Episode 37. Operation: Reclaim Earth – Mission One
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Tuesday, July 23, 2024 - 15:01
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- Large Conference Hall
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Agnes Rodriguez, captain of the USS Mercator, led an emergency evacuation from Brussels after a massive attack escalated into a nuclear exchange and the appearance of a mysterious non-human vessel. The Mercator took severe damage; through bold maneuvers, the crew saved thousands of civilians but suffered heavy losses. After escaping the disaster on Earth, the crew reached the NATO starbase in lunar orbit, where Agnes is offered, and accepts under conditions, command of the USS Enterprise, with Angie Chen as Number One. In the meantime, the two women have discovered ultra-secret files revealing that extraterrestrial technologies have been recovered and exploited for decades.
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 | Victor S. Calpel | |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu | |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
Agnes and Angie attend a briefing where Admiral Michaux unveils the first Reclaim Earth mission: retaking control of every satellite in orbit. The USS Enterprise will be responsible for keeping the operation secure. A race against time begins to make sure the ship, and its freshly reassigned crew, are ready on schedule.
Story
For a good part of the morning, Manu puts my quarters back in order.
Angie and I use this respite to study and update our knowledge of the new technologies installed aboard the Enterprise, as well as the protocols that come with them.
By mid-afternoon, we finally get ready to go out.
We head toward the starbase's large conference hall, where a meeting is to be held with all the captains and first officers of the fleet.
No one knows exactly what it is about.
Obviously, as usual, we are late.
When we arrive, everyone is already seated in the auditorium.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Look, Agnes...
There are still two empty seats over there.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Let's go.
Be careful not to bump into everyone.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Sorry... excuse us...
Just passing through.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Hurry up and move faster, Angie.
Admiral Michaux is going to start his speech.
We have barely taken our seats when it feels as if a gravity field has just activated in the room.
As soon as Michaux sets foot on the platform, everyone freezes, stiff as statues in uniform.
Even Angie, undisputed champion of nonchalance, suddenly straightens up, looking as if she is wondering whether she should salute... or run.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Ahem...
Good morning, everyone, and thank you for coming.
I have gathered you here today to inform you of our next actions.
They have been decided and approved by the new provisional government, appointed by the leaders of the Alliance.
Those same leaders were able to be repatriated to our starbase thanks to the efforts and courage of Captain Agnes Rodriguez and her crew.
Please give her your applause.
A few rounds of applause echo through the room.
Angie gives me a discreet nudge with her elbow.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Hey, Agnes...
Stand up and say something.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Admiral.
I only did my duty.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Good.
As I was saying, we are going to undertake a series of actions over several months in order to reestablish contact with our forces remaining on Earth.
The first mission will begin tomorrow.
Its objective is to retake full control of every satellite in Earth orbit, including those belonging to the Russians and other foreign powers.
This step is essential, since at present we do not have sufficient information about the real state of the planet.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Heeey... Agnes, why did he make us come here?
We are not satellite repair techs.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Be quiet, Angie.
Listen to the admiral.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
According to our experts' estimates, this operation will require at least one week of work.
It will mobilize all Nauvoo-class vessels currently docked at the starbase.
In this arrangement, the USS Enterprise will provide support and security.
The mission will begin tomorrow at three p.m.
Thank you for your attention.
Good luck to you all.
You are dismissed.
The admiral leaves the room, his pad tucked under his arm.
Around us, the other captains and officers gather, exchange thoughts, debate.
As for me, with the Enterprise, I suddenly feel like an ugly duckling lost in the middle of a turkey pen...
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Well, congratulations, Agnes!
You accepted command of the Enterprise, and now here we are promoted to babysitters for the Nauvoos.
Bravo!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Do not pile on, Angie.
We have a lot of work.
This is the Enterprise's first flight, and we only have a few hours to be fully operational.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
I am telling you, that admiral is completely nuts!
We have barely taken up our duties.
If something happens, we will not be able to react properly simply because we do not yet have all the protocols mastered.
This is completely stupid of him!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We will be ready, Angie.
We will have to delegate, review the organization chart, and position our teams according to their seniority aboard the Enterprise.
As for the bridge officers...
You and I will cover their gaps.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
All right, Agnes.
We stick together.
I give her a brief smile, then straighten up in my seat.
Around us, the hum of conversation resumes.
The officers remain absorbed in the data scrolling across their pads. The hubbub slowly swells, like an echo of calculations, decisions, and orders taking shape.
Angie leans toward me for an instant.
Our shoulders brush.
I would like to take her hand, just for a second...
But a look pierces through us.
That of Captain Elias Warren, commanding officer of the USS Washington.
A veteran with a posture straight as a steel column.
In his dark eyes, neither reproach nor curiosity.
Only the silent reminder that, in this room, emotion has no place.
So, in the same motion, we straighten up.
Impassive.
Officers above all.
Without a word, we leave the room side by side, perfectly synchronized, like two beats of the same heart.
Destination: the Enterprise.