Pangaea Regained (Part II)

Posted on Fri Jul 25, 2025 @ 2:51am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Liam Blackwood

1,426 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Pangaea

[PREVIOUSLY]

Cara settled back in her seat, trying to keep her excitement under wraps. Though just the fact of things being revealed and she was going to be able to talk to Alanna once they landed, was even more exciting.

[CONTINUED]

"You can see the sections of the research colony below," Alanna said once they entered the lower atmosphere. "Romulan, Klingon, Cardassian, Ferengi, and Federation scientists. They're working on different projects that have to be approved. Some are studying the nearby forests, some are working on plant hybrids. You can also see where the Raddon Corporation building used to be. The Marines destroyed it in the battle." She was going to be professional and polite, but honest. "They have strict restrictions, but they've found ways to violate them. The problem is that they're very good at not getting caught."

"Yes. I read your report." T'mpest would have to see if there was a way to find out exactly what they were up to--although she expected it would take time.

Once they passed the colony, Alanna pointed out the Marine training camp and the ocean. At some point she needed to tell the commodore about the underwater cave and the control panel, but that would be for another time. Finally, they came to the forest and Bag End. A section of the ground lifted, revealing an underground bay for the shuttle beside a large hill.

"Welcome to Bag End...or one part of it," Alanna said when she'd shut down the shuttle. "There's a tunnel to the research center from here."

Liam had been quiet during the descent, taking in the layout of the colony. As Alanna pointed out the different quarters, he leaned slightly toward the viewport, studying the terrain and structures below. "Romulan, Klingon, Cardassian, and Federation scientists all working in the same space... that’s either a testament to diplomacy or a powder keg waiting to go off." He said, half to himself. When she mentioned the Raddon Corporation, his gaze shifted in that direction. Staying silent but making a note of it.

When the ground lifted to reveal the hidden bay, he let out a quiet whistle. "Now that’s an entrance." He stepped out once the shuttle powered down, glancing around with a mix of awe and professional interest. "Bag End." He repeated with a faint grin.

Alanna grinned. "Yes. It's my hobbit hole. Come on, I'll show you the research facility itself." She made sure everything was secured , then opened the sliding door to a tunnel. The lights turned on ahead of them and turned off behind them, controlled by motion sensors. What Alanna didn't tell them is that the doors and hatch to the shuttle pad locked automatically to protect the center from anyone trying to steal the shuttle or get into the building. The concealment and shielding kept them from being seen or scanned.

The tunnel ended at a staircase leading up. "There's a storage area down here where I keep all my backups, extra supplies, and generators. Only a few people know of it, and I'd prefer it stay that way. The same goes for the shuttle." Then she led them up the stairs to a hidden door to the center itself.

As they walked through the second door into Bag End proper, the lights came on. "There are five bedrooms down here for guest scientists. Two Romulan scientists stay here when they aren't in the colony. There's also a meeting room on this level. The second floor has the kitchen area and what amounts to a second meeting room for guests who come to visit. The third floor is where I live and there's a small attic where I have all my scanning and monitoring equipment." Alanna paused to grin at the others. "It's where I've been monitoring Cardassian communications, bouncing signals around the planet to various relays or scrambling communications. I used it to keep track of what the Cardassians were up to. Before and during the attack, I also scrambled their communications so they couldn't talk to each other."

"How long have you been monitoring them?" T'mpest asked. It was a nice operation, and one she appreciated. "Who has been working with you?"

"I've been actively monitoring them for three or four months. Basically, since I noticed several high-level Cardassians coming down here. Right now, it's me and Brianthe. Tannis and R'gelis, two Romulan scientists, have been keeping an eye on the colony. Jason Haines has also helped, but he's...traveling right now."

"Do you work with the Marines?" T'mpest asked next. She went to one of the empty rooms and looked inside. They were decent-sized rooms with full-sized beds.

"Yes. They're in charge of security at the portal complex and work with me and some scientists to explore the portals. Plus, they have a training facility near the portals and the colony. Right now, I pass information to them I pick up from monitoring the station and the Cardassians on the planet.

T'mpest nodded. She pointed to the stairs leading up to the main floor. When Alanna nodded, she headed for them. "Understandable. The training grounds will become a permanent Marine base. Colonel Means will maintain troops on both the planet and the station to forestall further trouble."

T'mpest looked around the full-sized kitchen and dining room. This was nicer than she'd expected of a research facility. "Geral Lasuma would like to add entertainment areas to the colony, which will bring more people here.

Alanna was right behind her. "The charter for the colony is that it's to be science-based."

"That will not change. However, a few amenities for the scientists and the Marines with a 48-hour pass should not go amiss. Yes, they can go back to the station, but something simple, with drinks and dancing, could help keep some from getting a little stir-crazy." Especially if the scientists are here for six months or more.

"Maybe..." Alanna wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not. At the same time, the Marines might like it.

Hearing her hesitation, T'mpest turned. "How many people are down here now who are not scientists?"

Alanna saw her point. "Besides the Marines? At least half a dozen. Probably more. The former first officer built a cabin down here."

T'mpest nodded. "If we provide some minor entertainment, we might prevent some from bringing their own, which may not be so mild."

A woman with long brown hair and the grace of a dancer walked in the back door and stopped. "I saw the shuttle..." She looked at the new arrivals and smiled.

"Come meet everyone." Alanna turned, indicating the three arrivals. "This is Commodore T'mpest Michaels, Commander Cara Letsul, and Lieutenant Liam Blackwood. Everyone, this is Brianthe Oaxaca. She's the station's botanist."

"Hi," Bri said with a cheerful smile. To Alanna she said, "Have you told them about the garden?"

"I think so..." Alanna paused not sure if she had or not.

Cara was just letting things flow over her like water, taking it all in. When she heard the part about a garden it perked her interest. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Brianthe, the woman she had interviewed to fix the Arboretum on Poseidon Station. She felt goosebumps form upon her arms, having that familiar sense she'd felt before. it was rather strong. "I would love to find out more about this garden. I love gardening, it’s one of my favorite things to do. The rich loamy scent of the earth is one of my favorite scents, Especially after a good rain."

Bri looked at Cara for a moment. She acted like they knew each other--or the other woman heard of her, but she had no idea where. "Yes. I can show you the garden and woods I'm cultivating down here. I can only do so much on the station. This gives me more space to work with native plants."

"I agree, and this is so much better when it comes to gardening." Cara having a wistful look in her eyes. She was already feeling the stress that she had earlier begin to fade away.

"It does have its benefits," Bri admitted. "And it's problems. On the station, I control the weather. Here, the weather does whatever it pleases."

(To be continued...)

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells
Director, Pangaea Science and Exploration
Pangaea

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Liam Blackwood
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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