Ens. Lyara Alroyo - And So the Plot Thickens
Lyara Alroyo
((Cockpit of the USS Griffin - Skies Above Wallace Forest, Kahines II))
As Alroyo turned back to the helm she looked over the data that was being shared between the three consoles. The first layer had started to reveal some scorpionmole tunnels and the lower levels of the prison.
Lyara: Are you seeing anything interesting on your screen doctor?
The Klingon doctor looked over the data and gave a satisfied nod.
B’Equ: Preliminary scans are showing what we already know so far. However it will help with calibrating deeper scans.
Lyara: Prepare to go up an interval Petty Officer.
Alroyo moved the shuttle double the original altitude and then nodded to Filistrien.
Filistrien: Sensor calibrations completed. Systems ready for a second passover, 72.1 volcs.
Over the second pass, underground tunnels from both the prison and scorpionmoles started appearing on the map. The maze of the lower levels of the Klingon prison were nonsensical to Alroyo as she tried to follow them.
Lyara: Are we getting faulty readings Filistrien? Or are the tubes just that hectic in design?
Filistrien: Unclear Sir. The colonists have avoided contact with the Scorpionmoles, so the Federation databases have little information on them.
B’equ let out a scoff so Klingon it’d make petaqs shiver in their boots.
B’equ: That’s not surprising. Civilian colonists aren’t prepared to deal with that kind of wildlife. ::shakes her head:: The Federation’s colonization efforts are hopeless.
Alroyo rolled her eyes at the Klingon’s posturing and tried to formulate a diplomatic response.
Lyara: The Civilian colonists aren’t supposed to deal with particularly violent wildlife. Based off of the information we have they weren’t expecting creatures that burrow the way they do.
B’equ: Of course. Scorpionmoles are excellent burrowers, with claws capable of digging through most steel alloys if given time. It is likely that their tunnels weave in and out of the entire lower layer of the compound. Only, they aren’t supposed to be this close to the surface.
The Bajoran woman looked to B’equ with a concerned expression. Thankfully with Klingon politics one could be slightly confrontational, especially when one party withholds information that could protect others from harm.
Filistrien: So ‘something’ has forced them up? ::glances to Ensign Lyara:: Perhaps the same phenomena that unearthed the ruin in the first place? If the entire ruin was underground until not long ago, then those tunnels would also have been further down, after all.
Lyara: Doctor B’equ, have there been reports of any reports of major tectonic in the area?
B’equ: Your colonists swear that there hasn’t been any tectonic activity that could unearth a ruin of this size…
Filistrien: You suspect them of duplicity?
Alroyo quickly interjected before Filistrien’s comment was interpreted as accusations.
Lyara: Let’s not jump to conspiracies here. As allies there’d be no reason for any underhanded actions ::she looked to B’equ:: from either side.
The doctor let out another signature Klingon scoff and crossed her arms.
B’equ: Like your peace loving colonists could even attempt any obstruction against the Klingon Empire.
Lyara let out a sharp sigh, Klingons were a lot more fun to argue with when it was over a drink and not during a science mission suddenly turned diplomatic. Such is life where the Empire is involved.
Lyara: Dr. B’equ if you could assist in uncovering this mystery we’d love any information on the scorpionmoles you have.
B’equ: In a show of… good faith, I will share what we have on them since your Federation database is so ill equipped.
The doctor connected her padd to the console and began the upload of any materials on the scorpionmoles. Alroyo turned to Filistrien.
Lyara: Petty Officer, can you check tectonic data from the past three months and look for any anomalies that we can attempt to link to this?
Filistrien: Response
She nodded then turned back to her console to look at any colony projects that could disturb the local wildlife. As she swiped through she slowly eliminated projects that were farther away from the ruins location. Among the listed she found the forestry initiatives the colonists had been heading, and the reports of angry trees. These supposed “angry trees” were described as having been uprooted from the ground.
Lyara: Any anomalies so far Filistrien?
Filistrien: Response
Alroyo opened up the file on the angry trees which were accompanied by even more photographs. In the photographs it looked as if the ground had been displaced, possibly from the burrowing of scorpionmoles. The file claimed that the burrowing had started two months ago, when the scorpionmoles started rearing their mandibles.
Lyara: ::Still looking at console:: Dr. B’equ, how sensitive to tectonic movements are the scorpionmoles?
The Klingon doctor thought for a moment as she went over the files on scorpionmoles then looked at Lyara.
B’equ: Very sensitive, they’ve been known to migrate to less tectonically active areas when their nests are threatened.
As if a lightbulb went off over her head she turned to Filistrien.
Lyara: Are there any seismic anomalies from around two to three months ago close to the region? Particularly near the forest where the “Angry Trees” have been propping up?
Filistrien: Response
She nodded as she turned to her console and looked at the long list of projects. There could be a seismic anomaly on that list. Whether it was a mining operation or an experiment with geothermal power, she would find out.
Lyara: I'm going to keep the shuttle on autopilot to get more scans of the area while I look through recent colony expansions. My working theory right now is something happened to scare the scorpionmoles closer to the surface and their burrowing has been causing major landscape changes. Any comments, questions or concerns?
Filistrien: Response
Tag/TBC
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Lyara Alroyo
Helm/Operations
USS Artemis-A
D240108LA4