Star Trek RPG - Mission #6: "Marala"

[Rangin]

Boojee - Rangin does his utmost to keep a perfectly straight face, although as his eyes look to the side, he can see St Croix having the same internal reaction that he is.

Whoever this Marala is, she had given Rangin a gift unbeknownst or not. Something to laugh at Graham with. No matter, how big or nasty he will be in the future. He is forever Boojee.

Rangin then just hopes that some of the names he has had whispered to him never make the light of day either.

[general_urko]

Graham clears his throat, forcing his gaze away from Marala before staring at her mutely gets awkward.

More awkward.

"The team is, ah, at your service, Governor. If I might make a suggestion, this strikes me as an opportunity to understand how you handle security, communications, and medical and how Starfleet can better support colonies like yours--if your staff were willing to brief Ensigns St. Croix and Kylah and Dr. Bennett, respectively."

He pauses and shrugs slightly. "And of course I'm sure Lt. Coimbra and Mr. Rangin are chomping at the bit to learn more about the local geology and fauna."

[Elendil's Heir]

"All right," says the Governor. "Why don't I show you around, and you can ask whatever questions you have as we go. I'll leave security questions to Chief Mezentsev. As to communications, we have a standard, off-the-shelf Type 3 communications suite, including the usual subspace transmitter and receiver, and internal comm access throughout the colony. We have a small hospital and a medical staff of about 30; you're welcome to visit the hospital, if you like, Dr. Bennett."

"Mining operations have been going on here for almost a century," Marala says. Graham notices that she is looking at him more often than not. "The planet has an interesting geological profile, but not much in the way of flora or fauna that wasn't imported from offworld."

"I think you mean 'champing,' sir," St. Croix whispers to Graham as they walk.

The Governor leads the group through the park, out from under the dome and down an access corridor. Several gastight doorways, apparently of businesses and small shops, open onto the corridor. There are a few dozen people, most of them dressed in mining overalls of varying degrees of cleanliness and repair, who pass by, some with curious stares at the Starfleet men and women.

He goes on, "I'd say we're basically satisfied with what Starfleet has done, and is doing, for us. The occasional visit like yours is always welcome; we're pretty out of the way but that's how most people like it."

Weinstein nods. "The people here are independent-minded and self-reliant, all in all. We don't want to be a burden on anybody, and more often than not we just want to be left alone to do our work and to earn a living."

[choie]

Kylah only needed to see the woman who approached--and greeted, rather warmly--Lt. Graham to recognize that she is the source of his... memories, dreams, fantasies?

Embarrassed, Kylah is glad to begin a tour. Their communications setup seems more than adequate for their needs. She can think of nothing technical to ask, and so searches for something banal.

"Do you all have your families with you?" she asks the group in general, her gaze stopping on Ms. Gromov before she flushes and, imagining Lt. Graham's emotions again, hurries to focus on the Council President, Mr. Weinstein.

[Elendil's Heir]

Weinstein says, "Many do, yes. Probably two-thirds or so, as I recall from the last census."

[Rangin]

And Rangin's worst fears come to light, flora and fauna imported from off-world. Yes, he is going to be very bored indeed, thank you Boojee and it's not like he really wants to go down the mines again. He got off-world to avoid that particular fate.

Unless they have a Horta here, the chances of that were very small indeed. Rangin had seen the pictures but to meet one face-to-, well, rocky hide, would be of interest.

He looks round to see what flora and fauna is already present and beings wondering what could be introduced without upsetting the local ecosystem.

[choie]

Kylah nods at Weinstein. "Are there multiple generations of families? That is--are there those who have lived their entire lives here? Pardon me for being ignorant, I may have missed this in our briefing."

She glances back to the dome entrance. "Also, I am curious. Does anyone ever go outside the dome? If one is wearing a protective suit, could one explore?"

[Elendil's Heir]

As the Starfleet landing party and the others walk down the corridor, Rangin sees no flora or fauna at all. Back under the dome by City Hall, there was no fauna, but the flora included common grass; elm, pine, aspen and larch trees; and some bushes that he didn't recognize of varying sizes.

Weinstein replies to Kylah, "Oh, yes. Some of the families here - not mine, but the Governor's, for instance - trace their ancestry back to the original Russian settlers, more than a hundred years back. I was born here, but my parents came from Boulen VII."

Marala says, "Some miners are out on the surface every day, of course, and scientists and campers or hikers go out now and then, but you could spend your entire life here in the arcology and never venture outside other than, say, on a high school trip. It's a Class K world, so yes, you need a spacesuit to survive out there. You'd die in minutes if you didn't."

The Governor leads the group down the corridor to another open space, apparently larger than where the Yorktown personnel beamed down. The dome overhead is also clear but arches higher overhead than the first one. Drab buildings of the same thermocrete construction as City Hall crowd underneath it, but taller than the administrative center and almost touching the "roof." There are some flower beds but not as much vegetation as you earlier saw.

