Cpt. Thomas Gale's Story

Dr. Hook

Maxwell looked around the quarters he had been living in for the last three months. They were little more than the basics, as one would expect on a smuggler’s ship, the walls were a faux wood paneling, the lights were dim with a yellow hue to make the room feel warmer. There was a twin sized bed in the center of the room with a chest at the foot which he had brought with him.
“We should be arriving at our destination within the hour, Dr. Hook.” The feminine voice of the ship’s artificial intelligence came over unseen speakers.
“Thank you, Godmother. I’ll be to the bridge shortly. Please inform the rest of the crew of our ETA.”
“As you wish, Dr. Hook.”
He opened the trunk to reveal multiple smaller wooden boxes, all with fingerprint locks. He picked up a small one and paced his thumb to the print reader. The lid lifted automatically and revealed a compass inside a velvet lining. He took the compass and put it in the inside pocket of his jacket.
“Dr. Hook, I couldn’t help but notice the contents of your trunk, as I scanned it upon your entry as a safety precaution. Might I ask what purpose these items serve in the task of locating the artifacts you’re searching for on Earth?”
“You’re awfully inquisitive for an artificial intelligence. If you must know, these are cherished family heirlooms and I would rather keep them with me, I don’t exactly trust the help not to steal them while I’m gone.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you, Doctor, I didn’t mean to pry. It just seemed illogical without all the facts.”
“It’s fine.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thomas Gale

Thomas sat at the captain’s chair staring at the view screen display showing a dead, rusty brown ball of dirt that was the ruins of Earth coming into focus and growing in size as the ship approached. “What the hell is he looking for on this dead planet anyway? All that’s left down there is dirt, ash and the crumbling ruins of civilization.”

Dr. Hook / Thomas Gale

Maxwell made his way down the corridor to the bridge, curious as to what was taking his crew so long. He got to the bridge to see Captain Gale staring at the monitor by his chair with a look on his face that showed he was running countless equations and calculations in his head.
“Something wrong?” Maxwell asked.
“Just running a few numbers. The radiation levels are a bit higher than I expected, but it shouldn’t be anything the suits can’t handle. Aside from that, all the readings are as expected; no flora, no fauna, not a drop of water left in the oceans… completely lifeless.” Thomas sighed.
“So did you locate the co-ordinance I gave you?”
“Well it was difficult, but based on the geographical data downloaded from the satellites still in orbit, Godmother was able to pinpoint the location you were looking for.” He said as he punched in a few buttons and the view screen zoomed in on the planet to show a dilapidated building and a bunch of old jets in the surrounded by nothing but a bunch of sand. “What did you say they used to call this place?”
“Area 51, I think. “ Maxwell answered. “So is the transport vehicle ready to go?”
“Everything’s all ready to go and I’ll monitor you and the crew from orbit. We’re just waiting for the crew and then you can brief all of us on the mission details.”

“Yeah, what’s taking them so long?”

Aletta put down the soldering iron and lifted her goggles to inspect her handiwork. Turning the board over in her hand, she made sure that the wire was touching the metal labyrinth and that the solder had no bubbles. Satisfied with her work, Aletta put the board aside and turned to the casing. It had once been a music box, battered to pieces, but still a music box nonetheless and she was determined to see it restored.

Aletta ran her hand over the tools she had laid out, instinctively reaching for a small hammer to tap out the dents. Slowly, Aletta began working on the largest dent in the silver case. While she was working, the screen above her desk lit up. Aletta lifted her gaze to look at the screen, still hunched over her desk. "Your presence is requested on the deck." Godmother's electronic voice was tinnier than usual. I'll have to look into that. It was possible that she was imagining things but the last thing the ship needed was the AI failing on them.

"Noted." Aletta said, still tapping at the silver case. Aletta wasn't sure how much time had passed when the screen lit up again.

"Report to the bridge." Godmother said more forcefully.

"Considering I know how to shut you down, I would have thought that you would be nicer to me Godmother."

"I am artificial Aletta. Anything passing for 'nice' is a quirk of my programming, not a personal choice."

Aletta put her hammer down. Maybe she look into reprogramming Godmother. It might make her more bearable than she was now. Aletta tidied her desk, purposefully taking her time. The screen lit up again. "I am tidying my work area before I report in the interest of safety Godmother. I am not a child."

"Hook and Gale are waiting for you."

"I know."

Aletta rose from her desk and stretched out before leaving her room on the ship. She headed down to the bridge. Thomas and Hook were stood waiting for the rest of the crew. "What's happening?"

Always an early riser, Nathan got up early and took in his surroundings. He having worked under a military man, he'd been on ships before, but not one like this. It was very interesting to compare and contrast. This one was designed more for cargo carry rather than the more weaponized battle ships he was use to. Oh it still had defensive and offensive capabilities, from what Nate had seen in the past few months. He learned how to fix and work many types of weapons from hand to hand to ship mechanisms, and loved every minute of it. Needless to say he was impressed. He made a habit to train early before his charge woke up and had his own shield device around her when she slept. Looking over he saw her passed out still with her blankets everywhere. She had had another nightmare last night about that day again. He had hope by now the dreams would stop plaguing his friend, but they hadn't. Still Abielle continued to live on despite loosing her family and love. It would be nice to see Abielle give a genuine smile again, but he could tell that her current smiles weren't real.

