Chapter One: Deep Space Music

[Akirapryde]

As Eric and the deckhand continued to speak softly, it was clear to Eric that the man picked up on Eric’s skepticism. The noted this about the conversation nodded, “I can’t figure out why these guys are rushing around with their heads cut off. It’s like they got something big going on. Something really big. Most of them only know bits and pieces of the big picture. My partner,” he said motioning to the hot blond in the white lab coat that had caught the party’s attention earlier, “and I learned that much. Those that know the whole picture, the inner circle, aren’t talking about it openly.”

His eyes narrowed as he was still a bit unsure if Eric was buying what he was saying. “I know one thing. It has nothing to do with Fleet X” he whispered with a smile. “Got your attention now, do I? Aye, we know about that too. The good professor promised the fleet to us as well” he said then paused to look around to make sure that no one was within ear shot.

His eyes returned to Eric’s “I have to admit all the professor’s evidence was quite convincing. So much so that our own military demanded that the good professor be supported regardless of the cost.” Before he had a chance to continue, the entire bay shook as if an earthquake just occurred. “Bloody hell!” he mumbled attempting to hold on to something. “The worse one yet.”

Down in the crew quarter section of the massive station, Captain Thorchan pulled Alice behind him while the other two members of the crew followed. “Wait!” Alice cried out. “It’s just a gravity quake” she added. Before she had a chance to finish an older woman dressed in a white lab coat rushed around the corner calling out Alice’s name.

“Good, I found you.” The older woman said. In her hand was a tablet with a bunch of information on it. From what Captain Thorchan could tell, they were some kind of astronomical equations. However, it was some pretty advance equations. This was clearly not your normal hyperspace jump equations. What else Captain Thorchan could see was a clock that was counting down to something. Before Captain Thorchan could get a good look at it, the woman slid her hand over the screen and it turned black.

The woman’s name tag read Professor Paternoster. She tried to paint a smile on her face as she attempted to cover up the concern on her face. There was clearly something urgent going on. “Alice, you need to get back to the ark and complete your work.”

Alice seemed confused at the focus on the Ark, “Professor Paternoster. That was the largest gravity quake I have felt. Are you sure it’s safe?”

Professor Paternoster rested a hand on Alice’s shoulder, “its wonderful Alice. Its Phoenix, Phoenix is rising.”

Alice appeared even more confused, “what do you mean Phoenix is rising?” It was clear that Alice had no idea what was being talked about.

“Professor Angsoft hasn’t spoken to you yet?” Professor Paternoster stated with surprise in her voice. She noted the building unspoken questions from the three mercs. “There isn’t time” she directed her statement towards Alice, then stepped back and faced Captain Thorchan, “Captain, it would appear that your unit’s experience will be required. Long range sensors have picked up an unidentified ship approaching our position. We have not been able to establish communications with this ship” she briefed.

As she spoke gone was the hint of surprise. Her voice now was level and measured as she issued her information to Captain Thorchan, “we need you and your unit to escort Professor Underwood back to the ark. Make sure that she gets there. Once she has been delivered safely, go ahead and get ready for combat. We need to make sure you and your unit are ready, just in case we need your unit to defend the ark from this raiding ship.”