"This is Dome 2 or the Second Dome," he says. "City Hall is under Old Dome, which we also call First Dome or Dome 1. There are three domes in all; Dome 3 is called the New Dome, or Third Dome, and looks a lot like this. These buildings are mostly offices and apartments. The colony has mostly spread underground since its earliest days, though. The top five levels are habitation spaces, with apartments, recreation, retail, offices, schools and the like. Then there another eight levels farther down for machinery, life support, storage, tankage, manufacturing, workshops, mining and so on. The mine shafts start there; the deepest go almost 6km down."

"Who actually runs the mines?" St. Croix asks.

"The Novy Rostov Mining Co., the local cooperative, is the biggest," Marala says, looking back over her shoulder as she walks. "They employ just over half the miners here. Dytallix, Xiang Harlan and Con-Am each have smaller operations here."

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Class_K_planet
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/D...Mining_Company
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outland_(film)
https://www.mining-technology.com/fe...-south-africa/

[anthonydlangford]

Nathaniel doesn't think he could take one more minute of this tour. It is mind numbing.

"I don't mean to interrupt." Nathaniel cuts in on the Governor's talk. "But I would like to see your medical facilities. I might have some suggestions on how to improve things if nothing else. If someone would direct me, I'd appreciate it."

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor stops and says, "Of course. Just a moment, please." He pulls out a small civilian-model communicator, ovoid and silvery, and says, "Voronko to Hospital. Dr. Cobb, please."

After a moment you hear, "Cobb here. How's it going, Sergey?"

"Hello, Denise. Just fine, thanks. I"m here with Dr. Nathaniel Bennett from the starship Yorktown. He'd like a tour of the hospital. We're in Dome 2, near the entrance to the Politkovskaya Building. Could you send someone to escort him down there, give him the five-credit tour and answer any of his questions?"

"Sure! Things are pretty quiet here at the moment; I'll come myself. Be there soon."

"Thanks. Voronko out." He smiles at Nathaniel. "There you go, Doctor. Should just be a few minutes. There's a bench over there if you'd like to sit down while you wait. Enjoy!"

He leads the group away, across the open area under the dome and then into another corridor which gradually slopes downward. Its walls and ceiling are rough, brownish-coppery rock, with lights embedded in the ceiling every few meters, and pipes and conduits running along both walls. The floor is also rock, much-scuffed but smooth underfoot.

[choie]

The multiple domes are impressive, as is the Governor's description of the active above-ground life. But it is the magnitude of what lies underground that most astonishes Kylah. She should be used to such enterprises--mining produces a significant part of her planet's resources.

But not to this extent. She wonders if there is any risk of mining too much from the planet that provides them a home. One day these people might find themselves having built a city atop a newly hollowed-out eggshell.

It is not likely, not after only one hundred years. She looks down for a second while the Governor talks to someone about Dr. Bennett--his departure gives her a little flutter of concern, born from experience on other landing parties, runs through her at the thought of being separated.

She does not feel comfortable warning the doctor to be careful, and besides, there is nothing to be careful of, with everyone Federation-based and familiar. Kylah shakes her head. Of course the Federation has internecine battles of its own, despite the self-congratulatory words written about this new era of cooperation and support.

Speaking of battles, she is interested in the rival mining crews. After glancing at Lt. Graham for permission to speak, she begins:

"You maintain a remarkable outpost, sir. Forgive me, may I ask a question? How has the land--or the resources, I suppose--been claimed by each of these companies? I mean, who decides who gets what? Are there... bids? And who makes that determination?"

Kylah lifts her eyebrows hopefully, not certain just how ignorant she sounds. She cannot help looking at Velir for assistance; given his background, he must understand this life more than she.

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor says, "The Federation owns the planet and it's administered by the colonial government, which I head. Any individual or company which wants to mine here files a request for mining rights and submits a sealed bid, which the colony reviews and grants in whole or in part, or turns down. The preliminary decision is made by the Mining Operations Oversight Committee, but the NR Colonial Council, which Mr. Weinstein leads, has the final say. The Federation could override a decision if it was 'contrary to the best interests of the colony,' but that's never happened yet."

[general_urko]

Graham nods politely and looks around while on tour. "Is Security provided entirely by the Federation, or are their private guards employed by the mining companies?" Graham asks the governor when there's a moment to do so.

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor nods to Mezentsev, who says, "We provide our own security; I have 43 officers and support staff. We can call in a Federation marshal or even Starfleet in a crisis, if necessary, but it's been years since we've had to do that. The mining companies are permitted two security officers apiece, and their powers are limited to the companies' property and mines."

The Governor leads the group, minus Dr. Bennett, down several more corridors, past other colonists, and into a large cargo turbolift. You descend to Level 13, go down another corridor, around several turns, and end up in an observation booth overlooking a vast open space hewn from the rock. "This is the main NRMC minehead," he says. Through the wide, somewhat smudged window you can see digging and loading machines moving around on the rocky floor, huge containers of ore being taken off lifts and from hoists, and everywhere, dozens of miners in brightly-colored but dirty coveralls hard at work. The window is soundproofed but you can tell it's very noisy out there on the other side.

