Chapter 21. Life in the rescue cabin
This little sphere is floating in the universe. It's very compact. It is a plain sphere with no decoration, no markings, and no visible openings. There was no sign of thrusters or other control systems. Its origin is also not obvious. But it is clear that its origins are not natural. There must be a builder.
It's dark inside. Only a small screen glowed faintly, showing a starry sky. A man sat in the only seat, his body slumped over the console. He was breathing hard and wheezing. He could hardly breathe anymore. He closed his eyes. The temperature in the capsule was close to freezing. Apparently, he adjusted the environmental controls to save energy. Every time he exhaled, the air condensed. If he fell asleep, he might never wake up again, and he knew that. So he forced himself to look at the screen regularly, but now it was becoming very difficult to do so.
Many hours had passed since the automatic emergency call transmitter had been activated. Oh no, it's probably been a few days now. He has completely lost all sense of time. But so far, he has received no response. He was running out of oxygen. After oxygen is depleted, there is no hope of survival. There seemed to be no one else but him outside. But to him, this is no longer important. So here he is and die now. At least he would find the peace he longed for. No more inhumane work underground, no more bullying by guards, no more punishment. In fact, this couldn't be better.
A small red light started flashing. Usually it is not noticeable. But in this darkness, it immediately attracted attention. Even with his eyes half-closed, he could notice it. And it didn't stop flashing either. It disturbed his newly found apathy. He didn't want any more changes.
However, the flashing red light did not stop and continued to disturb him. So, he slowly raised his head and his eyes fell on the screen. Could this be true? Got a spaceship? Did anyone else receive his distress signal?
In fact, something is approaching outside. What started out as a tiny dot soon grew larger and larger until the outline of the ship was revealed. A large blue sensor window is followed by a thick, short cylindrical hull. Above is a huge disk-shaped structure. Behind it, connected to the hull, were two long cigar-shaped structures, apparently thrusters. The ship appears bright white, almost gleaming as a friendly sight in a dark and hostile universe. There were some badges on the hull, but he couldn't make them out.
Or is this not a spaceship? Is he hallucinating? Was his tired brain playing tricks on him? Or is he dead and what's out there is an angel coming to get him?
In fact, he no longer cares about it. He no longer has enough energy to establish a communication link. Or board that strange ship. Regardless, he will die before he can be rescued.
Ted reported to the captain, "We have reached the source of the distress signal. It is right in front of us."
"Show it on the screen," the captain ordered, then stood up.
The screen showed a small spinning sphere, floating aimlessly in the universe. There is no indication of its purpose or origin. It was just a metallic sphere, illuminated by the light of the stars. The captain turned to Jeffrey in surprise. He had expected to see otherwise. Maybe a ship in trouble, or even an entire planet. But he didn't expect it to be such a small sphere. "Could it be a probe?" he asked his science officer.
"Not likely, Captain," Jeffrey replied. "Judging from the frequency and pattern of the signal emission, this does not appear to be the behavior of a detector. It is more like an automated distress signal."
"Automatic distress signal?" The captain frowned. "But how could such a small sphere carry enough information?"
"I'm not sure, Captain. This is certainly unusual. I'll continue analyzing the signal to see if I can find any more clues."
"Okay, continue your work." The captain nodded to Jeffrey. Then he continued to stare at the screen, curiously observing the mysterious orb. "Perhaps there is an important message hidden inside it, waiting for their interpretation." The captain guessed.
"It's possible," Jeffrey said hesitantly. "But a detector that sends out a distress call without sending the cause or coordinates of the caller..." Jeffrey paused, as if searching for the right words. "...This is unusual," he said simply. "I can't say for sure yet. I need more data, and our sensors can't penetrate this material."
"Activate yellow alert status," the captain ordered, just to be on the safe side. It occurred to him that this might be a trap. If the sensors can't penetrate the metal, then the sphere could be hiding anything. Maybe even a bomb designed to damage the ship. Enemy ships waiting nearby could easily board the Republic.
"Ms. Vader, establish communication with this sphere. Maybe we can get a response. I want to know what this is and where it comes from." The captain ordered.
"Yes, sir," Communications Officer Vader confirmed the order.
The captain held his breath and stared at the screen. What exactly did they find? What mystery lies behind the orb and the distress signal? Whatever it is, the captain is determined to find out. At this moment, his curiosity was aroused.
"Captain, we have received no response to our calls," Vader reported to the captain.
"So this isn't a detector for contact," Noah thought to himself. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. Why didn't he think of it sooner? So obvious. "Mr. Ingmar, are there any signs of life in this sphere?"
"In this little thing?" Ingmar was surprised, his voice betraying a strange opinion of the captain.
"Are there any signs of life?" Noah repeated his question eagerly. He could only hope that Ingmar would obey orders better in a real emergency.
Ingmar quickly checked the instructions on his console. "I can only repeat what Mr. Jeffrey said. Our sensors cannot penetrate the material of this thing..." He shrugged apologetically.
Damn it, Noah cursed inwardly, barely resisting the urge to pound his fist on the armrest.
"Captain, there are signs of life within this sphere," Jeffrey reported, and Noah turned his head, surprised.
"Did you find a way to scan the interior?" How could this question be asked? This volcano man is really a smart guy.
"Of course I found it. But not in a direct way," Jeffrey admitted frankly. "I aimed the teleporter at the interior of this sphere. The teleporter showed there was an organic teleportation pattern. But I can't be sure what it was. It could just be an animal."
