Futuristic Space: The Forgotten Frontier (IC) Part 1

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"This message...that would be the AI you mentioned yes? That's...certainly odd...what did the transmission say? Any theories on why she might have gone silent like she did then?... I haven't heard of anything like that happening before in all my travels through space...That might have been due to my being a child through the majority of it and...Seems he has a reputation then." She hummed non-commitedly, her eyebrow's furrowing ever so slightly taking note of the change in expression. Her eyes wandered over to the changes going on, responding to Graves glare with a smile, not being one to be easily shaken on frustrated by such a thing. Quickly though they turned her attention to the captain as they approached, sparing a quick glance to Lilith to ensure that she was faring alright before looking to the captain.
"Greetings sir, we were told you wished to speak with us?"

 

[Gears]

"No, it was human- something about them making a mistake... It didn't sound good." Eddie considered telling her about the images, but if word spread about what he had seen, there would be a mutiny, chaos on the colonized worlds. "Lockdown is the kind of merc who leaves no survivors unless specified by his client, almost as odd as that assassin they brought along. Lilith stared at the machines, after a moment devolving into awe, before righting herself, looking at the ground, trying to stay emotionless, but she still glanced across the room occasionally. Graves said nothing, stalking away into the corridors, looking for his client.

The Captain turned to the group, returning a salute from Eddie before speaking. "We will be arriving at the rendezvous point soon, located on the satellite Ursa-1, the Russians on board won't tell us much, but there is a sickness spreading through the lower levels, I want you with the boarding team- you and our resident doctor will also need to prepare some biohazard response. She is in her lab already preparing a quarantine area in case any crew gets infected."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

A small frown formed across Skylar's face at the news as they chewed on the information.
"Doesn't sound good indeed...was there any clarification on what this mistake was? If there's any possibility that we could aid them..." she trailed off taking a sip of their now cooler tea, stopping themself, before giving a shrug. "Then it's at the very least my duty to do so...although I suppose I don't have any say on what the ship should do." She finished. They watched Lilith a moment relieved that she seemed a little more comfortable. "I see...there truly are people from every corner of the galaxy here for this mission." she observed.

Skylar nodded giving their full attention, and quickly unclipped a small notebook attached to the side of the medical kit they always wore attached to her belt.
"I understand, most of the crew are familiar with standard procedures to minimize contact with disease's correct? Was any information given about the sickness at all? Symptoms, how it spreads, even a name? You mentioned it as a Russian sattelite, does it seem to only be effecting humans then? Or everyone regardless of species. Or is the fact there is a sickness the only information given?" They quickly fired of, already jotting down the information given, having set the mug of tea to the side on the nearest empty surface.

 

[Gears]

"No indication, all I got was that message about screwing up- I have the rest of the audio but it needs to be uncorrupted, and that could take weeks- and the location was in the same system we are on our way too, after the station of course. The ship is still functioning, but the AI is offline, she's isolated herself and refuses to talk anymore, I've been regularly running checks on her but nothing is working."

The captain pulled a holotablet, looking through the report, casting an eerie glow on his face. "We didn't get much, Russians have ordered a media blackout, most communications from the base are filtered, but the people we are picking up sent a message. I will forward it to you, but we don't know much- appears to be airborne, symptoms rapidly shift between patients, one of our people managed to send some data from their hospital."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Skylar frowned tapping their fingers slightly.
"That's...really quite odd. Any indication on the age of the AI, or what ship it's from? That could at the very least provide some information that could help narrow things down? I'm afraid that's all I can think of...this isn't my area of specialty, my apologies...hopefully we won't arrive to late to be unable to help...does it seem like the ship was otherwise occupied besides the AI?"

"Thank you sir, it would be wise then to have the boarding party be on the smaller side and to ensure that everyone has filtration masks that is boarding if the disease is airborn. As typical recommended procedures suggest. I'll review what I can of the symptoms and data and see if I can determine what the disease is before boarding. " She finished her rapid jotting before clicking the notepad back in place upon her medkit and picked her mug up once again, as to avoid it potentially spilling.

 

[Gears]

"We got some information before the AI went dark, built by humans- they spoke common, nothing else. I guess it's my job to deal with it, and I hope we are the only things here." Eddie said, still scanning his wrist computer for any data he forgot.

"Feel free to request anything from the quartermaster or our resident doctor, I will prepare a team- originally I was going to send everyone, but with the tensions and this outbreak we cannot afford the risk. "You, Gears, and that UEDF drone should go- I believe he is in the soldiers quarters."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"That's...interesting...and worrisome I'll say. You mentioned the AI was from a ship? If it's unaccompanied besides the AI...how did it get all the way out here with no crew? Unless something happened? Or perhaps the AI somehow has complete control over the ships systems?"

Skylar nodded firmly taking a sip from her tea.
"I'll be sure to do that if I determine I need something. Smaller will be better when dealing with disease or infections, less chances for someone to catch it, and it's easier to deal with if someone does as well. What time do we arive? And UEDF drone? And who exactly is Gears?" They questioned running through in their mind what preperations they should make. They planned to speak with the resident doctor first, and determine what type of testing supplies the ship hosted, and of course help set up the Quarantine zone as well.