Dr. Cobb doesn't keep Dr. Bennett waiting long. She is a friendly, middle-aged woman in well-worn civilian clothes with a white medical blouse over it. "Dr. Bennett? Denise Cobb. Welcome to Novy Rostov! Right this way, please...."

[anthonydlangford]

Nathaniel's teeth are on edge. These people are friendly, too friendly. And it makes him very wary. Yet, he follows the woman.

"So," Nathaniel asks. "Just where are we headed?"

[general_urko]

Graham makes a point of visibly looking around. "Certainly impressive."

He also makes a point of moving closer to Marala, so he can say, quietly, "I guess I never imagined you as a miner, Marala. How'd you come to be here, running part of the big show?" He gestures at the view as he says this, intending to show his respect for the scale of the operation--and her role, as best her understands it.

[choie]

Kylah feels claustrophobic this far underground, but the sight outside the windows is, as Lt. Graham says, impressive. She steps to the side to make room for Mr. Coimbra, who is likely much more intrigued by and knowledgeable of such an operation.

This places her a little closer to Velir, but she unconsciously holds her arms more tightly against her, avoiding the likelihood of brushing against him. She remembers the electric, painful--she cannot think of a way to describe it other than mental intrusion--that was so overwhelming when he touched her yesterday. Kylah does not wish to repeat it.

But she still must wait for an opportunity to apologize.

She notices Lt. Graham's interest is again attuned to the woman, Ms. Gromov--or was it Gromova? Kylah frowns slightly and cannot remember, having been so distracted by Lt. Graham's emotions.

Knowing some Russian from her language studies at the Academy, she remembers some Russian woman's names end differently depending on gender. But that practice is very old and not universal, even back on Earth, much less from...wherever this person's homeland is.

She quickly focuses on the window again, trying once more to ask something that will not make her sound as ignorant as she feels. "I know there are a variety of resources you are digging for, sir. What is currently being retrieved--or do you collect everything and sort it later?

"...And where does it all go? I mean..." Kylah stares at the huge machines. "Do outside ships come to collect the material, and if so, how often--and who? Are they different governments, or industrial customers? I am sorry to ask so many questions--I know so little about your field."

[Rangin]

Rangin stares out through the glass looking at the people scurrying around below, the tools being shunted back and forth and has to resist the urge to roll his eyes when the Governor mentions the main minehead. This is obviously the tourist show to see how the operation is working in one of the main shafts. The mining itself would be taking place several miles from here with only specialised personnel around.

“The ores will mainly be in layers through the rocks, those containers will take the away to a processing plant and extract the minerals. Waste gets dumped somewhere else.” Rangin looks down, a few memories from the times he had been to the mines remind him of home, hell the entirety of Coridan was a massive mining operation on a scale outweighing this one.

“Freighters from the different companies come to their own mines, pick up what they have extracted and ship it out. Who and what depends on their contracts with the colony and the Federation?”

He looks across at the Governor. “Is that a fair assessment?”

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. Cobb says, "NR Memorial Hospital, two levels down. C'mon!" She leads Nathaniel down two staircases at a brisk pace and then along several utilitarian, prefab hallways, much like those he saw connecting the domes on the surface, and eventually through the doors of a clean, brightly-lit hospital waiting room. A worried-looking woman and a small child, and a few seats away an old man with a bad cough, are sitting in chairs. A bored-looking nurse is seated behind a reception desk. "Hey, Pavel," Dr. Cobb says, and the nurse nods. "So you want the full tour, the Governor said?" she asks Dr. Bennett.

Marala squeezes Graham's arm, leans in and says, "We have a lot to catch up on, Boojee. I hope we'll have some time alone to talk later. Anyway, I wasn't a miner for long, but my husband was, and when he died I got this Guild post. I don't get down-shaft very often these days."

The Governor beams at Kylah and says, "Oh, I don't mind questions. You can't learn if you don't ask, I always say. Dilithium and bauxite is mostly what's being mined at the moment, far down below this minehead, although we also extract tngonian, gold, manganese, aluminum, copper, vortonium and some other trace minerals. Everything is dug out of tunnels or shafts, and then the ore is sorted at various sublevels below through scans, chemical tests and mechanical processes before being brought up here. It's refined and then stored until the monthly ore carrier comes, kind of like what Mr., uh, Rangin said. But it's a single ore carrier from the Topgallant Line, under contract to the four mining companies, each time. The ore carrier takes away everything mined in the previous 30 days, each of the shipping containers clearly marked, and then after delivery to Beta Antares IV, it's separated for each company and sent along farther down the line."

