The USNV Belladonna jumped in-system. Its He 3, reactor core hummed soundly as the three, extended thrusters stopped spinning and the Alcubierre ring created by the movement at the back of the ship disappeared. The cylindrical thrusters contracted back to their positions surrounding the ship's stern. The warp field around the vessel faded away.
"Captain Carter," a voice said over the PA system in the captain's quarters, "We've arrived to the Sol star system."
"Good," replied the Belladonna's captain. "Set a course for Luna Base."
"Aye aye, Captain," the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Andrews, responded. A fourth, larger thruster at the back of the ship, placed in-between the three smaller ones, flared up and the Belladonna started moving forward."We'll be arriving at the Moon in about 10 minutes."
Michael Carter walked over to the bathroom's mirror and trimmed his beard to a faded look. A few, small scars ran across the white skin of his face. His deep blue eyes shone as the light reflected off of them, circuitry from the bionic implants slightly visible around the iris. He changed into his formal, United Systems Navy gala. The deep blue uniform wrapped the 28-year-old's body in a tight fit, muscles developed from experience pressing against the fabric. He still wore the Commander insignia on his shoulders. He had already been named Captain by the 3rd Fleet Admiral, but today he was going to receive the insignia and officially be made the Belladonna's captain.
"Good morning, Captain," a virtual image of an aged man in a highly medal-decorated, navy uniform suddenly appeared on the window, the black void outside the ship slightly visible through it.
"Admiral Hammond," said Michael as he turned around, "how can I be of service?"
"Firstly," replied the military man, "I would like to congratulate you beforehand on your promotion. I know you worked hard to earn that title."
"Thank you, Admiral"
"Secondly, I need to ask something of you: after the ceremony, I'd like to you to head over to the Spec Ops briefing room."
"Is something the matter, Admiral?"
"I won't lie to you, Cap. There's something strange going on. We'll brief you in when you get here."
"We?" thought Michael. "If that means what I think it means, then something really huge is going on."
YOU ARE READING
Crisis at Infinity
Science FictionIn the year 2078 A.D., humanity finally became an interstellar space-faring species. As the first explorers reached further stars in the Milky Way and colonized new planets, humanity discovered it wasn't alone in the universe. Three more alien, spac...
