Chapter 12 - First Mission (I)
Corvette "Dirty Squirrel" - Captain quarters
Jako return to his private quarters on his ship "Dirty Squirrel", having the name reflect the dirty state when they got their ship. Settling into his chair, he takes a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to shake off the anxiety. "IRIS, I need you to replay the message from Chloe Caster,"
IRIS didn't say a word and start the hologram message. As usual the message flickered to life with Chloe's virtual self appearing opposite him, on the bed. There was a brief and Chloe begin speaking.
"Jako, I have a mission for you and your team," Chloe began, her voice strong and confident. "Now that you have your ship, it's time to earn your keep. The mission is simple; go to Research Station RT-17-A39 and retrieve the central data core. I have sent the blueprint and door access overwrite protocol to your A.I.
Once you have retrieve the core, activate the data purge process. The request has been assign to your through ATF. This request is time sensitive and I need you to prioritize this. Report back to me when you are done, if not just die out there." Chloe image flicks out as quickly as it appears.
Jako lean further into his chair, pondering the request. He is no stranger to missions like this, even with experience from his past life, there is something about this one. Something feels different, perhaps it was the urgency in Chloe's voice, or maybe it was the weight of the responsibility that comes with being a captain. Whatever it is, Jako know that he need to act fast.
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Corvette "Dirty Squirrel" - Bridge
Jako walk toward his captain's chair, "Urgent request from ATF, Astrid prepare the ship for departure," his voice ringing with the ship's broadcast system . "We need to get to Research Station RT-17-A39 in the inner system. Priority retrieval mission."
As they make ready to travel to the research station, Jako couldn't help but think about all of the challenges they had faced and overcome. The loss of crew members, the lack of resources, the endless simulations, but through it all, they had persevered. And now, as they approached the research station, Jako felt a renewed sense of determination. They were going to retrieve the central data core, and they were going to complete the data purge process.
As they made their way to the research station, Jako couldn't help but think about all of the challenges he had faced and overcome in the past. 'Something doesn't feel right.' speaking to himself.
"I hope the administration pay well for this retrieval request." Astrid comments as she setup the ship. Ping and Pong who just came up from the lower deck chime in, "The mission is going to add another two days to our time in space. Who went to agree to this mission?"
"Me, your captain. So, kindly move along." Jako asserts his authority to the brothers.
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On approach to Research Station RT-17-A39 - A day later.
As they approach the station, they could see that it is a moderately sized research facility, designed to accommodate a small team of scientists and support staff. From the outside, the station appears to be capable of converting into a mobile mode, capable of detaching from its lunar mooring and with FTL engines warp to another system.
The moon on which the station is anchored is a strange world, a place of jagged peaks and deep craters, dotted with shimmering lakes of liquid methane and dotted with fields of ice crystals.
"You know," Jako said, "a research station this far from civilization always has something to hide." tapping on Astrid shoulder Jako continues, "approach slow and hail the station. It too quiet, they should have seen us already."
Astrid shake her head, "No reply, I have been sending the automated authentication message the second we came into range, but their channel is not connecting."
"Hate it when my guts feeling always turn out right." Jako turn on the broadcasting system. "Ping bring your brother to the armory and bring us all a sidearm. Meet us at the airlock"
"Roger, but boss, it not too late to abort this mission, the request didn't mention a ghost station." Ping answers Jako as he move to the arms locker.
"Captain, I still can't establish the communication. I'm not sure what is going on but the station's dock number two have lit up, I think we are suppose to land there." Astrid reports. Unknowing to her Jako have secretly key in the authorization code given by Chloe to bypass docking access
"Let's land quickly and meet up with the brothers.", Jako eyes is filled with determination.
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Corvette "Dirty Squirrel" - Airlock
The ping ping brother is already fully suited up and waiting at the airlock when Jako and Astrid arrives. Looking at the brothers Jako furrow, "We ain't here to start a fight, i say sidearms not plasma assault rifles. Put that down and follow me closely." exiting the space ship, they could clearly see that something is wrong with the station.
The exterior light and the station's external turret is offline. It's as if the whole places has been abandoned. Cautiously the group of four make their way through the decontamination area entrance of the research station. With the station powered down, the only source of light came from the small torchlights on the shoulder of their suits. The dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it difficult to see what lay ahead.
Jako couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the crew of the station. The silence was deafening, and the only sound was the soft footsteps of the team as they made their way through the corridors.
Suddenly, Jako's torchlight caught something floating in the air ahead of them. As they approached, they saw that it was the body of a spaceman, floating slightly and lifelessly in low gravity. Jako's team members exchange worried glances, and Jako know they were all thinking the same thing: what could have caused such a tragic end for the crew of the station?
"Boss, I really think we should turn back...." Pong said, "Or at least call for the military's police from the fleet to take over." Ping added.
"Mission detail states that no matter what happens we need to get that data core, urgently... Let's take a quick look around, if we can grab the data, we do that if not we report this situation in." Jako firmly tell his team.
Reluctantly, the others continued on, trying to keep their nerves steady as they encountered more and more corpses. Jako couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping up on him. He should have brought those rifles. They were lightly armed and he know that they will be of no match for whatever had killed the crew if they or it is still around.
As they made their way deeper into the station, they came across a cross road. To the left is the station power & electric room and on the right is the station command center.
"We will have to split up here, Ping and Pong see if the two of you can get the power back online. Astrid and I will check out the command center to see if we can make sense of what happened here."
"Bad idea boss, i really don't like how this is going", Pong hesitant to split up. Jako could only stares at Ping as if to say 'just follow my orders'. Ping understands the message and pull on Pong hand to lead him along.
"What about you, any objections or doubts?", Jako turn to ask Astrid.
Astrid's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she considered his question. "Oh, I have my suspicions, but for now, I trust in your leadership. However, I expect a full debrief once this mission is complete," she replied coolly.
Jako breathed a sigh of relief at Astrid's composed response. "Understood, I'll take point from here."
As the duo make their way down the corridor, they soon arrive at the partially ajar door of the command center. With a quick peek inside, Jako's heart sank at the sight of utter chaos. The room was in shambles, littered with debris and the walls were marred with scorch marks, as if an explosive had detonated.
Just then, Ping's voice shattered the eerie silence, causing Jako to jump. "Boss, we've found the backup generator. It should only take us ten minutes to get it up and running."
Jako let out a sigh, grateful for Ping's timely update. "Great work, go ahead and get that generator online. We have also arrived at the command center and will take a look around." he said determinedly.
After squeezing pass the door into the command center, Jako stops to review the blueprint of this place. The research lab should be accessible from here, he just need the power to be turn back on.