Christmas 3308
17 Dec 2022WightScientist
How does the old song go? It's Christmas Time and there's no need to be afraid... Well the people of HIP 25679 were afraid. Their system, like many others, was under attack by the Thargoids.Other systems had already been lost, but there was a concerted effort to save HIP 25679 - AX pilots, haulers and rescue ships were all focusing on the system. I decided that it was time to do my part. The Dale Arden, a Python I use on a rather lucrative Tourist run, was hastily refitted by my Fleet Carrier crew to carry over 100 passengers. Next stop HIP 25679.
The journey wasn't as easy as I expected. Thargoid Hyperditions on the way into the system and Interdictions once in Supercruise kept me on my toes. Fortunately, I had taken the advice of my peers and refitted Dale Arden for a high boost and I was able to escape with only minor damage to hull and systems.
Zahn Plant was like something out of a nightmare, surrounded by eerie green fog lit by the flashes of station defence and Thargoid weapons. Rescue and supply ships taking turns at the landing pad being defended by AX ships. It was impossible to dock without sustaining some kind of damage.
At last, docked. The doors to the hanger lobby opened and I could see the first group of refugees crammed into it. Emergency workers waved them forward. They seemed to be of all kinds, families, individuals, some injured, very few carrying any possessions. Zahn Plant was the last operating station in HIP 25679, so it had accumulated the displaced from the other stations and settlements in-system. The lobby emptied and then re-filled as elevators delivered more people.
As the passengers boarded, the smell began to hit me. Sweat, fear, and the nausea-inducing stench of the Thargoid 'Caustic Substance' that was being removed from the ship's hull by repair crews.
A voice came over the link from the station.
"Relocation Organiser here. We need you to take these people to the rescue ship in Tarach Tor system."
The navigation computer gave me the bad news.
"That's five jumps."
"Problem?"
"I guess not. I have fuel and life support for that range, but I'm sure it won't be pleasant for the passengers."
"Better than the alternative."
I didn't have an answer to that. As the hanger lobby doors began to close again those inside took seats where they could find them. All they could do now was wait.
Leaving the station was all about boosting clear as quickly as possible. It seemed to be less likely to suffer a Hyperdiction leaving the system, as well. The five jumps passed without external incident, but I fretted over each one.
The rescue ship Bertschinger orbited the Earth-like world Hanandroo. It all seemed very normal and welcoming. Workers in Independent Rescue Coalition uniforms triaged the passengers as they disembarked. I was struck by how clean those uniforms were, compared to what the emergency workers at Zahn Plant had been wearing. A mix of emergency service uniforms and everyday clothing - all of it stained by sweat and sometimes blood.
Eventually the passengers were processed and repair and refuelling crews began work on the Dale Arden. A team came aboard to go over the passenger cabins and remove any 'debris' left behind by the previous occupants.
An IRC rep joined me on the bridge.
"Just wanted to say thanks. The refugees didn't have a chance to."
"No problem."
"Would you consider going out again?"
I bit off my first reply.
"Have you been to Zahn Plant?"
"No." The rep's faced began to flush.
"I didn't think so. If you had, you wouldn't be asking me." In my mind I could see the next lot of refugees waiting patiently in a hanger lobby. "How long before my ship is ready to leave?"