Shaking his head, he quickly closes the curtain separating his quarters from hers and gets dressed.

By the time he's done training, he gets the memo from Godmother to head for the bridge.

"Roger that. Thanks." he told the AI.

Funny name for an AI system, he thought before heading to his room. When he got back, he noticed Abielle was still asleep. He takes down her shield generator and shakes her elbow, ready to move in case she accidentally hits him again like that other time.

"Abbi, wake up!" he said.

Instantly her arm comes up and Nate moves out of the way just in time.

"Abbi, come on now." he tries again.

Abielle groans and slowly opens her eyes.

"Morning sunshine." chuckles Nate.

"What? It's too early." Abielle grumbles.

"Um, we are needed on the bridge, like right now." he said.

This got Abielle's attention and she instantly sits up. They weren't often called to the bridge so it had to be important. Not wanting to be late, the white hair woman gets up and starts getting things to wear. Seeing his cue, Nate immediately goes to his side of the room and clothes the curtain to give her privacy.

"Thank you." he hears her say.

He also changes out of his training clothes and uses a device to give him a quick 'clean up' before changing again.

It wasn't long before the two walk towards the bridge where they saw the others. Abielle looks at the screen and sees a planet before them.

"Is that Earth?" she asks.

“Glad to see that everyone has made it.” Dr. Hook smiled as the last of the crew members made their way to the bridge. “Now that we’re in orbit around Earth, I can brief you all on the mission. As you all should be aware I’m a collector as well as an educated historian well-versed in the ways of ancient Earth.”
“Yeah, yeah quit blowing your own horn and get to the part where any of us should care.” Thomas interrupted.
“Yes… well I’m also quite wealthy as a result of my collection and that wealth, for many of you, will be the sole incentive on this mission, especially after we retrieve what’s down on the surface. However, I do hope for all of you to take home an intellectual reward from this experience as well.” He said with an accusing glare cast at Thomas.
“Anyway, back to the mission. This ship is equipped with a multi-terrestrial transport, or MTT, that will serve as our way down to the surface and as a means of transport on the surface if needed. You have all been selected specifically for your unique individual …talents. There’s no telling what kind of security may be down there, but you can bet that what we’re after will be heavily guarded. Just because there’s no life signs, doesn’t mean there’s no danger so stay alert at all times. You all have two hours to get prepared, double check your suits to make sure they fit properly, make sure your oxygen tanks are filled and then meet back at the MTT. So, if you have any questions now’s the time, otherwise you’re all dismissed.” Dr. Hook paused and waited so the crew could ask any questions they might have about the mission as he knew the detail he had given were sparse.

Abielle and Nathan listened carefully. Abielle could feel adrenaline coursing through her veins. She couldn't wait to get started. She wondered what they would find exactly? Unlike the some of the others, she nor Nathan didn't need the money. Well, she felt Nathan deserved some of money for years of service, but he was insistent that most of the money he would receive would go towards the Orphanage they opened. Having been an orphan himself, she understood his need to help those who were in his situation.

Nathan could see how eager Abielle was to get going. She always held her heart on her sleeves. Her late father had seen to it that she lived a normal life, which was hard considering all of the issues and conflict that happened. As he listened to Dr. Hook, he glanced at the others on the bridge. He made sure to get all of their names down quickly. Communication would prove critical soon. Having been in hostile and unknown places before, he would make sure to do his duty to help protect the group. Having eagle eye vision, he couldn't recall the last time he missed a shot. It also helped he was agile, but he could adapt also.

When Dr. Hook asked for any questions, Abielle found herself asking one, "Just what exactly are we looking for?"

Nathan smiled at Abielle. She had the tendency to ask the most direct questions.

Dr. Hook could feel every eye on him after Abielle asked the simplest question. Simple, yes, but he couldn’t explain right now that he was using one fairy tale artifact to find the rest of them and that he had no idea what artifact they’d find. Thinking fast, he came up with an excuse.
“Well… You see, I have a… device. This device is an ancient locator that has been calibrated to lock onto a unique radiation signature that only these specific artifacts put off. The radiation is harmless. So basically I follow this device and we don’t know what we’re getting until we find it. But I’ll know it when I see it.”
“Seriously?!” Gale interrupted. “You dragged us all out to this wretched planet and you don’t even know what it is we’re looking for!?”
Dr. Hook pulled out his enchanted compass and showed it to Gale. “This thing will lead us all exactly where we need to go. If you have a problem with that, we can turn around and go back …empty handed. However, if I don’t get my artifact, nobody here gets paid and while you may be okay with that, I doubt the rest of the crew here would agree. We’ve got the best protective gear. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Fine, but if you get yourselves killed no one get paid either, remember that.”