Stars’ Call: A Military Sci-Fi Series (Battleship Chronicles Book 1) by L. Eclaire

Author:L. Eclaire [Eclaire, L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

37

SALVAGE AUTHORITIES

Equinox System, Cassandrian Buffer Zone, 605.4 A.E. (Age of Expansion)

Priority one plus Fleet communication protocols. Commencing transmission.

Medbots filled the designated docking area, moving in a steady flow toward the storage compartment. In accordance with quarantine protocols, all members of the boarding team who hadn’t gotten in contact with the survivors made their way to the nearest shuttle. From there, they would leave the Solar Breeze directly to minimize the chances of potential infection. Meanwhile, the captain and his immediate team would remain until every single micrometer of the compartment was examined and analyzed. Augustus knew it would take a while, and he didn’t appear pleased.

“Quarantine zone established, Captain,” I said through the single medbot at the captain’s location. “Medbots are expected to reach your location in seventy-five seconds. Two shuttles have landed, three more underway.”

Augustus grunted something in reply, still holding the metallic cube. It remained the one thing he had taken from the entire room of survivors, and the only thing he insisted I record at all times. The object itself appeared fairly mundane. From spectral analyses, I could determine it was made entirely of cobalt alloy though completely unremarkable in any other way.

“I have prepared a report informing Command of our situation,” I added. “Awaiting your permission to send it.”

“Tell HQ we’ve got a quarantine situation,” Augustus said. “Then contact the nearest Salvage command and tell them we have a priority mission.”

“This...” was against regulations? I spent a few milliseconds going through the full Fleet regulations database. There were no instances where his order would be considered in breach, although they were unusual. Hours ago Augustus was adamantly against involving the Salvage Authorities, and now he wanted to send them a priority call? “Yes, Captain.” I complied. “Permission to link to all crew suits?”

Augustus waved his hand. Silently, as I waited, the medbot I was linked to focused on the metallic cube.

“Go ahead, rookie.” Briefly, the corner of his mouth curved up. “Give me a preliminary analysis of this.” He tapped on the cube.

“Metallic cube,” I combined the camera view on his suit with that of the bot. “Perfect dimensions, side of forty-eight centimeters.” I enhanced the image as much as the equipment would allow me. “To the micrometer.”

The technology involved in creating this was impressive. Only core parts were so precise. From the information I was privy to, the tools that created my, and every other, core operated on a sub-nano level. The nanites that ran through my frame or were injected in every spacefaring human were as crude as tree-stump chairs in comparison.

“I can’t identify the component.” I went through all databases I had access to, but there was no match. The moment I sent a query along the Fleet network, however, it was blocked. Strangely enough, the authority given was my captain. “You have issued an information quarantine order, sir?” I asked.

“That’s why you’re a rookie.” Augustus made his way through the storage facility, completely ignoring the survivors. As he did, the troopers on his team briskly moved aside.

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