Ryan Hawke stepped down out of the transport shuttle, his eyes squinting from the bright lights in the docking bay; a harsh contrast to the intimate lighting inside the shuttle. He looked around the small bay, noting the near-constant activity of cargo arms and trams.

Mons Calpe seemed an odd location to take command of the ship. It was one of 2 trading posts that symbolically represented the edge of Alliance space. It and it's partner, Mons Abyla recieved a great deal of trade with other races, and together are 'The Gateway to The Alliance'.
He walked to the nearest elevator and punched in his destination floor. The elevator ride seemed agonizingly slow, since the lifts moved at speeds deemed comfortable for all species, as a group of Telcor had expressed severe discomfort on a previous visit to the station.

The lift opened into the main Promenade, bustling with activity and foot traffic. He shrugged, adjusting the position of his duffel bag, and moved into the crowd.

(OCC start point of Beyond All Eyes, anyone can join until we leave the station, but I will cut off after a certain limit)

Staff Man Carlton had only been on Mons Calpe's staff for about a week now.

It was everything he could have wanted.

It payed well, it was safe, he got to see and meet all sorts of interesting people, the only problem with it was that it was sometimes boring.

Carlton sat at a metal desk drawn over with age of use. drooped over a screen sipping hot black coffee he had been assigned to look out for asteroids or comets as usual.

*blip* *blip* *blip*

Carlton's saggy eyes stared at a huge neon green blot on his screen, growing ever bigger.

He reached over to a com system gently pressed the button and spoke softly, "Uh sir........ there's something on the radar...... something big..."

--- 5 days later ---

Dr. Ludgar Brink had been waiting in a damp metal corridor for over 30 minutes now. He was suppose to meet Tomat the president of Triple Upsilion, the man supporting his expeditions and research. That was 45 minutes ago....

Dr.Brink had never been one for those who were not punctual, but it wasn't as if he was going to complain or anything.

5 days ago a huge ship was spotted heading towards Mons Calpe space station. After several investigations, it was discovered that there was something different about this ship.

No crew, no past, no name, nothing. Of course nobody had actually tried to board the ship yet but this hardly made a difference in Brink's mind. What interested him was the fact that this ship didn't seem to use a Prothain Mass Relay to reach its location. That meant One of Three things to Brink.

1. The ship had slowly reached its location by drift. Highly doubtful in Brink's mind, for that would require that the station had spotted a ship of that size much earlier, unless their radio system was failing. Which may or may not have been likely.

2. The Ship somehow used the Mass Relay and sensors simple didn't pick it up due to a malfunction or random cause. Almost impossible..... but just almost.

3. The Ship didn't use any of the two options above and must have it's own way of FTL travel without the use of the Mass Relays. This is the answer Dr.Brink hoped for, and the reason why President Tomat and him shared the same interests...

-- 15 minutes later --
After taking care of some business Tomat finally arrived to Mons Calpe to meet Dr. Lugar Brink. Tomat never really trusted humans, and especially one as clever as Brink. For the promise of unlocking possibility infinite technology Tomat decided to fund Dr. Brink's several Science expeditions. His latest one was a true test of integrity.

100,000,000 credits were needed for the opening of the ship, exploration, then destruction of it.

destruction

Just that very word filled Tomat with disgusts. Who are they? The Council? To demand that we destroy the greatest thing in Citadel history for the sake of one space station? It was only a 25% probability that the station would be hit by the ship and of course a 100% probability that if hit will be annihilated. But still!

Needless to say Tomat was going to be the one to uncover the secrets of the ship. Although advised against by Dr.Brink he skillfully reached an agreement, that in order for Dr.Brink to receive his endorsement he would have to take himself along to the ship.

Tomat had finally reached Dr.Brink.....

both of their eyes wandered to meet each others.....

There was an eerie silence for a time before Dr.Brink broke the ice...

" I usually don't wait for people, I assume what you had to do was done?" the Doctor coldly said.

Tomat was ready for the doctor's hostility, in fact, he counted on it. "Oh yes, but if you didn't wait I wouldn't be along for the ride, and of course that would mean you wouldn't get a single credit .... Doctor...."

