Colony Tour - Part I

Posted on Tue Oct 14, 2025 @ 3:30am by Civilian Nyla Thane & Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie & Lieutenant Carissa Holmes
Edited on on Tue Oct 14, 2025 @ 3:38am

1,433 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Pangaea

The shuttle had been shut down and the small group was waiting for the guide to accompany them to the colony. Miss Nyla Thane. Carissa was looking around with great interest. She enjoyed feeling the sun's warmth upon her skin, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. She loosened up her hair from its ponytail, to let the sun play with her fiery red hair.

"This is delightful" the ambassador commented glancing at the others.

Nyla had little interest in playing tour guide. Her work called to her, and she would have much preferred being buried in research than shepherding visitors across the colony. But Commander Wells had asked, and refusing wasn’t an option. Best to see it through quickly and return to her research.

She arrived at the landing pad just after the group landed, dressed in simple field attire...dark trousers, a tunic, and boots more suited for walking trails than for tours. She approached the group.

“Welcome to the colony.” She said. “I’m Dr. Nyla Thane, Deputy Director of Science, Exploration, and Archaeology.”

"Hello, I am Carissa Holmes, the ambassador that has been sent here. I've been asked to come and make a connection with the scientists that are residing here." gesturing towards those who were with her.

"I believe you have met, Commodore Michaels, Colonel Means, if not, allow this to be the introductions." Carissa giving a smile, "also the lovely and capable Pilot, Lieutenant Mackenzie. " moving her hand towards Sarah.

Nyla nodded, her hands loosely clasped in front of her. “Ambassador Holmes. Welcome.” Her eyes shifted to others as they were introduced. “Commodore. Colonel. Lieutenant.”

Turning back to Carissa. “The colony is a shared initiative. Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, and Ferengi delegations all have a presence here. I can take you through the Federation sector in detail. As for the others, we’re free to walk the grounds, but visiting their facilities will require coordination with their respective liaisons.”

"The Federation section will be fine," T'mpest said, nodding to Nyla. "We have not met, but Commander Wells speaks highly of you. Thank you for showing us around."

“Commander Wells is generous with her praise.” Nyla replied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commodore.”

She gestured for the group to follow. “I’ll give you the highlights, and if there’s anything you want a deeper look at, I’ll do my best to accommodate.”

"Thank you." Carissa following after Nyla through the gates leading into the colony.

Means looked around, pleased at how even the buildings that had been totally destroyed were replaced and even the grounds had been touched up. He had to slow his pace as he nodded seeing his people as a patrol moved through the area.

T'mpest took up the rear. She was given a tour when she first arrived. This one was to observe recent progress and to see if there was more she could learn.

Carissa was taking mental notes, pausing from time to time to look at the buildings, "It's looking rather good." she commented with a pleased smile. "I do believe we're getting near the um compound center of this area?"

Nyla spoke as they walked.

“The colony is divided into sections. Each allocated to a major faction. To our left is the Federation section nearest to the landing pad. Straight ahead is the Klingon section, and just beside it is the Ferengi quarter. Behind them is an area used by Independents. At the center of the colony is the town square, and beyond that, the Cardassian and Romulan sections.”

They reached a T-junction where the Klingon section stood ahead of them. Nyla gestured left. “Starfleet living quarters are just up there.” She said pointing to a building. “And the lounge is just ahead. Popular with both our personnel and visitors.”

As they passed the Ferengi section. “It’s unclear how active the Ferengi presence is these days. Their facilities are intact, but underused. The same goes for the Cardassian section. There are only a few left, and most have kept to themselves.”

Her eyes briefly met those of the Commodore, then shifted to Carissa. “Depending on how things evolve here, there may need to be some reorganization of those spaces.”

"Agreed," T'mpest said. "That will, ultimately, be up to you and Alanna. Just let us know who is where for our records."

Nyla nodded. “I plan to bring it up at the next meeting I have with Commander Wells.”

"I do plan on getting an accounting and seeing who I can meet with for those here, I was asked to come and see. Perhaps a message can be delivered for representatives to meet with us?" Carissa looking towards T'mpest.

"If they wish to speak with you, Ms Thane could arrange a meeting." Most of those staying in the research colony were scientists and T'mpest wasn't sure how many would want to talk with the ambassador. "You might wish to start with the representatives on the station as well."

Carissa nodded, "Though, I do not believe there will be a Cardassian representative on the station. Not after what had happened."

Turning towards T'mpest. "I had been requested by the Cardassian Council to check on their residents here. I will wait though, until Miss Thane clears it with Commander Wells. I can understand the caution as to having this take place."

"And waiting for the proper clearance that will give security a chance to examine the different gifts sent from the various representatives of the scientists home. Can't be too careful now can we?" Carissa giving a smile.

T'mpest's smile was more neutral. More professional. "There has been no request made to the station for a Federation ambassador to represent the Cardassian Council. Nor has there been any ban placed on gifts from family members to the scientists. Are you saying that the gifts are from people who are not members of their families?"

Nyla’s expression stayed composed, though one brow arched slightly at the mention of gifts and clearances. She chose not to speak right away, waiting instead to hear how the ambassador would respond. A flicker of concern stirred beneath the surface. If Starfleet intended to overstep, she would voice her objections if and when the moment called for it.

Carissa cast a glance towards Means, T'mpest, Nyla and Sarah. “Not all of them are from their families, there are those who wish to curry favor as well."

The ambassador pausing in her walk.

"I feel that even though they are from the families, they still need to go through a security check"

Her lips going into a firm line.

"When being a representative for others, there still needs to have security measures put in place. Granted not everything can be covered, things can slip past, due to human error." her voice had some somberness to it.

"Making an effort on checking on packages, gifts sent from family can actually save lives, as there have been instances that under the guise being from family, something had been sent to harm said person. It is a delicate balance that we've got to maintain, being security minded and yet not overstepping on matters."

Carissa spoke quietly, " Being mindful of this, makes those who we are working with more willing to trust us. The races that we work with, Klingons, Cardassians, Ferengi, Romulans as well as others have more respect for those who make an effort, and are determined in their service, free from prejudice and being judgmental. It is a lot of work, to build trust as there still is the enmity and distrust that has lingered due to history. And we are dealing with something like this due to what had happened recently. There is worry that there will be retaliation against the Cardassians here who are just doing what they love and that is doing scientific studies. "

Means had seen, even felt, that enmity all too well having faced the Cardassians unfortunately on multiple occasions. On one hand she was right but on the other hand her statement held the seeds of the same outlook that had led to the Federation being attacked over and over again...but then again that's what made the Federation what it was. Willing to take the chance that maybe THIS time they will learn; to take the risk in the hope that peace would hold.

(To be continued...)

Carissa Holmes
Federation Ambassador

Dr. Nyla Thane
Deputy Director of Science, Exploration, and Archaeology

Colonel Nicholas Means III
MCO - 21st MEU

Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie
CAG

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commodore

 

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