Hermes was once again underway at high warp.
Uncharacteristically the inside of the ship was very quite. Not that the crew was idle, quite the contrary. Everyone was glued to the next conveniently placed computer screen. Whoever could was studying the database that was provided by Station 14.
Every conversation that was not necessarily focused on ship's business was about something glimpsed from the database.
After a lengthy discussion it was decided that only one of the species would be visited as the others where too far outside of Hermes' area of operations. Depending on what they'd find there the next steps would be considered.
The database did offer a huge amount of information, which was itself proving to be a problem in itself.
"Currently everyone is focusing on the database, this completely changes our mission!" Dr. Schmitz stated excited.
"I understand your excitement Dr." The Captain answered calmly. "However this database does not give us planets to colonize, it might only help in finding them."
"That in itself changes everything!"
"Even if we get a location, the information is 60.000 years, we still need to verify it."
"That is not time on a planetary scale at all, nothing much should have changed."
"I strongly disagree with that statement, just look at how much earth has changed in the last 60.000 years. And don't forget: At the time the information was acquired there was an interstellar war going on."
That gave Dr. Schmitz a pause.
"That is a fair point. Still it is very hard to focus on anything else with this wealth of information just sitting there, waiting to be analyzed."
"I fully understand. But please set some priorities for your researchers to make the most out of the information we have."
"Agreed. What about sending the database back to earth? They have the manpower to analyze it much more thorough than anything we can do here."
"The database is far to large to be transmitted at our current distance. Not only would the information become garbled during transit, we would also need to channel almost all power to the communication system to do so, leaving us basically stranded for about four hours." Sunblast answered the question.
"I still don't understand how it was transmitted to our system in the first place. The comlink does not have the bandwidth for that amount of information." Smyke put in.
"That was actually a very interesting puzzle." Sunblast answered. "Station 14 did not only us the comlink to transmit the data. The comlink was only the entry point for a sophisticated hack. It basically hijacked the whole computer system, opening up every means of communication that we have."
"How is that even possible?"
"It manipulated our systems in a way nobody had ever thought of being even remotely possible. And it gets even better! The amount of data stored in our system should have taken at least two hours to transmit and store it. It was done within a couple of minutes."
"Do we know how?" Dr. Schmitz asked after a moment of silence.
"Basically every system was dedicated to that task. Every Sensor was used to receive data, every processor in every system was repurposed for this. The only system unaffected was life support. It seems that was done on purpose, but I have yet to confirm this. Even the scanners of the two teams where used to speed the transfer up. The scary thing is that this reconfiguration was performed and undone in a matter of seconds. If we'd attempt to do something like that it would take us days, if it where feasible at all."
"That is very impressive if not to say scary."
"Indeed. As we still don't really understand how this is even possible to do I don't see an easy way to prevent this from happening again. The only way this would be feasible would be by completely isolating all the systems on a hardware level."
"Don't we already have firewalls in place?"
"They where completely ignored. We'd have to physically separate the systems."
"Is that even possible?"
"In theory, yes. It would be a lot of work and it would greatly diminish the performance of every system on the ship. I'm not entirely sure if it is even possible with all systems. Some of them are hardwired, they're not designed to work on their own."
"Alright. For now let's leave the systems as they are. Please continue your investigation, maybe you can find a way to secure the systems without lobotomizing them." The Captain concluded.
"Alright." Sunblast left the room to continue with his work.
"Do we already have some idea what could be waiting for us in the target system? Do we have a name for the species?" The captain turned to Dr. Schmitz again.
"Yes, we do have a name but it is not something that I or someone from my team can pronounce, so we have nicknamed them Squids." Dr. Schmitz answered.
"Because they look like squids?"
"Not really but it does come to mind. I can't say I'm really happy with it and we should change it. But for now that is good enough."
"Agreed. Any information on their solar system and it's planets?"
Dr. Schmitz switched on the viewscreen, displaying a schematic of a solar system.
"The system itself is unremarkable although quite unique. There are the usual assortments of gas giants and dwarf-planets on the outer edge. The thing interesting is on the inner perimeter." The viewscreen zoomed in to highlight two planets orbiting directly opposite of each other with the single star right in the middle of them.
"Both planets are on the very edge of what is considered the habitable zone. From our long distance scans we deemed it unlikely to find habitable planets in this system."
"Yes, I think it was on the very bottom of the list of candidates for us to visit."
"Exactly. Apparently there is something to see there so we're going there nonetheless."
"Right. What do we know about the system?"
"We have the makeup of it and actually a lot of data overall." The screen switched to show a planet from a high orbit. "Apparently their home planet is covered in a single ocean with very little landmass showing on the surface. There are several artificial islands dotted on the surface for space faring vessels. The rest of the civilization is underwater." The screen zoomed out to show the solar system in a schematic overview. "There are several space stations in orbit around their home planet and the star. They also operate a research station in orbit of the planet in the same orbit." The screen zoomed in again to show an ice-covered planetary body.
"Wait. How is that possible? I thought both planets are virtually identical?"
"That's what the data indicated, yes. There's no explanation in the data as to what causes this phenomenon."