"Or a blood-sucking, murderous monster," Ingmar said. "Frankenstein's monster." Ingmar couldn't help but say this, because Jeffrey's introduction just now was so tempting.
"Celia, we found signs of life on that sphere," Noah explained. "It may be an intelligent creature trapped in a rescue capsule that sent a distress signal."
"Signs of life? Fascinating," Celia replied, her voice sounding both curious and excited. "Captain, what are you going to do?"
"I decided to teleport this creature on board. It may need help, and if it is an intelligent being, we may gain valuable information about the star domain to which this creature belongs."
"Understood," the doctor said. "I'll go to the infirmary immediately to prepare everything."
"Thank you." Noah replied. "Please let me know when you have more information."
After ending the call, Noah turned to Jeffrey and Ingmar. "We will teleport the creature on board. Mr. Jeffrey, you are in charge of the entire operation. Make sure all safety measures are taken."
"Understood, Captain," Jeffrey replied.
Ingmar raised his hand as if to ask a question, but Noah interrupted, "No more discussion, Mr. Ingmar. We have to move quickly. Jeffrey, start preparing." Ingmar had to obey the order .
The crew began to go about their business, and Noah eagerly waited for information from the infirmary. What exactly is inside this mysterious sphere? He had to admit that the unknown feeling brought about by this mission made him feel extremely excited and nervous.
"Be prepared to receive this strange creature. We will transport it directly to the infirmary. It may be injured. However, we cannot determine what kind of creature it is. Therefore, a security team will accompany you. Please exercise caution, however, And have a sedative ready." That was all the safety measures they could take. Hope this is enough.
"Yes, Captain." After Celia confirmed, she ended the call. Although Noah couldn't see her, he could imagine that she might not be satisfied with the little information he provided. But Noah himself was not satisfied. Who knows what exactly they admitted on board.
"It's okay," Noah said to himself, everything was ready to start. "Ms. Vader, inform the teleportation room that they can now teleport that strange creature to the ship." This is just the beginning. Then, the transfer begins.
Ingmar checked the instructions on his console and after a few seconds turned to the captain. "Transmission complete. The creature is now on board."
Noah nodded with satisfaction. He waited a moment but got no response from the infirmary. This seemed like a good sign, otherwise they would have raised the alarm. "Save that sphere and store it in a warehouse," he ordered Ingmar. "Lieutenant Jeffrey, check that thing. Maybe there is some relevant information in it. I'm going to the infirmary to see our guests." After that, he walked into the elevator.
After the captain left, Ingmar first turned to Jeffrey and then prepared to pack the sphere into the warehouse. "Why did you scan the sphere with your teleporter beam?" he asked the Vulcan. This time, there was no mocking or sarcasm in his voice, just genuine interest. "There was no reason to do that after all. If it had been a detector, it wouldn't have been transmitted at all."
Jeffrey looked at him calmly and said, "You're right. But there's nothing to suggest that it was a probe. Have you ruled out the possibility that it could be a rescue capsule? Or just a very highly developed ship. A civilized little spaceship?”
"I didn't even consider that possibility," Ingmar muttered ruefully.
"A famous Vulcan once said: Always eliminate the impossible, and in everything that remains, the truth is hidden, even if it seems unlikely," Jeffrey said.
"I will remember this," Ingmar smiled.
"Yes, you should," Jeffrey said quietly, then returned to his work. Therefore, he did not notice the movement of Ingmar's jaw and almost dropped it to the ground in surprise.
In the infirmary, Dr. Celia quickly prepared some instruments needed for treatment. At least the ones she usually uses. In this case, however, it is difficult to predict what is needed because no one knows to which species the possible patient belongs. Dr. Celia wasn't even sure she could really help the stranger. Perhaps his unknown anatomy would prove an insurmountable obstacle. Maybe he was so different from any known race that she didn't know what to do. Perhaps at her hands, he would die of incompetence. There were too many "ifs" and "maybes" for her to really rely on anything. She hated being prepared for prompt treatment in such conditions. How easy it is to forget something and possibly pay for it with your life.
The door to the infirmary opened slightly, and security director Ted walked in with four of his men. They are equipped with handheld energy weapons. With some brief instructions he arranged them into their respective positions. In this way, all exits are blocked. Ted nodded to the doctor, indicating that he would not disturb Celia's preparations any more and that he would speak as little as possible.
The buzz of the teleportation field sounded, and a strange creature appeared on the operating bed. It looks human. a man. However, he was extremely hungry. Rather, he was starving to death. His face is sunken and his eyes are sunken into their sockets. The skin clung to his bones like old leather, making every bone visible. He was like a living skeleton. Scars and unhealed wounds littered his body. His left hand has only four fingers, while his right hand has six, apparently a normal number for the species. His clothes were just scraps of cloth wrapped around his body. His whole body was covered in dirt and blood, which had dried into a second layer of skin. He looked like he hadn't had a bath in years. The smell is so bad too.
It was a horrific image, unfolding before the doctor's eyes. Miraculously, the man is still alive. When Dr. Celia saw what he looked like, she couldn't help but think of pictures from her high school history class. Pictures from a time when humans were still killing each other and being imprisoned in extermination camps. From the darkest chapter in Earth's history. Her stomach cramped and she almost vomited out the acid.