[choie]

Inhaling at the sound of Velir's voice, quiet and silvery and thoughtful as it usually is (at least, when he is not angry), Kylah tries to follow his gaze to see what in particular he is observing.

Except she has the sense--not empathic, just from knowing his face and its subtle expressions--that whatever he is seeing, it is not truly here, on this planet.

She is obliged to turn to the cheerful Governor and take in his detailed explanation. His mention of Beta Antares IV makes her blink at her own forgetfulness. "Of course! That makes perfect sense--I forgot you are only a few days away."

Looking around and almost physically aware of the depths to which they have sunk, she thinks of Beta Antares--which she only saw for the briefest of moments, due to the accident that nearly took Velir's life. "Do many people travel there to get some fresh air, Mr. Weinstein? Like many of us on our ship, your citizens must feel the need for real wind and daylight."

She returns to the Governor--she would ask Ms. Gromov, just to be sure to include her, but she and Lt. Graham seem to be in conversation--to add: "Other than Dilithium, which are the most the most valuable or useful ores? I do not know what... was it vortonium? I do not know its practical uses." She glances at Mr. Coimbra, almost apologetic. "I must seem extraordinarily ill-prepared to you, sir. Geology was my poorest subject at the Academy--aside from hand-to-hand combat."

[Elendil's Heir]

Weinstein smiles. "Beta Antares IV's a week or two away, depending on the ship, and it can be a pricey trip, so not too many people go there. Not regularly, anyway. Most people here have never felt real wind, but you can feel daylight under the domes."

Coimbra says, "No apology necessary, Ensign. Other than dilithium, tngonian and gold would be the most valuable. I'm not a geologist either, but as I understand it, vortonium is used to make electronics and computer components. In its liquid form, it's an industrial insulator on some worlds."

"That's right," the Governor says.

Coimbra has several mining questions of his own, which the Governor or Marala answer.

[choie]

Kylah thanks both men for their answers before Mr. Coimbra begins speaking to the others about things far above her level of understanding. She hesitates, staring outside at the still-incomprehensible machinery, and then inhales.

"Does this look much like the mining operations on Coridan, Ens. Rangin?" she asks in a low but casual voice--and after another slight pause, adds even more softly with a lowered gaze, "I owe you an apology for yesterday. I know you were trying to help, but it felt..."

She shakes her head with an economy of movement and lifts her gaze back to the window, this time trying to see Velir's reflection. "I am sorry. I did not know what I was saying."

[general_urko]

Graham feels as if there's an electric current running up his arm as Marala squeezes it.

So much to process...too much....

He mumbles "I'm sorry," after she says her husband died. And he is: for Marala to have gone through losing a spouse, as he did, is terrible. Deeply unjust and something she could never deserve.

Yet there's a part of him that's...relieved? Happy? She might not be married.

But that's...ghoulish. Sick, Booker. And what would Nia think of this whole...

Mumbles aside, he clears his throat and nods, listening to the various questions and the general conversation.

Kylah's talking to Rangin, which he assumes can't be good, but she's doing it voluntarily...and he's...

Well, I'd ike to assume he's being an asshole, but I think Coridantes probably do know stuff about mining...


He almost shrugs, but restrains the impulse.

[Elendil's Heir]

Marala lets go of Graham - a little reluctantly, it almost seems - and says simply, "Thank you. It was hard but I got through it. I still think of him all the time, but that's the past. I try to focus on the here and now, and on the future, for my son."

[general_urko]

"I have a daughter," Graham blurts out -- in a low voice -- in response to Marala. "Lizzy...Elizabeth." He pauses for just a second. "Her mother...my wife, Jane....she...she died, too."

Everything in him is empathy for the pain he assumes she feels as he did. Does.

[Elendil's Heir]

Marala looks like she might cry, but doesn't. She squeezes Graham's shoulder and, with an obvious effort, turns away to listen to the Governor answer Coimbra's question about disposal of waste rock from the deeper mine shafts.

[anthonydlangford]

“Sure,” Nathaniel says. “Lead on.”

Though even as he says that, he wonders what is going on with the paitents waiting. The woman seemed upset about something. The child maybe? And what is causing the old man’s cough? Something to do with the mine? Or another ailment. It could be anything. Or it could be something.

“So wait a sec.” Nathaniel pauses. “I’m wondering. 7What’s your average day here like? What kind of medical ailements do you deal with on a day to day basis?”

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. Cobb leads Nathaniel through the ER, two ORs and four small but well-equipped labs, and shows him several typical patient rooms - one of which is being prepared by orderlies to serve as a quarantine room for Mrs. Kostoyev - and the general ward. Everything he sees is clean and shipshape.