 

[Gears]

"We had some videos of the crew, they somehow died of some disease- it was a while ago, but we didn't find bodies..." Eddie said, grimacing at the memory. "I couldn't see much, but I can send you an overview of their symptoms that were visible, along with anything else related to their passing."

The captain gestured to Eddie, before continuing. "The UEDF brought a drone along, CD- he's been staying in the barracks to avoid any Shu corpo's, according to his team he isn't too fond of his creators. We will arrive at the station in 0500 hours." He said, before switching form military time, the prescne of the UEDF officers clearly reminding of his years of service. "Five hours doctor, before we arrive and dock with them."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"I'd appreciate that, thank you Eddie...it sounds quite tragic what happened...Perhaps the AI has ran out of it's energy source, and that's why it's gone silent?" They muttered almost more so herself, thinking it over.

"I see, I'll complete any preperations and be sure to be ready to board at the set upon time then. Is there anything you'd like for me to work on in the meantime?" They inquired, frowning ever so slightly.
"You mentioned that it seemed this information was leaked, based on the Media blackout. Are they aware of our arrival and plans to board? Or should we be prepared for the potential of experiencing some pushback in our attempts to help or hostility?"

 

[Gears]

"I have no idea where her servers and data would be located on this ship, but it wouldn't be right to just let her stay shut off, I was negotiating with her, we could have carried out this mission with her help." Eddie said, fumbling with some loose nuts and bolts he had pulled from his unform, fiddling with them as he spoke before putting them away.

"For now checkups on the men should help, the UEDF usually does their own checkups, but I want you and our resident doctor to run some more tests. We plan to have the party disguise as merchants, I would usually look down upon this plan, but with the UEDF and Russian tension as it is we have no choice."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"I agree, let's just hope that we can help her when and if we get the chance." They glanced at the nut and bolts he was fiddling with.

"I would be more then happy to help with check ups and tests. And alright, and the general plan once we're aboard? Do we have any way to contact those that sent out the request for help? I'll need to be able to get to the patients, do we have a general plan before then, or will we debrief just before boarding?" They questioned taking another sip from her tea.
"It's not the most honorable plan, but it's far from disallowed or illegal. The Ascelpius had to do similar guise's in the past as well. When lives are at stake we do what we must. "

 

[Gears]

"I hope so, maybe she can restore the ships remaining offline systems, and we can learn so much from her." Eddie said, eyes lighting up at the thought of what mechanics he could learn from her data, blueprints and designs- mechanics and programs, so much onboard this ship, just out of reach.

"A contact will meet your team at a mid-level bar, from there you will meet up with the other team, both teams will quickly head back to a small merchants ship we will send you in before heading back before the Russians can sniff out the plot. They should be concentrated on the quarantine and information suppressing, which would take place in the maintenance tunnels and lower levels so you should be far from any attention."

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"I take it you're quite interested in mechanations outside your job then?" She observed tilting their head at him questioningly, taking note of the way his eyes lit up at the prospects of what could be learned.

"I see, that sounds like a plan, and what will Eddie and CD be doing while I handle my duties aboard? Eddie and any other organic beings aboard should be careful to maintain distance from any infected until we can learn more about the disease, even with filtration masks on. How much time will we have approximately? If I have the time I would like to do a full examination of the patients and hopefully collect blood and spit samples to run tests aboard, but that does require time..." she paused hesitating a moment glancing at the Captain and then over to Eddie.
"Typically I wouldn't push the matter as I understand the need for confidentiality. But I must assert that all I will participate in is the aid and research of medicine. I have a code of neutrality, so if the purpose of this stop is anything beyond aiding the sick, and you plan to gather information for the UEDF involving the tensions with Russia, I hope you understand that I will not be able to assist with that. Apologies. "

 

[Gears]

“Of course, my Da was a ship engineer on a cargo ship, was practically raised in the engine room- I got into gadgetry after..” Eddie froze mid sentence, a distant look in his eyes- his hands no longer moving rapidly as he talked- dropping the fidget device.
“I usually deal with small equipment but I’m pretty good with ships.”

”We can manage with the UEDF agents on board, and Eddie will serve you well- we found him drifting in space in a gen-1 escape pod, cobbled together with a dozen different ship parts. All off my crew is required to take combat medicine and quarantine procedures.”

 

[Gears]

“Of course, my Da was a ship engineer on a cargo ship, was practically raised in the engine room- I got into gadgetry after..” Eddie froze mid sentence, a distant look in his eyes- his hands no longer moving rapidly as he talked- dropping the fidget device.
“I usually deal with small equipment but I’m pretty good with ships.”

”We can manage with the UEDF agents on board, and Eddie will serve you well- we found him drifting in space in a gen-1 escape pod, cobbled together with a dozen different ship parts. All off my crew is required to take combat medicine and quarantine procedures.”

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Skylar gave him a sympathetic look picking up on the distant look in his eyes, reminding them of their own journey to her occupation. They bent down picking up the fidget and passing it back to him.
"I understand... both my parents were also doctors. " she paused glancing to the side at the thought of her own deceased mother.
"I guess I know who to go to if any of my equipment breaks then." She said offering an ever so slightly pained smile to him, letting the conversation change from potentially painful memories.

"That's quite a relief then thank you." She said bowing her head in acknowledgement and respect. Their gray eyes glanced over to Eddie curiously at the description of how he was found, her head tilting ever so slightly before turning back to the captain.
"Is that all?"