The Hyperion, a pride of the Phoenix corefleet that serves as flagship, was idling in the dark side of the planet Palmyra whereas a temporary jumphole was found recently. Thankfully, no one was aware of its original nature and that caused the phenomena, Hyperion was sent to the generator wrecksite, to understand what has led the generator to collapse without attracting unnecessary attention.
A vast room filled with different apparatus - that would rate any average civilian that would enter the room. But the last room before the bridge is not less important. It serves as a control area, whereas the crew could control each system of the ship manually in case of malfunction. Though it had been rarely used due to high automation of subsystems, this mission made this area somewhat populated, thanks to vast variations of sensors that Hyperion possesses. Primary lights were disabled that made edges of the room barely seen, but in the middle, the silhouette of man was highlighted by splendor of different colours that had been caused by the hologram of the Omicron Zeta with the Palmyra planet in the middle.
Gordon was looking at gravitic waves records. He had been trying to find the gravitic or any other traces that could reveal the mysterious disaster of the first Phoenix jumphole generator installation. Gordon is a stocky and tall man, a little older of 40's, but only silver temples would tell his age. Sharp face is covered by several scars that would tell a hard background about his past, his white eyes always gave a feeling of cold. Everyone who would meet him outside of Hyperion crew never would believe of his Zoner origin, though not many of those who lived outside of house space could take a Zoner way of life not as behind God's back and life full of adventures, but s life full of risk and losses .
His feelings were vaguely aghast of losses that caused the explosion, it was the strike for Phoenix engineering team. But luckily for them, they died even before they realised something went wrong, not much have left of the structure - Gordon tried to calm himself. Though his mind was clear, the feelings could be overwhelming even for an experienced space wolf like him. The graph of energy consumption and other parameters were stable until the explosion. Though the Hyperion scanner array recorded a different picture - gravity well was raised a few seconds before point of no return. Miscalculation or probably technica failure? Hyperion has a complex of arrays and different sensors. Of course, Palmyra and surrounding objects may affect its accuracy but not like that. While Gorgon was so concerned about the matter, he didn't notice another figure that came up behind him. like always, he silently approached and put a hand on his shoulder - “Gordon, everything alright?” Gordon slightly jerked by interrupting his thoughts. Of course, that could be a single man. A good friend of Gordon - Christian, a fearless leader that has driven the free people of the Omicrons through decades.
Gordon slightly smiled "Chris, good to see you." he stretched his back and extended hand for a handshake "I was wondering what did happen onboard the generator and where the hell are any remnants of it with diameter bigger than an atom..." Christian interrupted him "Actually, I came here to bring good news." he shrugged "well, in some sort - our xray arrays have detected a new object of artificial origin, that we have not seen before. Thus, our analysts believe that it should be what's left of the generator." Gordon nodded but suddenly goose bumps had covered his body, as he knew what Christian wanted "So you want me to pay a visit to those remnants? I hope you remember my feelings on the cold planets." Christian laughed in his usual manner, but it was noticeable that he'd been worried "We were too naughty and naive to leave the camp in the deep forest on the Erie, we were children, Gordon. Stop blaming me. You have understood me correctly, but this time you will be way better equipped and alongside trained people." Christian gestured by hand to move towards the console "That's the wreck's site area. For the curse, this is one of Palmyra's mountain ranges."
Gordon took a look at the hologram "Holy, I didn't even know that a planet had such mountains" Christian nodded "With gravity close to the Earth, it has very various terrain types. Flat areas, frozen oceans and the mountains. Our data is quite rich on observation of Palmyra nature, but so far we have only automated on surface stations. Though no men ever stood a food on our possible homeplanet. I extend you a possibility to be the first human, pioneer of the Palmyra. Of course, I never would send a single man into such harsh conditions, especially in the foothills of the Tadmura, the highest peak on the planet. But under current circumstances I have to" Christian granced straight into Gordon's eyes "Yes, that's why I don't command you. Think about it. You have a day to give me an answer. As any pioneer you need to understand the risks." Christian shaked Gordon's shoulder `Don't be frozen like Palmyra" Gordon was stunned by Christian offer, that's not what he expected to do in his 40's. He have said abruptly "Well, give me a time to think about it. Either way, I'll need time to pick up proper equipment and read more reports about conditions in this area" Christian nodded "Alright, you know where to find me" Christian walked away and room again was filled with nothing but screaming silence.
