Stormfall

Chapter Two : The Endeavor

Officer Stines here, Lt.Kessoa, we've got a situation. Life signs on The Endeavor docked at bay three; it's gone dark. I need your squad to shift off checkpoint duties and investigate.

She thumbs her microbead, "Kessoa reporting, station.

Any specifics? I don't want to go in blind here." She says as she signals her squad to mobilize.

Biohazard protocols are in effect. We can't risk contamination.

Sensors went offline with life signs.

"Copy that, Control. We'll secure the area and report findings."

Mistress Cassius has set Security Protocol two; she wants live pict feeds. Don't take unnecessary risks, Lieutenant. We don't know what's on that ship. Control out.

Lieutenant Kessoa taps her microbead, "Squad gear up for a potential biohazard; we're pulling off of the checkpoint. Rogue ship in bay three is our next assignment. Board, secure, and report. We're in the dark on this one, so stay vigilant. Gransaal, I need you ready with that flamer. Make sure helms are sealed and ready in two minutes," she says with urgency in her voice.

Gransaal smiles and snuffs out his Lho-stick as he swings the promethium tank across his back and tightens the straps. With a decisive click, Gransaal brings the flamer to life. The weapon's pilot light ignites, casting an ominous glow across the steel-grey carapace armor. The audible hiss of fuel lines pressurizing accompanies the subtle release of heat as the weapon primes. "Flamer's primed and ready, Lieutenant, May the God-Emperor guide us," he says in a deep gravelly voice with a raspy tone.

Move efficiently, eyes sharp. She says as she equips her own gear in a hurry.

Trooper Fane responds Understood, Lieutenant.

Gransaal, you're on point with that flamer, she says.

Gransaal grins, "Roach patrol, got it."

Nils, Qiro, check your re-breathers she says

Re-breathers sealed, Lieutenant. Ready for anything, Qiro replies nervously, his voice shaky.

Vossi, keep the control channel open, bring the servo skull, set live pict feed, and set it to follow a meter distance.

Aye, Lieutenant. Transmitting now. Vossi switched to the primary channel.

"Control, this is Kappa squad en route to the objective; confirm pict reading. Over."

This is Control. We read you. Data streaming now confirmed. Over.

Copy that Control switching over to Kappa signal. Over.

"Lieutenant live feed is up," reports Vossi.

Keep comms clear and mission-critical. Let's move out, she says sternly.

As the squad gears up, their helmets and suits hissing into place, they move with purpose towards The Endeavor.

The docking bay, usually a hub of organized activity, has descended into chaotic disarray. An influx of civilians, each with their own urgency, rushes towards the security checkpoints as the lights flash yellow. The air is thick with the tension of people jostling to get through, their voices a cacophony of hurried conversations and anxious murmurs.