(( Written with permission - @vergial ))
Today we were tasked with the salvaging and rescue of cargo and crew aboard a transport ship located in declining orbit of a Class II gas giant. Considering half the ship was missing due to battle damage, atmospheric burn and related incidents, we managed to recover approximately nine tenths of the crew. A majority of this crew, however, consisted of passengers, begging the question why a scout ship would even begin opening fire this was in.
The captain and key personnel are unaccounted for. We are thus left using partial manifestos to reestablish ownership over the recovered cargo. Unlike the crew and carry, the cargo has mostly been recovered and returned to the rightful owner while we await a proper cargo vessel to return them to the proper channels.
There are several unclaimed items. At the lack of any proof they even belonged on the ship, I’ve taken the liberty of sending an LR communication to verify they’re not part of any trade or delivery that has records elsewhere.
One item is a small egg contained in a portable incubation tube of sorts. As would be reasonable, I’ve taken it on myself to watch the egg until it’s hatched. This is partially to sate my curiosity, and partially because nobody else claimed ownership of it. Seeing my experience with tube-grown life, I find a trickle of curiosity over this thing. Lost in space, almost turned into a debris.
Fascinating how curious the odds can sometimes be.
That being said, simulated flight-records indicate the scout ship might’ve been manned by fresh blood, judging by their lax accuracy and hectic attack pattern. Instead of targeting weapons, shielding, critical passage ways or the very obvious bridge and observation deck, most of their attacks hit either thick plating or redundant systems.This may explain why they made no change of tactics when our vessel entered visual range.
On one hand, I find myself insulted. I am grateful to have saved so many lives, but to find them lost by the hand of such green foes is akin to slamming a man to death.
On the other hand, this limited combat experience is fantastic for getting my own fresh blood to learn some vital basics and the weight behind their actions. Simulations and books can only go so far.
Now I can only hope it won’t take too long to get these people off deck. Nothing agitates me more than having to corral civilians around. If they thought civilian space craft were juicy targets, they’ve never been on a vessel like mine.