The Sovereign
Outskirts of the Ophiuchus System, approximately 4.5 terameters* from Ophiuchus Prime
*Author's Note- 4.5 terameters is 4.5 billion kilometers which is also approximately the distance of Neptune from the Sun.
In the profound emptiness and absolute silence of the void, a solitary beam of light pierced through, expanding into a massive rupture as if the vacuum of space had yawned itself apart, warping all light around it. The vibrant streaks of colorful beams that once filled the command bridge's view condensed into singular points of light as the command ship manipulated space-time around herself, emerging from FTL travel. The Sovereign and her crew had arrived in the Ophiuchus System, though several days of journey still lay ahead.
Captain Amaj Sans had made a last minute decision to emerge from FTL travel and initiate the Fog-of-War Protocol a day early. As a man of caution, he knew that in the vast, perilous expanse of the void, even a single, simple mistake could spell disaster for everyone onboard. In the unforgiving nature of space, precaution was their closest ally, yet even then, despite even the most cared for and calculated measures, the void remained full of extraordinary surprises. Against the fabric of the Universe, that some deemed a god or God, these humans were closer in size to atoms than to a star, and as such, the captain knew his place.
"Captain, the Protocol has been initiated and is now in full effect," reported a navy officer that stood underneath the commanding stage, looking up to the superior officer.
"Very good," replied the captain. The captain stared out the front where only the blackness and scattered specks of white greeted him. His hands were behind his back as he observed and focused on a single dot of light in the great distance. "And all personnel have been accounted for, Lieutenant?"
The officer nodded to the captain. "Sir, yes, sir. Ensign Breakersfield has just reported in that Doctor Johanna Godwin is secure as well. How should we proceed, captain? Forgive my disobedience, captain, but many of the subordinates are anxious about this new situation, as if the Fog-of-War Protocol alone wasn't anxiety inducing enough, sir." The officer stuttered in between some words, encasing his nervousness.
There was a slight moment of silence as the captain seemed to come up with an answer. In truth, he himself was not fond of the mission he was given by his own superiors, but being that he seemed to silently boast the highest success rate of naval missions, who else could they have chosen? "Do you know what a fog of war is, lieutenant?" the captain finally answered with a question.
The officer hesitated, knowing the answer, but was thrown off by the suddenness of it. "Y-Yes, of course, sir. It's the uncertainty in the situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations, according to the Federation Navy Manual Fifteenth Edition, sir."
"Correct. And do you think this is a military operation?" the captained followed up with another question.
Another hesitation. "Uh, yes, sir. Of course."
"Do you think we're going to war, lieutenant?"
"N-No, sir. I don't think-"
"How do you know?" the captain interrupted.
"I don't, sir, but from the briefing, we're assigned to investigate a rogue research facility."
"Correct, and how do you speculate that this place will just welcome us with open arms? We don't, lieutenant. That is why this protocol exists. Even with our best technology, it takes us an entire week to reach the outer layers of the Federation territory. That's more than plenty of time for an enemy of the Federation to reach the facility long before we do. Call it luck or precise calculation that they didn't ambush us or that we didn't get struck by a stray EMP solar pulse when we emerged from FTL, but we must proceed with even more caution from hereon. Understand, lieutenant?" The officer silently nodded, followed by a quiet, 'sir.'
"Then Lieutenant, relay a message to Ensign Breakersfield immediately," commanded the captain, his voice steady and authoritative. "Inform him that he has been selected for the reconnaissance team. He and Doctor Godwin will lead a squad to scout the research facility ahead of our arrival. A gunship will be prepared and ready for departure in six hours time. I will personally brief them when they depart." The officer snapped to attention, acknowledging the order with a crisp salute before swiftly carrying it out.
Alexander was genuinely impressed by the organization and fluidity of the medical personnel as they readied themselves for the protocol. Despite his many years in the military, he often found it ironic that civilians tended to follow orders better than the soldiers; to Alexander, the marines were simply toddlers in grown men's suits. As Doctor Johanna directed her units, Alexander watched her with admiration, even a touch of jealousy, noting how effortlessly she garnered respect and authority.
Upon watching the situation unfold, Alexander's communication device began to hum and light up. With a press of a switch, a hologram projection of a fellow naval officer appeared. "Lieutenant, sir," Alexander greeted with a half salute.
"Battery," the holographic officer greeted Alexander by his nickname. "Just received new orders from the captain. You and Doctor Godwin have been assigned on a reconnaissance mission. He wants you and Doctor Godwin to report to the hangar bay as soon as possible. You'll be departing in less than six hours. He'll brief you when you head out. Good luck, Ensign. Lieutenant, out." Without further exchange of words, the conversation was abruptly cut as the hologram vanished into nothingness as a daunting silence replaced the air, Alexander's eyes slowly making their way back to the lady doctor unsure whether or not she heard the new news.
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