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Episode 39. First Strike

Book 1 - Episode 39 - First Strike

Context

Coordinated Universal Time
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 3:54 PM
Location
  • Space
  • Earth Orbit
  • USS Enterprise
  • Bridge
Timeline
Unknown Timeline
Previously

After Agnes is appointed to command the USS Enterprise, the crew finds its footing aboard the new vessel: organizing stations, adjusting to the imposed uniforms, and uncovering heavy secrets tied to Area 51 and alien technologies. Admiral Michaux then launches the first mission: retaking control of the satellites in Earth orbit. The Enterprise, designated flagship of NATO's Special Fleet, has left spacedock at the head of a convoy of Nauvoo-class vessels.

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
Emilie Flores NATO / Special Fleet Ensign
Charlene Savea NATO / Special Fleet Lieutenant

Manifest

USS Enterprise
Affiliation NATO
Location Earth Orbit
Captain Agnes V. Rodriguez
First Officer Angie Chen
Pilot Eric Corda
Communications Emilie Flores
Operations Charlene Savea
Tactical
  • Eric Corda
  • Charlene Savea
Science N/A
Advanced Weapons Eros Vitos
Infirmary Victor S. Calpel
Counselor/Consultant Manu
Custodian Manu

TL;DR

In Earth orbit, just as the mission appears to be going well, the USS Washington is suddenly pulverized by invisible fire. Red alert: the Enterprise prepares its defenses and tries to identify the attacker. Soon, the enemy reveals itself: the mysterious vessel seen over Brussels appears directly ahead. The confrontation is imminent.

Story

Captain Agnes Rodriguez's log.

The Enterprise is on its inaugural mission and is leading a convoy made up of around ten Nauvoo-class vessels.

Our mission is to secure Earth orbit while the other units retake control of the satellites.

Unlike our previous Earth-Moon trip aboard the Mercator, which lasted nearly three days, this fully operational crossing took only about fifty minutes.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot

Captain, we are approaching Earth orbit.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Excellent, Mr. Corda.

Wait until the Nauvoos are in position.

Hold our position so the entire convoy remains within our protection zone.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot

Maneuvers in progress, Captain.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Flores, maintain permanent contact with each Nauvoo.

Ens. Emilie Flores Communications

Aye, Captain.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Savea, deploy surveillance probes across the entire area.

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

Probes released, Captain.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

What are the scans of Earth's surface showing?

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

Zero visibility, Captain.

The radioactive clouds are still extremely dense.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Thank you, Savea.

If we can't observe the surface...

Then the ground can't see us either.

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

I cannot confirm that hypothesis, Captain.

That would normally fall within the science station's duties.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

I know, Savea.

When we return to the starbase, I will recruit a specialized officer.

The Enterprise continues the operation to neutralize the rival powers' satellites and repair NATO satellites. The hours pass, communications keep flowing. Everything seems under control.

Then, without the slightest warning, a blinding white flash streaks across the forward viewscreen.

I feel the vibration travel through the deck.

The blast strikes the hull.

The USS Washington is hit by a beam of unknown origin.

The USS Washington, Captain Elias Warren's vessel, which was operating nearby, is torn apart before our eyes. Within seconds, nothing remains but a mass of incandescent debris and signals going dark one by one.

On the bridge, no one speaks.

Then the first fragments strike our hull with a dull rumble.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Savea, red alert. Shields, now!

Corda, hold our position!

Number One, activate weapons systems!

Flores, order the fleet to fall back immediately!

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

Captain, we have nothing on sensors!

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Did the shot come from the planet's surface?

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

Negative, Captain.

If that were the case, we would have detected it earlier.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Keep scanning, Savea.

What do our probes say?

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

They're detecting nothing, Captain...

But they recorded the energy shot that destroyed Captain Warren's vessel.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Calculate the point of origin from the trajectory.

Then scan the area.

Lt. Charlene Savea Operations

Calculations in progress, Captain.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Flores, tell Vitos to launch two DXS and position them at the coordinates Savea is calculating.

It is time to test this new toy.

Ens. Emilie Flores Communications

Message sent, Captain.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

It's out there... somewhere.

It's watching us.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot

What are you saying, Captain?

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Stay alert, Corda.

In the corridors of the Enterprise, the sirens sound.

Personnel rush to battle stations.

On the bridge, Angie, Charlene, and Eric frantically try to identify the origin of the attack that led to the destruction of the USS Washington and its one hundred and thirty crew members.

Bridge officers scan every display and sensor with feverish attention, in the hope of locating this invisible enemy.

Then, emerging from nowhere, our mysterious attacker appears.

The Aragthonian appears in front of the Enterprise.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot

Captain, the enemy is straight ahead.

What are your orders?

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Hold position, Corda.

It is our old friend from Brussels...

The Aragthonian.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot

The what, Captain?!

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Number One, load all torpedo tubes!

Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One

Five torpedoes loaded and ready to launch on your order, Captain.

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