-External view-
Swarms of silver specks could be seen whizzing about the large the battle fleet. The behemoth of the fleet was surrounded heavily by its lesser in a defensive sphere, prepared to defend themselves at a moments notice. The writing on the large ship’s saucer said ‘U.S.S. BISMARCK’ followed ‘NCC 919035-D’
-Bridge of the Bismarck-
“Sir, checks form all ships report that there is nothing amiss except for a few systems shutting off,” The comms officer stated. Talvo nodded at that, happy that no one had blown up suddenly.
“Alright, tell the fleet that we are moving out,” Talvo commanded. “Helm, take us into a geosynchronous orbit around that planet.”
“Aye, Sir.” The veteran pilot stated, pressing buttons and sliding various controls on the screen.
-External view-
As some bad horror movie, the ‘big scary monsters’ started inching ever closer towards the planet. The swarms of Peregrine fighters flew around their respective mother ships, while Danube shuttles went about, transporting their various cargos to other ships that were lacking in various resources. (Talvo still dislikes transporters but will use them if shuttles are not fast enough, and besides…offloading something just has a sense of accomplishment.)
-Celestia’s Point of view-
“Sister?” Luna moaned asked, holding an enchanted cloth to her head.
“Luna, can’t you see I’m trying to do something about this news. I mean…” Celestia jumped back as a letter appeared.
“Ah, it seems Twilight has also seen the disturbance, I take it?” Luna questioned.
“Yes, she said here among frantic hoofwriting that she has seen metal objects next to the moon. Not a surprise, really.” Celestia said. With a glance the largest thing looked like a really fat, and wide star.
Luna wandered over to the telescope, and peered through it.
“Uhh….Sister? I think they’re moving.” Luna said in an uncertain tone.
“What? How can you tell?” Celestia quickly questioned.
“Because some of the smaller objects are turning this way,” Luna stated. Celestia walked over, and put a hand on her sisters shoulder. Luna looked to her sister, fear evident in her eyes.
“Let’s hope those…things will be gone soon.” Celestia hoped.
-Bridge of Bismark-
“Tell Fighter group Omega 6 to get their stuff together,” Talvo told the comms officer, who being so close to the Grand Admiral was making him uneasy.
“Y-yes, Sir,” the comms officer said. “Request sir?”
“Yea. Tell them to grab some of the spare Danube pilots from some of the other fighter wings,” Talvo let out with sigh. “I need them to go down to the planet and just survey it. If there are inhabitants, do not engage. Better yet, just ignore anything unless they come under attack.” The comms officer put in the command then turned towards Talvo partially, then shook his head slighty.
-2 hours later-
“Admiral?” The chief science officer spoke up.
“Yes, Lieutenant Commander?” Talvo replied.
“I am getting strange reading from a particular section of the planet,” the chief officer said, shifting uneasily. “Scanners can’t really pick up much except for basic geography.”
“So… It’s decided where the search will first take place,” Talvo said. “Ensign.”
“Yes, Admiral?” The comms officer said.
“What is the condition of our scouting party?” Talvo asked, hoping for the 25 some shuttle/fighter group would be ready.
“The crews have been pulled together and they are waiting in the U.S.S. Vermont,” the comms officer said. “The Vermont is asking for a couple of ships to go with it….in case something happens.”
“Send the U.S.S. Tanner and send Tim’s Miranda wing with the him,” Talvo ordered.
The U.S.S. Tanner was fairly old Sovereign class, who has probably seen ten times as much combat as the most veteran crews. Whenever there was a major conflict, or whenever a battle needed good luck, the Tanner was there. The crew even became accustomed to wearing the 4-leaf clover on their outfits.
“Acknowledged, Admiral. I do have to ask though…Why Tim?” the comms officer asked.
“Hey, Ensign. You don’t need to deal with a captain who has a near passion to complain about not being put to anything,” Talvo stated, a smirk crossing his face.
“Right…Sorry, Si..” the comms officer started.
“No need to be sorry, Ensign. You didn’t know so I wont judge you differently,” Talvo said with a caring voice to the ensign, calming his fears. “That goes for the rest of you. If you question what I order, then come talk to me about it and I will give my reasons. Just…” He paused and a smile appeared on his face, “..don’t be afraid to ask.”
“Admiral, the expeditionary force is ready to move out,” the reassured comms officer stated.
“Good send them their orders that they are to patrol the area of disturbance on the planet before us,” Talvo stated gleefully, although he his mask was starting to break. ‘Something about this place is making me seem more…happy?’