Brink realized he had a point, so he quickly tried to change subjects, " Well my request for more forces has been out for 2 days already, the people who responded are waiting in the hanger of the station."

Tomat was amused by Brink's words so easily defeated. But in truth he really didn't care. After this expedition he doubted if he'd ever meet the good doctor again. He let a laid back smile on his face and easily said, "Very well..... doctor...... let's go see who's going with us then."

With meetings done Brink and Tomat quickly headed towards the Hanger Bay side by side.

John looked out the small view port afforded him in his small cabin. The Civilian liner was huge and carried hundreds aboard. John saw the large station and the flurry of ships that jumbled around it. 'Such an odd place for a meeting of such high importance' John thought to himself. The large ship docked and John grabbed his sack from off his bunk. His door opened and John could hear the mass of travelers aboard the ship scurry out into the hallway to get aboard the station. He waited until he was one of the last on board before he exited his room. He walked slowly down the hallway adjusting to the firmness of the ground.

He stepped out of the gate into a mass of people. He could only guess it was a market or the largest gathering of people in a random location he had ever seen. After being pushed and shoved by countless people, and to John's belief spat on by a Turian he was unable to catch up to he found himself in front of an A.I. "Welcome to Mons Calpe Gunnery Chief"

John raised an eyebrow and looked at the sleek and slender feminine body of the A.I. "How did you know my rank computer?"

The A.I. laughed, which bothered John. He was never able to comprehend how a computer could laugh, cry, feel anger. Perhaps it was simply something programmers put in computers so that the humans who deal with them understand the severity of the situation. He didn't care to understand. "I am no computer Gunnery Chief. I am an advanced artificial intelligence here to solve any questions asked of me. And the Chevrons on your shoulder are a dead giveaway." She laughed again which sent chills down John's spine.

"I am looking for Lieutenant Commander Ryan Hawke." He said as he dropped his bag to the ground. The weight pulled on his shoulder and he could bare it no more.

The A.I. raised her hand to her chin and contemplated the name. "I am sorry Gunnery Chief. I have no knowledge of Lieutenant Commander Ryan Hawke. Perhaps you will try the hanger?" The A.I. raised her right hand and pointed to the north.

John nodded in appreciation to the computer, who undoubtedly had been programmed to understand his thanks. He shouldered his bad and pushed his way through the crowd again until finally the crowd thinned. He had left the market and was now walking down a lightly populated area. He approached a Volus man sitting behind a desk. "Can I help you Earth clan?"

John dropped his sack again. The Volus looked at John as if he were the laziest Human he had ever seen. "Lieutenant Commander Ryan Hawke."

The Volus tapped the monitor on his desk and turned back to John. "I have no record of the name Earth clan. This hanger is reserved for Doctor Ludgar Brink and his associates."

John picked up his sack. This was the hanger where his mission could begin. His new beginning. "I am one of his associates." He handed his data chip to the Volus.

The Volus tossed the chip aside, "Foolish Earth clan. An empty chip is of no use to me.".

John sighed, "It had my name on it. Gunnery Chief John Lipton.

The Volus tapped on his monitor again, "Yes, here you are. I will mark you as arrived."

John didn't bother with the pleasantries. He walked into the hanger. He could see no Lieutenant Commander or Doctor. Only what looked like a hanger crew and a ship. He dropped his sack to the ground and sat on top of it. The gun cases supporting the bulk of his weight. The edges poking into his rear. He ran his hand across his face. The stubble scratching his hand. He rested his head on his hand as he waited the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Hawke.

A Turian came to see the president "I bear a message from my clan. Our leaders have expressed an interest in your discovery. May I see the president?".

a small crackle went over Tomat's radio system. static sir there's a Turain in the main lobby, he wants to see you about the project over static It had taken Triple Helix exactly 3 months to make Tomat's personal prototype, and it was serving him well the 5 weeks he had it.

