Episode 30. A Cause for Concern
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, July 22, 2024 - 08:16
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- Adm. Michaux's Office
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
After bringing more than 10,000 refugees to the NATO starbase, the crew of the Mercator must face the consequences of its choices. Accused of violating several protocols, Agnes Rodriguez nevertheless escapes court-martial: Admiral Anthony Michaux entrusts her with command of the brand-new USS Enterprise, with Angie Chen as first officer. An unexpected honor... but also a debt that could turn into a trap.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Anthony Michaux | NATO / Starbase | Admiral |
Manifests
| USS Mercator Out of Service | USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez | |
| First Officer | Angie Chen | |
| Pilot | Eric Corda | |
| Communications | Emilie Flores | |
| Operations | Charlene Savea | |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos | |
| Infirmary | N/A | |
| Counselor/Consultant | N/A | |
| Custodian | N/A |
TL;DR
Facing Michaux, Agnes and Angie give their analysis of the UFO seen over Brussels: a vessel roughly the size of the Mercator, with overwhelming firepower and probably non-human in origin. The admiral confirms his concerns: if this threat proves real, the fleet, already drained, may not be able to stand against it. Before letting them go, Michaux awards Rodriguez and Chen the Medal of Courage, along with decorations for Corda, Savea, and Flores. He also announces the imminent arrival of highly confidential documents, whose contents remain mysterious.
Story
The meeting drags on, and I have only one thought left in my head: leave Michaux's office.
I have always known him to be pragmatic. Cold, sometimes brutal, but rational.
Yet for the past few minutes, something has been off.
A tiny dissonance.
I do not really understand why he chose to take me under his wing when he could very well have left me in the judges' claws.
Objectively, he has removed a huge thorn from my side.
But at what price?
I now owe him a debt.
And inwardly, I pray he never decides to collect.
Beside me, Angie has not relaxed by a millimeter.
Her jaw is clenched. I can almost hear her grinding her teeth.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Let us now talk about the UFO you encountered in Brussels.
What can you tell me about it?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Not much, Admiral.
We only have a few video recordings attached to the mission files.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Yes, I watched them.
They are far from usable.
I want your personal opinion, Rodriguez.
What do you think?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It is a vessel the size of the Mercator, equipped with a robust energy shield.
It absorbed several surface-to-air missiles from our air defenses without flinching.
Its firepower is considerable. In my opinion, it could have pulverized our vessel with a single laser shot.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Do you have a theory as to its origin?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No, Admiral.
But I am almost certain it is not of human origin.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
What makes you think that, Rodriguez?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Its design.
Its shape.
Its response speed.
And above all... its power.
NATO spent nearly half a century developing its starships without ever reaching that level of technology.
I do not believe the Russians or the Chinese could have surpassed us to that degree.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
I share your analysis.
In the aerospace field, the Russians and Chinese are still in the Stone Age.
And you, Chen? Your impression?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Admiral, if the Russians had such technology, they would already have annihilated us.
They would not have needed to resort to missiles from another era.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Thank you, Chen.
Should we expect to see that vessel again?
And above all... is it alone?
Your hypotheses, Rodriguez.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I have no certainty, Admiral.
According to our instruments, the vessel was even closer than we were to the impact point.
It may have been damaged... but not necessarily neutralized.
In my opinion, we should stay on guard.
As for whether it is alone... every hypothesis remains open.
Our own vessels can operate alone or in groups as far as the system's asteroid belt, and beyond.
If we can do it, it is logical to think they can too.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
I do not like this, Rodriguez.
Our resources are already limited.
And if, on top of that, we have to face an invasion of hostile aliens... we could be in for a very rough time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Have you already activated specific plans, Admiral?
Adm. Anthony Michaux
We are working on it.
My teams have brought out the existing crisis scenarios and are adapting them in light of your new data.
But this UFO... it is a completely unprecedented factor.
It seriously complicates the equation.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
There is always a little pebble in the gears, Admiral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
I could have done without this one.
I believe we have covered everything.
You may be dismissed.
Uh... one moment, please.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Uh... yes, Admiral?
What is it?
The admiral opens one of the massive drawers of his desk.
He extracts a small box stamped with NATO's seal and places it between us.
The gesture is dry. Almost brutal.
Then he lifts his chin slightly and stares at us without blinking.
With a simple movement of his head, he orders us to stand at attention.
He unlocks the box.
Inside, two medals.
He takes them and holds them level with our chests.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
For your recent actions, I hereby award each of you the NATO Fleet Medal of Courage.
I would have liked to organize an official ceremony.
But given the number of lives lost on Earth... it would not have been appropriate.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Admiral.
It is an honor to receive it from your own hands.
He closes the box... then takes out three other decorations, which he hands directly to me.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
These decorations are for your officers, Corda, Savea, and Flores.
You will present them personally.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Admiral.
They fully deserve them.
A brief silence settles in.
Then Michaux resumes, in a more neutral tone. Administrative. Too neutral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Once you have officially taken up your duties aboard the Enterprise, I will send you several documents to sign.
As well as a classified file.
This information will be useful for your next missions.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Confidential documents, Admiral?
Given our rank, we already have access to a large portion of the Fleet's data.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
These are of a different nature.
When you receive them... you will understand.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Uh...
Very well, Admiral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
You may be dismissed.
Captain Rodriguez.
Commander Chen.
It was a pleasure to see you again.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Likewise, Admiral.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
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