Gordon has focused on studying wreck sites of the generator, he leaned forward on the desk to steady his knees, he knew that Palmyra is far from Baden-Baden beach conditions, especially in the mountains area, where the winds blow off so strong that you would freeze in the spacesuit and that’s what he being afraid of. “Dilemma...” he mumbled and gestured and zoomed in on the possible wrecksite. The safest drop off points unlikely contain the parts that they are looking for. Even if they are supposed to be here, it has fallen though many peaks and unlikely something has kept in relatively good shape. On the other hand, sites A and B have the most chances of success. According to the analysis, wrecks have remained in relatively big parts, so electronics may remain unharmed. Although the winds won’t let us land safely. He started drawing possible path from the plateau up to the mountains, he had to find out a relative safe path for his team.
As Gordon finished up with the initial plan he stretched his back and put his hands up and with a feeling of relief walked to the window and glimpsed Palmyra grand vista “An unconquered world, but yet it will be. Some day.” he mumbled while seeing marvellous clouds that were seeking though the planet's mountains. He walked back to the desk while looking around for a kitchen, he wanted to drink something to quench the thirst and warm up. He found an utility room with a kettle and tea. What luck he thought, he made up the drink and walked back to the desk laid down in the chair and tacitly looking at the Taomura mountain and surrounding area, occasionally sipping, thinking of the required amount of men and equipment that would be required to be used in this mission.
While he was deeply inside the thoughts he found himself asleep. There was a group of men before him, walking through the cliff so high, that he couldn’t even see the ground. Then a wall of ice and snow fell on the strangers, he leaped and suddenly awoke. That was just a dream he thought. Although he felt quite refreshed after the nap, a bad sign didn’t let him feel a sense of relief. He shaked his head, stretched his hands and called to Apamea, a transport sized vessel that he had worked as captain for some time. A women slightly higher of 40 age appeared on screen, red haired, crub nose, with a slightly noticeable wrinkles around eyes and lips, but yet a very beautiful woman that Gordon been married with “Alice, tell the crew to disembark from the Apamea, we have the job to do.”
Alice shut down the communication terminal and felt out of place, she for the first time saw Gordon like that. She switched communications to internal mode “Guys, who has remained onboard, head to the bridge, we have got news from Gordon.” She settled on Apamea’s captain seat and went though its switchers to disable all subsystems, there was no point to run them while the vessel was moored with the Kadesh that supplies all essential needs of the ship.
A few minutes later in the corridor popped a familiar silhouette of Mateo Benitez, a man slightly older 50 years, with scar on left cheek and bulky constitution. It was impossible to confuse him with someone. Recently he has joined the Phoenix, as he has been rescued by the team of Apamea, where his ship was disabled by Outcasts in the dogfight. With the ship being disabled and all systems wrecked, he had his hours numbered with the air leak of his Titan but fortune was on his side. He walked through the corridor, leaned back on the wall next to Alice, glimpsed at her and said “What’s up? Have we got a new contract from the Kadesh?” Alice answered by asking “Where are Gerald and Dylan?” Mateo was surprised why she ignored his question, Alice seemed to be appalled for some reason “They have disembarked to the Kadesh already. You know, that’s the chance to have fun while we’re here.” she nodded “Ah, I see. Well, I’ll write them a message then directly. We have something big coming, Gordon has told us to leave the ship and meet onboard Hyperion.” Mateo raised eyebrows “The Hyperion? That means something! Let's go out of Apamea, we still have to find a shuttle to get to Hyperion and guys too.”.
Alice and Mateo entered Apamea’s gateway, the door behind closed and the shrill sound of the air pump and body scanning began. Kadesh Orbital City has equipped most modern scanners to determine personnel infection, so everyone who enters the city will be scanned, so far no precedents, but for a Wild it would be an unenviable fate. Alice took a deep breath “Do you know where to find them? It’ll take hours if not days to find them.” Mateo smirked, “I know them better they know themselves. Even without taking up the communication link, I bet Gerald taking this moment to repair his new-old Sabre, Dylan must be somewhere in the entertainment section, most likely getting another drink.” Alice glimpsed at Mateo “So, I guess from our location bays should be much closer, even taking in account my topographical cretinism.” he nodded “It should be several decks away from us.”
