Episode 16. Eyes on the Bridge
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - 6:34 PM
- Location
-
- Earth
- Brussels
- USS Mercator
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
The global situation tips over: Russia arms its silos, tensions intensify, and NATO begins a vast evacuation operation. Aboard the Mercator, Agnes Rodriguez makes the difficult decision to use transporters on humans, despite the risk of molecular failure. Transport modules are dropped to the ground and the first shuttles are already returning with civilians. The evacuation begins, but so does the chaos.
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 |
| Hugo Delvaux | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
| Hillary Clinton | NATO / USA | President |
Manifest
| USS Mercator | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Hovering over Brussels |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Civilians (boarding in progress) Leaders (Hillary Clinton and other heads of state) |
TL;DR
The first shuttles bring leaders back aboard, including... American President Hillary Clinton, who forces her way onto the bridge. Meanwhile, Module 3 threatens to detach from the hull.
Story
On the ground, the situation is beginning to deteriorate. Riots break out all over the city. Traffic jams stretch toward the outskirts, mainly along the roads leading to the bunker. Citizens are trying to get there however they can, using public transportation organized by the city or their own vehicles.
The instructions and calls for calm relayed by the authorities, on every available channel, no longer seem to have the slightest effect.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Captain, the shuttles are completing their first run and are about to land in the port bay. One of the pilots wishes to speak to you. He says it's important.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
On speaker, Ensign Flores.
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
Captain Rodriguez, do you read me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Pilot. I read you.
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
I have a number of heads of state and their staff aboard.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes. That's why you went to pick them up.
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
I was ordered to send them to you.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, Pilot. That's exactly what you were asked to do.
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
You don't understand, Captain. To send them to you... on the bridge.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Negative, Pilot. Who gave you that order?
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
The President of the United States herself, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Damn it...
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
What did you say, Captain? I didn't copy that.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Hand them over to security, as planned, and continue your initial mission. We have no time to waste.
Lt. Hugo Delvaux (Shuttle Pilot)
Copy that, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Cut the communication, Flores.
Ask security to apply the procedure exactly as established. If any heads of state wish to come up to the bridge, they will have to agree among themselves. I don't want more than four or five, absolute maximum.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Message transmitted, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, there are red lights flashing on the console to the left. Take a look.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Those are the attachment points on the hull for Module 3, Captain. Some of them aren't responding.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Module 3? Isn't that where you spotted an anomaly during our inspection this morning?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Yes, that's the one. With everything that happened today, I wasn't able to send a team there.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What are the risks for Module 3?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
With only three operational attachment points out of twenty-four, the module can still remain docked to the Mercator. However, when we return to the bunker, we'll have to maneuver carefully so we don't put stress on the other fasteners.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
And if the fasteners give way?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Once all the modules are reattached to the vessel's hull, safety protocol calls for full magnetization and deployment of reinforced support systems.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
If I understood correctly... it's like wrapping tape around several cans so they stay stuck together.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Uh... yes. That's more or less it, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Number One.
The Mercator's bridge hums with activity. Officers move from one tactical screen to another, communications are constant, and information scrolls across the monitors. Everything unfolds with almost mechanical efficiency... until a strange silence suddenly settles in.
All at once, the bustle evaporates.
My officers freeze in place and, in an almost choreographed movement, snap to attention. A shiver of incomprehension runs through me as I raise my head. My eyes then meet the cause of this brutal shift.
Hillary Clinton (President of the United States)
Hello, hello. Don't get up. Continue your activities, and act as if we weren't here.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Oooh... I didn't see you.
Madam President. Mr. Chancellor. Madam President. Mr. Prime Minister. Mr. President.
Hillary Clinton (President of the United States)
Are you the captain of this ship that cost us so much?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Affirmative, Madam President.
I'm sorry, but protocol prohibits visits to the bridge. And as you can imagine, we are in the middle of an operation.
Hillary Clinton (President of the United States)
Don't worry about us. Just do your job. We won't disturb you.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very well, Madam President.
You should know, however, that I gave instructions for you, your counterparts, and your entourage to be received in the meeting room on the lower level. It is equipped with screens and communications systems.
Hillary Clinton (President of the United States)
Yes, yes, Captain. We'll go there in due time.
But get back to work. Our citizens are waiting for you.