He slowly tapped his radio and spoke rather methodically into it. "Yes, Yes, Yes, I'll be over there as soon as I can" he didn't really want to go, but business was business. "If you excuse me doctor"

Brink stood rather unamused and replied, "Whatever, it's your company."

and with that he took his leave.

The M.S.V Broken Hill slowed to sub-light speeds on its approach to Mons Calpe. Aboard the Kowloon class transport were a variety of manufactured electronic parts on its way to the bustling market of galactic trade. While not especially valuable in the monetary sense, they would be an attractive prize to many resource starved pirates for the simple fact they are needed in practically all electronic products. Which may go some ways to explain the presence of an Alliance soldier onboard the vessel.
…
Marcus Chow felt the reassuring presence of solid gravity under his boots as he stepped off the Broken Hill. While artificial gravity existed on all ships, the way the mass fields are set up and each ships own power “quirks” were enough that an experienced person could tell the difference between ship classes and even between differently assembled ships.

Footsteps echoed behind Marcus and he turned to face the pilot and captain of his transportation.
“I have to thank you for getting me here. Quite the uneventful trip to be employing security for.” Marcus said.
“No worries. Better safe than sorry, as they say, ‘specially given the current events and all... Besides, getting help for free more than offsets getting you here for free.” replied the captain.
“Well, I was in a rush and you happened to be heading in the right direction.”
“So where you gotta go from here? Most people transfer to another route instead of staying for the scenery.”
“Actually, it’s just down from here inside the hangar. I’d better go. I’m pushing the deadline for the meeting as it is and I’m not even sure I’m in.”
“Well, good luck and take care.”
“You too.”

Marcus walked off across the docking area, gear in tow, to the hangar designated for the expedition.

When the president arrived the turian spoke "I am representing Master of Blades Asanagi, Clan Comander Vyrchu, and the clan elders. The message is as follows: We have taken interest in your most recent discovery and would like to offer our assistance in funding, scientists, military personnel and mechanics. In exchange all we require is knowledge on your discoveries. If you accept then send a detailed map containing the predicted course of the discovery and at what times it will be there. Awaiting your reply. Asanagi, Master of Blades.".

Tomat was in an interesting situation. He would either play by the rules and refuse a generous offer, or he would take the discovery as his own and deal with the Turains.

the choice was simple

But right now his more pressing concerns were with Brink and his plans on how to open the ship

---- Hanger Bay ----

Brink was tired of waiting for Tomat, endorsement or not Tomat would simply have to catch up with him later.

Walked onto a small platform that overlooked the small mob before him.

As with all groups they were talking with each other and keeping themselves busy until he arrived. He wasn't one to disappoint.

"Very Well!" Brink announced in a commanding voice " I will begin to take down roll! Whoever is here shall be considered for the expedition, whoever isn't here is simply out of luck! Let us begin!"

An assistant immediately rushed over and handed Dr.Brink a thick stack of papers containing the names of everyone he had invited to join them for potential enlistment.

Before he began the roll call he made a quick announcement on his intercom, "Achtung, Achtung, Anybody who wishes to take part in the excavation of the ship must report to the Hanger bay now or be left behind, that is all!"
In truth, unless something special happened to change his mind. Brink rarely accepted the late ones.

The turian stared at the president. "Will that be a yes Sir? Then please sign here." He held out a standard transaction agreement form. All the details were precise and there wasn't any fine print.

Tomat quickly signed the form. In his mind the less that Brink new about the deal the better.

" After breaking open the ship, I shall send you a private message of what I know."

There was no doubt Brink would be furious if he discovered that Tomat had taken his credit for the discovery. But Tomat had already worked out a small plan to ensure that Brink would have an unfortunate "accident".

Much had happened over the past few hours. Being the only available Alliance ship assigned to the sector, Nautilus had been assigned as part of the expedition team, a deterrent to ward off any vessels, pirate or otherwise who would try to loot the incoming ship.

He was making his way towards the hangar now, where he was to check in with the expedition team. He felt confident that things would go smoothly, but he couldn't fight down a slowly growing feeling in his gut that something wasn't right.

