From: Daniel Fletchley, CEO, Planetform Incorporated
Encryption: Twin Band Alphanumeric
Subject: Re: Information Exchange


Keeper Revenant,

Apologies for the delay, Keeper. While I have fairly detailed knowledge about Planetary sciences, for your queries I thought an expert should be consulted. Here is what one of my experts said. I should warn you that he has a tendency to ramble on.

Dr. Roland Halley Wrote:"The time scale for colonizing an icy ocean based planet, while in the range of about 6-8 years, is quite small compared to a normal planet which has non frozen landmass. an Icy planet has few possible colonization possibilities, but one method has, by far, shown greater success in tests and trials.

First, the atmosphere is seeded with gases necessary for triggering the terraforming process. this would generally be greenhouse gases and atmosphere seeding mixtures. Depending on requirement, Atmosphere density can be manipulated at this point. The temperatures on the surface would rise to tolerable levels in a matter of weeks. A surface terraforming outpost is established at this point. Removal of any toxic or undesirable gases begins.

At this juncture, a choice can be made. If there is no star or only a dwarf star for the planet to orbit, the greenhouse gases can be flushed down to the bare minimum, and breathable gas processes start. On the other hand, if an active star is in close range, this arrangement might be tricky, as the ice might become unstable. In that scenario, the ice is further melted and the Warming process is allowed to continue until temperatures reach a convenient range. At this point the remaining ice would accumulate on the poles.

For the first plan, surface and underground colonies can be constructed, such as in Planet Miura, Okinawa star system. For the second plan, Raised platforms are constructed, not unlike those on Holstein, Junyo or Curacao. Financial costs favour Plan II, while Ecology is maintained further in Plan I. Plan I requires construction of underground shelters, and may offer more room individually, but on a whole Plan II has capability of sustaining bigger populations. Both plans require almost the same materials, but Plan I requires a significantly larger quantity of resources."

At this juncture, Dr.Halley mentioned that a survey was likely to yield more results than theoretical models, and knowing his experience in the field, I would recommend that a team be allowed to survey the planet, under secrecy if needed. My scientists are willing to work among you, as long as their safety is guaranteed.

I await your reply on the course to pursue. Perhaps my men can work even with partly censored scans to provide a conclusive preliminary report.

Yours sincerely
Daniel Fletchley
CEO,
PlanetForm Incorporated