"Curious and curiouser."
"Agreed. Apparently the squids also investigated this puzzle and did not come up with any explanation either."
"Talking about the squids. What do we know about them?"
"Actually a lot." The screen changed to show a creature that had a distinct similarity to an earth squid on the first glance. At a closer look it became immediately obvious that every similarities where simply on the surface. The creature only had six tentacles. There was no visible mouth or eyes. What looked like a band stretched around the bulging head.
"They are an aquatic species. They can survive on land for some amount of time but not very long. Their gills need to be kept wet or they stop functioning. Among other fascinating things is their way to communicate: They use a combination of colors and heat for short-range communication. According to the data they're also capable of communication using very low frequency sound waves. With those they can communicate over quite large distances, kilometers even."
"Fascinating. Is there more about them?"
"Quite a lot. They have an extensive civilization below the surface of the ocean that covers their home world. Adding to that they have a large number of space-borne installations orbiting various bodies in their solar system."
"Any colonies outside of their system?"
"So far we have not found anything mentioned in the files. But there is still a large amount of data to go trough until we reach their system."
"That will be three more days at our current speed. You might want to prioritize your research. Do you have devised a way of communicating with them?"
"Agreed. Currently no. Their language is described in the database but we still have to find a way to translate into it. We're working on that."
"Very good. Three days doctor. It would be a shame to find them there and not being able to talk to them."
"That is true. If they're still around."
In a by now well practiced maneuver Hermes exited Warp at the edge of the solar system that was its destination.
"Position confirmed. We're right outside the Pralaxx system." Joe reported.
"Very good. Mr. Smyke?" The captain ordered.
"Commencing scan." Smyke replied getting busy at his console.
After a while Smyke reported back his findings.
"No energy signatures detected so far. No signals, no ships and no installations that the sensors can detect at this range."
"Radiation?"
"Exactly where it would be expected, no sign of nuclear weapons detected. Although at this range that is to be expected."
"Understood. Ms. 9, take us in."
"Understood."
Hermes accelerated towards the single yellow star and the center of the solar system. Slowly passing a gas giant it reached out with its sensor scanning the massive planet. Although it was equipped with the most comprehensive sensors human ingenuity had so far invented it was not able to look very deep into the many layers of highly compressed and electrical charged gas layers that made up the atmosphere of the gas giant.
"The orbit is clear of anything artificial. No structure, no debris, nothing." Smyke reported.
"Understood, lets go on then."
Hermes gracefully left its temporary orbit around the gas giant and took off towards the star in the center of the solar system. Two more planets where passed, both devoid of life or any sign that they've ever been touched by live.
Passing the last planet blocking the scans the homeworld of the squids was presented to the scanners.
It was quite a different picture compared to the ones presented in the ancient database.
The once near-empty orbit was crowded by a large mass of tiny objects in the process of forming a majestic ring around the planet. That would still take quite some time though. Currently a mass of debris was fanning out from a huge artifact in a high orbit above the planet.
The planet's face had changed drastically. The puffy white clouds where gone – replaced by angry green-brown colored haze that was covering the planet almost completely. The planet-wide ocean was nowhere to be seen, the ship was still too far out for the scanners to penetrate the cloud cover.
Upon seeing the first images silence settled on the small bridge. Slowly the crew resumed their work analyzing the data picked up by the scanners.
"Orders, Captain?" Joe asked breaking the silence.
"Is it save to go into a high orbit outside this debris field?"
"I'm only reading minimal radiation from the orbital debris. The planet is another topic, reading massive radiation in the atmosphere." Smyke answered.
"Take us into a high orbit, maximum scanner coverage of the planet."
"Understood."
As the ship drew closer to the planet the sheer scale of the destruction became obvious. The huge space station had been shattered open, debris scattered everywhere.
Hermes settled into an orbit high enough to be free of any debris and directed it's scanners at the surface of the sickly looking planet down below.
"Scanners are unable to penetrate the cloud cover so far." Smyke reported.
"We're working on calibrating them, should not be too long." Dr. Schmitz answered as he worked on his console.
"We're scanning the debris field as we go. We should have a detailed analysis ready within the next four hours." Smyke reported.
"Very good."
The small conference room was filled to the last seat. The viewscreen was displaying a radiation chart of the planet, a familiar sight to everybody in attendance.
Dr. Schmitz waited until the conversation had died down before starting with his presentation.
"Welcome. We managed to adjust our scanners to penetrate the cloud cover of the planet. What we can tell so far is that approximately 2000 years ago several high-yield nukes where detonated on the upper layers of the planet-wide ocean vaporating up to 20% of it's entirety. The disruption caused by the detonations would have devastated every piece of infrastructure on the seabed, killing most of the live in the upper 2km of the ocean.
Following the next days the vapor would have formed a solid cloud cover that blocks the sunlight out entirely."
Shocked silence answered his statement.
"According to our models almost all life was wiped out in the initial explosions. It is possible that there where survivors in the lowest regions and in hardened installations.
Blocking out all sunlight would ensure that all the plant-based life would die within a few months, wiping away the whole food chain based on it.