He stepped off of the elevator into the main hangar and looked around. People from all walks of life it seemed were crowding around, talking with each other as the hangar crew tried to go around them to do their usual tasks. The bay was more crowded than usual, but Nautilus was moored in the priority dock at the moment, giving it quick access from the main elevator and the cargo elevator.

He moved into the crowd promptly upon hearing Dr. Brink's intercom announcement. He'd always hated role call.

- 20 minutes into the roll call -

Huh, some people seem to be absent..... it is no matter. Dr. Brink thought to himself.

He gave a small wet cough before announcing , " Very well, everyone can go to their assigned posts unless specifically requested by me to go on the latest expedition! Don't try anything funny, those who were requested to join know who they are! Those aforementioned are to meet in the Armory for a quick briefing then suit up. That is all! "

And so the room slowly began to clear out. Brink quickly turned and walked to the armory. He activated his radio and contacted Tomat, he spoke quite sternly yet controlled, "Tomat we're meeting in the armory now, I thought you might... like..to know."

Tomat's response came crackling over, "I assume our chosen members will be there?" Brink let out a sigh and said , "Of course"

"Very Well!" Tomat exclaimed, "I shall be there."

If it wasn't for the mysteries that lay in that ship........ no, no, just the thought of it is too much. he thought to himself.

Hmm... not quite the turn out it seems, judging by the good doctor's reaction.

Still, Marcus spotted a couple of Alliance soldiers amongst the motley lot and he planned to hook up with them later. Expeditions like these are usually funded by a fairly powerful businesses. For them, the bottom line was getting any technology or knowledge to pay off the investment, not the safety of the exploration crew. It would pay to have someone trustworthy watch his back and he theirs.

With the role-call over, Marcus headed for the armoury. Most of the wepaonry he already owned. It was mostly ex-Alliance surplus, Hahne-Kedar's Lancer series weaponry, with the exception of his pistol which was a Raptor V. All were heavily modified with a gun cam, 2x sights and stabilisers. What he would need from the quartermaster would be additional omni-gel and medi-gel supplies. Not that he wouldn't mind having newer equipment, but Marcus believed in trusting in his own stuff in an unknown environment.

John stood as the Doctor spoke to everyone in the hanger. He was already signed in, and could care little for the rest of the speech. John doubted that the mission would be told in public to all these people if he was not even told by the Alliance Navy. He slung his sack over his shoulder and headed off to the aforementioned armory. John became skeptical of the mission at the mention of armory. John was one to take arms, but always was careful about the proper times and on what terms to using weapons.

As John walked to the Armory he noticed a few other Alliance Soldiers. No bars of a Lieutenant meaning no sign of Lieutenant Hawke. He would have to be at the Armory along with the rest of the crew he was about work with.

- The Armory -

Dr. Brink could see several of the members he had asked for had made it. Already arming themselves for the expedition he decided to stop them and begin briefing the moment Tomat walked it.

"It's so good of you to join us Tomat!" he sarcastically said, " Won't you be kind enough now to listen to our plans.... hmmm?"

Tomat was quite angry but kept himself controlled as he replied back, " Get to the point Brink."

Ludgar knew that his plan to annoy Tomat had worked, and so he continued, "As everybody knows we're here to recover artifacts for the good of science! But what everyone doesn't know is that we've also been charged with blowing up the ship"

Everyone stared in horror except Tomat who had long past been over the shock.

" Yes, Yes, very disturbing, that is why I chose you specialists. John Lipton you will be carrying bomb A and shall be placing it in the marked out purple zone. Mr. Chow you will have bomb B and will be placing it in the marked out red area. We will all be entering by the yellow section" Dr. Brink held out a small personal data pad that shot up a map



"Of course, we believe that the room we are entering is the control room."

"That means the best artifacts" Tomat interrupted

" Yes, that..... And it is also the place where the most damage can be sent down the ship when the time is right." Brink replied.

" Of course due to some extreme fluctuations in the main power core our radios will be useless. So instead I will provide each one of you a data pad like mine. Think of it as a streaming video with audio."

