Captain Martinez strides onto the bridge, his gaze flitting towards his new XO leaning over the comm unit. Changing course, he walks over, standing next to him. "Simon."
"Ah, Captain." Glancing over his shoulder, he nods and turns back to the comm unit. "One moment Melissa, the Captain's here." Lt Cmdr Simon Knight turns back towards the Captain in order to explain. "Apparently we have some large debris incoming and Pilot Anderson is giving us some amended co-ordinates Sir."
"Very well. Hello Melissa. How are things looking up there?" Captain Martinez asks. The Comm unit crackles as her voice comes to life.
"Not good Captain, but we're holding out. We've several more leaks from micro meteors and we're plugging them as fast as they appear. Wish we had your shielding capabilities up here. It would have been a life saver." Everyone close by can hear the sadness evident in her voice as she continues. "We've lost another. She was sealing up a micro meteor when a second hit in the same place. It caused a blow out which depressurised the entire cabin. We've had to seal that area off."
"I'm sorry Melissa, we're working as fast as we can to get ready and up there to get you all out."
"I know you are Captain, thank you. As to that, I have new co-ordinates for your launch window Sir. It requires you to launch a little late, but I'm afraid it's necessary."
"Melissa, if we change the launch window now we'll miss the space station completely and it'll take time to accelerate to your position." captain Martinez states.
"I understand that Captain, but it's...necessary. If we could speak in Private Sir. I'd like to confirm a few details with you."
"Of course Melissa, I'll have you transferred to my ready room." Turning towards Lt Cmdr Knight he nods, then heads for his ready room. Settling into his seat, Captain Martinez activates the comm. "Okay Melissa, we're alone. Now why have you really changed our launch window?"
"I'm sorry Captain, but. You can't save us, not now. Not without risking your ship." A sob breaks free as she takes a moment to compose herself. "We have a chunk of Meteor heading towards us big enough to take out the entire station. Current estimates set it to hit us in roughly four hours. Launching in the original window will put you smack dab into the debris field."
"Oh Melissa. I'm so sorry." Is there nothing we can do?"
"No Captain, you have enough people to worry about. But I'd like to transfer control of the satellites if I could. You'll need them in order to help the rest of the ships through their launch windows. A half hour with your communications department should see it done."
"Melissa..." Captain Martinez starts to speak, but is cut off.
"Please Captain. I need to work. I can't talk about this, I can't even think about it right now or I'm going to fall apart and there's too much that needs doing right now."
"I understand. God speed Melissa. I'll transfer you over to the communications department, give them the new launch window information and make sure they understand what they need to in order to complete this task for the other ships."
A small sob breaks through the static. "Thank you Captain. It's been an honour."
The Comm unit goes silent as the Captain pipes through to the communications office. "Hello Captain, what can I do for you?" Lt Cooper asks.
"Melissa, I have Pilot Melissa Anderson on the line for you. She's on the ISS and needs to transfer control of the launch satellites to us. In four hours a meteor is going to impact the station and destroy it. Please don't make any mention of this. She's making every effort to stay calm and focused."
"Oh my God! Isn't there anything we can do?" She asks.
"There might be...but I don't want to give them false hope. So learn everything you can as fast as you can. Make sure you're fully up to speed on how to change and calculate launch windows...as a just in case of emergencies situation."
"Of course Sir! You can count on me."
"Good, because once you're off the line I'd like you to re-calculate our own launch window and let me know when we have to launch in order to reach the ISS prior to said Meteor hitting them."
A delightful laugh echoes through his ready room. "Oh, it will be my pleasure to Sir. If you could patch her through now I'll get started."
"Thank you Melissa." Patching the ISS through to his Comm Lt, Captain Martinez stands, arching his back to stretch out the kinks. "This is going to be a long four hours."
Activating his personal Comm unit, Captain Martinez contacts Commander Moore. "Joshua. The upgrade needs to be finished as soon as possible. I know you said two hours but can it be done any sooner?"
"Now Captain you know stuff like this can't be rushed. One little mistake and we never launch, let alone simply launching early or late. It takes as long as it takes."
"Damn it." He curses. "Okay Joshua, keep me informed. Testing will have to be done on the go I'm afraid."
"Ain't no way, no how I'm allowing this ship to launch without testing the shield Captain. Not happening."
"Commander Moore, in four hours the ISS gets destroyed. Either we make it in time to save its crew, or we mourn them."
"Shit. Okay, I'll get my work done as fast as I safely can, but I still insist on a shield strength test prior to launch. That's a must I'm afraid, and if we're getting close to debris of any kind I can't in right conscience allow a launch without said test."
"Very well Commander. Inform me when you're ready for the test." Closing down the comm, Martinez composes himself then strides out of his ready room. "Can I have everyone's attention please. Pilot Anderson has informed me that they have an impact event happening in roughly four hours onboard the ISS. It is my intent that we are ready for launch prior to that. I plan to save those people up there and I expect your best work to make this happen." Striding forward he takes the Captain's chair. "See that everything is in place, ensure everything is locked down and ready. Simon, I'd like you to check all the non essential areas in order to ensure compliance. Oh and make sure all patients remaining in med bay are either released or secured. You'll have to talk with Bill Lowe regarding the supply depot, what with Nigel still in the infirmary." Simon nods and heads for the door. "Oh and Simon, Tell those two ingrates in the med bay that they'd better buckle up and shut up. Any attempts by either of them to leave their beds will result in a stay in the brig once they're mended."
Simon laughs and nods. "Sure thing Captain, it'll be my pleasure."
"Ensign pipe me through the ships speakers please." The young ensign activates ship wide and nods towards him. "This is your Captain speaking. As many of you are likely aware the town and ship have been inundated with multiple meteor strikes on a daily basis. It is my solemn duty to inform you that this situation is untenable and it has been decided that the evacuation will commence. Recent communication with the International Space Station has confirmed that a large meteor is on course to impact the Earth. All civilians must retire to their quarters in preparation as the crew and I prepare the ship for launch. Any civilians caught wandering about will be confined to the brig for the duration of the launch. Thank you, please let the crew go on about their work free of disturbance as we work towards ensuring that this ship and many others are launch worthy. Welcome to the resolute Ark my friends. Settle in for the journey of your life."
With a nod from the Captain, the Ensign de-activates the ship wide comm. "Set the Launch timer to three hours Ensign, we can adjust it as we get more information incoming." The ships comm chimes and a pleasant, neutral voice sounds out.
"T-Minus three hours to launch."
"Ensign, contact the Staff Sergeant and make sure we have all available security teams walking the decks." Looking about him, Captain Martinez smiles. "Well folks, the adventure starts. Good luck and God speed."
