Mars Could Wait

“How long...” Fleet Admiral Jason Ryfczinski said. “How long ago did this happen?”

{Initial scans indicate a range of 30 to 75 years ago, Admiral. More detailed scans will narrow the field,} Teegarden, the task force’s AI, replied.

“So there’s a chance of survivors. Signal the fleet: launch a satellite constellation and put the explorer team on short call. Their orders are to find the survivors of this... this unholy massacre, should any exist. If there are no survivors, I want bodies,” the fleet admiral ordered.

“Yes, Sir,” the flag comms officer replied, then turned back to his display to distribute the orders to the fleet. “Satellites deployed, Admiral, they’ll be on station in approximately five hours.”

“Split the fleet, send half of it to Teegarden c. The other half, including the Teegarden herself, is to approach Teegarden b and enter a high equatorial orbit.”