Chapter 51 – Dreadnought
At the edge of the Alpha Centauri system…
UNSS Trooper
Date: 1 December 2156
Commanding Officer: Captain Tadashi Akai
Captain's Log (Supplemental)
As noted in my earlier log, we've completed our emergency deceleration while the Constable has pressed on to Pandora. The automated distress beacon we detected led us straight to the outermost La Grange point on the edge of the Alpha Centauri system. Upon arrival we found the UNSS Vigilance and to our surprise she appeared to be a derelict. We've just completed our initial scans and new information has come to light.
It was obvious upon first inspection the Vigilance had been in one hell of a battle. Our sensors have recorded multiple antimatter detonations in the vicinity of the Alpha Centauri system shortly before we decelerated. By looking at the ship, I'm surprised it made out here in one piece.
We received our first report from the Constable only a few minutes ago. They've arrived in Pandora space and found no hostile forces in the area. However, due to the intense ionization left over from the mixture of antimatter and subsequent explosions, plus space junk, it'll be several more hours, perhaps even a day, before the interference clears up enough to get complete sensor readings of the surface. We know the miners are down there but it's the details we need before we go barging in.
Based on what I've seen so far I have to admit the Vigilance has proven herself a true dreadnought. She's suffered the worst damage I've ever seen an interstellar ship sustain without coming apart at the bulkheads. I'm looking at it with my own eyes and I still find it hard to believe.
My tactical officer, Lt. Floyd, has taken a team over to board her and get control of the ship. Without knowing exactly what they'll run into, I've asked him to make finding the Captain's log a priority. Since our confirmation of the find, command has already lit up our superluminal comms with plenty of questions. Hopefully Captain Lopez's log or a survivor can provide some of those answers.
With that in mind, our sensors have detected low-level life signs. It's the best news we've had since we found her. Our doctor's analyses of the numbers are consistent with 45-50 humans in stasis. However, Vigilance's original crew compliment was at least 250, plus a company of Fleet Marines when she left port. One thing is for sure, if Renee Lopez survived, she'll have certainly earned her promotion to Commodore. I just hope it's not a posthumous promotion.
To sum up the rest, the ship's energy readings are almost null and our initial probe of the ship returned minimal or non-existent life support throughout most of the ship. It looks like the stasis pods became their lifeboats if they had enough power to function properly. Our A.I. hasn't been able to make even the most mundane connection with Vigilance's A.I. or subsystems. Hopefully, IVAiN was only shutdown due to a lack of power and not battle damage or worse. Without the A.I. it could take 12 or more hours to get control of the ship. Then there are the reactors to consider. Radiation levels are elevated but it appears they managed to go through some kind of controlled shutdown or scram event. However their actual status remains unknown at this time.
Once we've rescued the survivors or bodies and gained control of the ship, we'll put her in tow for the short trip to Pandora. Right now I can only hope and pray that the rest of her crew managed to escape, which is a good theory since all of her dropships and shuttles are missing. Otherwise…No, I'll refrain from speculation for the time being.
Therefore, unless we run into any serious problems with putting her in tow, I suspect we'll rejoin the Constable in Pandora orbit within the next 72-96 hours, give or take a few hours. By then I suspect Commander Mercedes should have a better understanding of the situation on the surface of Pandora.
Supplemental log, closed.
About three days later in Pandora orbit…
Commander Johanna Mercedes sat at her command console and reviewed the latest imagery of Pandora. She mumbled to herself as she stared at what was left of Fort Cha'con, "It's a damned shame."
Her concentration was broken as her communications officer said, "Commander, the Trooper's close enough to punch through the interference and they're hailing us."
Johanna replied, "It's about time Tadashi showed up. Put him on speaker."
The communications officer answered, "Aye, Ma'am but it's not Captain Akai, its Commodore Lopez."
Johanna's eyebrows perked up as she looked up from her console, "Let's hear it."
A few seconds later a confident female voice came over the bridge speakers, "…nee Lopez aboard the Trooper. Constable, do you copy?"
Johanna switched on her mic, "This is Commander Johanna Mercedes we read you loud and clear Commodore. It's good to hear your voice."
Renee replied, "Agreed. It's good to be alive, especially since someone felt I needed a promotion."
"With all due respect ma'am, from what I've seen of your ship, I think you've earned it."
"I appreciate the compliment Commander, but I didn't do it alone."
There was a short pause and Renee continued, "Trooper has the Vigilance in tow. We should be entering Pandora orbit within the next two hours. My flag will remain on the Trooper until Vigilance's life support has been restored. Please commence download of everything you've discovered since your arrival."
Johanna replied, "Yes, Ma'am. We'll commence transmission immediately. As well, both of our Star Valkyries are nearly finished with their initial survey of Pandora orbit and key surface areas. I'll forward that report to you as soon as I have it."
"Sounds good, Commander."
Renee's face finally appeared on Johanna's holo console so they could actually see one another. Johanna commented, "I have a visual of you now, Commodore," and then she gasped.
Renee replied, "It's not as bad as it looks. A few cuts and bruises and a busted elbow are nothing that can't be fixed with a little patience and a good doctor."
Johanna replied, "Yes Ma'am, but it still looks painful."
Just then Captain Akai broke in, "Commodore, communications has just finished receipt of a message from Earth. They confirm our last report that the Blackjack has been destroyed. They also report that Vigilant Castle has gone public. The rest of the details are in your file."
"Very good, Captain. Post the good news for all personnel to see. They deserve to know they're all famous." She grinned.
"With pleasure, Commodore."
Renee said, "Johanna, as soon as Trooper and Vigilance have made orbit, you're authorized to begin realignment for space station assembly."
"Understood, Commodore. We'll be ready to begin by the time you arrive. Also, we finally made contact with Pandora about 20 minutes before you hailed us. It wasn't a good connection and only lasted a couple of minutes but we know now that both miners are out of action and under friendly control. According to Colonel Quaritch, they sustained heavy casualties but achieved all primary objectives alongside their Na'vi allies."
"That's good to hear, Commander."
Johanna added, "The interference continues to dissipate so the communications situation should only improve from here on out."
"Excellent. Any word on Commander LeMay?"
"I'm sorry ma'am. There was no mention of him in our first communication."
Renee nodded, "Keep me posted and remember Johanna, any details you get on Nathan…they're classified."
Johanna replied, "Understood, Commodore."
