Ensign Imril - No Enemy Is Boring!

[Chris Taylor]

((Guest Accommodations - Wallace Colony, Kahines II))

Imril had spent much of the time since fine-tuning the Griffin’s sensors reading up on the information which Trorin had given them. A task put on pause by a request from Doctor Sadar.

Sadar: Ensign Imril, can you get the consoles in here synced up with the Griffin’s computers, please? I don’t want us to miss incoming communications by accident.

Imril: Aye, Doctor. On it.

The engineer finished up the job just as Lyara began the mission debrief.

Lyara: We found out that the ruin was discovered by the two settlers trying to find their niece who had run off. Technically she is the one to be credited with the discovery. ::Alroyo held up a PADD:: We also got a map of the area drawn by Hazel and Barto themselves.

Bergmen: Response

Filistrien: What of the Klingon scientists?

Broken out of her deliberations, Gila’s face fell at the question. She was certain the Ensigns were fully capable of surmising how the talks had went based on her expression alone.

Imril: The data from Trorin’s padd has given me a lot to work from. I’ve tweaked the Griffin’s sensor settings to better distinguish the local geology from any artifacts and structures. I’ve also got them programmed to alert us if any significant amounts of baakonite turn up. That’s a metal alloy used in making Klingon melee weapons. If there’s an intact armory at the site, it could mean that the place was abandoned in a hurry rather than an organized retreat. Which, in turn, could mean all sorts of things that I won’t waste time speculating on just yet.

Imril’s knowledge of the First Empire was spotty at best. Whether the withdrawal of the ancient Klingons from this part of it was the gradual result of shrinking borders, a rapid movement of persons and materials to shore up some other part of said border, or something altogether different was information yet to be discovered or disclosed.

Sadar: W-Well, it could’ve gone worse… Most of the scientists seem interested in doing the survey with as little conflict as possible, but one seems... Irregularly aggressive, even for a Klingon.

Imril: I got the impression that Trorin thinks B’Equ’s just blowing smoke. But she sure acted willing enough to pick a fight if crossed.

Bergman: response

Ensign Lyara moved to the couch, clearly concerned and interested in Archaeologist B’Equ’s behaviour. She wasn’t the only one. And Imril just worried for Doctor Sadar’s sake. How much of Baum’s discomfort with the archaeologists was a direct result of the impression B’Equ was leaving?

Lyara: Was it a personal problem she had with you?

Gila twisted her anxiety band at that thought.

Sadar: I, uhh, can’t be sure... The other Klingons were dismissive, but Archaeologist B’Equ seemed... Almost hateful. ::to Filistrien:: I’d like a background check done on her, just in case. One more in-depth than the ones you’ve already done. Is that possible?

Xandeus knit his brows a bit further together.

Filistrien: It’s possible. I shall make that a priority task, Sir.

Imril: I’m not even going to try to explain her behaviour with dressy words about her culture. Some people are just jerks.

Bergmen: response

Lyara: If she’s as aggressive as she sounded, maybe there’s something more to her behavior. I’m not saying there’s a conspiracy involving the empire itself, but she might have some thoughts or beliefs here herself.

Gila didn’t respond.

Imril: I wonder if she’s been treating the local civilians the same way she treats Starfleet officers.

Bergmen: response

Filistrien: Regardless of Doctor B’Equ’s conduct, the dig will be commencing tomorrow, yes? ::to Sadar:: How should we proceed, Sir?

Sadar: The Griffin will be used to conduct a subterranean echo survey, see if we can identify how much of the structure is underground, and whether it’s something easily excavated without heavy equipment. ::to Lyara:: Ensign Lyara, you’re the pilot. The equipment itself will be operated by Archaeologist B’Equ, who will be accompanying you. ::to Filistrien:: As such, I want you in the shuttle too, Petty Officer.

Lyara: Response

Filistrien: An indirect interrogation, Sir?

Sadar: If possible. If not, just find out how to make her, uhh... Less ‘Klingon’ until the team from the Historical Society can replace us. ::to Imril and Bergmen:: The two of you will be joining me at the dig site. We’ll be coordinating our efforts with Klingon scientists.

Imril: Aye, Doctor. I’ll have all of Trorin’s information reviewed by then.

Bergmen: Response

That was unwelcome information. Gila didn’t know what a ‘Scorpionmole’ was, but judging by the way they were described, she wasn’t keen to find out.

Sadar: Ah, I see... ::frowns:: Y-Yes, uhh... M-Make sure to pack your phasers.

She really hoped they wouldn’t have to use them.

Lyara/Bergmen: Response

Imril: Whatever a scorpionmole is, the second half of that name implies that they dig lots of tunnels. Depending on where and how big those tunnels are, and the dens connected to them, the expedition could be digging into unstable ground. I’ll program the Griffin’s scanners to try to identify and map out any subterranean hollows based on airflow and missing sub-strata. But it may take one of us looking over the data to confirm anything.

Sadar/Lyara/Bergmen/Filistrien: Response

With the issues stemming from a particular Klingon and the local wildlife discussed, that left one more angle to look at in terms of complicating the expedition and its possible political fallout.

Imril: ::To Bergman/Lyara/Filistraen:: Is there anybody we need to be concerned about making things more difficult on the colony's end? I can report that Administrator Baum looks to be plenty annoyed with the Klingons, but is holding it together for the sake of putting all of this behind him as soon as possible.

Sadar/Lyara/Bergmen/Filistrien: Response

Imril: We've spent all this time working out how we're going to help the Klingons do their job. But might there be something that the colony needs help with that we could do for them? Anything that doesn't involve the dig-site or the Klingons, I mean? A charitable gesture on our part may help cool things down if they do get heated.

Then again, Imril had heard plenty of stories back in the Academy about colonists taking umbrage with Starfleet officers who they thought were meddling in their affairs. How much of that was urban legend and how much of it was true-to-life was something that they were only now in a position to learn for themself.

Sadar/Lyara/Bergmen/Filistrien: Response

TAG/TBC
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Ensign Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12