Episode 43. The Hatch Opens
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - 9:40 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Tasked with securing Earth orbit while the Nauvoo fleet repairs and retakes control of the satellites, the USS Enterprise suffered a sudden attack: an extraterrestrial vessel destroyed the USS Washington before directly confronting Rodriguez and her crew. Thanks to a bold maneuver, the Enterprise managed to break the enemy defenses, forcing the opponent to take refuge in Earth's atmosphere. As the satellite mission comes to an end, Ensign Flores picks up a Morse distress signal emitted from the surface of the Moon, in the heart of the Sea of Tranquility.
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 |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Lunar Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | N/A |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
Arriving at the Apollo 11 site, the Enterprise discovers that no trace remains of the historical artifacts. In their place rests an unknown vessel, four times larger than a class-F shuttle. The exploration team led by Angie Chen lands nearby. As they approach the strange craft, an access ramp opens.
Story
After another Earth-to-Moon crossing lasting barely fifty minutes, the Enterprise now flies over the Sea of Tranquility. We come to a stop directly above the source of the S.O.S. signal, emitted from the Apollo 11 landing site.
But what we discover is far from what I expected.
There is no trace of the LEM.
No American flag.
No scientific instruments left behind on July 21, 1957.
Nothing.
In their place, resting on the lunar surface, stands a small vessel with smooth, rounded lines and an unfamiliar design. It immediately draws all my attention.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, are you certain you brought us to the right place?
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Yes, Captain. We're exactly at the coordinates where the distress signal originated... the very same coordinates as the Apollo 11 landing site.
I have no explanation for the absence of the equipment left by the astronauts at the time.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's... extremely strange.
Let's focus on that shuttle.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Captain, I'm not sure we can call that thing a shuttle.
It's about four times the size of our Class-F shuttles... and it does not appear to be of human origin.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I do not care about its size, Mr. Corda.
I want to know whether it represents a threat to our exploration team.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
At first glance, no, Captain.
The energy signatures are extremely weak. The shield is lowered... and no weapons are deployed.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
In that case, the exploration team has the green light.
Flores, open a channel to Commander Chen.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Channel open to the exploration shuttle, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, Rodriguez here.
You are authorized to depart and land near the unknown object on the lunar surface.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Herbie 53 here. Message received.
We're leaving the Enterprise's shuttle bay.
Chen out.
In the shuttle, Angie is accompanied by Charlene Savea and Eros Vitos.
I usually worry whenever Angie leaves on a mission without me. But today, I don't feel that anxiety. Maybe because I can follow her on the bridge's main screen in real time. Or maybe because, for once, something tells me everything is going to be fine.
Either way, I keep watching.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Eros, you will find the new phasers in the cabinet at the back of the shuttle.
Hand them out, please.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Yes, Commander.
If I may... I'd have preferred our good old pistols.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
You don't trust our weapons, Ensign?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Not really, Commander.
With these phasers, all we'll do is tickle the target's small intestine.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
That's the stun setting, Eros.
And you, Savea, do you know how to use those things?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Commander Chen.
It's part of our training... but I have never had the opportunity to shoot anyone.
Much less an alien.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
None of us have, Charlene.
As long as you can aim, we'll be just fine.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Yes, Commander.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Fasten your seat belts. We're landing.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
You mean... we're landing on the Moon, Commander.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Thank you for the correction, Charlene.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
You are welcome, Commander.
The shuttle tilts slightly. Its shadow slides over the silver-gray ground, then a gentle burst from the thrusters kicks up a cloud of lunar dust. The stabilization thrusters shut down one by one, and everything becomes silent again.
Through the window, the Sea of Tranquility stretches out like a plain of ash, cold and motionless. Every particle drifts slowly back down, suspended in a dance without air.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Hello, Enterprise, this is Herbie 53.
We have just landed on the surface of the Moon and we're about to deploy the pressurized passage between the two shuttles.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Copy that, Herbie 53. Be careful.
Rodriguez out.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Commander, I have extended the shield to the unknown shuttle and deployed the environmental drones inside.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Perfect, Charlene.
Open the hatch and follow me.
A click. A brief breath.
The side hatch slides open slowly, sending a cloud of gray dust swirling in the wake of the decompression.
The outside appears, raw and still: a silver horizon dotted with craters softened by sunlight, drowned in absolute silence.
Angie moves first. Her foot sinks slightly into the fine layer of regolith. The Moon's weak gravity makes each step hesitant, almost graceful, like a dream suspended between sky and void.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Wow, Commander...
We're walking on the Moon. I never thought I'd live to see this.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Stay focused, Eros.
Stay behind me.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Yes, Commander.
That thing is really weird...
It looks like a giant ring.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
You have quite an imagination, Eros.
And you, Charlene? What do you think?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
If I had to guess, the ring serves the same purpose as our warp nacelles.
The lower section could serve as a deflector...
And the upper section looks like a cockpit.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Stop!
The object is moving!
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Commander, I'm picking up a thermal signature straight ahead!
The gray ground lights up in waves, as if the dust itself were reflecting an inner light. A line appears on the object's hull, thin at first, then slowly widening into a white glow.
The structure begins to glow softly.
A panel moves aside in a fluid, silent motion.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
It looks like... an access ramp.
Light pours from the opening, blinding for an instant, before stabilizing into a pale halo that cuts their silhouettes against the lunar ground.
A humanoid shadow steps forward.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Draw your phasers.
Do not fire unless I give the order.
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