USS Culver City dropped out of warp, the streaking stars on her viewscreen shrinking to pinpricks as she slowed to impulse power.  “How long until we reach Ralis III?” Lieutenant Commander K’lev asked his helmsman, Lt.(jg) Ari Phillips.

The human consulted their display.  “We should be entering standard orbit within 15 minutes,” they said.

“Any further word from the colony?” K’lev’s eyes now turned to Chief Bong at Ops.

The chief shook his head.  “Nothing yet, sir.”

Culver City had been on her way back to Starbase 86 from a small outpost a few days out from the starbase, delivering some replacement communications equipment, when she had picked up a distress call from Ralis III, a small, still-being-established colony world.  Ralis III had been expecting a shipment of solar panels, irrigation supplies, power conduits, and emergency generators that had been supposed to meet the first colony ship at the planet.  Unfortunately, the cargo vessel had been delayed by an ion storm that had damaged its engines, and the colony ship – which had been attempting to support the colonists as best it could – was due to depart in twelve hours.  Culver City, only 6 hours away at maximum warp, had diverted to assist.

“Well, let’s not keep them waiting all the same.  Chief, please let them know we’re on orbital approach.  Ari, full impulse to orbit.”  As the chief and the ensign bent to their consoles, K’lev then tapped his combadge.  “K’lev to Tiza.  What do you think, have we got enough supplies on-hand to help them out?”

“Maybe?  Some of this list, it’ll depend, as it can be a bit more specialized than we usually carry as spares, but I’m pretty sure that Pelix and I can work some magic all the same,” came the Xahean quartermaster’s reply.  “Would be nice if we could get more from them on what they need, then I could give you a better answer.”

K’lev nodded.  “I’ll get you some details, then you two see what you can do.  K’lev out.”  With that, the channel closed.

“Sir, we’re being hailed by the colony,” Chief Bong said.

“Put it up onscreen, Chief,” K’lev replied.

A female Vulcan appeared on the screen.  “Captain,” she said in a measured tone.  “My name is T’Velis, and I am – or rather I was to be – the administrator for the Ralis III colony.  We are indebted to you for your swift arrival; our situation here is untenable if we do not receive the supplies we require.  Any assistance you may be able to provide would be appreciated.”

“Administrator T’Velis, my crew and I will do everything we can to get you off to as good a start as possible.”  K’lev replied.  “Your distress call mentioned broad categories of supplies you needed; if you could send us any more details, my quartermaster and chief engineer can see what we have or can build that might fit the bill, so we can get to work and get Ralis III on its way.”

“You have our gratitude, Captain.  We will transmit a detailed inventory to your ship promptly,” T’Velis replied.

“In the meantime, Administrator, how many are with you?”  K’lev asked.  “We don’t have Odyssey-level guest quarters, but if you’re not too many we could beam you all aboard while we work, so you’ll don’t have to live out of tents or what-have-you.”

“I am presently responsible for 250 colonists,” the Vulcan answered.

Chief Bong’s console chimed, indicating the arrival of the data packet from Administrator T’Velis’s side.  K’lev clapped his hands together once; the California-class Culver City could accommodate up to 1000 people in an evacuation, so 250 was well within reach.  “We can certainly accommodate that many,” he said.  “Have your colonists stand by for transport; you’ll be our guests while we get your colony up and running.”

“We accept your generous offer, Captain; I will instruct the colonists to gather presently, and we await transport.”

“See you soon, Administrator.  Culver City out.”  With that, the channel closed.  K’lev then looked to Chief Bong and Lieutenant Lotharys.  “Please do what you can to make them comfortable while we get the colony’s infrastructure started,” he said, before his gaze shifted to Lt. (jg) sh’Livo at tactical.  “Have security place details on sensitive areas.  No weapons; they’re guests, not prisoners.  I just don’t want colonists wandering around impulse reactor chambers or deuterium storage or some such.”

As the crew began their work, Lt. Phillips guided Culver City into a standard orbit over Ralis III.  In short order, colonists were beginning to beam up to the ship.  K’lev made his way to the cargo bays and engineering labs; there, he found Lieutenant Pelix, Lt.(jg) Tiza, and Administrator T’Velis.  “Welcome to the Culver City, Administrator,” K’lev said with a nod of greeting, before turning to Pelix and Tiza.  “How’s it look?  Can we get Ralis III up and running?” he asked the lieutenant and the ensign.