They went through decks and elevators of the most crowded and seething part of the city, with many incoming and departing ships; the place would more resemble a hive but more in organised manner. Finally they have reached a multi-level bay area, this place most being used to park ships of local habitation and guards. Occasionally it can be also used for minor ship repairs. Mateo looked around the place “We should go in that direction.” He gestured to move forward “I can see something that would remind me of a Sabre fighter, there must be Gerald.'' They went through the deck parked with ships all over the Sirius, the bay even containing occasional ships of Gallic explorers and trade representatives and from every other corner of the Sirius sector. The Kadesh Orbital City became a sort of common landmark for Omicron's visitors and tourists, offering various services that would leave even Manhattan citizens on the outskirts of humanity. They finally reached Gordon’s parking place. The fighter was torn apart. Only folk that get used to working with those ships would see a Sabre. Engines, side panels and cabin were taken off. He has been an engineer by destiny. “Gerald, where are you at?! I know you’re hiding there!” said Mateo; suddenly a curtain of wires started to move and Gerald and Dylan appeared out of what once was a ship. Gerald White, a tall and thin type of person, slightly above 35 years, with short beard and mustache with always piercing look. “What guests! What would you like from mere mortals, Your Majesty?” jerked Gerald. Alice looked at him furiously, took a hand sized part of what was once a Sabre and throwed in Gerald's direction “Enough of your stupid jokes!” she smiled slightly - although she was absolutely fine with his jokes, it's not seem like the best place right now. “Where is Dylan?” she said and there popped out Dylan White, with a stained face appeared before the team. Covered in all the dirt, it seems he had been working with only the engine section for most of the time. A quite tall person, broad-shouldered with a strong chin. He was just 20 years old, the youngest person in the crew. He was helping other companions during freight routes, as he was quite new to interstation flights. Alice glimpsed at Dylan “Oh, so now you’re mastering engines?” Dylan embarrassed “Not really. Just want to be more useful during the flights to Apamea…” Mateo interrupted their talk “Alright boys, it seems our break is over. Gordon has reached Alice and told that we have something big coming.” he glimpsed Dylan and his face with dirt spots “Bring back you in condition, we’re invited onboard Hyperion, Gordon is waiting for us." Both of them raised the eyebrows - not many have been onboard that ship, in fact it was just like a fortress - the crew always was remaining the same to prevent possible infection that would put flagship existence in danger, only disembarking on Kadesh on time to rotate the crew. “That sounds intriguing, but it’ll take time to bring us back in condition, let's say 30 minutes. Shall we meet somewhere?” said Gerald. “Of course, it's not a problem, we still have to find the shuttle or freighted transport that is going on Hyperion. Let's meet in the departure area, A-1 block”, Alice and Mateo waked away, leaving Gordon and Dylan to seal up their work and prepare for the meeting.
Alice and Mateo went back to the mooring sections and reached the elevator area. Mateo has pressed the button. While they were waiting for the cabin he said “What do you think we have coming?” Alice took a deep breath and leaned on her shoulder “I can’t know, but definitely it will not require Apamea services, otherwise Gordon would reach us, instead call us aboard of the Hyperion.” The cabin has reached their level and opened doors, Alice selected the closest deck to the docking bay section. As the doors were open, they left the cabin and headed straight for the departures area, luckily they found an armored transport heading to Hyperion on the desk. They went for the D-2 section and saw the captain handling around packages, marking them before loading to the ship. Alice strode a few meters beyond Mateo “Captain, would you be able to take 4 persons with you onboard on Hyperion?” he took at Alice evaluating glance, and focused on the badge “Oh, so you’re from Apamea? The fate brought you to the flagship? Just to be sure, do you have all required clearances?” Alice nodded, although she wasn’t really sure “Oh yes, of course.” the captain glimpsed Mateo “So i see 2 of you, where is the rest?” she answered reassuringly “No worries captain, those 2 also in Apamea’s crew, they will be here in 20 minutes” captain slightly nodded and gestured to invite aboard of their transport “For your luck, our passenger section is free this turn. Welcome aboard.” Alice nodded “Thank you captain.” Alice and Mateo looked at each other and strode forward in the direction of the ship's open cargo bay “Mateo, sent a message to Dylan and Gerald and tell our location and name of the ship…” she glanced around the ship and found name “Alexandria… That should be it. They have 15 minutes.” They boarded the ship and left for the passengers section, awaiting for their friends to appear.