She explains as you go, "We get ten walk-in patients or so on a typical day, like those folks in the waiting room. Then we have maybe another twenty scheduled appointments. I'm here ten, twelve hours on a typical day. We get a mix of blunt-force trauma from mining accidents or kids doing stupid things, some respiratory ailments and occasional radiation sickness also from the mines, and your typical range of Ob/Gyn, pediatrics, adult-wellness and geriatrics cases for a colony this size. We have surgeries of varying levels of complexity and seriousness a few times a month. I'm the surgeon, and then there's three GPs, a dentist, a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, and a dozen or so nurses and medics, some with specialties of their own. If there's something we can't handle, which isn't often, we ship 'em off to Beta Antares IV if we can."

[Rangin]

"There's nothing to apologise for, we're both good at saying things we shouldn't," Rangin sighs quietly as he heels her presence closer to him than he was expecting, certainly with Graham lurking around. Although it appears Boojee has his own history to deal with.

He straightens up and looks ahead through the window to the operations below. "It's a reasonable size. Not as big as some of those on Coridan, but large enough," he shakes his head in resignation, "and they are all as grimy and dirty as each other." Some things are the same no matter where he goes.

Although quiet here, he can almost make out the sounds and shouts the miners would be making. The gestures and movements familiar to those who had spent time underground. But it doesn't make him feel homesick for some reason. The mines were a reason for his leaving, not his staying. At least here, it was unlikely the Orion Syndicate would hold the kind of sway that they did on his homeworld.

"Sorry..." he asides to Kylah as his gaze regains a little focus, "...memories".

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor leads the Yorktown landing party through several other mining-related workspaces, pointing out things of interest, then back "upstairs" to the residential areas, a recreation center, pool and gym, and the like. There are many children out and about with their parents, and teenagers in groups, hanging out and talking. After awhile he asks, "Anything else you'd like to see, Mr. Graham?"

Dr. Cobb also finishes showing Nathaniel around the hospital and related facilities. "Any questions?" she asks.

[choie]

Kylah goes through the tour in relative silence. Velir himself seems preoccupied; he must have his own past demons to slaughter. She is not even clear that he knew what she was apologizing for.

After watching him for just a few seconds longer, she'd returned her attention to the machinery and workers, paying attention to the operations but still a little disconcerted by Velir's response to her apology. He does not seem to recall or care much about what he witnessed yesterday. And not just witnessed. Something happened between them when he took hold of her wrist--nothing romantic or anything like that, but... communicative.

She is certain she heard and felt his impressions of Jan and Darren, echoes of her own thoughts that both mirrored and magnified them. It was painful to her hand, painful to her mind and heart. Kylah could have sworn in that moment that he knew everything she had never said aloud to another being. Not until Lt. Graham, last night.

But perhaps it was her imagination. Or perhaps Velir does not even realize what he did.

A strange mixture of relief and disappointment flooded through her. In a way, she wanted him to understand what happened on OCIII without her having to voice it.

On the other... if she can avoid telling someone other than Lt. Graham about what she experienced with Jan--or, especially, the incident with Darren Zweller, which is so vague even to her--well, it is probably all for the better. A cowardly secret to keep, but at least she will not be judged.

Normally she would have asked him to elaborate on his past, but back at the windows overlooking the mining operations, and all throughout the tour, she has sensed that the past is not something he wants to dwell on. The mines are not a fond memory to Velir, understandably.... and there is something else within him. A sense of disquiet, of repressed anger, that is both remote and worrying. Like the dull, rumble of thunder from a distant storm.

Not entirely unlike the sounds surrounding them. She refocuses her attention to the matter at hand and, while waiting for Lt. Graham to decide what he wishes to see, she turns to the council president. "Mr. Weinstein," she asks when he is free. "May I ask where you are from? And how long you have been with your company?"

She will also ask: "I am curious... I understand that the different companies work separately and everything seems orderly, but is there any sense of competition? If any of their preferred resources overlap, for example. Are you the one who resolves any disputes that may arise? Or would that be Ms. Gromov," she adds with a nod to the woman so apparently close to Lt. Graham.

[Elendil's Heir]

Weinstein says, "Well, as I mentioned, I was born here, but my parents were from offworld. I don't work for any of the mining companies - I own a computer firm on Level 2." To Kylah's other questions he replies, "The companies all want to maximize profit, of course, but their contracts are pretty clear as to where and how they can do their mining. They tend to cooperate, more often than not. But if they can't work out any disputes among themselves, the Mining Operations Oversight Committee is the first stop, and if they can't resolve it there, they have to go to court. The nearest Federation district court is on Elysium, which is a bit of a hike, although you can do a lot through subspace comm. There've only been three or four lawsuits of any consequence between the companies here in my lifetime, though."

Marala catches Graham's eye and he can tell she'd just as soon get away from the crowd with him.

[general_urko]

"Thank you, governor. Ah, much like the good doctor, I'm sure the rest of the team would appreciate some time to learn more about what's closest to their specialty and interests, as they see fit. He clears his throat. "For my part I' sure Ms. Gromov could answer some of my, uh, questions."

[choie]

Kylah purses her lips in annoyance at her forgetfulness. She has no true role on this mission but to facilitate some sort of communication or information acquisition, and she cannot even remember a simple fact such as where Mr. Weinstein was born?