Tiza spoke first.  “Well, we don’t have exactly what they need,” he held up his hands, to forestall any consternation.  “But I think we’ve got enough that we could build stuff to approximate it until the delivery arrives.”

K’lev nodded, his eyes now turning to Pelix.  “Your team’ll be doing a lot of construction and install; do you agree?”

Pelix huffed.  “Yeah, we can do it.  Won’t be the prettiest things in the world, perhaps, but they’ll get you through,” he finished that statement directed more at T’Velis than to K’lev.

The administrator nodded.  “Functionality will more than suffice, Captain, Lieutenants.”

“Then let’s get to it,” K’lev said to his chief engineer and quartermaster.  “Keep me advised, both of you.”  He then turned to T’Velis.  “If I may, Administrator, you and your people have been through a challenging time these last weeks; some rest might be good.  And I’d also suggest that your colonists should check in with our chief medical officer, Lt. Hilava, and our ship’s counselor Lt. Ghimir, as needed to care for their bodies and minds.”

“A prudent suggestion, Captain.  I will extend your offer to the colonists; if you will excuse me?”  With that, T’Velis turned and left the room.

K’lev remained behind a few minutes, watching Pelix and Tiza brief their teams before catching their gazes.  “We’ll also need an install plan,” he said.  “Any thoughts, based on their target site?”

Pelix nodded, grabbing a PADD off of a nearby table and pulling up the colony plans that T’Velis had provided.  He turned it to allow both K’lev and Tiza to see the screen as well, then pointed to one area.  “I’d say here for the power systems; it’s close to where the permanent generator bank and solar panels will go, so it’ll be easier to tie them in when they arrive.  Irrigation’s the easy part, just put them close to the nearest water source.”

As Pelix spoke, K’lev noticed Tiza looking unsure.  “Only wrong opinion’s one kept to yourself, Tiza; what’s on your mind?”

The Xahean pointed to another location.  “It’s a little further from the center of the colony, but putting the generators and panels here will be easier on the installation; the terrain’s a bit smoother.  And it’s a little closer to the planned water purifiers and diversion system, too, so if we install the temporary ones in the same area – it’s really the best place for it in a reasonable distance from the colony, they did a great job picking that location – then maybe we won’t need as much conduit from the generator we’ll be installing to get that up and running?”

K’lev considered the two options.  “So, either put the generator and panels close and maybe have a harder time setting them up, or a little further away and have an easier time?”

Both nodded.  “Let’s go a little further off, I think,” he said.  “After all, we also don’t want to make life harder when the proper system’s installed.”

The two nodded, then headed off to oversee their teams.  K’lev then turned and left the bay.

The next few days passed in a frenzy of activity.  True to their word, Pelix and Tiza were able to build a temporary generator and some kit-bashed solar panels with spare components; they weren’t pretty, but they would work.  The water purification system was trickier, but help came in the form of Hilava, who suggested an ingeniously simple solution that only required cotton, sand, charcoal, and small rocks in a container.

With a plan now in place, away teams began to beam down to the planet.  As the placement of the generator and solar panels had been Tiza’s idea, the Xahean quartermaster was given the opportunity to oversee their installation, in partnership with the colony’s chief engineer.  Likewise, as Hilava fortunately did not have any injuries to treat, she was able to instruct the colonists in how to build her improvised water purifier.  Even better, it didn’t require any power to run, which freed up some additional conduit in case it was needed elsewhere.

Within a week’s time of Culver City’s arrival, the Ralis III colony was up and running, albeit on backup capabilities.  With word passed that the freighter carrying the colony’s proper equipment was back underway and due to arrive in a matter of a few more days, K’lev checked in with Administrator T’Velis; the administrator confirmed that the new settlement was running smoothly, and was more than adequately supplied until the freighter arrived, especially as K’lev had authorized – on Tiza’s suggestion – the disbursement of some of Culver City’s emergency rations to the colony to supplement their stored food.  Her presence no longer required, Culver City broke orbit, resuming her course for Starbase 86.