In Sickness and In Death

Prologue

"Lieutenant!"

Lieutenant Amy Hiatt flinched, though not visibly, at the urgent, distressed
summons from the comm officer.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We're receiving an emergency distress signal from one of the nearby moons.
They're requesting immediate assistance."

She frowned, "The Fleet doesn't have any moonbases out here...do they?"

"It's not a Fleet signal..."

"Who else would be calling us for help from a moon in the middle of nowhere?"

The comm officer frowned, turning to look over his shoulder at her, "They're
pirates."

Getting over her initial shock, Amy finally spoke, "Call the captain to the
bridge...and head toward the signal's origin."

The officer at the helm raised an eyebrow, but did as he was told.

 

By the time Captain Henry made it to the bridge, the signal had stopped.

"What's so important that it merrits changing the course of my ship without
consulting me first?"

Amy quickly explained the situation to the captain.

"It could be a trap, Sir," Commander Xanatos pointed out, having come to see
what all of the commotion was about.

"Yes," Henry said thoughtfully. "Or they could be in trouble and need our
help. Approach slowly, and stay on the defensive."

"Yes, Sir."

"And get me a visual as soon as we're close enough."

"Coming up now, Captain."

The entire bridge looked toward the view screen as the image appeared.

"Oh my God..."