" You all have your orders study them well and meet in the Hanger in 3 hours for insertion"

Dr. Brink and Tomat quickly parted ways.

Oh, Hell. Looks like the guys in charge don't get along and us grunts get stuck holding the bombs.

Marcus looked down at the innocuous metal case that promised a spectacular finale for those inclined. He frowned as he studied it. He realised that he didn't know the detonating mechanism, nor did the doctor or the salarian tell him. Hell, they didn't even tell him what bomb it was.

Plastic explosives didn't have the power and a fuel-air explosive wouldn't work if the ship was atmosphere deprived. A nuclear device would do the job but having too much would spread debris right across the local volume at high velocity.

I've got an explosive device of unknown quantity and material and I don't know the detonating mechanism. I have an employer who doesn't appear to get along with his financier and I'm heading to an unknown environment.

Something was up and it wasn't just Murphy and his Law screaming in his head.

"John Lipton you will be carrying bomb A and shall be placing it in the marked out purple zone."

John rolled his eyes and sighed at the thought of spending an entire assault holding a BOMB. A Salarian walked by and handed John a metal case. John didn't so much grab it as the Salarian shove it into his chest. John shot a glare at the Salarian, but it did not effect him as he smiled and moved on. John tried not to think about holding the bomb. How much explosives there is or how it is detonated. Perhaps if he dropped it right now they would all blow up. The more John didn't think about it the better he felt. He just pushed the thoughts of the device into the back of his mind.

The case was heavy, but John was able to carry it in one hand. He would be able to have his pistol drawn during the mission. John noticed that the Salarian had handed another briefcase to another soldier. John walked over to the man and sat his sack and the metal case on the ground. "They always stick the expendable Marines with the explosives eh?"

Marcus was still studying the bomb when John Lipton approached him.

"They always stick the expendable Marines with the explosives eh?"

Marcus jumped slightly, not exactly the most ideal behaviour when near explosives. He looked at the man and noticed his pips.

"No kidding, Chief." Marcus replied. "What's the saying again? The navy does the flying while the infantry does the dying."

He sighed. "This reeks. No proper safety procedures, mercs hired and they don't show up, civilians in command and they don't get along..."

Marcus shook his head as though to clear the cobwebs. Then he put down the bomb and stuck out his hand.

"Marcus Chow, Private 1st Class. Ground training at Puckapunyal base on Earth and zero-g training on Arcturus Station. Former posting aboard the SSV Kokoda. Pleased to meet you."

John shook the privates hand. He was a well rounded soldier who seemed to know much about his surroundings. He was able to formulate a decent understanding of their surroundings, which is ideal for any soldier. "Well when you put it that way I would rather have us with the bombs than the mercs and civilians."

John looked around the room. Perhaps he was blind, but still no sign of the Lieutenant. He was beginning to believe this was a wild goose chase merely to use John as the tool for the destruction of this ship. "Have you happened to have seen Lieutenant Hawke?" John asked the private as he continued to scan the room. "Oh, Gunnery Chief John Lipton. You will have to excuse me if I forget the pleasantries. This is my first official mission as a Gunnery Chief." John had forgotten to introduce himself momentarily. It had been some time since he got to meet new people, but after a second all the pieces seemed to fall back into place.

Marcus responds in awe. "New rank, eh? Congratulations. You must have been really impressive. Not many get to Gunnery Chief so quick so young unless they're real good. Maybe you should apply for the Spectres?" he quips.

"Not sure about Lieutenant Hawke. Is he supposed to be our CO?" Marcus looks around as well.

"He hasn't shown up so who knows. Looks like we'll be following the civs for the moment. I don't like it one bit. Doc Brink seems like a nice guy but I'm betting that that salarian is the one funding this. Seems like a classic knowledge vs. money relationship. My parents have been in enough of them since they're both researchers." Marcus sighs again.

"With things like that, they've always stuck to the contract. You sign your name, you give your word. Whatever goes down, I'll bet that the salarian has got the good doctor under a contract. Chances are he'll be in the right but who knows?"

