Two hours later, on the Cyclone, the crew is preparing to leave faster-than-light speed. The navigator of the ship approaches Riel.

“Ma’am. We will be at our destination in less than five minutes.”

“Good.” she replies. “Get everybody to their stations and prepare to go into Recon Mode.”

“At once, ma’am!” the Navigator quickly salutes and returns to her post.

After a few minutes, just before coming out of FTL, the bridge and the rest of the ship is sprawling with activity. Riel is standing by the galaxy map in the middle of the room, which is elevated to about 1,5 to 2 meters and is the highest point on the bridge. Her hands are attached to the railing surrounding it.

A voice suddenly comes from behind Riel. “Hey, boss. You ready for this?”

Riel releases her grip on the railing and turns around. She is happy to see her second-in-command and longtime friend, Lieutenant Commander Nalyne Ledarix, coming towards her.

“Where were you at the briefing, Nalyne?” Riel asks. “Teli didn’t bring you up during the brief, but still…”

“Sorry, Commander. I was elsewhere at the time. I had to take care of something.” she responds. “Anyway, I heard we are about to arrive at Central. I’ll make an announcement via the intercom.”

Nalyne steps to the right and types on a console right beside the map. A brief moment of static can be heard, then, Nalyne’s voice can be heard through the ship.

“Attention! This is Lieutenant Commander Ledarix. We are about to arrive at planet Central, Sirius Sector. All hands, standby and wait for instructions from your commanding officer.” she says, in an authoritive, but enthusiastic tone. 

Just as Nalyne finishes, the ship can be heard becoming, suddenly, quieter. Everybody looks out of the ships forward facing windows and the blue, shimmering light starts fading out. At the blink of an eye, the blue light suddenly disappears and the all too familiar black void surges into focus again, except this time, a planet was there. Central. The bridge suddenly lights up with different lights emanating from the different consoles around the bridge.

“Commander!” a crew member yells. “Our sensors are picking up multiple, unknown ship signatures in the vicinity of the planet!”

Riel faces Ensign Drisus, who is on the opposite end of the bridge.

“Drisus!” she calls out. “Send a report to Fleet Commander Teli, at once!”

The quiet bridge suddenly turns into a loud place. All the bridge staff are operating their stations and working on the ship’s systems. Ensign Drisus runs up to Riel.

“Someone or something is jamming our communications, Commander!” Drisus proclaims.

Nalyne turns to Riel. “Looks like this is going to be more than a recon mission, boss.” she chuckles. “Just like that time on Aplana.”

Riel chuckles. “Nalyne, go check on the main batteries. We’ll need them ready for anything.”

Nalyne salutes “At once.” she says and runs off.

Riel turns around once again to the navigator. “Approach the planet, but keep your distance to it and the other ships.” she orders. “Have we picked up any allied signatures?”

A crew member calls out “Not yet, Commander! We are still sorting through all the contacts.”

Riel looks out the window onto the planet. “Get it done!” she says. “Drisus, attempt to open communications with the Fleet Commander when you get the chance… This day just keeps getting better and better…”