Episode 25. Running on Empty
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – 11:42 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Earth-Moon Transfer Orbit
- USS Mercator
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
After surviving the nuclear apocalypse and leaving a wounded Earth behind, the USS Mercator has managed, at the cost of radical ethical choices, to climb onto a trajectory toward the Moon. Thousands of refugees have been forced into sleep to preserve energy, while Agnes has had to face the hostility of political leaders, including the President of the United States, who challenge her authority. Even so, the course is holding: reach NATO's secret base on the far side of the Moon, their only hope of survival.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
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 |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu (unofficial) |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
|
TL;DR
Agnes and her crew improvise a breath-hold mode to squeeze out every last ounce of energy for the lunar approach: reduced gravity, shutdown of nonessential systems, cutting the climate control... Everything now depends on pilot Eric Corda's precision and on the endurance of a vessel running on empty.
Story
Despite the countdown constantly ticking in the back of my mind, the hours stretch on. Slowly.
Sitting in my chair, I stare at the main screen Lieutenant Commander Corda managed to restore.
Earth is receding. It grows smaller as we move toward the Moon.
From here, we can still make out the atomic mushroom clouds blooming over the last territories that had somehow been spared. The few patches of green still left are disappearing one after another.
Seeing that, I cannot help wondering.
How did we get here?
When did everything fall apart?
And above all... what am I supposed to do with the future now?
I have no answer. None.
What I do know, however, is that the world as we knew it no longer exists.
Exhaustion is really starting to set in. I ended up imposing two-hour rotations on the bridge.
Right now, Emilie is sleeping on the cot in my office while Angie replaces her at her station.
As for the rest of the crew, Charlene has arranged staggered breaks. We are holding on however we can.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, how much farther do we have to go?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
We have already covered about two-thirds of the trip.
We have just under one hundred and twenty thousand kilometers left, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Can we go any faster?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
No, Captain.
With the power engineering is giving me, I'm limited to basic course corrections.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Will you have enough left for the approach?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
No idea, Captain.
You'll have to check with Lieutenant Savea. She is the one handling resource allocation.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Lieutenant Savea, did you hear that?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Captain. The computer is constantly recalculating our reserves based on our trajectory.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes, I know.
But will there be enough energy for the approach?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
No, Captain.
Our current consumption is too high.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Lieutenant.
We're going into breath-hold mode.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Breath-hold mode?
I'm not familiar with that procedure, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It is not a procedure, Lieutenant.
Mr. Corda needs power. Let's give him some.
But before that, I want a full status report on the refugees.
And what's been done to keep them comfortable.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
After Non-Lethal Protocol 1.3 was activated in the modules, the medical teams attended to the occupants.
They were laid out on the floor and given nutrients through IV drips.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Excellent initiative, Lieutenant.
I had not thought of that. I had assumed the trip would be shorter.
Did everyone get their dose?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Captain.
As far as we can tell, we shouldn't need to worry about those passengers anymore.
For those still awake aboard the ship, we distributed the military rations stored in the hold.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
In short... you pampered them.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
The teams simply applied the emergency protocols you triggered, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very well.
Is that phase complete now?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Captain.
Only the sickbays remain on standby, with security deployed in the passenger sectors.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Perfect. Then we move to breath-hold mode.
Cut the lighting in every sector except those still active.
Reduce artificial gravity by twenty-five percent.
Then isolate every unused compartment: galleys, showers, locker rooms... everything.
Before you proceed, recalculate everything.
I want to be certain these measures will be enough.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Aye, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, inform the teams of the measures we are about to take.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
I will handle it immediately, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
So, Savea.
What do we have?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
We will be right on the edge, Captain.
Hard to say whether it will work.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Damn...
Is there a leak somewhere or what? I feel like I'm the captain of a Playmobil starship powered by an alkaline battery.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
To be honest, Captain, the vessel only received the resources required to execute the initial plans approved by our political leaders.
Nobody ever planned for what we're living through.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We don't have much choice. We will make do with the battery.
Lieutenant, you may begin applying breath-hold mode.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Preparing breath-hold mode now, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What else can we still shut down?
Any ideas?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
The shuttles, Captain.
We could use them to tow us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Clever, Mr. Corda.
Lieutenant Savea, your opinion?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Impossible, Captain.
The engineers already reassigned those resources when we were still in Earth orbit, to restore the systems that had failed on us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You have a real talent for undermining morale, Lieutenant.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Sorry, Captain.
That was not my intention.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Captain, I suggest climate control.
We could shut it down for the entire approach procedure.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Number One.
Lieutenant Savea, what do your calculations say?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
It could work, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You do not sound entirely convinced, Lieutenant.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Captain, there is always a gap between theory and practice.
It will mostly depend on Eric... and on how he handles the approach.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
She is right, Captain.
I cannot predict in advance how many corrections I will need to make.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very well.
In that case, get your sweaters ready.
Lieutenant Savea, you will also shut down climate control as soon as Mr. Corda begins his maneuvers.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One...
Still no word from the starbase?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
No, Captain.
It is unlikely we will receive an answer to our distress call.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I know.
That is consistent with their protocols in the event of lost contact with Earth.
But you never know.
Keep trying anyway.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Yes, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Savea, I think it's your turn to get some rest.
Once your task is complete, wake Flores in my office.
Commander Chen will take over your station.
I want you fresh and operational in two hours.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
I'll pass, Captain.
I'm still fit for duty.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Denied, Lieutenant.
I cannot afford to have you collapse from exhaustion at the crucial moment.
Mr. Corda will come pry you out of the arms of Morpheus in two hours.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
But Captain... uh...
Yes. All right, Captain.
Without adding another word, Savea finishes entering the data on her console.
She locks the parameters, then reluctantly rises from her seat, leaving her place to Angie.
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