Nothing to See Here

Posted on Fri Aug 28th, 2020 @ 8:03pm by Lieutenant JG Kevin Lance & Captain Mystery Ellis

Mission: Distress Call
Location: Freighter Olympia
Timeline: Current

After briefly checking the combined helm/navigation/tactical console and being nudged aside by an overeager flight control Ensign, Kevin departed the freighter’s bridge to sweep the crew areas. It didn’t take long as much like most merchant ships, it was mostly engines and cargo area. Each meter set aside for crew comforts was a meter of lost profit. Hence the crew facilities were cramped and spartan. The away team had packed the freighter’s bridge and Kevin welcome the opportunity to depart.

Within 15 minutes, he satisfied himself that nothing was out of the ordinary, aside from a lack of crewmembers. Perhaps Captain Reynolds piloted the ship alone, assisted only by a holographic crew. It wasn’t unheard of but always struck Kevin as a lonely existence.

He return to the freighter’s bridge and called the Independence. “Lieutenant Lance to Captain Ellis,” he intoned.

"Captain incoming message from the freighter, it's Lieutenant Lance,"

"On screen," Mystery ordered "Lieutenant, what have you found out?" Mystery asked once the link was established

"Commander Ellis is consulting with Captain Reynolds," Kevin replied, "The Captain appears to be the only being on the ship. I am finding nothing out of the ordinary and request permission to return to my post on the Independence."

"No one else is aboard? That's a little odd for a freighter," Mystery commented "Have you checked to see if the escape pods have been launched?"

"Odd but not unheard of," Kevin agreed, "This type of freighter is designed to be handled by a small crew, no more than a half dozen. A single sentient could manage the ship with the assistance of a holographic crew. The ship's sole escape pod was intact."

"Request to return granted," Mystery said

"Aye, aye, Ma'am" Kevin replied. A wave of relieve sweep over him as he notified the transporter room to beam him back.


Lieutenant JG Kevin Lance

and

Captain Mystery Ellis