Dark Space

Chapter 2

"Why would the ship stop us for a distress signal? On what planet is the signal coming from?" the Pilot Navigator Chan asked as she sat at her pilot's chair.

Keith walked into the navigator's chamber just as he overheard the conversation to the rest of the operating crew. Everyone was fully dressed in their uniforms and standing around the captains station. The room was filled with build in computers and stationed chairs. Each station had its own operating computer and its split level design gave more view to the deep space that they were traveling in.

"The planet and signal is unknown; It seems a bit odd that the ship would completely stop, unless it gave out specific instructions to stop"  Sydney said as she swirled in her chair to look at her commanding officers. She spotted Keith on the second level holding his cup of coffee and meekly listening in.

"Is the signal from a commercial ship?" asked Ryan.

"That's the thing, the signal is unknown, and it's not from a starship at all" Sydney said looking at everyone.

"I think we should just override the systems signal and keep heading home" Nathan said looking weary at his captain. He hoped in his mind that he agreed with her.

"Now, what if it is a starship and we just leave it there stranded and they really need help."

Carter's statement rang through Keith's mind. It has happened before where a starship's signal gets caught up in a planet's atmosphere and it becomes unknown. Keith steadily stood up from where he was sitting and walked up to the first level where everyone stood at the control panels.

"Carter's right"

"What if someone needed our help and we just left them there"

Carter looked over at his comrade and he nodded his head in agreement and approval of his statement. The rest of the crew still looked concerned and wasn't sure if they were going to like on what he had to say next. Now it was Carters turn to step up to the rest of the crew.

"Look, let's just see what it's all about, if it's nothing, well head back to orbit and head home, but if its serious and someone needs help, we can assist them"

Chan gave out a huge sigh and nodded in agreement. Everyone in the room gave a small grunts of disapproval, but it wasn't like they can change their captains mind. Once he sets his mind on a mission, it's hard for anyone to talk him out of it.

Joseph stood up from his chair and made his way to one of the commanding desk. Carter followed Joseph to the desk and he fully sat down in one of the commanders chairs and gave out his orders.

"We are still going to do the standard company policy when dealing with a rescue operation. Chan and I will investigate the situation once we land. Keith and Sydney stay in the Navigation room to communicate with us and to make sure everything is alright on this end".

"Everyone to your stations and let's lock in the coordinance of where the stress signal is coming from"

Everyone agreed and headed off to their station and where ready to head to the coordinates of the distress signal. Keith slowly walked up to his station and purposely brushed his hand up against Sydnes's arm before he sat down at his station. The only thing Sydney could do was smile and shakes her head quietly.

Sydney gave the distress signals coordinates to the pilots and Chan started to auto navigated the starships destination. The navigation signals to the planet seemed ire and wacky, but Chan and the captain pulled through and deciphered the signal, they reached the planet where the signal came from.

The orbit of the planet looked cloudy and it appeared to be a storm was passing through the planet.

"See Chan...the planet is suffering from a storm, that's why the signal is unknown" Carter said to her.

She gave her captain a miffed looked. She still had a bad feeling about this whole situation. It felt odd to her that someone would be on this planet in the first place. This planet was not on their company's solar system, so why would any starship would be on this planet.

With the help of her Captain and Keith's computer signals; she was able to slowly and steadily land the ship into the atmosphere and kept the starship from crashing head on into the planet.

"Alright guys...the signal is coming from that ship" Joseph said looking through the navigation system.

The unknown spacecraft was all black with a rigid exterior. Its black finished shaped its self to look like an enormous size gun. The outside seemed glossed and furrowed. The craftsmanship on the object seemed curved and etched with scribbled writing.

"Is there any place to land our ship safely?"

"Yes, over by that high rock, we can safely land there." Chan said to the crew as she was looking over her systems data intently.

"Alright land us baby girl" Carter said. Chiana looked over at her captain in disgust.

"Don't ever call me that again"

The mood in the room started to lightened up as everyone laughed at Chana . The starship "Discovery" landed safely on the unknown planets dusty grounds. The view to the abandoned looking spacecraft was visible but there were still specks of cloud that hung over the ghostly ship.

"Okay, Chan, Ryan and Sydney ; suit up and get ready to leave in thirty minutes" Carter said as he unbuckled out of his seat. He started to give out commanding orders to his crew members.

"Keith, see if you can read out a signal for us from that ship"

"James, I want you to try and detect if there is any other life forms on this planet"

Everyone had started to pile out of the navigation room. Sydney ventured off into one of the control rooms to get herself ready for the rescue mission she was about to face. Keith intently watched as Sydney was oblivious to anyone standing behind her. He slowly started to follow her as she was leaving the navigation room.

He knew what he had to get done that the Captain wanted him to complete. Everyone on the ship had a job to do, but it's been awhile since he has seen Sydney. It's been months since everyone has been back down to earth and he figured since everyone is suiting up and is keeping busy; he'll just have to find the time to talk to his girlfriend, Sydney.