-External view-
From the main body of the fleet, 15 vessels collected themselves away from the fleet. The only distinct ship besides the large Sovereign, was the Curry class. The U.S.S. Jennings was a special Curry class in of its own. The Jennings was one of the first to receive the extended hull modification that made it longer than all of its sisters in the fleet. The captain of this vessel was a strong but somewhat shy women by the name of Vanessa Grey.
-U.S.S. Jennings Bridge-
In the middle of the bridge stood a woman with long, light red hair. She stood with an air of leadership, and the crew around her were working to figure out where the hell they just appeared at.
“Tell the Grand Admiral Talvo we are ready to depart on his orders,” Captain Vanessa Grey said.
“Captain, the Tanner is contacting us,” the comms officer, Mr. Fink, said.
“Put him on screen.” Grey was now starting to feel nervous, to say the least.
The large screen that spanned the front of the room they were in came to life and an image of a very battle-beaten face came up.
“Yes?” Grey asked, usually this turns into a teacher student ordeal which Grey always hated being put into.
“Did you get the astrometric readings of this place!” The old mans face burst into a childlike glee that took Grey back.
“Uh..what?” She looked to her Chief science officer, and saw a man who was looking at a screen. That same man just looked up and then back down to his screen in disbelief. “Commander Mavix, report.”
“Uh….” Is all he got out. Grey walked over to him and looked over his shoulder at the icons, charts, telemetry, and all sorts of other readings that were appearing and disappearing.
“Apparently this could be a very informative trip,” the old man saw the look on Grey’s face.
“INFORMATIVE! YOU MEAN AN ADVANCEMENT TO GETTING THE ALPHA QUADRENT BACK UNDER CONTROL!” Grey was taken back by all the readings.
“WATCH WHO YOU ARE YELLING AT, GIRLY!” The old man retorted. His anger faked on account of how much suppressed glee there was in him.
“Captain, we got the order to move out. Orders also say that if there is an opposing force that we need to come back to the fleet,” Mr. Fink said.
“Alright. You hear that, John?” Grey said teasingly.
“I’m not that old, and yes I heard that. Report anything to me if you detect something abnormal.” John said. At that point the screen cut out and what was left was the scene before them. The planet and it’s moon in front of them, beckoning to show it’s hidden treasures.
“Helm take us forward, slow and steady, if you could. Signal the rest of our new detachment to follow us.” Grey commanded. The helmsman only nodded.
“Captain, I am getting a message from the Bismarck,” Mr. Fink said.
“What is it now?” Grey asked, somewhat worried.
“Only that Talvo want’s a report of this, and if possible see what lives there… He also wants pictures. What?” Mr. Fink scratched his bald head.
“Oh it’s just something me and Talvo do to each other. I know he would want to go instead but since he got the Excalibur Prototype battleship he has been a little on edge for bringing that behemoth down into any fluxes.” Grey said.
“If I could kindly ask, What type of pictures?” Mr. Fink said in a sarcastic sultry voice. The whole bridge erupted into laughter and Grey stood there, face completely red.
“NOT THOSE TYPE OF PICTURES!” Grey yelled as she stalked back to her office.
“H-hey captain…” Mr. Fink’s voice was cut off when the doors to Grey’s office closed.
-A few minutes later-
There came a knocking sound. Since the last engagement the door’s ‘doorbell’ kinda got disintegrated.
“Come in.” Grey’s voice rang out in the silence, somewhat muffled by her head being in a pillow on her office chair.
“Hey…” She hear Mr. Fink’s voice was heard, “Sorry I didn’t think that you were going to react that way.” Care tinged his words.
“You know I am shy about that subject.” Grey’s voice came back, somewhat angry but also sounded like she just wanted the conversation to be done with.
“I know but I am sorry I brought it up. You need to let up on that incident. You know everything done towards you is in humor and not to be taken seriously.” Mr. Fink said consolingly through the door.
Memories of the week and a half long joke that had Grey in various bikini outfits circulated through her head. She had thought it wasn’t funny in the slightest, and was beyond flustered when the Grand Admiral found out and had seen the pictures for himself. She knew Talvo to some degree. He liked going to worlds they had brought back into the fold and just go to all the scenic, or tourist, areas and just did what anyone else does normally.
Other thoughts went through Grey’s mind but stopped when she found a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Mr. Fink standing, and motioned for her to come back out. She nodded, and got up.
-External View-
The small group of ships sped away from the fleet, and along with them were a few fighters that followed just for precautionary measures. The silver of the ships offset the blackness around them. As they flew, everyone began to wonder…What is here this time?