few additional tags!))
There was little time for speculation, as a pair of guards approached – well, Robin assumed they were guards based on the fact they had been standing outside the main entrance, and then began to approach as the group of strangers neared, and also they were armed – well, Robin assumed they were armed, based on the fact that they had doodads strapped to their waist that seemed like they were most likely some sort of weapon (though, for all she knew, they could have been fancy lunchboxes).
Guard 1: Bright skies to you.
Guard 2: Bright skies, indeed. ::Eying them:: Your identification?
((OOC – The guards are general NPCs and can be written for by anyone in this scene!))
Hopper: Ah, yes, bright skies to you too! ::Fishing into her pocket and handing over a golden-hued ID card:: We are here from the Irudaimu Ministry of Internal Security. My name is Rob’Ynne, Senior Minister, and these are my colleagues. We’ve been invited to inspect the ongoing research and development program.
The guard raised his lunchbox/gun thingy and waved it over the ID and it responded by lighting up with a green flash. oO Ohhh, so that’s what they are! Fun. Oo
Guard 2: Confirmed. ::To the others:: Forgive me, but I will need to record all of your identification and names… No doubt you’ve been sent because of the recent threats that have been made. You understand that we are being cautious.
Rosek-Skyfire/Ylvor: Response
Galanis/Saavei: Response
TBC