Alexandria has departed from Kadesh Orbital City, opening a marvellous vista on Palmyra planet, where light from sun played whimsical on peaks of the planet's mountains and high atmosphere. Alice looked at them though the porthole like spellbound, although the feeling of shrill anxiety didn’t let her plunge into the beauty of the space, it tugged in her premonition. Although in a moment they have seen Hyperion, the flagship of Phoenix fleet. The vessel is unaltered on duty on the city's defensive perimeter, to ensure safety of its inhabitants. Alexandria slowly started reducing its velocity and attuned to Hyperion’s mooring point. Vessel have trembled for a moment, meaning they have successfully moored with the flagship. When all systems were synchronised with the Hyperion, the green light above the door dimly lit, meaning they can now leave the passenger section.
The group has disembarked though the gateway. Gordon has been waiting on the other side already “Over here!” said Gordon to drag their attention. Alice rushed in his cuddle, almost crying. He shaked hands with Dylan, Gerald and Tomeo “Glad to see everyone is sober.” he winked Dylan “Let’s go back to the briefing room, we have things to discuss”.
Apamea's team followed through the multiple corridors and elevators that ran through the Hyperion's decks, guided by Gordon. Finally, they came to the briefing room where, to Gordon's surprise, Christian was already there "I thought we had discussed everything." he said sullenly. Christian smiled slightly "The commands to Hyperion have been given, I figured it wouldn't hurt to give the whole team a pep talk."
Christian greeted the crew like a godfather, he is a man of iron grip type but treated every member of the Phoenix like a member of the family. That's common human behaviour in Omicrons, though, where everyone depends on their brethren. No one will ever come to the rescue unless it's their fellow man. There's no police or anyone else to save you. "Welcome aboard the Hyperion! I hope your little trip went without issues?" Everyone waved their heads and there was a sort of awkward silence. "Anyway, let's discuss the details of the operation together." he walked across the room to a hologram of the planet Palmyra. "The generator that was built to recover Vega from uncharted space has crashed, as you may have noticed previously. We need some parts, more specifically the information storage units of that generator." Christian said and looked at the team "Since many of you are mountaineers and have experience in working within mountains, I thought you would be perfect for this role." The team looked at each other and there was an excited silence in the room. The mission was dangerous, none of the Phoenixes or other groups they knew of had dared to land on the planet Palmyra, so they would have to be pioneers, unless of course they counted the automatic stations sent from orbit to observe the nature of the planet from the inside, its temperature, tectonic activity and other important research that would be required before the first land settlement, Orontes, could be built onto that location.
Gordon broke the silence and continued Christian's narrative "The Alexandria you arrived on earlier will be our surface landing ship. So we will have enough payload capacity to take everything we need. The rover was already loaded earlier, as well as all the weather stations we will need to set up..." Christian continued Gordon's thought to give the team a more extensive answer as to why the new equipment was needed there in the first place "Yes, in addition to the main mission, you will need to set up several weather stations on the surface of Palmyra." Alice interrupted him "Why, as far as I know we have previously sent such stations from Kadesh's orbit." Christian nodded his head in agreement "Indeed, but your landing zone, that would presumably be the location where the city of Orontes would be laid out. We need more information about this place - tectonic activity, radiation levels, winds, and minerals we might need later. Moreover, the solid fuel that was fueled at these stations is almost out. Either way it must to be done." Mateo scratched his beard and said, "Sounds like an adventure, doesn't it?" Gordon chuckled nervously "It won't be an easy walk. Palmyra, most of it is covered in mountains. The place we're headed to is a ridge of the largest of them all. Tadmura, around which the generator parts are scattered, is the highest point on the planet, so conditions there are more than ruthless." Alice looked at Gordon and Christian "I hope the sought after thing doesn't find the seekers and we don't stay on this planet forever" she said rather pessimistically. Christian, in his soothing manner continued "Don't worry, you will have everything you need aboard the Alexandria for any eventuality, it has already been loaded with everything you need on Kadesh Orbital City." The crew continued to discuss the details, but the sense of firsts, the sense of the unknown added a level of excitement.
