Capital ship and fleet destroyed. Three survivors in stable condition.
09 Mar 2023Jambrick
Log entry: Commander JambrickDate: March 09, 3309
Location: Deep space - HIP 20527
Upon arrival at HIP 20527 I received a distress signal from deep space. I dropped in at the coordinates to discover a capital ship and its fleet in ruins. A thick, green gas enveloped the scene completely, indicating a Thargoid attack. Three escape pods were present on sensors, one of which had been badly damaged.
The fate of those trapped in the escape pods rested in my hands. Verity informed me that the damaged pod's oxygen levels were critical, and I knew I had to act fast.
We loaded the undamaged pods into our cargo hold and monitored the oxygen levels. But the Thargoid forces were closing in, and we needed to stay hidden if we were going to make it out of there alive.
As we waited for the damaged pod to come into range, the ship shook violently, and the sensors lit up with activity. Thargoids were incoming, and we needed to lower our heat signature immediately to avoid detection.
We reached the damaged pod and loaded it into our cargo hold. Verity redirected the ship's life support systems to the damaged pod, and we began weaving the ship in and out of the debris to avoid the Thargoids. We were able to divert their attention away from the mothership with use of automated ship launched fighters.
Despite the intense pressure, I managed to keep the ship intact, and Verity sent a distress signal to the nearest station. We were eventually able to break free from the debris field and jump into hyperspace towards the station.
The escape pods were delivered along with a black box at Broglie Settlement - HIP 19781. Survivors are reported to be in stable condition and the black box is being reviewed.
Of the hundreds of souls, only three survivors.
End log.
As Commander Jambrick sat in the cockpit of his ship, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. He knew that time was of the essence, and that the fate of those trapped in the escape pods rested in his hands.
"Verity, how's life support holding up?" he asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding space for any signs of trouble.
"It's holding steady, Commander," Verity replied. "But we don't have much time. The pod's oxygen levels are critical."
Jambrick nodded, his mind racing as he considered his options. The two undamaged pods were secure in the cargo hold. He knew that the Thargoid forces would be closing in soon, and that he needed to act fast if he wanted to save any of the survivors.
"Okay, here's what we're going to do," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "We're loading the damaged pod into our cargo hold. Then, we'll redirect our life support module to the pod and monitor the oxygen levels until we can get them to safety."
As they waited to reach the pod, Jambrick could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that the Thargoids would be closing in any moment, and that they would need to move fast if they wanted to avoid being destroyed.
"Verity, monitor sensors," he said, his voice low and urgent. "As soon as those Thargoids show up, I want you to activate the ship's heat sinks and drop our signature. We need to stay hidden if we're going to make it out of here alive."
Verity acknowledged the command and began scanning the sensor readouts as they waited for the damaged pod to come into range.
Suddenly, the ship shook violently, the sound of metal grinding against metal echoing through the cockpit.
"Holy sh-nikes!" the commander belted out.
The sensors lit up with activity. "Thargoids incoming," Verity informed the commander. "Lowering heat signature now."
Jambrick's heart raced as he fought the urge to slam the throttle forward, his ship taking damage as he crept towards the damaged escape pod.
"Come on, come on!" he muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on the pod as it grew larger in his viewfinder. He couldn't risk going any faster or it would surely damage the escape pod further or worse, kill the inhabitant.
Finally, they reached the damaged pod and carefully loaded it into their cargo hold. Jambrick could see the cracks and fractures on the pod's exterior, evidence of the intense battle that had taken place.
"Verity, how are the oxygen levels now?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.
"They're stable for now, Commander," Verity replied as she redirected the ship's life support systems to the damaged pod. "But we need to get them to safety as soon as possible."
Jambrick nodded, his mind already working on a plan. He knew that they couldn't outrun them without heat levels reaching critical. They could deploy heat sinks on the way, but it would leave a trail to follow.
Thargoids were still following them, their ships firing weapons in their direction. He knew that they needed to act fast if they wanted to escape.
"Verity, can we use the debris from the wreckage to lose them?" he asked, pointing to the floating debris field around them.
Verity quickly ran a scan and replied, "It's risky, but it might work. If we can navigate the debris field correctly, we may be able to lose them."
Jambrick nodded and began weaving the ship in and out of the debris, dodging and weaving as the Thargoids closed in. Verity monitored the ship's scanners, alerting Jambrick to any incoming debris or Thargoid ships.
"Verity, send a distress signal to the nearest station," he said, his voice steady and focused. "The only way out of here might be a rescue patrol ship."
Verity acknowledged the command and began sending out the distress signal. Jambrick maintained a white-knuckled grip on the ship controls.
It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse, but Jambrick was a skilled pilot and managed to keep the ship intact despite the intense pressure. Thargoid scouts stopped pursuing as an interceptor deployed a swarm to navigate the wreckage.
"They sent their dogs to flush the brush," Jambrick chuckled slightly. "Let's send a bird."
Already a step ahead of the commander, Verity deployed two fighters from the hangar. The birds shot out of the wreckage and the anticipating hunters gave chase.
With the Thargoid units distracted by the fighters, they broke free of the debris field and jumped into hyperspace towards the nearest station.