Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Katriel · December 15, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92953.4

TO CAPT Konieczko; CAPT Levesley; CAPT De Drowvani;
CAPT Nimitz; CMDR Sivath; CMDR Pohl; CMDR Jarnefelt
FROM VADM Ashkeph

SUBJ Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Officers,

I have reviewed the relevant materials regarding the Waydi's recent request. The planetary survey data that you collected was sent to Applied Sciences at headquarters and reviewed by multiple terraformation teams for estimates. Based on their findings, I am willing to tentatively give my approval and, entailed with that, 38th's commitment to assist in the oversight of the effort to terraform a Waydis system planet for the Waydi's expansion necessities.

Applied Sciences has agreed to loan a vessel that specializes in terraformation projects to lead the majority of the endeavor; 38th's responsibility will be to assist this vessel as necessary, starting with an escorted return to the Waydis system to double-check and confirm the preliminary survey results.

Full approval of project parameters is contingent on said vessel confirming the original data collected. They should arrive by the end of the week.

//SIGNED//
VADM Ashkeph, M.
Fleet Commander
38th Fleet / Argo

--

Spoiler: Open attachment: TERRAFORM POTENTIAL REPORTShow

Stardate: 92950.7

Terraform potential: Waydis System, Kelterre

Report Submitted: LCDR Sedai, B.

Level 1: Open

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

WAYDIS II
GRADE POTENTIAL: Excellent
TIMEFRAME: Six months to one year
NOTES: Established lifeforms will not survive transition to M-class. In general, none of the specimens recovered are of sufficient uniqueness value for this to be a concern. Based on astrobiological theory, same specimens may also exist on Waydis I anyway.

WAYDIS I
GRADE POTENTIAL: Moderate
TIMEFRAME: Three to four years
NOTES: Generally similar composition to Waydis II, save for the heavy volcanic activity and location outside of comfortable habitable zone. Latter will complicate the stability of the terraform process.

WAYDIS IV SATELLITE 6
GRADE POTENTIAL: Low
TIMEFRAME: Four to six years
NOTES: Unlikely to achieve stable equilibrium without constant maintenance of technological assistance.

WAYDIS IV SATELLITE 11
GRADE POTENTIAL: Low
TIMEFRAME: Four to six years
NOTES: Unlikely to achieve stable equilibrium without constant maintenance of technological assistance.

//SIGNED//
LCDR Sedai, B.
U.S.S. Sirocco

((leads to this))

Konieczko · December 16, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92956

TO VADM Ashkeph
CC --
FROM CAPT. Konieczko, D.

SUBJ RE: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Admiral,

Thank you for approving the request and moving this forward.

Will the vessel on loan from Applied Sciences' come with full compliment or will we be expected to staff it using members of the 38th fleet?

I would also like to comment that should it be needed the Vanguard is tentatively available to provide escort to the vessel as I would like to stay involved in the Waydis system.

//SIGNED//
Captain Dmitri R. Konieczko
Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Vanguard
Taurus Squadron

Sophist · December 16, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92956.1

TO VADM Ashkeph
CC CAPT Konieczko, Dmitri; CAPT Levesley, William; CAPT De Drowvani, Trellain; CAPT Nimitz, Alistair; CMDR Pohl, Maximillian; CMDR Jarnefelt, Charlotte
FROM CMDR Sivath
SUBJ Re: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

What is to be done with the lifeforms already present on Waydis II? Despite the report's conclusion that they lack "sufficient uniqueness" to have any right to exist, I remain unconvinced that Starfleet is justified in eradicating them for the convenience of the Waydi. No doubt many Federation colonies would also fail to meet the standard of being biologically unique, yet we would not consider their extermination.

The situation on Waydis III is dire, but it is a problem of the Waydi's own making and its solution has been constrained by self-imposed parameters. I am referring specifically to the requirement that the colony be founded within the Waydis system for the sake of security. The Waydi know well that their defenses are insufficient to protect them from powerful aggressors; keeping the colony close to home only ensures that the entire species can be conquered in one convenient location.

