Chapter 6: New Horizons
The USS Arcturus was cruising at warp 8 toward a binary star system, made up of a two G Type stars 1.05 and 0.9 the mass of Sol, with at least two class M planets and indications of a space faring civilization therein. The senior staff and captain had discussed and agreed they wanted to stay close to the Supergate. The USS Arcturus was abuzz with all crew taking in everything sensors were reporting on and finding new anomolies and elements that they'd never seen before.
Suddenly klaxons sounded, "collision, collision, collision" the Computer voice blared out.
"Captain, there's noting on sensors." Was all the Ensign was able to say before being thrown sideways metres into the bulkhead wall on the port side. He lay there, crumpled and lifeless.
"What's happening? What did we hit?" Captain Lars yelled.
"Sir, whatever hit us took out half the ship and what is left is badly damaged and no space-worthy. I suggest we abandon ship." A Lieutenant at Ops replied.
"Commander Gerani, start the evacuation to the life pods and send out the distress call." Captain Lars order.
"Sir!" The Commander replies.
"Is there any threat of the remaining part of the ship exploring? I ask as are we anywhere near a habitable planet we can land on?" Captain Lars asks, directing the question at the Lieutenant on Ops.
"Due to the damage, I can't tell if there is a habitable planet nearby sir. From what I remember, we look to be a few light years from a maybe viable system. But without sensors, it's a shoot in the dark, the Lieutenant responses.
"Sir, we might be better to stay here with the ship, scrounge what we can from it, while a few pods head toward likely systems, if there are any. That way, we spread our chances out and also, get what we can from the remainder of the ship." Commander Gerani answers.
"Good idea Far'na. Do it! Let's get into the pods, we need to be in separate ones, I'll head toward the system the Lieutenant suggested, once the Life pods sensors are up and running. You stay here, scrounge what you think we can use and keep in touch." Captain Lars replies.
"Sounds like a plan Janet."