"I don't know where you stand with them but you're Alliance and that's enough for me. When things hit the proverbial fan, I'll back you up and follow your lead."

"I don't know where you stand with them but you're Alliance and that's enough for me. When things hit the proverbial fan, I'll back you up and follow your lead."

John felt a sense of relief knowing he no longer alone. Even together they were greatly outnumbered by the mercenaries. "Glad to hear."

John looked down at the bomb case next to his bag. He tapped the case with his boot, "So when do we get this party started?" John immediately realized he had just kicked a bomb, which was slated to be used to destroy and entire ship. He quickly stepped away to be sure not to do it again. If it was not obvious demolitions was not John's strong point.

Dr. Brink had seen Tomat off to organize the ship they would be taking, he had to properly equip himself in the armory beforehand. He had spent all of his time preparing everyone else he had forgotten to take care of his own needs.

As he arrived he saw John Lipton slightly kick bomb A then back away from it.

Dr.Brink would not have the time to correct things in space if anything wrong happened on the mission. He walked up behind John and causally asked him, " Guten Tag, Mr.Lipton. I do hope you realize that is a new type of nuclear bomb made by Triple Upsilon just for this mission, Hmmmm?"

Before John could answer he followed up with another statement, " Well Mr.Lipton I don't blame you for being curious, after all we are giving you quite limited information about it aren't we? Let us just say that it will do the job, all you have to do is place it in a room then continue on the excavation. It's really a fire and forget thing isn't it? But I believe you shouldn't focus on the destruction of the ship but more of what wonders lay within it!"

Dr.Brink didn't seem to be losing his fast pace of talking, and quickly pulled something small out of his pocket.

" Well since you're the man with the first bomb I think you should have the privilege to use the first custom T34 Prototype Audio Visual Recorder.
We simply call it the T34 or sometimes the datapad. You see when you activate it you can call anyone who has a pad regardless of location for about 10 light years away. It provides full instant video of the person along with any audio. If the prototypes are successful then Triple Upsilon wants to make a profit off it. This one is yours. It's much cheaper and faster than the current way of communication, it's only flaw of course is its somewhat limited range in space distance."

He quickly held out the small pad with a bit of a grin on his face.

" Oh and Mr.Chow you'll get getting one as well from Mr. Tomat on the ship itself "

The doctor spoke fast. Too fast. John could not tell if he was excited or simply trying to make John confused and forgetful. John then realized he was now holding a small device in his hand. Whatever he ways trying to do John hadn't been paying attention. "This one is yours. It's much cheaper and faster than the current way of communication, it's only flaw of course is its somewhat limited range in space distance."

John took the device and held it in his hand. It looked like some kind of video player. John slide it into his jacket pocket. "Permission to board the ship. It has been a long trip, and I would like to rest."

Ryan leaned his back against the rail overlooking the main bay. He undid his blue officer's coat and and reached into his right-hand inside pocket and pulling out a small music player. He knew that everyone would be a while inside the armory. That was alright. He had plenty of ancient Earth music to keep him busy.
Perhaps he should go to the armory, but he didn't feel much like it anyways. It wasn't like he was going inside the ship at any point. His job was just to sit back and keep other ships from harassing them. He to question the wisdom of this expedition, but it was for knowledge and that might serve the sentients well for their technology. Still, he had a bad feeling about it.

Marcus paled slightly when he heard Dr. Brink explain that they would be using nuclear explosives and was not pleased when the doctor failed to elaborate beyond "fire and forget". He hated when no-one gave him the details. It's the details that always come back to bite you.

Fire and forget, my ass. I'd rather be on a dreadnaught and watch the nukes fly away from at least ten thousand k's.
But he had no time to ask questions as the Dr. Brink ploughed on quickly before handing John the comm device and walking out.

10 light year range?!? And he just gives it away?!?
Marcus didn't know whether to be more shocked at the device or at the doctor's flippant attitude. Then he realised that he had to get his comms from the salarian, one Mr. Tomat.

John Lipton starts speaking.
"Permission to board the ship. It has been a long trip, and I would like to rest."

" Oh yes" Dr. Brink said before he exited.