Only deep-sea creatures would in theory be able to survive. They would have to be based on a deep-sea food chain to be able to sustain themselves over any amount of time.
This is a scale of planetary devastation that puts anything we've seen on earth to shame."
"Is there no chance of survivors?" Joe asked.
"We don't know. It is possible that there where survivors after the initial explosions. If they managed to make it off the planet in time they could have survived. That however is highly unlikely as the detonations have caused a huge amount of atmospheric disturbance.
Which brings us to the station in orbit."
The viewscreen switched to display the expansive debris field with the huge station in the middle.
"From what we can tell the space station was destroyed at the same time as the planet was bombarded. Although at least three high-yield nukes where detonated in close proximity to the station the structure itself is largely intact."
The screen zoomed in on a small patch of the otherwise smooth hull that was a gaping breach spilling debris into space.
"This gap is 600m in diameter and the only breach in the hull that we have identified so far. The whole structure is highly radioactive which makes scanning difficult. Additionally the hull material itself is hindering our scans."
Again the screen changed to show a fuzzy image of the interior of the station.
"From what we can tell it looks like the station is not partitioned in different decks or areas. Remains of structures are identifiable but the purpose is completely unknown."
"Can we board the station to investigate?" The captain asked.
"The level of radiation is within what our suits are rated for. Unfortunately the whole area is littered with debris. Small, fast moving debris. I'd not recommend it."
"Understood. What about the planet. Any chance to scan for survivor?"
"Our sensors are unable to detect any sign of life so far. The combination of radiation and atmospheric disturbance makes this an almost impossible task." Dr. Schmitz answered.
"The pod's sensors would not yield much better results. Flying in that amount of disturbance is very dangerous. I'd say it is feasible, the only question would be is it worth it, Captain." Joe answered.
"It is our consensus that the point is moot anyway. This planet was destroyed 2000 years ago. Any survivors of the attack are long dead. Judging from the environmental conditions it is highly unlikely that anything has survived in that ocean."
"Let's focus on the debris field. Anything of interest?"
"There is a lot of debris floating around. We're still analyzing it and are trying to identify possible sample to analyze.
Is there a chance to bring some on board?"
"As long as we stick to the less denser parts of the field I don't see a problem." Joe answered.
"Fine. This is what I want to do for now…"
The semi-remote controlled probe carefully approached the open cargo bay of the orbiting mule. It's cargo – a scorched but largely intact piece of machinery – safely attached with a magnetic tether. It's tiny brain more than capable of performing the necessary calculation it carefully applied thrust to slow down and place it's charge safely within the confines of the mule. Releasing the magnetic seal it slowly moved away back into the field to collect a new piece of interest as directed by the operator safely back on board of the Hermes.
It's only been two hours but Joe was starting to get bored. Two hours spent in the cockpit of the mule with nothing to do but sit and wait would drive most people crazy.
Or bored.
For Joe this was just a slight nuisance. She used the link to the Hermes to oversee the drones collecting samples. She would have preferred to be in the middle of the field, optimizing the travel time for the drones, that way the sample collection would have been already done, but the decision had been taken to be on the save side. She fully agreed to that. There was a large amount of debris floating in this field. A lot of it very small and fast-moving. They had almost lost one of the drones – punctured by a piece of debris too small to be picked up on the scanners of the mule or even the much more powerful ones on the Hermes.
The drone was not lost. Although damaged it was able to return to the mule and the cradle that housed them. From a first look it should be repairable.
After that Joe had moved the mule another kilometer away from the debris field, just to be on the safe side. The mule itself was armored and insulated. It should be able to withstand a hit that would take out a drone. But out in space far from all but the basic medical aid Hermes could provide it was far better to be safe than sorry.
One by one the drones returned to their cradles and secured themselves for the journey back. It took another 20 more minutes for the last two drones to return as they moved a larger piece of debris together that was a very broken and shredded piece of machinery, its purpose anyone's guess.
With the last drones and their cargo secured Joe closed up the cargo bay and headed back for Hermes on minimal power. Due to their age the salvage was deemed to be very fragile calling for extreme care during transport and handling.
"Mule one to Hermes, approaching airlock, copy?"
"Hermes to Mule one, we copy. Airlock is ready to receive, gravity has been deactivated."
Carefully Joe docked the mule with only a tiny jolt signaling the successful seal with the much larger ship. After a short moment she could see the inside of the large, well-lit cargo bay with a mix of crew and scientist waiting eagerly for the cargo her mule was carrying.
Once the mule settled down Joe powered down it's systems and exited the small ship, handing it of to the small engineering crew that was already swarming it.
The upper door was already open and the crewmen where carefully unloading the fragile cargo – by hand. Gravity had been turned down to enable the crew to do that, other wise this would have been much more difficult, close to impossible. They where laying out the samples in an empty area where a large scanner arch had been set up and was being worked on by some of the scientists.
Next to that area some special containers had been placed. Those contained body of the squid species that had been salvaged in a first salvage run before turning to technology samples. A first container had already been moved to the lab area.
With that Joe headed for her quarters for some much needed rest and left the people to their tasks.