If the Federation were to offer some protection to the colony, perhaps the Waydi would consider founding it on a world which is not already occupied. It would be a small price to pay to avoid xenocide.

//SIGNED//
Commander Sivath
Engineering Dept., Deep Space 13

Katriel · December 16, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92956.2

TO CMDR Sivath
CC CAPT Konieczko; CAPT Levesley; CAPT De Drowvani;
CAPT Nimitz; CMDR Pohl; CMDR Jarnefelt
FROM VADM Ashkeph

SUBJ Re: Re: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

You do like to assume the worst, do you not, Commander Sivath?

According to the lifeform survey of Waydis II, the planet consists of one species of rudimentary flora and a quantity of bacterium that are barely evolved and demonstrate no more specialized significance or potential than any handful of microscopics gathered from a passing asteroid. My assumption is that the teams at Applied Sciences have Federation-approved thresholds they follow when advising of lifeforms that may or may not merit preservation and in this instance, they do not.

It is true that the Waydi's overpopulation problem is of their own making. What is not, however, is the decimation of their spacefaring inventory due to the hostility of the Klingons. Had the Klingons not interfered and set the Waydi back so severely in terms of resources, they may very well have been capable and ready to settle a colony without our direct assistance.

I am, however, not opposed to offering the Waydi some equivalent of protectorate status and assistance in safeguarding a colony of greater distance from their home system, despite the fact that this is significantly more taxing on the fleet's resources and would entail a much longer and more indefinite length commitment. It is my estimation that if this were their preferred avenue of progress, though, they would have made that their request instead. If you wish to pursue a suggestion of your alternate course with the Waydi, I recommend that suitable M-planets be charted and brought as options when we return to the Waydis system. They can then be presented as equals, with the final decision left to the Waydi.

You have my leave to pursue this investigation, if you so desire.

//SIGNED//
VADM Ashkeph, M.
Fleet Commander
38th Fleet / Argo

--

TO CAPT Konieczko
CC RDML Perim
FROM VADM Ashkeph
SUBJ Re: RE: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Dmitri,

The vessel being sent will have its own regular crew aboard and will not require any supplement from the 38th. Apart from having specialized science facilities and equipment, there are several science teams aboard that work specifically in terraformation science and engineering. They may occasionally require assistance in development or execution, but for the most part, they will be completely independent.

If you would like to be the primary point of contact for the vessel on behalf of the 38th Fleet and see to their various needs, whether that be escort or extra hands, the job is yours.

//SIGNED//
VADM Ashkeph, M.
Fleet Commander
38th Fleet / Argo

Calyx · December 17, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92958.8

TO VADM Ashkeph
CC CMDR Sivath
SUBJ Re: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Admiral,

I assisted in performing the ground analysis on Waydis II. It's going to take a lot of shaking to make it livable. We knew that going in, and I don't doubt the terraforming time frame estimate, but I wanted to suggest an alternative that might be a lot cheaper in time and resources. Have you considered offering the Waydi a chance at New Circini? New Circini wants settlers and development. The Waydi want a safe Class M to call home. We want both to apply for citizenship. There are some challenges, but I think we can meet them.

Here are some logistical issues to consider.

Spoiler: TerraformingShow

...doesn’t always work out how it should; even with the buffer of time we have between the projected completion and the total collapse of the Waydi civilization, we could run into unforeseen consequences and end up in dire straits. The Circini worlds are known quantities, already functionally livable. If the Waydi agreed to relocate, we could turn our hand to infrastructure building right away, and the phenomenal resources necessary to terraform a planet could be spent on setting up protected transportation routes and communication relays between Waydis III and Circini.

Spoiler: The Waydi TelepathyShow

...side effects would normally prevent them from comfortably coexisting with other species, but Circini Minor is unsettled. The bulk of the Waydi colonists could go without inhibitors. Only those who chose to work on Major would be required to wear them regularly.