For some reason Ms. Gromov's presence, together with St. Croix's, makes Kylah feel worse about seeming unprofessional. Women have not always taken her seriously. Then again, neither have men. Not the way I would wish them to.

Although... Lt. Graham's interest in speaking privately with his old... whatever they were to one another (and Kylah knows it was not mere friendship)... might not be entirely professional either. Not that Kylah has any room to judge. Dry as this tour is, she is relieved beyond measure that it is highly unlikely to bring up any unpleasant emotional traumas.

Nodding in appreciation of all Mr. Weinstein has explained, she tries to think of what else might be useful and edifying about this colony. Mining and technology do not particularly interest her, and are not really something Lt. Thalen would expect to hear from her in a report. The small, closely connected culture, on the other hand...

With few immigrants or emigrants, Novy Rostov is quite insular. How much has changed, culturally speaking, among these people who were relatively recently all from one large country on a planet very, very far away?

Curiosity piqued, she makes her decision. "If you do not mind, Governor, I would like to explore this community preserved under glass." Kylah gives a small smile, meaning no offense. "And spreading underground, as well. Your homes, families, relationships... everyday lives when not at work. "

She looks around. "Would it be possible to see some recreational or communal spaces? Living spaces, as well, if it would not be an intrusion. I would enjoy learning about your citizens' choices for education, enjoying the arts, sport or other avocations."

Without thinking, Kylah turns to Velir, mouth parted to ask him if he would join her. But she cuts herself short, frustrated. Even now, after all they have been through, her instinct is still to wish for his company, his insights. But he does not give either of them freely, although in Sickbay only yesterday he seemed willing to mend things.

Nevertheless she cannot rely on him, just as she cannot continually force her company on Lt. Graham. Although this might be the one time Lt. Onn might approve of my presence, she thinks dryly.

Coimbra will seek out his interests, and St. Croix her own. Dr. Bennett, not surprisingly, was the first to focus on that which interests specifically him. Kylah must be just as self-reliant.

Letting her thoughts of Velir's companionship remain unspoken, she turns back to the officials and explains her request a bit more. "I studied a little Russian history at the Starfleet Academy--I am not from Earth--and would like to see how much of the majority population's originating culture has remained... or developed its own unique flavor. Is there someone who could guide me...?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Gov. Voronko says, "I'd be glad to keep being your guide. There are rec areas other than the one we just visited, sure, although that's the largest. As to education, there are free, tax-supported public schools for all children, and two for-profit private schools, and Novy Rostov College, which offers two- and four-year undergraduate degrees. The arts here include jazz, pop and classical ensembles, several choirs - church and otherwise - a theatre society, and the NR Museum, which is relatively small but has a nice collection. Sports options? Well, there are a lot: swimming, as you saw; volleyball, gymnastics, rugby, squash, tennis, basketball, wrestling, boxing, fencing, badminton, and... I'm probably forgetting some others. And there's the usual range of hobbies and clubs for a colony this size." He smiles. "And if you'd like to see my apartment, you're welcome to. I thought the tour might end up there for drinks, anyway. Or just about anyone's - knock on any door, and I bet most people here would be glad to meet and show off to a visiting Starfleet officer."

Weinstein laughs. "The Governor has a nicer place than mine, but you can see mine, too, if you want, Ensign."

Voronko rolls his eyes and teases, "If you cleaned up every once in awhile, Ari, you could have a nice place, too." Then he turns back to Kylah and says more seriously, "And to answer your other question, Russian culture has persisted here - the food, music and language, in particular. But in a lot of ways we're more Federation than Russian. Anyway, you're welcome to wander freely, but it can be easy to get lost, especially in the lower levels. We can print or download a map for you, or assign a guide - whichever you like."

Marala says, "If you'll excuse Mr. Graham and me, Governor, I'd like him to meet my son...?"

"Of course," he says. "We'll see you later."

Marala says with a grin, "Follow me, if you please, Lieutenant."

As they leave, Lt. Coimbra says, "I'd like to see more of the mining operations, if I could. I'd be grateful to download a map onto my tricorder."

St. Croix clears her throat and says, "I'll skip the drink and take a look at your Security facilities, please, Governor, if Mr. Mezentsev wouldn't mind showing me around."

The Chief of Security smiles for the first time. "I'd be glad to, Ensign. Right this way...."

They leave, and Coimbra, after getting his map, does also.

It is now 2214 local time.

[Rangin]

Rangin still surprises himself with just how much he can remember about the mines on Coridan. No, not remember, feel on instinct, a dozen little sights and sounds cramming their way into his mind and blocking out the tour. It's not like he didn't know a fair part of it, but little of what he could remember was pleasant.

