It takes a few minutes to coordinate the science and security teams, but soon, we have things well in hand. We move systematically through the station, clearing it deck by deck—a monumental task. In all, it takes 300 crew members two full days to secure the massive station.
I have my science teams begin disseminating the station’s research files to understand what they were really getting into. Meanwhile, my security teams go over every bit of sensor and station data with a fine-tooth comb. A bad day is becoming a worse week.
In the meantime, I keep the Phantasm at a discreet distance to avoid any issues and leave Shadow in charge. As we enter the central lab, Synthea sees it first. “Master! Over here!” I turn to look, gun drawn due to the urgency in her voice. “What do you got?”
“A life form, sir. It looks like one of the station’s crew.”
“Why didn’t we pick them up before?”
“It appears to be shielded inside this containment unit. Scanners can’t tell if they’re even alive.”
“Okay, let’s work on getting this field down and then we’ll see if they’re able to give us any information on what happened here.”
It takes a few minutes to hack through the security protocols, but we already have most of the station’s access codes, and Synthea makes light work of whatever is left. “I’m lowering the field now, Master.”
I turn to our subject and wave the science and medical teams over to run a scan before we even think of bringing this person aboard our ship. Besides, this station has better medical facilities than the Phantasm, so it might be best to have Lote’ come here and handle this instead.
“Sir.” My thoughts are interrupted by one of our lead medical officers. “What is it?”
“This woman is in deep cryo-stasis. It’ll be some time before we can get her transferred to the station’s hospital.”
“And why are you telling me this?”
“You’ll have to see for yourself, sir.”
As I approach the icy figure, I am a little stunned to see that this woman is the person the ship’s files identify as Dr. Hewitt, lead researcher and project coordinator for the station—AKA the head honcho. “Well, well, what do we have here? How is it you survived and everyone else vanished in a proverbial puff of smoke?” She doesn’t answer, and I don’t expect her to… yet.
I turn to my officer. “This is your number one priority. Contact the ship and get Lote’ down here ASAP. Place this deck and the hospital deck under full quarantine until further notice. Synthea is the only one granted access to come and go. Remain in your suits until further notice as well. Do not take any chances.”
Things are starting to look up but best not to count my chickens etc etc... |