Captain Martinez strides onto
the bridge, his gaze flitting towards his new XO leaning over the comm unit.
Changing course, he walks over, standing next to him. "Simon."
"Ah, Captain."
Glancing over his shoulder, he nods and turns back to the comm unit. "One
moment Melissa, the Captain's here." Lt Cmdr Simon Knight turns back
towards the Captain in order to explain. "Apparently we have some large
debris incoming and Pilot Anderson is giving us some amended co-ordinates
Sir."
"Very well. Hello
Melissa. How are things looking up there?" Captain Martinez asks. The Comm
unit crackles as her voice comes to life.
"Not good Captain, but
we're holding out. We've several more leaks from micro meteors and we're
plugging them as fast as they appear. Wish we had your shielding capabilities
up here. It would have been a life saver." Everyone close by can hear the
sadness evident in her voice as she continues. "We've lost another. She
was sealing up a micro meteor when a second hit in the same place. It caused a
blow out which depressurised the entire cabin. We've had to seal that area
off."
"I'm sorry Melissa,
we're working as fast as we can to get ready and up there to get you all
out."
"I know you are
Captain, thank you. As to that, I have new co-ordinates for your launch window
Sir. It requires you to launch a little late, but I'm afraid it's
necessary."
"Melissa, if we change
the launch window now we'll miss the space station completely and it'll take
time to accelerate to your position." captain Martinez states.
"I understand that
Captain, but it's...necessary. If we could speak in Private Sir. I'd like to
confirm a few details with you."
"Of course Melissa,
I'll have you transferred to my ready room." Turning towards Lt Cmdr
Knight he nods, then heads for his ready room. Settling into his seat, Captain
Martinez activates the comm. "Okay Melissa, we're alone. Now why have you
really changed our launch window?"
"I'm sorry Captain,
but. You can't save us, not now. Not without risking your ship." A sob
breaks free as she takes a moment to compose herself. "We have a chunk of
Meteor heading towards us big enough to take out the entire station. Current
estimates set it to hit us in roughly four hours. Launching in the original
window will put you smack dab into the debris field."
"Oh Melissa. I'm so
sorry." Is there nothing we can do?"
"No Captain, you have
enough people to worry about. But I'd like to transfer control of the satellites
if I could. You'll need them in order to help the rest of the ships through
their launch windows. A half hour with your communications department should
see it done."
"Melissa..."
Captain Martinez starts to speak, but is cut off.
"Please Captain. I need
to work. I can't talk about this, I can't even think about it right now or I'm
going to fall apart and there's too much that needs doing right now."
"I understand. God
speed Melissa. I'll transfer you over to the communications department, give
them the new launch window information and make sure they understand what they
need to in order to complete this task for the other ships."
A small sob breaks through
the static. "Thank you Captain. It's been an honour."
The Comm unit goes silent as
the Captain pipes through to the communications office. "Hello Captain, what
can I do for you?" Lt Cooper asks.
"Melissa, I have Pilot
Melissa Anderson on the line for you. She's on the ISS and needs to transfer
control of the launch satellites to us. In four hours a meteor is going to
impact the station and destroy it. Please don't make any mention of this. She's
making every effort to stay calm and focused."
"Oh my God! Isn't there
anything we can do?" She asks.
"There might be...but I
don't want to give them false hope. So learn everything you can as fast as you
can. Make sure you're fully up to speed on how to change and calculate launch
windows...as a just in case of emergencies situation."
"Of course Sir! You can
count on me."
"Good, because once
you're off the line I'd like you to re-calculate our own launch window and let
me know when we have to launch in order to reach the ISS prior to said Meteor
hitting them."
A delightful laugh echoes
through his ready room. "Oh, it will be my pleasure to Sir. If you could
patch her through now I'll get started."
"Thank you Melissa."
Patching the ISS through to his Comm Lt, Captain Martinez stands, arching his
back to stretch out the kinks. "This is going to be a long four
hours."
Activating his personal Comm
unit, Captain Martinez contacts Commander Moore. "Joshua. The upgrade
needs to be finished as soon as possible. I know you said two hours but can it
be done any sooner?"
"Now Captain you know
stuff like this can't be rushed. One little mistake and we never launch, let
alone simply launching early or late. It takes as long as it takes."
"Damn it." He curses.
"Okay Joshua, keep me informed. Testing will have to be done on the go I'm
afraid."
"Ain't no way, no how
I'm allowing this ship to launch without testing the shield Captain. Not
happening."
"Commander Moore, in
four hours the ISS gets destroyed. Either we make it in time to save its crew,
or we mourn them."
"Shit. Okay, I'll get
my work done as fast as I safely can, but I still insist on a shield strength
test prior to launch. That's a must I'm afraid, and if we're getting close to
debris of any kind I can't in right conscience allow a launch without said
test."
"Very well Commander.
Inform me when you're ready for the test." Closing down the comm, Martinez
composes himself then strides out of his ready room. "Can I have everyone's
attention please. Pilot Anderson has informed me that they have an impact event
happening in roughly four hours onboard the ISS. It is my intent that we are
ready for launch prior to that. I plan to save those people up there and I
expect your best work to make this happen." Striding forward he takes the
Captain's chair. "See that everything is in place, ensure everything is
locked down and ready. Simon, I'd like you to check all the non essential areas
in order to ensure compliance. Oh and make sure all patients remaining in med
bay are either released or secured. You'll have to talk with Bill Lowe
regarding the supply depot, what with Nigel still in the infirmary." Simon
nods and heads for the door. "Oh and Simon, Tell those two ingrates in the
med bay that they'd better buckle up and shut up. Any attempts by either of
them to leave their beds will result in a stay in the brig once they're
mended."
Simon laughs and nods.
"Sure thing Captain, it'll be my pleasure."
"Ensign pipe me through
the ships speakers please." The young ensign activates ship wide and nods
towards him. "This is your Captain speaking. As many of you are likely
aware the town and ship have been inundated with multiple meteor strikes on a
daily basis. It is my solemn duty to inform you that this situation is
untenable and it has been decided that the evacuation will commence. Recent
communication with the International Space Station has confirmed that a large
meteor is on course to impact the Earth. All civilians must retire to their
quarters in preparation as the crew and I prepare the ship for launch. Any
civilians caught wandering about will be confined to the brig for the duration
of the launch. Thank you, please let the crew go on about their work free of
disturbance as we work towards ensuring that this ship and many others are
launch worthy. Welcome to the resolute Ark my friends. Settle in for the
journey of your life."
With a nod from the Captain,
the Ensign de-activates the ship wide comm. "Set the Launch timer to three
hours Ensign, we can adjust it as we get more information incoming." The
ships comm chimes and a pleasant, neutral voice sounds out.
"T-Minus three hours to
launch."
"Ensign, contact the
Staff Sergeant and make sure we have all available security teams walking the
decks." Looking about him, Captain Martinez smiles. "Well folks, the
adventure starts. Good luck and God speed."