The remainder of the group blur slightly to him, ghosts of friends past intermingle in between them and in some ways he is not sure who he is apologising to one moment or explaining to the next. It's only then, he realises that one of his fists has been clenched tight and he can feel the skin stretching taught over his knuckles, nails digging deep into his palm.

He tries to relax, concentrate more on the here and now, the people around him talking. But as they walk around, seeing the people around, it strikes him just how similar it could be to Coridan. Only without the perma-layer of dust and grime that always covered the mining towns, it just feels wrong to him and he cannot place why. What is that quote about crossing the same river twice?

And as the tour comes to a close, he stands there waiting to see what happens next. There is nothing for him here, the setup is as imported as it comes, and it's all he can do to blurt out a request to just transport back to the USS Yorktown and away from here.

[choie]

"Thank you--both of you--very much, for the information and your offers," Kylah says to the Governor and Mr. Weinstein, while noticing the older woman escorting Lt. Graham somewhere. "I am sure we would all be happy to end our visit with drinks together," she adds with a hint of emphasis.

A strange sense of discomfort is practically radiating from Velir, and she gets distracted for a moment, giving him a quick look of concern. He seems more remote than usual, more internal is the best way she can analyze his emotions. Which she should not be sensing so easily, without even trying. Something has changed in his as-yet unexplored mental capabilities.

She quickly focuses on the other men. "In--in the meantime, if you do not mind, I would enjoy just walking around to some of the places you mentioned, using the map rather than an official escort. I do not wish to offend, it is just that I wish observe Novy Rostov's everyday life and culture among its citizens. And I believe people might be even more casual and well, themselves, when their leaders are not there. Although you imply that they are impressed by Starfleet too, so perhaps..."

Kylah hesitates before turning to Velir, more worried. Could he be having some after-effects of the skydiving uniform malfunction? "Ens. Rangin? A celebratory drink with these gentlemen would be a good way to end our evening here, do you not agree?"

After looking warily at him, she asks the others: "What would they 'show off,' if I may ask?"

[general_urko]

Graham clasps his hands behind his back, wringing them unconsciously for a moment, as he accompanies Marala.

He clears his throat. "Your son...how old?" he asks, trying to sound...normal. Well, he doesn't feel normal...

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor smiles and says, "Oh, you know - they might want to show off their quarters, or their family, or their collection of Spican flame gems. Who knows? There aren't many wealthy people here, but they're hard-working, independent and proud." He steps into a nearby office and soon returns with a 3D printed map of the colony, since Kylah has no tricorder on which to download one. He draws a star on the map with his stylus. "We're here," he says, and then points out other places she's already seen to help orient her.

Marala puts her arm through Graham's as she leads him through a confusing warren of corridors, some with rock walls and some prefab. Graham soon loses track of how many turns they've made before she leads him down two flights of stairs and unerringly around several corners and through another five - or is it six? - corridors. There are more people here, many in mining coveralls, and several greet Marala. She replies to Graham with some pride, "Nikolai is eight now. He's a good boy but very... high-energy, I have to admit. He's never met anyone from Starfleet."

[general_urko]

"Well, then," Graham replies. "I'll do my best not to disappoint him." He gives her arm just the slightest squeeze and chuckles softly. "Guess it's a good thing I put on a clean uniform."

[anthonydlangford]

“None, I suppose.” Nathaniel muses. “I guess my main concern is if you’re prepared to handle Mrs. Kostoyev staying here.”

[Elendil's Heir]

Marala leads Graham to a door much like any other on that level of the mining colony, and thumbs the lock. She has barely stepped inside when a skinny, freckled and tow-headed little boy hurtles into her arms. "Mama!" he says happily. "You're back!"

She squeezes him tight and says, trying not very successfully to sound stern, "And you're supposed to be in bed. It's a long way past your bedtime, young man."

An old man comes into what looks like the living room from another room just beyond. "He wasn't in the mood for sleeping, to put it mildly," he says, chuckling, putting his hands on his hips. He has a slight British accent.

Still holding the boy, Marala kisses the man on the cheek. "Thanks for watching him, Jeremy. I really appreciate it. Lt. Graham, this is Jeremy Cornwall, an old family friend. He worked with my husband for many years."



In the hospital, Dr. Cobb says, "As you saw, we're prepping the room now; should be ready in a couple of hours. We don't get quarantine cases hardly ever. Well. Did you want to rejoin your friends, or see anything else in the colony?"

[Rangin]

At the comment of drinking with the locals, especially miners, Rangin can almost hear the prayers they would give, the salutations they would make, for safety below the ground and the promise of returning to the surface.

"To the stone, may it give to us again. To the sky, may it shine on us again."

The thoughts of nights in years past merge with the here and now and he wonders if that too is as static as everything else appears to be albeit with its own local twist. A rueful smile twists his lips as he wonders if whatever they brew here will be as potent as the liquor he knew.

And then he realises who is asking the question, and the thought of Kylah imbibing multiple shots is something that should have Graham in hysterics...only Graham has wandered off chatting away and paying no attention.

