“We are in orbit above Presna II, Captain,” Ji-min Bin called.

The blue and green world loomed in their view, just rising above the centerline of the command deck.

Brooks was quiet a moment as he studied the world.

Presna was only 0.98 Earth’s mass, a little smaller and denser, which made the surface gravity just 1.04 times that of Earth. A tiny difference.

The records indicated that the life on the planet was still simple; a single species of microscopic life similar to Earthly cyanobacteria grew across much of the world’s shallow, watery areas.

There were notably unique qualities, but physics were the same here as on Earth; and so under similar conditions, life itself was similar.

He wondered how, in billions of years it might look. Would it get the chance, or would the presence of Presna colony forever alter the world’s evolutionary trajectory?

His officers were awaiting orders, though, and he put that thought aside.

“Deploy defense drones and send probes to check out the remains of the colony’s orbital defense systems – see if we can learn anything.”

“Captain,” Eboh called. “We’re receiving a signal from the surface. It is the Acting Chairwoman of the Presna Colony.”

“Put her through,” Brooks said.

A box appeared on the screen in front of them; an image of a woman in it. The resolution was low, pixelated from the low data rate.

“Greetings Captain Brooks!” the woman said, her voice slightly fuzzy. “We send greetings and thanks for your quick arrival.”

“We are glad to render what assistance we can,” Brooks told her. “We have seven drop pods with emergency supplies ready to go, once we get landing coordinates from you.”

“We’ll send you that data, Captain,” the woman said, relief flooding her voice. “It’s been a week since their attack and we still haven’t restored most of our power grid. What the pirates didn’t steal they wrecked.”

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“Presumably to keep you from calling for help in a timely fashion,” Urle said.

“We’ve got a lot of cold people,” the woman continued. “Please prioritize thermal suits and power grid materials. Long-term we’re going to need a lot more food production supplies; the pirates took most of our reserves of raw chemicals for algae farming.”

Cenz spoke. “Madam Chairwoman, do you have a list of what specific chemicals you need? We can begin synthesizing more of them immediately.”

“Of course, and our thanks again,” the woman said.

“I’d like to send down a team to assist with the engineering and also to view the damage personally,” Brooks said. “If that is all right with you.”

“Yes, Captain, we’d appreciate a few more skilled hands down here. I will make sure your officers get access to all the data we have, though I’m afraid we have very little in that regard.”

Brooks saw a pop-up in his HUD that the landing coordinates for the drop pods had been received.

“We will be sending the supplies presently,” Brooks told her. “And we will speak again before the Craton departs the system. Farewell for now.”

The transmission ended and Brooks turned.

“Urle, I’d like you to lead the surface party. Get a good look around and determine how much of the colony’s damage was planned and just what they took. I think that there may be clues in the specific chemical supplies they targeted.”

“I agree, Captain,” Cenz said. “From the list the Chairwoman sent, it seems that they were very selective.”

“This all seems very well-organized,” Jaya noted. “Most piracy is an act of desperation, not a well-conceived scheme.”

“I agree,” Brooks said. “But for now all we can do is try and learn more. Cutter, you will lead a team of engineers to go with you to aid the colony’s repair efforts. The shuttle is getting prepped, so have them all ready to go in ten minutes.”

“Yes, Captain,” Urle replied, rising.

“Already selected preferred team,” Cutter hissed, scuttling from his seat after Urle. “Contacting now.”

Apollonia started to rise as well, first excitedly, then hesitant. “Captain Brooks, I’d like to go, too!”

Brooks looked at her, his expression slightly curious. “Permission denied,” he told her.

Apollonia pulled a shocked face, still rising a moment before pausing. “Really? But I’ve never been on another planet before! Besides Earth. I just want to see one while I can!”

Jaya’s head turned, staring at her.

Apollonia suddenly felt her knees go weak. She had just questioned the Captain’s order in front of the entire bridge crew. She felt, imagined, that everyone was now looking at her judgmentally.

“We need you on the ship,” Brooks said calmly yet firmly. There was a note of warning in his voice, not to question an order in that way again.

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire and she sat back down.

Jaya turned back to her console, not saying a word.

“Begin releasing the drop pods,” Brooks ordered. “And after that, we’ll see what we can do to leave this colony some defenses after we leave. We don’t want to leave them vulnerable to another attack.”