| Chapter 1 Disaster |
| En route to Spacedock 4 9:15 Standard Earth Time (SET) 2195 “So what’s next on our agenda?” Commander Vaughn asked, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Captain Mansel and Commander Vaughn were off duty, lounging in Mansel’s quarters. Looking at the infopad in front of him, Captain Mansel relayed their next assignment. “We’re to return to Spacedock 4 and be refitted with these new superluminal engines. Afterwards, we give them a test run.” “Superluminal engines?” Commander Vaughn repeated. “How long is that going to take?” “An estimated week.” “Better than mapping star systems.” Since an official truce had been declared earlier in the year between the Imperial Armada and the UNSF, the Explorer had been sent back to their original mission of mapping UNSF territory. For the past three weeks, the crew of the Explorer had been bored to tears. Sitting on one side of Mansel’s table, Commander Vaughn reached over and pushed a button on Mansel’s communications system. Lieutenant Commander Broadaway’s face appeared on the screen, in charge of the bridge when Vaughn and Mansel weren’t there. “Commander Broadaway,” asked Commander Vaughn, “what’s the ETA for Spacedock 4?” “We’re coming up on it now sir,” the helmsman replied from the bridge. “I was just about to inform you.” “Sure you were. The Captain and I will be there momentarily.” “Aye, Commander.” Broadaway winked off and headed to his console to begin docking procedures. “A nice little week break we get,” Mansel said, standing and straightening out his uniform. The tan shirts had an exceptional knack for wrinkling easily. At the Spacedock lounge, Mansel met up with old friend Jim Brungess. He hadn’t seen the EDF/UNSF liaison officer since the incident back on Gara IV where Jim had been shot in the shoulder, thigh, and chin. Mansel, who had violated direct orders to keep away from the planet, had taken shots to the left thigh and shoulder. Their friend Eric Meelan had taken one to the gut. Both still wondered how they survived that ordeal, and how Mansel had managed to keep his career. “Do you ever work?” was Mansel’s greeting to his best friend. The liaison officer smiled. “Behind the scenes, boy. A little over your head.” “How’s Maki doing?” the starship captain asked, letting the last remark slide. Brungess gave Mansel a sidelong glance. “Maki’s…Maki. She’s currently on assignment somewhere…it’s all hush-hush.” He jerked a thumb at the Explorer-B, hanging in the dock. “What are you doing here?” Engine refits,” replied the starship captain. “They’re putting superluminal engines on my ship.” He sighed as he looked at the Sovereign class ship, already crawling with maintenance. “Still not sure if I like the idea or not.” Brungess handed Mansel a Root Beer. “Guess you’ll have to find out.” *** USS Explorer-B, two weeks later 10:14 SET 2195 It had taken the tech crew a little longer than they thought to install the superluminal engines. But now it was ready to go, and her crew was eager to test her out. “Bring us online, Broadaway,” said Mansel, settling down in his command chair. “Warn up the sublight engines.” “Glad to get back out in space,” General Brungess reflected, sitting in the guest’s chair. He had requested to tag along with the Explorer group as they tested out the new faster-than-light engines. The Explorer started its familiar hum and vibration as the space vessel came online. All the external lights were turned on that displayed the UNSF logo, the ship’s name, and its registry number. “Ship online sir,” Broadaway notified. “Space Control has given us the go ahead, sir,” announced Lieutenant Hardy from his position at Communications. Well then,” said the Captain, “take us on out of here.” The Sovereign class ship smoothly sailed out of the dock, gliding on maneuvering thrusters. Once cleared, Broadway gunned the sublight engines and the Explorer shot off. |
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