Universe B - page 3

Day 3

At the start of Day 3, the Precision Creek reports a small burn coming out from the direction of the, as yet unnamed, alien planet. Eta 6 days.

Day 4

A memorial sevice was be held for the following marines: Megan Wexford, Jazzamine Mireku, Peter Chaikin, Jrmina Khan

The service was held in outside Habdome Alpha. All personnel were invited. The marines were buried in deep graves. The service was be led by Lt Col Killgore, other words were spoken and L/Major Williams.

At the same a memorial service was held for the many other base personnal who lost thier lives in the accident and its aftermath.

An informal gathering was be held after the service, to celebrate the lives of lost comrades.

A book of condolences for the marines will be open for the next days on the Prescion Creek. These will be forwarded to the relatives of the late departed marines on our return to Universe A.

Day 9

The other deployments have occurred as planned (subject to any minor details or corrections from Group Commanders). The Hospital ship has been grounded some distance away (about 12km), with its protecting Group.

It is now Day 9, and the incoming JOKER is within intercept range. It has slowed, clearly with the intention of orbiting the planetoid you are on.

The PC moves to intercept, and the alien craft starts to manoeuvre (but not very rapidly - its no Pacifier). Captain Phoenix beams a wide-band radio communications message on similar frequencies to those identified from the inhabited planet (binary code, basic mathematical structures etc).

This is responded to by a burst of plasma energy from the JOKER (which misses the 'Creek because the JOKER was manoeuvring at the time).

Captain Phoenix is of the view that this is a hostile act, which will put the mission at risk, and he is therefore planning to order a return of fire with main armament - Colonel Killgore and the commander of Group C are on the bridge.

Kilgore: "Err... Captain... It seems a little strange that the JOKER should miss when IT was manouevering. I mean... It is not as if WE were making any evasive manouevres. Perhaps the plasma thingy is the only thing it has to communicate with. After all, some of our probes are armed but not equipped with communications devices to talk with the folks we are scouting. Could we try a weapon discharge that misses? Or perhaps give it another go with the broadband transmission?"

Captain Phoenix: "I see what you're saying Colonel..but what if..."

Ops Officer: "Registering an EW hit amidships - minor structural damage. Ops to DCP - hull repair, zone 49DX. Helm - manoeuvring for fire parameters now."

Captain Phoenix: "Well Colonel, that seemed like a fairly clear communication...what do you suggest I use now - harsh language?"

Killgore: "I would suggest evasive manuevers, Captain. See if it tries to chase us, and try a weapon discharge that obviously is not targeted on it. If it keeps shooting, nuke the bastard..."

Captain Phoenix "Helm: VEA pattern 12."

Helm : "Roger. SECURE FOR VEA!"

The ship lurches as the helm throws the lumbering bulk of the Precision Creek into a pattern of stately turns and weaves.

Captain Phoenix: "Fire Control - fire a burst of auto cannon across its bows"

Fire Control: "Firing Now!"

Ops: "Registering hits on port manoeuvre thrusters and hull, Captain"

Captain Phoenix: "It seem to be chasing all right. Shame I don't have any nukes. Fire Control: Blow that bloody thing to bits would you?"

Fire Control: "Firing HELL now"

Ops: "Target destroyed.

Captain Phoenix: "Well that was interesting..."

Comms: "We're receiving a message from the Hospital Ship Sir"

>URGENT to Col. Killgore from A/M Cornelius via Signals Sergeant Burke of A0. JOKER-TWO -large alien vessel- sighted by Alpha Group on dark hidden side of Mesa, eta over site of Alpha Group Reserve 12km from Anom. Mat Lab in eight minutes. JOKER-TWO velocity 7.9 vector gamma 12.7 iota 3.9

Sensor data here:

I am on surface of Mesa with A0. My position is 234108 i.e. crater wall 600m spinward of landing site of hospital ship ESS VAN VELZEN. That unarmed vessel has been ordered to fly away and hide elsewhere as it cannot be concealed. Shuttle WILDEBEEST (autocannon) remains, ordered to open fire only if ordered. Alpha Group have scattered on surface and sought cover. Alpha ROE HOLDFIRE. Cornelius awaits further orders. Over.<

OPS: "We have them on the radar. Vector 211/45. JOKER-TWO is chasing the Van Velzen away from us"

Classification: RESTRICTED: Priority: FLASH
To: All Personnel
From: Lt Col Killgore, 130th EMR
Subject: OP JOKERS WILD - INCOMING JOKER-TWO
Previous Orders remain extant. USS PRECISION CREEK will intercept JOKER-TWO as soon as possible. ROE remains unchanged.
T A Killgore
Lt Col,Commanding The 130th Regiment
Priority: FLASH : Classification: RESTRICTED

Captain Phoenix: "Helm, maximum burn to assist the Van Velzen"

Helm: "ALL HANDS : Clear for maximum burn"

Navigation: "We should make an intercept in approximately 49 minutes, Captain"

Comms: "The Van Velzen reports that she is under fire and taking hits. Commander Walker (OC) reports that the manoeuvre thrusters have been hit, and one emergency operating ward is out of action. Her view is that the VV is unlikely to last 49 minutes."

MEANWHILE:

The Shuttle Wildebeest has launched with Alpha Group aboard. It arrives near the Van Velzen shortly after the USO has closed with and boarded her.