“First Officer’s Log Stardate 32352.47, The Hilbert has moved into orbit around the Mycia V. We have been assigned to assist a human colony ship, the Huxley, prepare a site for settlement on the surface. All was going according to plan until our sensors picked up signs of intelligent life on the planet. It turns out there is an already existing settlement, previously unknown to Starfleet. The captain has agreed to help supply the colonists with resources until the issue of the unknown people is resolved. As for- “
“Commander Dewitt, can you come to my ready room!”
Dewitt tapped her com-badge. “On my way, sir”
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The ready room door slid open. Captain Marler sat behind her desk. A stack of PADDs balanced precariously on the side of her desk. You could see the bags under her eyes. A shorter man sat in the chair in front, his face was flush red.
“Commander Dewitt, meet Albert Long, he's the leader of the colonists. Mr. Long, this is my first officer Commander Maxine Dewitt.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Dewitt.”
“Likewise. Captain?”
“Mr. Long has been concerned about the mysterious settlement. What have our scans discovered?”
“We've so far detected no other settlements on the surface of the planet, and scans show that there are only 700 biosignatures on the planet. This leads me to conclude that the inhabitants are not native to this planet.”
“Interesting, what makes you say that?”
“It appears that the 700 biosignatures are humans.”
“How is that possible?” Mr. Long said incredulously.
“I’m not sure. Dr T’Pra, couldn’t confirm that the biosignatures were human. There is a consistent interference coming from the planet. This made verification of any of the sensor readings difficult.”
The captain leaned back in her chair for a second and replied, “Okay before we make any move we have to confirm whether the settlement is the only one and if they are really human. Commander I want you, Dr. T’Pra and Ensign Tuckett to beam down to the planet for reconnaissance.”
“Sir, due to the consistent interference, using the transporter is not recommended.”
“Well then take a shuttlecraft just make sure that no one detects you”
“Understood. It was pleasant to meet you Mr. Long”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Dewitt turns to leave the room. Mr. Long turns to the Captain “Captain what will happen to us if those people are humans?”
“I don’t know.”
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A shuttlecraft, the Greyson, leaves Hilbert's cargo bay and angles itself towards the planet. Inside are Commander Dewitt, Dr. T’Pra, and Ensign Tuckett.
T’Pra turns to the Dewitt. “Commander, the sensors have detected an intense magnetic-field close to the planet's surface.”
“How will it affect our landing?”
“It will likely disrupt sensors temporarily, but otherwise the shuttlecraft will not be damaged.”
The shuttlecraft continues to drift downward to the planet, passing through a dark cloud. Suddenly the dashboard of the shuttlecraft shutdown.
“T’Pra what just happened?”
“It seems that all the shuttlecraft have lost power.”
Tuckett calls out from behind. “The shuttlecraft’s reactor has gone offline. We're dropping out of the sky!”
“What about backup power”
“Offline too sir!”
“Brace for Impact!”
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“Captain! Contact has been lost with Greyson!” The helmsmen exclaimed.
“Try to re-establish contact. Tactical can you locate them?”
“Yes, they're approaching the surface in free fall.”
“Is it possible to get close enough to tractor them?”
“I wouldn't recommend that, sir, the settlement would certainly see us.”
“Helmsman try to establish contact.” The captain taps her combadge. “Senior staff to my ready room!”
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The shuttlecraft sits entrenched about a foot in the ground, surrounded by trees. Commander Dewitt crawls out of the wreckage, she reaches back in as Dr. T’Pra is helped out.
“What the hell happened?” Dewitt asked.
“I don’t know. It seems that the shuttlecraft lost power when we entered the cloud layer.”
“Yeah, I hope that the hilbert got are sensor readings”
“Agreed, It would be most fortunate.”
“Where’s Tuckett?” Dewitt taps her combadge “Tuckett! Come In!”
“It would seem he was able to leave the shuttlecraft, maybe he is scouting.”
“Perhaps.”
T’Pra collects her medical bag from inside the shuttle. She pulls out her tricorder.
“The tricorder and other medical tools must have been damaged in the crash. I recommend taking the disguises we prepared and heading towards the settlement. There we can tend to our wounds, perhaps that is where Tuckett has gone.”
“Agreed”
The pair walk off.