AAR - POI-K-1454 Exploration

Subspace Network Reports
1
Stardate: 93125.2Report Title: POI-K-1454 ExplorationReport Submitted: CAPT Konieczko, D.Classification Level: 1 - Open


On Stardate 93124.9 the U.S.S. Vanguard accompanied by several other personnel of the 38th fleet 'Argo' departed DS13 to explore and perform a basic exploratory survey of POI-K-1454 in the Kelterre Sector.

The initial information we had was that of a small planetary system flagged for exploration because it holds one planet within the habitable zone that may be supporting life. Upon warping into the system we found four planets. The third planet being a Class-M and the first, second and fourth planet class-K.

On the fourth planet from the star our scans turned up no signals, or radio emissions but microscopic organisms did show up. By performing a pulse sweep we were able to gather more information on the organisms. It was revealed that the microorganisms live beneath the planet's surface in a dense layer of soil and rock. I ordered for a class-5 probe to be left over the planet to survey in our absence.

The third planet was our Class-M. We were greeted visually to predominantly deep vibrant blue planet. The poles on the planet were a clear white and it supported cloud cover. Peering past the clouds below the equator we were able to view small landmasses appearing a light green.

We scanned this planet initially from a distance and then in closer proximity, both scans returned no signs of sentient life. No artificial structures, or anything other than wildlife and plantlife on this planet. I again ordered another class-5 probe to be left and take geological and atmospheric scans.

The second planet was again visually pleasing to look at. A deep purple swirling atmosphere, the surface was not visible from orbit and it did not appear hospitable. The atmosphere was natural, and very toxic. It was high heat and high pressure.

The first planet was a pockmarked grey rock. Scans revealed a very trace atmosphere, with no life signs and no plants.

With the initial survey complete the Vanguard routed back to DS13 leaving the two probes in orbit to continue gathering data. The crew working on the Vanguard had no suggestions for a name at the time, and are opting to leave it at it's current designation until one is given.

Officers Involved:
Captain Tadashi Kawamori
Lieutenant Jekal Vekkei
Sublieutenant Shiarrael T'Lhoell
Chief Petty Officer Thyzee


//SIGNED//
Captain Dmitri R. Konieczko
Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Vanguard
Taurus Squadron CO.
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2
Stardate: 93220.5Report Title: POI-K-1454 III Planetary SurveyReport Submitted: CAPT Draz, S.Classification Level: 1 - Open


On Stardate 93217.4, U.S.S. Saraswati returned to the K-1454 system to conduct a more detailed survey of the third planet, previously identified as Class M by U.S.S. Vanguard. In addition to Saraswati's usual complement, several senior officers of the 38th Fleet wished to participate in the survey and were embarked aboard as supercargo.

After entering standard orbit, scans of the surface were made to determine a suitable site for establishing a base camp. The site chosen was a lightly-wooded area within walking distance of a small bay or inlet, with mixed landforms and a variety of plant and animal life. As before, no signs of sentient presence or activity (past or present) were observed. The survey team, consisting of myself and the aforementioned officers, assembled in Transporter Room 2 and beamed down to the surface.

Conditions at our beam-down point were clear and sunny; local time was approximately an hour before noon, the season late spring or early summer. We proceeded on foot to the larger clearing charted from orbit, taking note of various features along the way (such as a depression which CAPT Timoreev took for an eroded impact crater, but which I believe was simply a dry pond or kettle). Once our direct observation of the clearing confirmed that it was suitable, I ordered the components and supplies for the base camp beamed down.

CAPT Nimitz took responsibility for setting up the operations tent, while CAPT Bishop saw to the sleeping tent which would be used by the second survey team. I asked CAPT Timoreev to set up the generator, due to his engineering experience. SubLT T'Lhoell unpacked and assembled the scanning equipment, and I took care of the transmitter and mast for uploading survey data to Saraswati in orbit. Setup was complete by stardate 93217.6, and I called everyone to the operations tent to hand out survey assignments.

CAPT Timoreev had already expressed an interest in the nearby inlet, so I asked him to investigate that. SubLT T'Lhoell had, similarly, already begun taking plant samples upon her arrival, so I merely had her continue. CAPTs Bishop and Nimitz volunteered for the most potentially dangerous assignment, observing and tagging the local wildlife. This left me to set up the atmospheric sampler and collect rock and soil samples. I'm pleased to report that all of these activities were completed mostly without incident, though Bishop and Nimitz had to make a speedy escape from a hunting pack of predators, after CAPT Nimitz (successfully) tagged the alpha male with a dart; CAPT Bishop's quick and accurate shooting (with a phaser set to heavy stun) meant that the only injury was to CAPT Nimitz's trouser leg.

Upon returning to the base camp, we processed our samples and discussed our initial findings. The team's consensus was that K-1454 III is a typical Minshara-class planet - almost stereotypically so, in the words of CAPT Timoreev - which appears suitable for colonization and development. The only unusual feature found by the survey was an extremely high amount of argon in the atmosphere, almost enough to shift it to Class L. Despite the (so far unexplained) abundance of this inert gas, the oxygen fraction is sufficient to support humanoid life without assistance or terraforming.

With the first-in survey completed and the base camp established for the follow-on team, I contacted Saraswati and called for beam out. After another sweep of the system, which confirmed that the high argon levels are unique to the third planet, Saraswati departed for DS13, arriving on or about stardate 93219. Lacking any strong inspiration of my own (and being more focused on the planet's sole enigma), I elected to follow the example of Vanguard's captain and leave the matter of hanging a name on it to someone else.


Officers Involved:
Captain Samuel Bishop
Captain Alistair Nimitz
Captain Andrej Timoreev
Sublieutenant Shiarrael T'Lhoell


//ATTACHMENTS//
Analysis of atmosphere sample
Analysis of rock and soil samples
Analysis of water samples
Analysis of plant samples
Tricorder scans of animals
Tracking data from isolinear tag


//SIGNED//
Captain Sanara Draz
Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Saraswati
Gemini Squadron, 38th Fleet
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