JimGalaxy
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« Reply #35 on: December 06, 2015, 02:02:48 AM » |
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Stardate 2015-12-06: 01:57
JimGalaxy WarShip: Nimitz
"Science. Report."
... a pause.
"Sir ... the star's readings are showing more stable at the last pulse, but ..."
"But, what?," came the Captain's measured tones, radiating outward from the center of the bridge, onboard the Nimitz.
"... but ... the collapse continues. This star is ... "
The Captain gazed at the Red Giant, JUR 59500 ... at its red, bloated, hugeness. A nuclear force of nature that had powered an entire system, for aeons ... and now, a force, unleashed, that would wipe that system from living memory, now, within five short solar days.
"... finished," the Captain whispered. No other soul moved on the Bridge; the silent weight of countless thousands of years had settled, unwelcome, as it bid the few survivors, good-bye.
"... Helm," finally came the Captain's voice ... "Prepare to depart. This system is gone, now. But we have other systems ... yet to save from this fate."
As the Captain turned to leave the bridge ... a sound, beeping insistently, emerged from the Science Station. The Captain turned, still angry at the loss, to focus his wrath on this new distraction.
... and, after a few moments, the head Science Officer of the Nimitz, despite herself, began laughing quietly out loud. Before she could even be asked, she turned to the bridge, and cried aloud: "... it's stabilizing! The star is stabilizing now!! We can do it!!! Even after it's gone critical ... we can bring it back, sir!!!"
Even as the Bridge erupted in cheers and all-too-human chatter, the Captain turned, and looked squarely at the Giant star. Unheard in the chaos, he whispered two words, as a promise, from his flesh to that unthinking, unfeeling mass of energy ...
"... not yet." And, for once, the Captain allowed himself the smallest of smiles. Sometimes, he thought ... just sometimes ... humans *could* tip the scales of fate ... if they worked together hard, and long, enough.
"Helm," came the command. "Belay that order. We are here, for as long as it takes, to see this system ... to safekeeping." ... as cheers erupted, anew, from every station.
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