Deep Roots

[N'Rycus 0]

It was a beginning. The walls were bare, there was but one chair in the entire office, but he had his drafting table. From here he could give birth to all the ideas that would fill the voids. From this one seed civilization could spring forth.

 

The Administrator has already downloaded the colony liner specs, sector maps, planetary surveys, city building codes, and Imperial City design qualifications into it's imaging database. He had just established the link to Camelot's computers and was beginning the download of Federation specs, surveys, and Alpha Site blueprints when he heard a knocking at the door. Knocking? He mentally added a door bell to his shopping list as he called out, "Enter."

 

The doors slid open and in stepped a distinguished Romulan officer. His gray hair and a roughness of his skin showed his age but his stature, stance, and the clarity of his gaze gave no hint of frailty. N'Rycus stood quickly, partly out of habit but mostly from respect to his old Commander.

 

"Commander! A pleasure."

 

Nodding,"Administrator."

 

"I must thank you again for bringing me here."

 

"A chance to see the other side of the galaxy, I couldn't pass on something like that."

 

Smiling, "Come anytime and you will be fully welcomed. You're not having to hurry back too soon are you?"

 

"That actually will be up to the Sub-Commander. I've turned in my retirement request."

 

"Retirement!! Sir! You have to be joking."

 

"No, your old boss in engineering is taking command of the Romii, that has already been finalized. They tried to promote me but I've been away from my family for too long now. I've served my years and it's time to settle back down as a simple citizen."

 

"Quite a loss for the fleet but I understand. With your service record you must be owed a sizable allotment. Thought of taking a veteran's land grant in one of our planned Gamma Quad colonies?" He smiled broadly with a slight chuckle.

 

"Actually, yes."

 

N'Rycus blinked. He'd said that in jest and wasn't expecting honest interest. The Commander continued, "In fact I took the time we've been here to look over that planet...Avalon is it? Have you had a chance to look it over?"

 

"I have the survey scans right here." With a quick tap on the side consol the map of Avalon scrolled across the wide drafting table's surface.

 

"Olives."

 

"Olives?" N'Rycus turned back towards him.

 

"This island here, at the edge of it's eastern valley. The weather, soil, exposure, everything is perfect for growing Glintaran and Romulan olives. We even scanned a few native verities."

 

N'Rycus stood in shock to see his battle hardened Commander gushing about...produce. But then this was why he was here. This was his job, to give lands and new opportunities to those who have given so much to the Empire. This was his duty to divide the spoils of war among the noble servicemen of the fleet.

 

"Commander, we've not established clear boundaries for settlements on Avalon yet but.... if the Federation can go throw a base down wherever they feel like it without asking I think we can claim one orchard for the Empire. Take a shuttle down and do a detailed survey. I'll get you quarters on the station while we process the paperwork."

 

Yes, this is how you start a colony. Let the Federation build there base in the wilderness where nothing but stone grows. Civilization begins with the citizen investing themselves in the land and in the future. Let the Klingons recklessly conquer for the sake of conquest. Let the Federation claim the unknown simply because it's there. The Romulan will invest in the land and in the citizenry, and in the Empire... and it's fruits will be grand and glorious and its roots deep and unmovable.