Episode 14. Into the Light
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - 6:00 PM
- Location
-
- Earth
- Brussels
- NATO Bunker #1
- Hangar
- USS Mercator
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Agnes integrated Eros Vitos into her crew to assemble an experimental DX-01-10 launcher. As the world sinks deeper into a geopolitical crisis, the Mercator and its crew stand ready, awaiting orders from high command.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
Manifest
| USS Mercator | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked in Bunker #1 (Brussels) |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
The verdict falls: the Mercator, the Manneken, and the Charlemagne must take off to evacuate the leaders at the NATO summit and bring Brussels civilians back to safety. The bunker doors open, and for the first time, NATO's gigantic vessels reveal themselves in broad daylight, under the stunned gaze of the media and the public.
Story
Captain Agnes Rodriguez's log — Monday, July 15, 2024, 6:00 PM.
The USS Mercator is docked in NATO Bunker #1, in Brussels. It has been almost six hours since the alert was triggered. My crew has spent the entire afternoon preparing and, like me, is now waiting to see how the situation develops and whether high command orders us to intervene.
The atmosphere is tense. My officers have not said a word for nearly an hour. Only the commentary from the news channels and the sounds of consoles echo across the bridge. Lieutenant Savea has returned to her station, and Commander Chen is supervising the preparations.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Captain!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Ensign Flores. What is it?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
I've finished linking all key stations on the vessel to the bridge. You will be able to maintain audio contact with every section of the ship during the upcoming operations.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good work, Flores. What about the transport modules and shuttles?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
They are integrated into the system as well. You'll have direct access to the pilots.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good. Let's test it.
Put me through to Vitos. I'd like to know where he stands with the assembly of the DX-01-10 launcher.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
You're connected, Captain. You can speak to him.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Vitos, do you read me?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Vitos here. Is that you, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, it's me. How is the assembly going?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Not very well, Captain.
The DX launcher those idiots at Area 51 sent you isn't even complete. Several parts are missing.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You can't assemble it?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Of course I can, Captain.
It's mostly nuts and bolts that are missing. The guys you sent me are making new ones right now.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Understood. How long before it's ready?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Hard to say.
Once I receive the new parts, I'll need fifteen to thirty minutes, tops.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Do your best, Vitos.
Rodriguez out.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Should I switch you to another channel, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, Flores. No need. Your communications system works perfectly.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Captain!
Look at the screen!
The high command feed just updated. These are our orders.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Number One.
Your attention, everyone!
You've all seen the update. The orders are clear. We must immediately begin evacuating the leaders attending the NATO summit, along with as many civilians in Brussels as possible. We'll bring them back here, to the bunker.
Savea, begin undocking procedures.
Corda, you're at the helm.
Our bird is about to take flight.
At that moment, I hear the massive hangar doors slowly begin to open. Brilliant sunlight floods the space, creating a brutal contrast with the tense atmosphere inside. The three vessels from our bunker rise into the air, revealing their imposing silhouettes to a world seeing them for the very first time.
Our technology, developed in secret by the Alliance over the past decades, is now on display for all humanity to see.
My gaze remains fixed on the bridge's main screen, which continues to display the news channels. They are watching us.
This is a historic moment.
And I never imagined I'd live to see it.
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