No, Kylah being allowed to go anywhere by herself is pretty much a guarantee of disaster. Throw in alcohol, her usual penchant for getting into trouble, the fact she had just had a nervous breakdown in the gym and he remembers the last time they went to an establishment and...and...the list is beginning to look pretty long indeed.

Better to plaster a smile to his face and see if he can prevent the pair of them getting into trouble in the first place. A gentle walk round, a simple toast and back to the USS Yorktown. What could possibly go... Kylah, what else, so probably more things than he could shake a mining laser at. Best foot forward.

"I agree, that sounds like a very pleasant idea indeed."

[choie]

Velir's hesitation--or perhaps sluggish response time--further concerns Kylah about his mental state. Even the words of approval are stilted.

Of course, this is not so unusual for him. His tone can vary in its figurative temperature, from warmth to ice cold; right now, it is closer the latter than the former, though not nearly as harsh as Kylah has experienced it at its worst.

Putting her worries to one side, she politely thanks the officials, and adds, "I will send a message to everyone with the invitation. I am not sure how long we will be--" Cutting herself off, she shakes her head. "Oh, but it is already so late. I am afraid we did not take into account the difference between your local time and that of our ship. We will not be keeping you and your families up?"

Even as she speaks, Kylah busies herself typing a quick message to Lt. Graham.

GRAHAM, LT. - Sir, we have all been invited to have drinks with the governor and Mr. Weinstein before we leave. If that is acceptable, I can send you the location of the Governor's residence. But when should we all meet? I do not recall how long Capt. Singh wishes us to remain planetside. - KYLAH, ENS.

[Elendil's Heir]

The Governor says, "Oh, please, don't worry about it, Ensign. We don't get a Starfleet visit all that often; we've cleared our schedules." He leads Kylah and Rangin through a disorienting warren of corridors and then upstairs to his own apartment, which is spacious, comfortable and well-decorated, with a striking view out over the desolate, reddish-orange surface of the planet. His wife, Svetlana, plump and friendly, is waiting there with a big smile; she warmly welcomes you and introduces their striking twin daughters, Irina and Polina, about 14, who are quiet but polite. Mrs. Voronko offers a tempting selection of snacks and a well-stocked bar, and asks what you'd like.

Nathaniel gets Kylah's texted invitation to drinks at the Governor's.

[choie]

Kylah cannot think of anything to ask for. Indeed, she was not expecting to be led here at all--she thought she had clearly expressed her interest in walking alone, without the officials' guidance. She remains polite and grateful, the appropriate decorum for a guest in someone else's home, and is glad to mee the Governor's family.

But when the others are occupied and not looking, she casts Velir a somewhat confused look. Of course, he barely seems to have paid attention to any of the discussion about their plans for the evening. And he likely did not wish to be alone with her anyway, not after the disaster yesterday.

Kylah returns her attention to Mrs. Voronko. "I suppose... whatever is a popular drink among residents, please. The same for food. Whatever your girls find delicious," she amends with what she hopes is a friendly nod at the twins.

[general_urko]

Graham extends a hand to Cornwall. "Any friend of Marala's is a friend of mine," he says as he does so.

Assuming the handshake proceeds without incident, he crouches slightly to reduce the height differential between himself and the boy. "And it's nice to meet you, Nikolai."

His communicator alerts, but he waits for the boy's response before doing anything about it.

[Elendil's Heir]

Mrs. Voronko says, "Well, vodka has long been popular here, as you might expect, but many people like beer and wine, too. But whichever you please." She pours herself a glass of red wine. "The Dorwinion malbec is especially good, I think. Would you like to try a sip?"

Irina, who seems slightly more outgoing than her sister, says, "I like these little puff pastries with mushrooms, Ens. Kylah." She pops one in her mouth. "Mmm, they're good."



Cornwall shakes Graham's hand and says warmly, "I'm retired from Starfleet myself, long ago. Always good to make another Starfleet friend."

Nikolai seems shy at first but looks up at his mother, turns back to Graham, squares his shoulders and sticks out his hand. "How do you do, sir?"

[choie]

Kylah nods slowly at the glass, wary--she knows her alcohol tolerance is low. Refusing drinks in some cultures is impolite, but a taste of wine cannot hurt. Calling on her distant memory of elementary diplomatic Russian, she adds, "Da, prosto nemnogo vina, pozhaluysta. blagodaryu vas.."* She turns to Irina and thanks her as well, following her lead on the food. The ingredients seem harmless. Anyway, if she can eat gagh she can eat anything.

She takes the small pastry and carefully takes a bite. Her eyes shift to Velir, wondering what he will choose.


* - Yes, just some wine, please. Thank you.

[Elendil's Heir]

Mrs. Voronko is pleased by Kylah's use of Russian and, pouring a glass of wine for her, responds in the same tongue, "Of course - I hope you like it! May I ask, where did you learn Russian? You speak it very well."