Chapter One: Deep Space Music

[Akirapryde]

Welcome to Phoenix Station
Perimeter of the Gum Nebula
Deep Periphery (250 Light years from boarder of Federated Suns Space)
Date: January 1st, 3161

Arriving at Phoenix Station, the Mark VII belonging to the party was directed to land at the Station’s only Landing Bay. The massive wide open bay was a buzz of activity was maintenance crews were tending to the last minute touches of the stations. Along the starboard side of the bay were tall stacks of white shipping crates. That had been unloaded the day before. The landing bay of Phoenix Station was nothing special to speak of. The only unusual sight was the absent of any combat or military grade crafts in the landing bay. For the location of Phoenix Station, it was strange to see that no thought was placed to combat craft.

Two ground crew personal directed the Mark VII to a holding platform and secured. It took the two ground crew personal a few moments to secure the shuttle before moving to open the side hatch. As they opened up the hatch, one of them spoke up. “Welcome to Phoenix Station guys” one of the maintenance guys said. “Sorry for the commotion guys, the Brain-Birds,” one of the ground crew said motioning at the Scientists that were busy at work in the bay, “are conducting some tests or something.”

The other ground crewman nodded, “Yeah, you would think that the station was going operational today or something. But the Foreman told Professor Nut Job that we wouldn’t be ready for operations till the end of the week.”

“Talking about fireworks,” the first ground crewman said. “The Brain-Birds hated that news, but it’s all overtime for the rest of us.”

Alice rolled her eyes as she undid her seat belt, “I will run down to my room and get my things.” It was clear that she was not taken by the comments but wasn’t going to be distracted by them either. “I will get my things” she said turning to Captain Thorchan. “Thank you Captain for all your help so far. I will be back as soon as I can. I promise to rush.” On that, she moved quickly from the Mark VII. Anyone wishing to follow would have to follow right away less they would lose track of Alice as she made her way through the large station.

To the trained eye, a very few of the scientists working in the bay of the station seemed very surprised to see Alice back on the station. These very few watched Alice closely as she headed from the Landing Bay. As Alice darted from the craft a low level maintenance tech caught the eyes of Eric Rolf. With a very discrete nod, the man directed Eric to a place behind some shipping crates.

But for Alan and Kyle, it was the soft features of a slender female scientist with blond hair that hung straight below her shoulders that caught their combined eyes. She had this nerdy beauty about her as she stood there next to a wall mounted computer with a noteputer in her arms. Unlike the very few who had looked at Alice, this blond scientist either didn’t notice Alice or didn’t not anything regarding her untimely return to the station.