[snip]

With the survey work underway the group over the next two hours were awash in incoming preliminary data. Obviously they would need to fully download it into the Sojourner’s computer back on the ship to fully get into details on things but after two hours of work, and such they could get the basics of the following.

1) The soil around here down to a depth of 5-10 or so feet was of moderate use for things like basic farming and other forms of growth for local plant life. Whether they could equally support Earth plants or needed some adjustments would have to be found out later or by the ship’s computer.

2) Regarding the soil it was somewhat barren in simple animal life similar to worms, insects, etc. All of which were there seemed to mostly form the similar functions they would on Earth. No real other insects showed up so far that might be an issue for future colonial efforts.

3) Water samples came back confirming the water was quite drinkable and pure of any contaminants. The supply points for this area up and down stream were also showing strong indications of remaining pure and drinkable with minimal fuss.

4) Further for water samples life was evident, small, medium and even one large sized fish like creatures (the third of which was growing to almost 15 or so feet in length! Similar to Earth’s Beluga Sturgeon in Russia) showed they could be caught and cooked. Plant life in turn in the water also showed that with minor preparations would also be viable as a local food source.

5) Regarding deeper soil and rock samples that had been their primary purpose to come here surface level probing down to about 100 or so feet showed promising evidence of copper, iron, and such base metals. While their purity was still in question compared to how refined and useful they would be for Earth it was a promising start. There was also clear evidence of precious metals and minerals as well.

6) Finally it would seem from a geographical scans a wealth of a hive of small subterrain caves and such they were also picking up would be a promising point to investigate. On this last point there was several small indications on readings that deeper down there might even be deposits of dilthium or the like that would have been impossible to detect by the earlier survey probes! But they would have to go into the caves to find out more for sure to confirm.

But during all this time spent doing this work the NE armory officer on patrol had also taken the time in the past two hours to erects a small covered 50x50 ft floor and roof work area that would protect their equipment and themselves.

GM CockRoach

“Must be near lunch time?” Logan muttered, wiping his hands on his trousers and looking towards the shelter.

Kelleher, CE

“You would know Logan. We could set a clock by your stomach.” Helena grinned. Food did sound good. Getting to sit down sounded better. They had been at it for several hours. It wasn’t quite noticeable for Helena yet, but the increased gravity was certainly noticed by her muscles. She was moving a bit stiffer. She set down a box of her most recent samples with the rest that Locke had taken. “There you go, Lt. Anymore?”

Turning back to Logan, “You find a suitable place for a permanent settlement?” She stood looking around for the rest of the team, and rubbed her palms over her legs, shaking loose a bunch of dirt. As tempting as it was to sit down, she wasn’t sure she’d get up again. Well she would, she just didn’t want to.

Laursen, pilot

Naomi took the samples, tucking them away securely.

“Thank you, and I think this is enough for now. Besides, I rather not miss out on lunch.” Casually, the scientist pulled up onto her feet. If the gravity bothered her, she did well not to show it.

Stretching out on the ground, Logan finished taking a drink from his canteen and screwed the cap back on, then reached into the picnic basket and rummaged around for a moment, pulling out a freshly made tomato, lettuce and pickle sandwich wrapped in paper. Carefully unwrapping it, he put the wrap back in the picnic basket and then took a bite.

“Well, I’m not sure this area is the best for a settlement. Scans showed a network of underground caves. They may or may not adversely affect the stability of the area if we build a settlement above them, last thing we want is having them collapse or unleashing a wave of human eating alien spiders that may or may not live in them.” He smirked. “But there might be dilithium down there, maybe. In that case, we don’t want a settlement above the place we are mining out for dil-crystals.”

Helena reached into her pack and pulled out a ration pack and pulled off the top and started very quickly sorting items though it. Anyone who was familiar with her dietary restrictions would know that was what she was removing. She twisted the cap on the drink, “So where to now? I mean we didn’t come here to just survey the picnic spots, right?”

Laursen, pilot

Popping open his own ration pack, Marceau said, “We eat, and then we’ll look in the caves. The readings there are worth investigating.” He held out something from his own pack for Helena. “Standard deal?” He asked.

~ Captain Renault

Helena smirked and waved at one of the piles, “Yep.” And then she snagged a couple more items from his rations and started eating.

Tidying herself up so dust wouldn’t cling to her food, Naomi picked up her rations and joined the others.

Finishing his sandwich, Logan reached back into the basket and pulled out a selection of protein bars. These he tossed casually to everyone in the group. They would at least help their muscles to cope and recover better in the slightly higher gravity.

“Depends on how deep and large the cave system is. Not sure we’re going to be able to explore it all in one go. It’s hard to fully map it out with just soil samples.” Naomi said casually, digging into her beans first.

-Lt. Naomi D. Locke, Sci

Helena nodded to Locke, “Maybe just choose the deeper routes? That way we can get a good survey of what might be able to be mined? Or would the ones closer to the surface be better?” Helena was simply curious, she really had no idea either way. “I can use my hand scanner to record and map some of it out as we go. That way we know where to go next time?”

“Initially we should stick closer to the surface, take more in depth scans to make sure these caves are stable enough to explore deeper for a start, make sure the air down there is breathable and that there are no trapped gases that might go boom. We can place markers as we go to record seismic events, airflow readings and temperature changes as well as mark the way in and out.” Lying back, he put his hands behind his head and watched the clouds.

She looked at the captain, “How many days are we here for?”

“Enough to take a few hours to go fishing, right Cap?” Logan lifted his head with his hands still behind them and looked at Marceau.

When she finished her meal, she put the trash back in her pack and stood, walking about a bit until everyone was ready to head out.

Lt Laursen, pilot

Kelleher, CE

Ensign Sanks quickly ate his meal and rushed back to the perimeter so the other security NE could eat as well before they chose to move again.

Ensign Sanks, Security

The perimeter when Sanks would get back into the field after eating still showed free of any issues or life that might be a threat.

For the rest of the group finishing up their short meals to answer Helena’s question they were here for as long as it took to fully survey the indicated sites and called in the follow up mining ships and such to layout the groundwork once things went ahead. This could take a week or it could take several months, it really depended on what they found and how long they took......

GM CockRoach