Episode 42. Message in a Bottle
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - 20:17
- Location
-
- Space
- Earth Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
After winning a perilous duel against the extraterrestrial vessel, the Enterprise and the Nauvoos retake control of Earth's satellites. As the mission draws to a close, Flores picks up a strange signal, a targeted message coming from... the Moon.
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
Flores's readings locate the signal in the Sea of Tranquility, precisely at the Apollo 11 site. Once filtered, the interference turns out to be an SOS in Morse code. Rodriguez orders the fleet to return to the starbase without the Enterprise and sets a course for the Moon. A secret mission is launched: Angie, Savea, and Eros will take a shuttle to explore the Apollo 11 landing site, while the event remains absent from the official logs.
Story
A diffuse tension settles over the bridge when Ensign Emilie Flores announces that she has picked up a mysterious signal, addressed directly to the Enterprise, and coming from the Moon.
At the same time, the dozen or so Nauvoo-class vessels in our fleet are still waiting for my order to depart for the Starbase...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The surface of the Moon?
Can you be more precise, Flores?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
One moment, Captain. I am calibrating my instruments...
I am locating the source of the interference in the Sea of Tranquility.
I am going to grid the area to obtain more precise coordinates.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Hmm... the Sea of Tranquility...
That is strange.
What does your grid show, Flores?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
I have the exact coordinates, Captain.
But...
...but...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What, Ensign?
Speak.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Sorry, Captain... I would rather check before claiming anything...
But these coordinates correspond to the Apollo 11 landing site.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, I believe you know that area perfectly.
Can you confirm?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
I confirm, Captain.
That is exactly where Apollo 11 landed during the historic 1957 mission.
No crewed mission has landed there since that time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Mr. Corda.
What is the nature of that signal, Flores?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
No idea, Captain.
I am running it through different spectral filters, but it does not match anything known.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Put it on speaker, Ensign.
My officers listen carefully to the captured interference, trying to make sense of these disruptive emissions.
After testing several filters, I suddenly recognize a familiar sequence in the stream of signals.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
But... that is Morse.
Number One, can you confirm?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
It seems so, Captain.
The signal is broadcasting a rhythmic sequence on loop, always the same.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, can you decrypt it?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Yes, Captain.
Di-di-di... dah-dah-dah... di-di-di.
Three dots, three dashes, three dots.
It is an S.O.S.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Flores.
Savea, do you have a visual on the site?
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
Negative, Captain.
From our position, the lunar stealth satellites are preventing us from obtaining a usable image. The jamming is too dense.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes... logical.
NATO does everything it can so no foreign power can observe the lunar surface.
That jamming clearly does not make our task any easier.
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
What are your orders, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, transmit the departure order to the fleet.
All vessels are to return to the Starbase without waiting for us.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Orders transmitted, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Corda, set a course for the source of the distress signal.
Bring us close.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
We are leaving Earth orbit, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, prepare a shuttle during the crossing.
You will be accompanied by Savea and Ensign Vitos.
Once in lunar orbit, you will explore the Apollo 11 landing site.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Aye, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
This detour to the Moon is strictly confidential.
None of you will mention this event in your logs.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Number One)
Understood, Captain.