Ensign Tunis had chosen two fellow Ensigns to join him on the planetary survey and investigation. He picked Ensign Harris and Ensign MacLeod. He picked Mr. Harris because of his understanding of the operation before them. MacLeod was to be their muscle in case the humanoid life forms where not friendly.
Tunis boarded the runabout Congo and was starting up the prestart launch well before 0530 hours. Ensign MacLeod and Ensign Harris came on board at the same time. Mr. Harris was not happy at the idea of being around MacLeod.
"Knight, this is the Runabout Congo. We are ready to depart," Tunis said at the Helm.
[Roger that Congo. You are clear for departure. Good luck on the survey.]
The runabout left the shuttle bay and cruised at full impulse toward its intended target. "We will reach the sixth planet in fifteen minutes, Mr. Tunis," Harris said at his station next to the helm.
Tunis was using the scanners to seek a suitable landing site. He wanted to use the runabout as shelter and as a handy science lab. He felt that if he had to constantly beam up to the runabout it would waste time. Tunis saw the green planet come into view and was struck by its beauty.
"Okay. We will land three kilometers from what appears to be a rich dilithium deposit. We will also be some four kilometers from what appeared to be some sort of building complex," Harris said as he was using the targeting scanners to get a better picture of the area. The runabout landed in a clear grassy field surrounded by trees. Tunis stood up and picked up his tricorder and phaser and a field pack. Harris did the same, however MacLeod was different -- he also took a phaser rifle. The other two wanted to question that but didn't. Three walked out into an open field of grass that was some 600 yards wide. They walked into the forest and scanned the trees.
"Outstanding! These trees are the same as those on earth," Tunis said out loud.
"Come. The deposit we are looking for is just ahead," MacLeod said, walking ahead.
The three walked ahead as planned. After a while they reached an unnatural formation. The trees were gone, the grass was sparse and there was a pit a hundred feet deep. The area was dug up and vehicle tracks were all over the area. Harris pointed out a certain spot to the left fifty feet from where they were standing.
Tunis scanned roughly three dozen humps in the ground and was horrified when he saw what was buried in the humps.
"Mr. Harris! Please tell me what you get from these scans."
Harris' heart sank and confirmed Tunis' readings. "Same thing as you. One hundred forty five Bajorans."
"Yep. My readings are the same." Tunis couldn't believe it! Bajorans this far from home.
"It appears this was at one time a labor camp," MacLeod said, coming from over a hill. "There are one hundred ninety more Bajorans over here."
"Come on. Let's find those buildings," Harris said, walking off towards some growth.