Celestial Fire

The shuttle hissed and hummed, as the docking platform slowly lowered, bringing it into the Auxiliary flight deck. I couldn’t help to let my mind wonder, Aurora, Jax and I stood erect waiting for docking to finish. The rumors about the outpost were starting to run amok in the Alliance. Lapses in communication reports, Strange power anomalies… One anonymous report even stated that some have reported people with black eyes on the station. Needless to say Alliance Leadership wanted to get to the bottom of the rumors.

I glanced at Aurora, who stood silently as if she was in deep reflection. Her dark blue uniform neatly sat on her thin but toned body. Jax stood next to her, arms crossed and relaxed. He must of done this hundreds of times. At least that’s what his body language indicated.

He broke the silence. “So you two, do you want to share why command has sent two lieutenants with no formal transfer request to our little piece of paradise?” I was about to respond, but Aurora beat me to it. “Oh you know Captain…. With the war in full swing, command is never two sure where you’ll be staying. I’m sure those transfer orders will come in, as soon as this month’s personal reports are finalized.” I was amazed, Aurora was so quick, as if she knew the question was over due.

Jax chuckled… “Don’t I know it. Before I was assigned here, they moved me around for a year, before finally decided on my long term assignment. Jax scratched his head, now chuckling more loudly as he reminisced about his experience.

Aurora glanced at me, as to tell me not to add to her response. She had a way of always wanting to take control of a situation. At least that’s what her service file indicated. She wasn’t the only one who read personnel reports. I smirked at her and nodded.

Just as I thought the docking procedure couldn’t take longer. The humming and hissing ceased, and a loud thud echoed outside the shuttles confines. It was followed by the sound of electronic lift raising, and finally the outdoors on the shuttle started to raise. Revealing two armored, AI controlled, security androids. In between them stood a medical officer. A doctor from the looks of it. She was an attractive woman, probably no more than 35. Her long black wavy hair hung down to her mid back, and her uniform was a bight white, sporting a red cross patch on each shoulder.

She held a small scanning device, and a couple of vials on one hand. “I’m Dr. Aeliana, sorry for armed escort. It’s a shitty way to make an introduction… But the commander has us operating on enhanced War time protocols.”

“Damn Doc, you could of at least warned us. More scanning, and blood work?” Dr. Aeliana’s demeanor was stern, and she didn’t seem to appreciate Jax’s comment. “You know the policies Captain. I don’t like having to jab and scan everyone who comes back from a escort run, but for now it’s policy.”

I glanced at the good Doctors escorts, they were 5th generation combat units. Usually only deployed to active battle fields. The sported a state of the art sensor array, an enhanced logical processing engine, regenerative armor, and plasma weaponry……. I couldn’t help myself.

“Doctor, why have mach fives been purpose for station security? These units are overkill for running basic security….” Aurora glanced at me, a surprised look on her face. “Lieutenant Evans…..” Doctor Aeliana started. “That’s a keen observation, but you’ll have to address your inquiry to commander Talos. All I know is a dozen units were brought on board roughly three months ago, to support station security.”

“Understood.” I replied. “Lieutenants, I’m going to scan you for any pathogens and for anything out of the ordinary, please step forward.” Aurora and I stepped up, and Doctor Aeliana held out a small scanner in front of us. A bean emerged from the device and slowly made it’s way from from out head, to our feet.

“What exactly are you scanning for doctor?” Aurora chirped up. “Oh just the standard array of aliments Lieutenant Michaels. As well as any adverse effects from the near by plasma storms.” The scan completed quickly, and the doctor reviewed the results. “Everything looks good here. All I need now is a blood sample.

Aurora and I nodded and, held out our arms. Dr Aeliana reached into her pocket and pulled out a small dermal extractor. Quickly and painlessly drawing a small amount of blood from both Aurora and I. “Welp, that will do it. Jax, your next”. Jax rolled his eyes stepping forward.

“Looks good as usual Jax.” The Doc said playfully to him. Although it was clear he didn’t like going through the docking procedure. And to be fair, it sounded like he had to do it a lot.

“Lieutenants, it the was a pleasure meeting you. Welcome to station. Jax will show you to the habitation wing, and your accommodations. The commander will want to meet with you in to morning. Until then get some rest, and feel free to explore the habitation wing.”

Before Doctor Aeliana continued on. Another medial uniformed officer cam running up to her…. “Doctor……there has been an incident the gym….. One staff has reported a Black Eyed being in the area….” “Nurse Dax….. I’m finishing up here. Please await for me in the Gym!” Aurora looked at me, as the Doctor’s demeanor shifted drastically.

“Yes Doctor….” The nurse responded, before quickly running off. Dr Aeliana turned her attention back to Jax. “Captain get the Lieutenants settled”. With that she turned and quickly made her way out of the shuttles docking area.

“What was that about?” I asked. Jax sighed, “If you ask me, some people here can’t take deep space. Too much isolation, even on this station. ” Aurora was silent, but she was taking everything in. “Welp you two, let’s get you two your room, you must be tired.” Jax smiled and led started led the war from the shuttle. Aurora nodded, “Very tired captain, it’s been a long trip.”

Jax glanced over his shoulder as we walked through the stations main docking corridor. Which surprisingly didn’t have much in it. Just a docking bay and lift. The hanger doors were massive, shielding the bay from open space. “I know the feeling.” Jax replied. “I hope you two don’t mind sharing accommodations. We we having had many transfers here in some time. Space is fairly limited. ”

Aurora looked at me and winked… a big smirk rose across her face. “Oh not as all Captain, the Lieutenant and I have a lot of work to get done. Sharing will be just fine.”

I couldn’t help but feel some tension rise through by body. I wasn’t sure what it was all about, but I liked it. We approached a main lift at the end of the corridor. The doors opened, revealing lift that would take us to any part of the station…..Wow, I thought, very modern. With that all three of us entered the lift. It was late on the station, and I couldn’t wait for my head to hit my pod to get some sleep. It was at this point I noticed Aurora had been staring at me. I wasn’t sure why, but It was obvious she had something on her mind…..

Characters Encountered In This Chapter