Episode 18. Holding Fire
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - 7:13 PM
- Location
-
- Earth
- Brussels
- USS Mercator
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
As Brussels falls into exodus, the evacuation orchestrated by the Mercator continues in chaos. The tension climbs another notch when Russia unleashes a missile storm, forcing the crew to rely on Vitos's DX-01-10 defenses. The damaged Module 3 threatens the vessel's integrity, and Angie has to intervene manually. On the bridge, the announcement comes: DEFCON 1. Europe is under nuclear fire, and Brussels has only a few minutes left.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Jules Hamilton | NATO / Defense | Admiral |
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
Seven minutes before nuclear impact, a UFO appears in front of the Mercator. Vitos attempts reconnaissance, but the drone is instantly destroyed. The object attacks ground defenses before turning toward the vessel. Agnes orders a gentle evasive maneuver, suspends the return to the bunker, and contacts Hamilton. Despite his protests, the admiral agrees to lock down the bunker, not knowing whether Agnes will return.
Story
On the bridge, my gaze remains fixed on the timer. Seven minutes.
That is all we have left before impact.
Angie is still in Module 3, trying to reattach it to the Mercator, and I have no news from her. Every passing second weighs down my worry, but I force myself to remain impassive.
Meanwhile, Europe is collapsing, piece by piece. Several cities have already been annihilated. On the screens, red dots multiply at a terrifying speed. In Germany, Russian missiles have entered our strike zone, and Vitos is trying to intercept them with the DX-01-10.
If he fails, Brussels will be next on the list.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Vitos, this is Rodriguez. Where do you stand?
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Captain, we missed the first wave and we're chasing them, but they're extremely tough.
Three nuclear missiles are heading for Brussels. Each one is escorted by a swarm of more than fifty standard missiles, designed to saturate our interceptions. Even the ground-based air defenses are being fooled.
I've already lost seven mini-DXs out of ten. I'm afraid we won't be able to stop them.
I'm about to launch the second DX.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Negative, Vitos.
Hold the last DX. We'll be withdrawing in a few minutes.
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Copy that, Captain. Sorry I can't do better.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Given the circumstances, you've done everything possible.
Rodriguez out.
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
Captain. The module safety protocol has restarted.
Commander Chen appears to have managed to reattach Module 3 to the vessel.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thanks for the update, Savea.
At least that's settled.
Flores, open a channel to Module 3. I want to make sure everything is all right.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
I can't establish communication with Module 3, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Why?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
I don't know. It may be related to the damage the cockpit sustained.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Maybe. We'll deal with that later.
Tell the transporter officers to stop the evacuation.
We're weighing anchor.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Order transmitted, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda... you're the driver.
We're going home.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
Captain... look at the screen.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What the hell is that?
A deafening silence falls over the bridge. Everyone holds their breath before the image projected on the screen. My heart skips a beat. Instinctively, my fingers tighten on the armrest of my chair.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
It doesn't look Russian, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thanks for the update, Corda.
If the Russians really had that kind of technology, we would all have been dead a long time ago.
Above all... do not move the vessel.
Savea, what does the radar show?
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
The unidentified flying object appears on radar, but the sensors detect nothing.
It is one thousand meters from our current position. And I can assure you it was not there thirty seconds ago, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I believe you, Savea.
Flores, put Vitos back on.
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Vitos here. You again, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Is the second DX ready to launch, Vitos?
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Yes, of course. Have you changed your mind, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
There's a UFO in front of us.
I want you to launch the DX discreetly and gather as much information as possible.
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
The DX is launched, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, split the screen and display the images the drone is sending us.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Captain... the UFO just destroyed the DX.
It's firing at several targets.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Damn it!
What's it firing at? Savea, Corda!
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
At the city's air defenses, Captain.
Look... it's turning toward us.
Should we activate weapons, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Negative, Savea!
Show no sign that could be interpreted as a threat. We don't know who we're dealing with.
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
Copy that, Captain.
What are your orders?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Corda, engage propulsion and evade it gently.
Savea, delay the countdown by three minutes.
Flores, contact the bunker and get me the admiral.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
The link with the bunker is established. Admiral Hamilton will take the call on video, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Put him on screen, Flores.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Ah, Agnes... What is it? You know we are waiting for you here.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Admiral, give the order to lock down the bunker. Right now.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
What is happening, Agnes?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Please, Admiral, we don't have time to discuss this.
If we come back, the bunker and the entire network will be threatened.
Lock down the bunker. Immediately.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Agnes... you are asking me to seal access to the bunker while thousands of souls are counting on you.
I need to know why.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I'm asking you to trust me.
One last time, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Very well, Agnes.
I have always had faith in you. I only hope you know what you're doing.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
So do I.
You have been a good mentor, Admiral.
Adm. Jules Hamilton
Good luck, my dear Agnes.
And may God protect you.