Episode 57. Operation: Reclaim Earth – Mission Two
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Monday, August 5, 2024 - 2:58 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- Main Conference Hall
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
After a series of revelations about the temporal contamination of 1954, the crew of the USS Enterprise tries to regain a semblance of normality. Captain Rodriguez and Commander Chen have turned their duel with Tarsi into a cautious alliance, while Manu, the ship's custodian, has been promoted to Science Attaché. But the war and the secrets of High Command still hang over them...
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Anthony Michaux | NATO / Starbase | Admiral | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) |
TL;DR
During a briefing at the starbase, Admiral Michaux announces the second mission of Operation Reclaim Earth: the Nauvoo ships will be tasked with restoring contact with the NATO bunkers. But at the end of the meeting, he holds Agnes and Angie back: the Enterprise, deemed unsuitable for the main mission, is assigned a special operation whose details remain... classified.
Story
It was a busy weekend aboard the Enterprise.
In preparation for the next missions, we fine-tuned everyone’s assignments based on their individual skills.
Manu is settling into his new role in science, with Charlene keeping an eye on him.
Little by little, we are ironing out the weak spots and getting a better handle on the protocols specific to our new ship.
On Monday, as planned, we head to the main conference hall of the starbase, where all the captains and first officers have been called in.
And for once, Angie and I are on time.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
What are you doing, Agnes?
Why are you getting up?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I’m moving to the seat next to you.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Don't you like that one?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No. Some idiot spilled soda, and my shoes keep sticking.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
That’s your fault.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Um... why?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
If you hadn’t poached Manu from the starbase cleaning crew, this place would be spotless. Ha ha ha!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I didn’t poach him. I took him back.
He was already working for us aboard the Mercator, remember?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Shh... Here comes Michaux.
Around us, the conversations gradually fade. The last officers take their seats. Chairs scrape the floor, and a low murmur still hangs in the room.
The tension quietly builds.
Everyone knows meetings like this never bring good news.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Hum... hum.
Good morning, everyone.
Let me begin by congratulating you on achieving last week's mission objective. Thanks to your efforts, we once again control our satellites in orbit around Earth.
Over the past few days, our specialists have resumed their observations.
Unfortunately, we have still not managed to establish communication with our bases on Earth, because of the thick layer of radioactive clouds blocking communications...
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Hey, Agnes...
Do you think he's going to ask us to babysit the Nauvoo again?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Hmm. Probably.
I don't see what else the Enterprise could do right now.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
... However, the mission was not a complete success, since we mourn the loss of the USS Washington and her one hundred thirty crew members, following a treacherous attack by an unknown enemy.
In their memory, I ask you to stand and observe a minute of silence.
Everyone in the room stands.
Silence settles over the room, heavy, almost artificial. I stare straight ahead, trying to stay focused, when I notice Angie move slightly closer.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Hey, Agnes...
Funny how he forgot to mention his fleet would've been wiped out if we hadn't been there.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
There's a reason for that.
When we returned, I confronted him in his office.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Are you crazy?
Why did you do that?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Don't talk so loud.
Everyone is looking at us.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
You didn't tell him we picked up an alien, did you?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No.
Don't worry about that.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Phew.
Thank goodness, because that bastard would've been capable of dissecting Tarsi without anesthesia.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
You may sit down.
Let us now move on to the next mission.
The Nauvoo ships will be tasked with traveling to Earth and docking with the bunkers scattered across NATO territories. Once contact has been made, the crews must assess the situation, resupply the bunkers, repair life-support systems, reinforce insulation, and provide medical assistance.
Finally, they will have to recover key assets and bring them back to the starbase in order to keep the survival effort going.
That is all for now.
You are dismissed.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Yeah, right.
He calls us in, gives the Nauvoo their mission... and what are we supposed to do?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Don't get worked up, Angie.
He's watching us.
At that moment, I watch the admiral step down from the podium and head straight toward us, his gaze locked onto ours. Around us, the officers are already beginning to leave the room.
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Rodriguez. Chen.
Stay a little longer. I have a mission for you.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We're not escorting the Nauvoo?
Adm. Anthony Michaux
No.
The Enterprise is not really suited to that kind of work.
You're going to take part in a special operation.
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