" Permission granted.... for the both of you if you want"

He quickly walked away to see if Tomat had made the proper preparations on the ship

As he came out side he saw Ryan. Brink quickly checked his watch and saw he was 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

" Are you having a good time at the station... Mr....."

The man didn't answer Dr.Brink.

"Hmmph.... I see.... Very Well then I'll be on my way"

That was the first time someone had willingly refused to acknowledge him within his memory.

He felt bitter...

He entered a small transport ship, the first thing to hit him was the compressed air. Claustrophobia wasn't something he was stricken with but he could see where one would get it. Everyone was already there neatly suited up and ready for the opening. Even Ryan the man who ignored him...

Tomat as always was late, this time it was acknowledgment.

" Please, Please, no one needs to get up" Brink sarcastically said

Everyone immediately looked at him except Tomat who was busy giving Marcus a T34.

After what seemed to be an eternity Tomat turned around and looked at Ludgar without batting an eye and calmly told him, " Everyone's is ready, And we're good to go"

Dr.Brink was speechless, so he simply moved to the side and pouted a bit for his own self image.

Tomat took out his own T34 and turned it on.

The screen flickered for about a second and then displayed 3 categories in several easy to see colors.

Mons Calpe Station
Excavation Team
Ship Crew

He tapped the Ship Crew category with his finger and he opened up a small menu with 4 pictures showing substantial members. He simply tapped the picture of the pilot and a secure connection was established to his radio.

"We're good to go" Tomat spoke to the datapad.

"Alright then We're out of here!" The pilot yelled in enthusiasm

- 20 minutes later -

Brink found himself in a very uncomfortable position. He was crammed inside of a small experimental transport craft that Triple Upsilon designed just for this mission that was held snugly underneath a normal Systems Alliance Transport ship, in the middle of space, with 2 mini nukes and several people he really didn't like but had to work with.

The only consolidation was that he was working the controls.

As he flew the small craft towards a weak spot in the ancient ship he posed a small question to the crew around him not expecting an answer, "Have any of you guys played a 20th century game called Moon Lander? "

No one answered

" Well, that's how it feels like piloting this thing." Special training or not Brink wasn't a pilot, and he couldn't figure out for his life why Tomat wanted to train him with the thing.

Soon they hooked on to hollow part of the ship's ancient shell

Brink's heart raced at what he might find inside the ship

"We're going hot in 3....2....1"

The door to the pod opened up as a small suction noise filled everyone's head.... then there was nothing....

Now all that supported them was their oxygen suits

The dorr had opened all the way and all they could see was darkness.

"Bingo" Ludgar whispered to himself

Tomat was using the T34 to give radio commands

" Ok everyone you know what you have to do, get out"

He selected the ship Mons Calpe Station category and gave a casual statement into it,

"We're in".

Marcus all set and ready when the doc walked into the transport. He seemed a little off-beat and definitely was not the cheery fellow a few hours ago. Mentallu shrugging, he settled down until Tomat came in with the T34 comm set. Dr. Brink snapped off a sarcastic comment while Marcus received his comms.

The trip to the ship was quiet. Normally Marcus would be trash talking with his squad on missions but the only other Alliance soldier was John and there was some unspoken rules about what you could talk about in front of non-combatants or civilians. Not to mention the close proximity and unfamiliarity of everyone with each other and the presence of two nukes dampened the mood.

The doc tried to make small talk but Marcus was just not interested.

Soon they were at the boarding point. Marcus had his Raptor V pistol out, with the gun's camera projecting onto the inside of his helmet on the HUD. His left hand held the T34, interfacing with his omni-tool. The nuclear device was fixed on his back in place of he usual sniper-rifle.

"We're going hot in 3....2....1"

As the seal broke, warnings popped up on Marcus's HUD.
Warning: No atmosphere detected. Systems continuing to run on internal cycles.

Oh joy. No atmo. Grav's still working so it's not all bad. Might as well get this show on the road.

"Marcus here. Taking point. Visibility low. Cycling spectrums."
His HUD flashed through passive filters like light-amplification (night-vision) and infrared before cycling through active radar, infrared and ultraviolet lamps.

