<div class="gmail_quote"><div><br><div><div></div><div class="h5"><div><div><div><div><p>"What's your estimate Lieutenant?" Smith spun
in his seat to face the woman for a moment before return his attention
to his own console and vessel stabilization. A warning beacon suddenly
chirped, "Ummm Lieutnant. Sensors are picking up increased activity on
the star's surface."<br>
</p></div><div><br><div>"About..
three days old, from what I can tell.. and with the flares, unable to
be definite on that.." she said, her gaze snapping over to Smith
quickly at his words. She quickly shifted her scan to the star, a frown
appearing on her lips. "We need to move, quickly.. Find the largest
asteroid that we can use as a shield to help protect the shuttle from a
direct hit," she said, keeping her attention on the sun.<br><br>
"Affirmative!" Smith felt a bead of sweat slide slowly down his temple
and his heart rate increase and thump strongly. Deftly he turned
starboard, grateful for seatbelts as the vessel nearly did a loop in
the tight arch. "Straight ahead I remember a field." The shuttle less
than gracefully avoided contact with smaller asteroid debris as it
arrived, thrusters suddenly hit to reverse to slow the shuttle and take
her into a small alcove protected by a series of asteroids in a tight
formation.<br><br>
Kylee gripped the armrest as the shuttle made the sharp turns. "Just
take it nice and easy.. this place lends plenty of places to hide," she
said, continuing to gather information as they moved, jarred back and
forth as he manuevered around the debris. She leaned forward as they
came to a stop, quickly launching a probe out to gather as much
information as possible before the flare destroyed it. "Come on.. come
on.." she muttered, looking over all the readings, searching for any
clue.<br><br>
Smith looked over his shoulder, "Take it easy?" Eyes nearly popping
out, "There's a flare brewing and you are telling me to take it easy? I
don't know about you but I've got something good waiting for me to
return to finish up and so I'm going to do what I need to to ensure I
get that finishing up done." All the while he monitored the probe,
"Thirty seconds until destination is reached."<br>
<br></div></div>Kylee
arched her brow as she looked over, studying him. "Yes.. and we are in
an area that is protected against the flare.. so there is no worry
about any damage.." she stated, before turning her attention back to
the data streaming across her console. She chewed her lower lip, her
heart racing with excitement as she waited for the flare to reach the
area. She tilted her head, blinking as she caught a trail that seemed
slightly abnormal. "There.. that's where the asteroids were sent from.
Computer, save data in separate file, Nix- Alpha Beta zero zero one."<div>
<div><br>Smith stated the most logical, "Are they not coming from
the... sun?" He asked quizzically..."I mean you know that bright orb
thing that just shot a gaseous ball of oozing goo out our way to kill
us?"</div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div><div><div><span><br></span></div><div><div>Kylee blinked, looking over at Smith confusedly. "What in
the hell are you talking about? I'm focusing on the asteroids.. not the
flares.. since the asteroids are probably the source of the flares...
I'm trying to find who can be behind it.." she said, focusing back on
the data, seeking out any anomalies in the area before the sun
destroyed them.<br><br></div></div></div><div>Smith
shrugged just as the shuttle's comms chirped and the Captain's voice
spoke once Smith initiated the comms, "This is Captain Vilqa. Please
confirm your status, we are picking up increased solar activity."<br>
<br></div>Kylee tapped her comm badge as she stared at the console.
"We're fine, captain. Currently taking shelter behind some asteroids to
avoid any damage from the solar flare," she stated, tapping the comm as
her fingers tap against the armrest. "Come on.. just give me a clue.
anything.." she muttered, knowing she had only a few more seconds
before the flare destroyed the probe.<br><br></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div class="h5">"Be
on alert Lieutenant. We cannot afford to lost either of you nor the
shuttle. Are you collecting the data you believed would be available?"
Vilqa asked again while Smith calibrated the thrusters to keep the
shuttle as steady as he could in the temporary shelter. "Lieutenant I
am noticing two of the asteroids are splitting." Smith said so not
only Nix would hear but due to the open comms to the vessel the Captain
as well.Vilqa's voice once more filled the cabin, "The energy bursts
from the solar flare causing instability."<br>
<br></div></div>"Yes Captain, Smith and I are well aware of the danger out here and are staying ahead of any problems. Currently found some information that isolates the location of the asteroids' origin,, searching for any signs of ships that were in the area," she stated, shifting the view on the console to find a location to stay out of harm's way. Quickly studying the surrounding area, she isolated a cluster of large asteroids. "We'll make it back safe and sound, Captain, the asteroid field is far enough away that the overall energy of the solar flare is far less than the planet.." she stated, closing the connection for the moment. "Smith, take us to these coordinates.. We'll be safe there until the flare passes.."<div class="im">
<br>
<br>"Captain, shields are holding steady." Smith interjected in hopes to calm the Captain's worries.<br><br>"Thank
you Mr. Smith. Ms Nix I suggest you two getting a move on soon. Vilqa
out." Nix had said what the Captain needed to hear and would not call
off the mission -- for now.<br><br></div>"Will do, Captain," she said, focusing back on the area she was searching, tilting her head as she noted something unusual. "Computer, save readings to Nix Alpha one zero."<br>
<br><TBC><br>
</div><br>