Spoiler: SecurityShow

...is of paramount importance to both the Waydi and Circini. We could protect the tender new homeworld and make Circini trade lanes safer at the same time. This also gives us a chance to install supply stations to support our patrols.

The potential political snarls are legion, but there are a few upshots here, too.

Spoiler: Federation InterferenceShow

...has been invited by both Waydi and Circini, but neither are jostling to sign up with us. They aren’t the only ones nervous about the Federation expanding their territory and influence, either. If we set ourselves up as facilitators in this situation and let these two factions make their own arrangements (with a little mediation by us as necessary), maybe some of the more leery groups out there will be less anxious about working with us.

Spoiler: An Excuse for Federation PatrolsShow

...isn’t something we should have to provide to Circini, but this takes care of that, too. If we’re in the process of transferring a huge portion of the Waydi population to Circini Minor we’ll be expected to secure it; Circini doesn’t have to publicly celebrate our presence to their less-than-enthusiastic allies, but they get it all the same.

Spoiler: The Perception of DisasterShow

...has to be hard for the Waydi. Instead of fleeing their overburdened homeworld, this could be perceived as an opportunity to make an extremely profitable arrangement with merchant-minded Circini. That spoonful of sugar could make this medicine a lot easier to take, and eager settlers make stronger colonies than desperate refugees.

Spoiler: Making AlliesShow

...of governments not within the Federation is something we could spend more time on. This arrangement could serve as proof that they don’t have to be absorbed by us to benefit from our presence. This also permits a wide array of non-Federation citizens to see us at work making lives other than our own measurably better. One couldn’t ask for better PR. In time, I think the Waydi and Circini both will see the merits of joining, and may bring others with them.

I know this isn’t what either side originally wanted. Circini has its own identity built on a diverse culture. The Waydi have theirs, and no experience at all with cultural diversity. The negotiations alone for an endeavor of this magnitude could take the same time as the terraforming. But if they were successful, Admiral, I think the results would be far superior.

//SIGNED//
CMDR M. Pohl
ACMO, Deep Space 13

P.S. This would also spare the rudimentary lifeforms on Waydis II from eradication and Command from CMDR Sivath's opinions on that matter. Just saying.

Katriel · December 18, 2016, 12:00am

Stardate 92956.2

TO CMDR Pohl
CC CMDR Sivath; CAPT Konieczko
FROM VADM Ashkeph

SUBJ Re: Re: Preliminary approval for Waydis II terraformation effort

Commander Pohl,

This proposal has the unfortunate tarnish and spin of a "marketing sales pitch" attached to it. In future proposals, I would suggest delivering both the positives and the negatives of your suggestion, lest it be written off entirely if your reader identifies issues that they feel you have failed to give due consideration.

That said, this is an inventive proposition, even if it does leave me with an uncomfortable feeling that I am being sold something I do not actually want.

My instinct suggests that you are correct in that neither party will be interested in this compromise of yours, which in of itself is problematic. Starfleet should not be in the business of 'selling' or persuading a group to act counter to what they clearly state they desire, unless there is a clear and present danger in the desired course. I am not opposed to the presentation of this proposal to the Waydi as an option for consideration, in whatever incarnation you think best, but I would not condone the suggestion that this is the "superior" solution. Unless you have personal experience with the Waydi's culture or New Circini's system of governance, I am skeptical that you can conclusively speculate on the success of such an integration.

As the U.S.S. Sirocco has already arrived and awaits escort to the Waydis system, I will be requiring available personnel to continue the original mission plan carry out final surveys and confirm whether or not the presented terraformation estimates are actually possible. As this was the Waydi's original request and the Sirocco has already traveled all this way, it would be appropriate to finish what we started and be prepared should this be the eventuality that is later taken.

From there, we will continue the discussion of options and alternatives with the Waydi themselves and you may present your arguments for them to consider.

//SIGNED//
VADM Ashkeph, M.
Fleet Commander
38th Fleet / Argo