[Audio recording systems activated]
"To whoever gets this message: I am Paat Torgal, CEO of the Torgaljin Corporation. Our ship, the Degasi, was struck by an abnormal energy pulse. The ship went down, landing in the ocean. A few lifepods jettisoned, but only mine survived impact. We were three survivors: Myself, my only son, Baat, and our hired mercenary. We left the lifepod and made for the nearest landmass, where we set up a shelter. If you receive this message, please come assist us. I fear we will not survive much longer. In my old age, I won't last long. But I fear if we stay here, it won't be age that kills us. Please, come for us."
[Audio recording systems disengaged. Recording saved.]
[Audio broadcasting. Any communications relays within the 200 meter range will receive this message upon entering broadcast range]
One year earlier…
The Degasi stood prepared for loading. Passengers, engineers, crew, and more streamed into its hull. My only son, Baat, came to stand beside me.
"Father, are you sure the mercenary is necessary?"
"Absolutely, son. We don't want any issues. There are many space pirates out there who would easily find a good payday on a ship like this. I don't want to lose anyone here, so yes. The mercenary is a necessity." I explained.
"Of course." Baat replied. At that moment, my hired mercenary, Margueret Maida, came up beside us.
"Ah, Margueret! We were just talking about you!" I said jokingly. Margueret gave me a cold glare. If looks could kill, she'd be a mass murderer. "All good things." I quickly said. Her stare told me she had no intent to believe me.
"Chief, we are awaiting your presence on board. The crew's rounding up the last few people, then we need our captain. Don't keep me waiting." She turned and headed for the ship.
"Well, we'd better board." I said. Baat and I headed for the Degasi.
"Welcome aboard, captain." The on-board CPU announced. We stepped through the entrance and the crew members sealed the door behind us. I looked around at the interior of the ship. It wasn't much. It still ran on factory-default systems and had a bit of missing equipment, but it still ran and I was confident about it. We went up to the control room. Baat took a seat and I went to see how things were coming along with my crew.
"Hello, captain." The pilot said, giving a quick salute. I returned it. Out of the corner of my old, fading vision, I saw Margueret. She motioned for me to come to her. I walked over and she confronted me.
"Chief, there's a massive error with this ship." She said.
"Oh? And what would that be?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"The crew!" She said. "How are we supposed to run with this? The recommended crew size for a vessel this size is sixty-four crew! And how many do we have? Forty-one! FORTY-ONE! How do we run this ship on forty-one fracking crew?!" She said, obviously overreacting.
"Remember who you're talking to! I'm the captain here, not you. I'll make my crew how I want it, and you can stop interfering!" I snapped.
"Yes, chief." She said with much venom. She stormed off and the pilot was given the OK, and the Degasi took off into the depths of space.