Episode 23. Beyond Survival
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 15, 2024 - 8:17 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Earth-Moon Transfer Orbit
- USS Mercator
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
After barely surviving the nuclear cataclysm and a desperate maneuver that propelled the Mercator into orbit, Agnes found Angie in Module 3, saved from asphyxiation at the last possible moment. The bridge has restored its essential functions, and the crew had to decide a painful ethical dilemma: force thousands of refugees into sleep in order to preserve enough energy to reach the Moon. The Mercator finally tears itself away from Earth, heading toward a destination kept secret.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Manu | NATO / Special Fleet | Requisitioned Civilian |
Manifest
| USS Mercator | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Earth-Moon Transfer Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | 12,000 Refugees (Estimate) Leaders (Hillary Clinton and other heads of state) |
TL;DR
As the Mercator begins its transfer toward the Moon, Agnes tries to soothe a still-weakened Angie and gives Manu an unexpected mission: mingle with the refugees to identify those who can be requisitioned. Between revelations about a secret NATO station on the far side of the Moon and Manu's clumsy banter, the crew prepares to become true castaways from Earth.
Story
Although we survived, the situation remains precarious. We are exposed to the dangers of space aboard a vessel in an advanced state of deterioration. Our energy resources are at their lowest, and we are taking drastic measures to preserve them as much as possible.
After taking stock with my officers and setting priorities, all I have left to do is watch over everyone's well-being, starting with my first officer, who is slowly recovering from the aftereffects of her asphyxiation in Module 3.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Angie, how are you feeling?
You still look pale.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Don't worry about me, Agnes. I'm recovering... and as you can see, I'm not coughing anymore.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You should go to my office and lie down for an hour or so.
It would do you good.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Out of the question.
I'll have plenty of time to rest when I'm dead.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Don't be ridiculous.
At least go change. I should still have a spare uniform in my closet.
And please... stop making that face.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
How could you do that to me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Do what, Angie?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Show yourself off in the lower-deck showers.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's what's bothering you?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Of course, Agnes!
You are the captain of this vessel, not some ordinary subordinate!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I had a spell of sickness. I went there to recover.
No one was supposed to be there at that time; the crew was preparing the operation.
And in the military, it isn't rare for superiors to cross paths with their officers in that kind of place.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
That's exactly the problem, Agnes.
We're not in the military anymore!
We're part of the Special Fleet, and you command people from every background.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
So what?
What does that change?
We're not aboard a five-star ocean liner where everyone has a private cabin.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I'm sorry...
I'm letting my emotions get the better of me.
It's our first voyage with this vessel... and it's already turning into a nightmare.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All the more reason for you to rest in my office for an hour or two.
And above all, don't argue.
That's an order, my dear.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I'll follow your recommendation...
But only because it's you.
Angie leaves the bridge. She is genuinely angry, and I never imagined it would affect her that much.
Knowing her, she will get over it quickly... but not without thinking about it again.
I remain thoughtful for a few minutes, watching my officers go about their tasks.
Corda has started repairing the main screen, which is still showing nothing but static.
Manu stands right beside him, attentive, his eyes fixed on every gesture.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
So, Manu... the bridge fascinates you?
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Oh yes, Agnes. It's incredible.
I'd never been here before.
Why did you bring me with you?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I told you. I need you.
And I also wanted you to see the situation we're in.
During this journey, I want you to be my eyes and ears throughout the vessel.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Are you asking me to play secret agent?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No. That's more Ensign Flores's role.
You will work directly with Lieutenant Savea.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
And what exactly do you expect from me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We are understaffed.
And we need to know who among the refugees we can requisition.
Your mission will be to meet them and talk naturally with them: about their lives, their work, their skills, their passions...
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
All right... but why me?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Because you are part of the crew.
Because you know the vessel.
And above all, because you have no rank.
People will speak to you more easily than to a uniformed officer.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Ah... I understand.
And what do I get out of it, dear Cap'n Agnes?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You have already earned my respect, my trust... and privileged access to me and my officers.
If this is about status or pay, we'll make arrangements once we reach our destination.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Aaah yes... our famous destination on the Moon.
You still haven't told me why we're going there.
Is there a lunar base, like in the series Astra 1999?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, Manu.
There is no lunar base.
We are heading for a NATO space station, in orbit on the far side.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Woooow... that's completely insane!
And nobody knows about it? Not even the Russians?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
As far as we know, no.
Apart from the people directly involved in the project.
The Russians and Chinese are unaware of its existence... even if they must suspect something.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
But they also have the means to reach the Moon.
How could NATO hide an entire station?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The Moon is protected by stealth defense satellites, designed to make any unauthorized approach attempt fail.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Tell me, Agnes... reassure me.
Those famous satellites aren't going to shoot at us, are they?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Don't worry about that.
When the time comes, Ensign Flores will transmit our approach identifiers.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Is that NCC-815?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, not at all.
That's the vessel's registry number.
Our identifiers are secure codes more than a million characters long.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Ah... yes... I see.
Nothing like my eight-character password.
And you... have you already been to that station?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes.
Several times.
When the air force recommended me for a position in the Special Fleet, I completed the training there that was required to become a captain.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Good grief...
All that in the utmost secrecy.
I can't believe it.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right, Manu.
That's not all.
We have work waiting for us.
Go find Charlene. She will give you the instructions for your mission.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Aye, Super Cap'n Agnes.