| SUBMITTED: Stardate 94832.9 | FILED BY: CMDR Caspius | SECURITY: Level 3 - Restricted |
LOCATION: Tower Keep system, Kelterre Sector, Beta Quadrant
MISSION: Find the abandoned base in the Tower Keep asteroid belt and determine whether it can be used as a short-term construction base for a new facility. Survey and begin construction at the asteroid belt or--if the asteroid base is not suitable for use--on the nearby M-Class planet.
OUTCOME: Abandoned base discovered, but it is apparently occupied and therefore unsuitable for use as a construction base. Construction survey complete at the M-class planet.
KEY PERSONNEL:
CMDR Caspius, U.S.S. Asimov, Commanding
CMDR Rose Hanson, Executive Officer
LCDR Elizabeth Kermit, Chief Engineer
ENS Hal O. Wein, Helm/Tactical (NPC)
CMDR Rose Hanson, Executive Officer
LCDR Elizabeth Kermit, Chief Engineer
ENS Hal O. Wein, Helm/Tactical (NPC)
NARRATIVE: Pursuant to orders to construct a facility in the Tower Keep system, U.S.S. Asimov was despatched under my command to determine the location and status of the abandoned base located in the asteroid belt of the same system. The base was not originally constructed by Starfleet and, upon Starfleet withdrawal, our components and technology were removed, and the base was entirely abandoned. As such, its precise location in the asteroid field was unknown prior to our arrival.
Upon our arrival, we were unable to determine the location of the base via sensors. Initially, we attributed this to a very thorough decommissioning of the base. With modification of the sensors, we were able to discover the location of the base through a combination of of geologic scans and adjustment of the sensors to address background noise. This made it clear that the base was employing a jamming system designed to disrupt scanners; and, consequent to that, suggested that the base had been hidden, after Starfleet withdrawal, by another group or individual.
An away team consisting of CMDR Hanson and LCDR E.Kermit was transported, in environmental suits, to ascertain the status of the base. They were able to disable the jamming signal, and therefore render the base visible to our scans. They also discovered signs of recent habitation, including a crate of food in good order, some Irreo gloves used for our translation devices, and a supply of biscuits intended for domesticated canine consumption.
Based on this information, I determined that the base has been inhabited recently enough that we cannot presume its abandonment. Because it is not Starfleet property (neither originally, nor by custom since our our withdrawal), it would be a violation of Federation law to lay claim to the property without permission of its current occupants. However, because of the secret nature of our mission, and the evident desire of the base's new owner to keep it hidden, we could not send a general message seeking its owner. Therefore, I was forced to conclude that the base, whilst functional and likely useful to our purposes, could not justly be seized from the person or group currently occupying the base. As mitigation, we have other alternatives for our construction approach which we can pursue.
Following my decision, we reactivated the base's jamming system and made an effort to return everything to its state prior to our arrival. When the base was again satisfactorily concealed, we travelled to the M-class planet in the system and began scanning for orbital vectors suitable to an orbital station. Several acceptable candidates were found by CMDR Hanson, including one exceptionally stable vector which would be suitable even for a very long-term installation. At that point, we sent a message to Atlantis (LCDR J.Kermit, commanding), then at Kelterre coordinate D-319/b (the location of Daimon Bup's Stargoing Sundries, a Ferengi surplus and sales depot). We await their response as to whether they were able to acquire a salvaged primary hull section, for use in our construction of our orbital facility.
RECOMMENDATION: As planned, orbital facility construction should begin at once if Atlantis has been able to obtain the desired salvage components. If not, then ground construction will commence instead, and Atlantis will assist as soon she arrives.
With regard to the base in the Tower Keep asteroid field: because of the nature of the items discovered there, and what they suggest, I have notified all of the officers involved that the away mission and events related to the base are and will remain, until further notice, strictly classified. I submit that command may wish to consider the implications sooner, rather than later, if we are to be seen operating in the system in a short time--a situation which may alarm the recent inhabitant(s) of the asteroid base.
OOC: Further progress in this storyline is contingent on what Atlantis is able to accomplish (or not) with Daimon Bup, with regard to acquiring a salvaged starship primary hull for use in our construction efforts. The next step is for Kermit to RP that event, or simply inform us of the result!