Transient Signal

Chapter One: Five Years Ago

CSNS Morrison

Uncharted space, 500 million kilometers from nearest Confederation Planet

        “Action Stations, action stations, action stations,” said a voice over the inter-ship communications array. “All hands, report to your stations. We have now entered unknown space. Stay alert.”

        Jack got out of the bunk he had been napping in and quickly left his quarters. He already had his combat gear on—he had had it on since they left the last frontier station—which allowed him to get to the main corridor as quickly as possible. Captain Miller was waiting for him there. He, too, was in his combat gear.  

        “How are the men holding up?” asked Miller as the two of them made their way up the corridor towards the bridge of the Morrison.

        “They’re squared away,” replied Jack, “Got them running some training exercises down in cargo bay six. They’re eager.”

        “Don’t bullshit me Jack,” said Miller. The Captain had a way of knowing things without being told them. “How are they feeling?”

        “They’re scared shitless,” said Jack with a small sigh. “They know we’re going out farther than the other expeditions and I don’t think they are particularly happy about that. That’s really why I have them running training exercises down in the cargo bay; keeps they’re minds off the fact that we’re off the map.”

        “Think it’s working?” asked Miller candidly.

        “I hope so Jeb,” replied Jack, “If they don’t have their minds sorted out and we have contact, a lot of people are going to die.”

        The two of them approached a security bulkhead. Beyond it was the bridge section of the ship. Jack turned and slightly blocked the door sensor.

        “Sir, permission to speak freely?” asked Jack.

        “Granted. I have a feeling I won’t like this,” answered Miller.

        “Jeb, what the fuck are we doing out here?” asked Jack, keeping his voice low in case any other crew members were listening in. “We are going way off the beaten path, and for what? And why send a platoon from SCU? The Morrison has its own marine force in case it gets boarded.”

        Miller looked Jack in the eyes as he answered. “I have no idea Jack. Commander Riley has no idea either. We got sealed orders from the government not to be opened until we reached uncharted space.”

        “So we’re flying blind here?” asked Jack. He could not believe that. How could the government send out a platoon of the SCU without given them any idea of what they were doing?

         “You’ll find out soon enough,” replied Miller, “Our orders will be opened on the bridge.”

        Jack moved out of the way so Miller could open the door to the bridge. It opened with a pneumatic hiss and the two men entered the bridge.

        The bridge was not alive with much activity. It appeared that this was the graveyard shift for the bridge crew, as only the most vital systems were manned. Commander Riley stood on the central dais surrounded by the four main systems of weapons, communications, navigation and engineering.  The man’s uniform had several lines of service ribbons—many Jack knew were for special operations and even a few black operations that no one knew about. The man was one of the toughest Commanders in the Confederate Navy and it concerned Jack to see that his face mirrored that same look of apprehension Miller wore.

        “Hello gentlemen,” said Riley as he turned to see Jack and Miller. “Captain Miller, it’s time to open our orders.”

        “Yes sir,” replied Captain Miller.

        Both Miller and Riley pulled up a personal computer pad and activated the holographic projectors on them. Two sickly green rectangles appeared with the outline of a handprint on both. Miller and Riley both put their hands in the spaces where the prints were. Each pad had a light on it that flashes green quickly for a few seconds and then stopped, indicating that the computers had confirmed their identities. Each pad opened up an order’s document bearing the seal of the Confederation. Miller and Riley both started reading their orders but they stopped a few lines in to exchange glances of disbelief with each other. Jack could only guess what had caused them. After a few more minutes, both Riley and Miller closed the files and hit the delete button. Miller then faced Riley and gave him a salute. He turned and began to leave, indicating for Jack to follow him.

        Jack waited until the door to the bridge closed behind them before he asked Miller what their orders were.

        “Apparently, a civilian contracted science vessel went dark somewhere out here,” answered Miller. “And we are to find it and ascertain the status of the ship, its crew and its cargo."

        "A science vessel?" said Jack, not believing what he was hearing. "What the hell was one of those things doing out here? And a civilian one for that matter."

        "I don't know, Jack," replied Miller. "Orders only specified that apparently one was sent out here to do research and that for some reason, it went dark. No contact for almost three weeks."

        "Does the government think it's the Dominion, sir?" inquired Jack.

        "Probably. That would explain why they sent us along for the ride," said Miller.

        They turned down the corridor that lead to cargo bay six, the temporary barracks for the SCU detachment.