"Passive imagery too coarse. Recommend use of active imagery for first room only. Advancing."
Marcus moved into the room, taking readings off his omni-tool. His gun camera allowed him to poke around without exposing his head or body.

"Room clear. Securing entrance."
Stooped by the door to the next corridor with his pistol at the ready, Marcus waited for the others to move up. The maxim is that a careful soldier is a soldier that survives. In Marcus's case, a careless explosives expert is ash. He never took unnecessary risks and he wasn't going to start now.

(I think we'll finish up the ship on this forum and make a new thread once the plot moves on)

Tomat had already been transmitting video footage through his T34 to his new Turian friend. But not without attention.

Dr. Brink had wandered closer to Tomat and radioed him through his t34 his concerns, "Tomat, is there any reason why you are transmitting valuable data through to the station?"

Tomat was caught off guard and immediately canceled his T34. 5 minutes of footage was all that got through. He radioed back to Ludgar and casually asked, " What data?"

Dr. Brink didn't pursue his point any further.

Ludgar then began to radio his entire team, "Ok everyone first thing is first, plant the bombs in the recorded positions then meet back up at my coordinates. Whatever you do don't touch anything."

At his order the team split up.

John entered after Marcus. The others seemed to be cautious of the two strapped with nukes. John's visor polarized and he was able to see finally. His visor light came on and he was finally able to see in the musty corridor. John grabbed the wall and pulled himself along. It was much quicker than monotonously walking. He came to a split in the corridor. His video pad the doctor had given him buzzed in his pocket. John reached in to pull it out and a map was on the screen. An arrow was flashing to the right. John looked to the right and saw another corridor leading into a room. John followed the visual map on his data pad. He slowly made his way into the room as if floating. The room was empty except for a small metal box-like object. John grabbed it at the edge and pulled it onto it's side. It collapsed over making a loud THUD! as it hit the floor.

"Ok everyone first thing is first, plant the bombs in the recorded positions then meet back up at my coordinates. Whatever you do don't touch anything."

Oops John thought to himself. He grabbed the bomb strapped to his back and placed it on the metal crate.

He sat his video pad on the crate facing him, his image appeared for the Doctor, "Bomb one in place. Need me to set up anything or just put the bomb in a room?"

The Doctor and Tomat had entered what they believed to be a command room.

There were no chairs, there was no screen, if it wasn't for earlier research one could easily pass it up as another room in a great hall of many. The only defining feature in the room was a small blue orb

Ludgar noticed a message was coming in.
"Bomb one in place. Need me to set up anything or just put the bomb in a room?"

He gave an immediate reply, " just leave the bomb and rendezvous with us, we'll activate it remotely, Brink out."

Ludgar looked around he had not seen anything like it. Upon closer inspection he noticed inscriptions on the walls of the ship. A language? Decorations?

He soon noticed that some of the inscriptions formed a very primitive form of pictograph. All he could make out was a shining orb and several creatures with multiple limbs worshiping it. The creatures looked like cats, back on earth. But humanoid like with extra arms.

He ran his figures closer to the symbols and then they started to glow . He immediately pulled his hand back. Realizing that the ship might still be operational he turned around to warn Tomat.

but it was too late.

Tomat had touched the Orb and it had begun to spin and rise in the air.

Ludgar was furious, " You idiot! I told you not to touch anything!"

Tomat was quick to defend himself, " I did absolutely nothing wrong, we were suppose to try to find artifacts after planting the bombs anyway!"

Ludgar replied instantly, " Yeah but that was AFTER WE PLANTED THEM!"

he quickly pulled out his T34 and gave a general distress and evacuation order, "Screw the bombs we have no idea what that thing is going to do. We didn't even know anything on this ship even worked anymore! "

At that moment the orb had reached its high point, spinning at dizzying speeds it let out a blinding light, then there was nothing.

According to scanners on Mons Calpe the Ship had seemed to vanish out from existence

--- Continued in Ξξ Xi Planet ---