Overdue

Posted on Thu Mar 1st, 2012 @ 7:04am by Commodore Samantha York

617 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: The Race for the Lost Treasure
Location: CO's Ready Room

ON

Samantha sat at her desk, filling out the monthly reports. The shuttle had arrived safely on the planet and there was no sign of pirate activity. So far, it was a good day.

She glanced at the calendar on her console. One week since she'd received a message from Damon saying he was on his way home. She smiled happily. It wouldn't be long. After this mission, she'd stop somewhere so the ship could have a little shore leave. And so she could spend some time with Damon.

Her computer chirped an incoming call from the Commander of Theta Fleet. "Computer, answer."

When the face of Admiral Burke came on her monitor, Sam smiled. "Hello, Admiral. What can I do for you?"

Kathryn smiled in return. "Hello, Sam. Has Commander Raine returned to the Calypso?"

Sam sat up straighter. "Not yet. The last message I received said he was coming home." There was something in her tone that made the hair on the back of Sam's neck stand on end. "Is something wrong?"

"The USS Ramora picked him up a week ago. They dropped him off at Starbase 24 where he transferred to the USS Faraday. There's been no word from the Faraday in five days." Kathryn's voice was grave. "Sorry, Sam."

For several moments there was silence. Sam couldn't wrap her mind around the words she'd heard. Damon, missing? She closed her eyes and focused. He wasn't dead. She didn't know how she was sure, but she was sure. Whatever happened, he wasn't dead. "Has a ship been sent to investigate?"

"One was dispatched today. We're looking at reports of any anomalous activity in the area. We're also sifting through freighter and ship logs now. I'll let you know if we find anything. I just wanted you to be prepared. I know you and he were close."

"Are close. He's alive, Admiral," Sam said, her tone certain.

"I hope you're right, Sam, but it doesn't look good. I'll keep you informed on our progress. I ... thought you should know." She paused while she watched Sam's face for a moment. "I'm sorry. Burke out."

The connection closed and Sam continued to stand, unmoving. Her mind refused to accept the possibility. He was alive. She KNEW he was alive. Was it the bond they had together that made her so certain? Probably. Her parents had something similar. Her mother always knew when her father was hurt.

She sat in her chair, folded her arms on her desk, and rested her head on her arms. He had to be okay. He was just stranded on his shuttle with no power. Someone would find him soon. Tomorrow or the next day she'd hear from him.

They had to.

Slowly, as the minutes ticked by, Sam began to make contingency plans in her mind. If they had no word from Damon by the time they finished with the treasure map, she'd go looking for him herself. The Calypso had some shore leave due them. She'd take as many of her crew as wanted to go and find Damon.

It gave her hope and kept her mind working so she didn't dwell on the worst-case scenario.

Finally she stood and headed for Stellar Cartography. The first step was to find the path the Faraday took and where they last had contact. Then find where they might have gone. She could trace the path from her end to the location of their last communication. If the other ship started from Starbase 24, the two ships would find the Faraday. And Damon.

OFF

Admiral Kathryn Burke
Commander, Theta Fleet

Captain Samantha York
Commander, USS Calypso

 

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