The Alexandria shiver and in a moment manoeuvre engines began its work, the vessel slowly slipped away from the flagship and aligned in the direction of Palmyra planet by elliptical orbit. Gordon had a feeling of uncanniness and was thinking of why Christian had sent them, instead of hiring some professionals. Although it wasn’t really bewildering, it was of utmost importance in keeping a mission of such importance within Phoenix ranks, to make sure no sensitive information would be even considered to be spreaded to third parties. But an increased uproar of engines threw away Gordon thoughts, he clinged in the seat, and the transport began entering the planet's atmosphere.
Mateo, as the most experienced pilot of the crew, was in the captain seat of the ship. He took the controls by iron grip and disabled automatics, as they seem to be useless in planetary landing, it could play wrong and lead to disaster. “Full throttle” commanded Mateo to Gerald “Full throtree set” Answered Gerald. The plan was sheer and quite simple - align Alexandira in parallel with the planet's surface and gradually decrease the altitude. “Engines idle.” said Mateo to Gordon. As the ship was getting lower into the atmosphere the front hull panels were painted red, the captain cabin windows were glowing from the intense heat. The Palmyra wasn’t welcoming the strangers, and the crew braced themselves for the turbulent descent.
Mateo adjusted the controls with finesse, countering the unpredictable winds. The crew clutched at their seats, the gravity and fluctuating winds of the Palmyra rocked the Alexandria like a leaf on a windy day. "Take southwest, don't fight the wind!" yelled Gordon in a cacophony of blasting gusts of wind and maneuvering engines that were trying to stabilize the ship's trajectory. Mateo nodded grimly, his gaze fixed on the ship's readouts. The heat shields absorbed the brunt of the atmospheric friction, but the intense heat outside was still a cause for concern. "The altitude is dropping sharply" shouted the Herald, it felt like the ship was about to corkscrew. "Prepare for full thrust..." ordered Mateo, a mountain range began to loom in the distance. The Alexandria passed through thick, puffy clouds, Palmyra opened up before the crew, providing a frozen vastness to the view. Tadmura loomed ahead and Mateo steered the ship toward it, to the previously agreed upon landing site.
"Full thrust to the engines now!" roared Mateo, pulling the helm toward him. "Full thrust," replied the Herald automatically. The ship, hidden behind the ridge of the mountain, stabilized and continued to fly on a clearly defined trajectory now. Mateo compared the landing point with the on-board computer and looked up at the landscape below. "Well here we are almost there, releasing the landing gear."
Alexandria was approaching the landing point with its landing gear realised, engines roaring deafeningly resisting Palmyra's gravity. Mateo, being an experienced pilot, had chosen the most gentle place possible to safely land the ship. Chunks of ice and snow scattered around, exposing the permafrost beneath the ship. The roar of the engines was replaced by a deafening silence, ship landed successfully.
Gordon stood up quickly and looked around the bridge - the hardware, sensors for any faults in the ship, as the ship appeared to be quite ancient by modern standards, it was about 50 years old, at least he managed to notice something similar to the factory numbers and build date, although there were indirect signs too, the hardware was quite archaic. "Good work, Mateo" Gordon patted him on the shoulder. "There aren't many people in this world who can land a fly like that without a hitch." Alice piped up "Thank you, Mateo, I had a very bad feeling about it. Now half the job is done, thanks to your efforts." Mateo exhaled, took off his helmet, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and exhaled "If I said it was an easy ride, it wasn't. This barge was fluttering from side to side, though you noticed that already." The crew went over all systems, preparing it for a long term layup to avoid increased fuel consumption at the generator.
The crew gathered at the airlock that leads to the exit "Everyone, check your spacesuits again." Said Gordon. "So who will be the first to set foot on Palmyra soil? May I? I'll be the very first pioneer..." asked Dylan in a pleading tone. Mateo interrupted him "Leave it to Gordon and Alice, they are our superiors." Alice and Gordon looked at each other and laughed "No, let's do it together." Gordon pressed a button and the doors to the airlock swung open and the whole crew entered, the doors behind automatically closed and the compressor started pumping air out of the airlock with a shrill whoosh, the outer windows were covered in a bizarre pattern of ice. The doors separating the crew and the planet opened, revealing the planet in all its beauty, majesty and danger. Gordon took Alice's hand, and gestured for the others to hold hands, "Apparently the gangway was already frozen to the side of the ship as it cooled. Everybody held hands. And jump" And they jumped down and slipped and rolled down the ice slide and laughed like children. The ice in the landing zone was slippery as hell.