Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 1 - Alien Flight by David Buck

this disaster.
    Gindane coolly read the last message from Professor Elysius and reviewed with considerable unease the formal orders attached to his message. Her ship had been finally ordered back with the rest of the research fleet to Cephrit station 31, hundreds of light years from the disaster at Earth. Specifically the orders from Barus foreign affairs had been counter signed by Barus high level military commanders.
    The orders explicitly stated that her research ship was remaining in lockdown for the extended return voyage, and that the now long frozen remains of the dead technician and his belongings be guarded at all times. The research commander now knew that a board of inquiry would be eventually called in line with galactic edicts, and would be convened under the control of the Cephrit Station master.
    Gindane now broke out into a cold sweat of fear. The board of inquiry was in reality a trial that had the power to try and execute her, and her crew, if any breach of galactic edicts stated in the scope of the inquiry was proven. The commander was initially worried about who else would make up the board of inquiry, with real concerns that an aggressive Tilmud Admiral could be involved.
    Gindane assured herself that the impartiality of this inquiry was not her concern; the Cephrit station master would ensure proprietary. She then also read two further messages that mentioned that the Barus themselves would be conducting their own investigations, both civil and military, subsequent to the board of inquiry. The Barus female considered that she and her crew would have to first defend their lives in the board of inquiry. Subsequently they would spend a protracted period defending their ruined professional reputations.
    Bleakly Gindane contemplated her situation yet again, before quietly issuing instructions to her section chiefs to ensure compliance with the contents of her own orders. Over the long days it took to return to first the research fleet and then the Cephrit star base, Gindane would spend many long hours yet again going through the research information on Earth.
     
                                                                ***
     
    The four senior members of the medical team were lead into the wardroom on HMAS Perth by Buffer Robertson after they had first briefly gone to their quarters to doff their kit bags. The team leaders had then ensured that the three dozen junior members of their team were allocated bunks correctly. The buffer briefly introduced the medical team to lieutenant commander Greene and five of his lieutenants.
    After the requisite salutes and handshakes were completed, he was excused from the meeting by the lieutenant commander, who returned to his initial conversation with lieutenant Edwards. The buffer closed the door and returned topside to organize a detail for the medical supplies due shortly. Steve Greene invited all present to gather a coffee and take a seat so that the mornings briefing could begin. He regarded the medical team members with respect and made friendly eye contact with each of the members, as he asked further after each of their responsibilities.
    A hardly noticeable smile came to his eyes as he asked lieutenant Edwards to lead the briefing with an overview of the medical team mission in terms of previous results and further goals in Malaysia. Steve was well aware of the team’s reputation for excellence in supplying medical aid in Asian refugee camps. After Samantha finished, she knew from the reactions of all present that her medical team was highly valued amongst the highly skilled and professional naval officers present. She was also impressed with both the sincere interest of the ship’s captain in her team’s efforts in South East Asia, and with the quiet efficiency he led his officers.
    When she had first glanced into his eyes she was aware that those eyes had seen a lot especially over the last five