USS Healdsburg | 1615 Hours | Vaadwaur Blackout Perimeter | Sickbay

Sickbay hummed quietly as the faint vibrations from the ship’s minimal systems echoed through the walls. Lt. Lillian Hansen stood at her desk, her fingers hovering over the medical tablet, reviewing the crew’s health data. The constant hum of the engines, now barely audible in Ghost Mode, was a reminder of how precarious their situation was. The asteroid field was their shield, but it also left them isolated. Any distress signal from the Vaadwaur outpost could soon lead to their exposure.

In the back of the room, a nurse moved silently, checking equipment and preparing for anything that might come. The protocols for an away team had already been established, but a tight knot of anticipation tightened in Lillian’s chest. With every passing minute, the risk grew higher, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead began to gnaw at her.

The door to Sickbay slid open, and Lt. Katie Harlow stepped in, her face a picture of focused determination. The young officer had taken her first real steps into the unknown with the operation to track down the mysterious pulse, and Lillian could see the excitement—and the tension—in her eyes.

“Lt. Hansen,” Katie said, her voice low but professional. “I just wanted to update you on the probe status.”

Lillian glanced up, nodding. “What’s the latest?”

Katie stood tall as she approached, a slight furrow in her brow. “The probe is in position, but we’re starting to see some subtle fluctuations in the sensor grid. It’s definitely not a standard scan pattern. And we’re still getting that pulse… every 420 seconds, like we thought.”

“Any new information?” Lillian asked, trying to keep her voice neutral, but inside, she couldn’t help but feel that the pieces were coming together—something was happening.

Katie hesitated for a moment before continuing, “We think the pulse is coming from deep underground. If this is a distress signal, someone’s trying to reach out. But it’s too buried… I don’t know how anyone could be sending it.”

Lillian nodded slowly, trying to process the implications. “Could be a prisoner or someone hidden. But the fact that they’re sending a signal at all… That means they want us to know they’re there.”

Katie’s expression hardened. “If this is a trap, it’s one hell of a calculated risk. They know we’re here. They have to.”

Lillian’s gaze turned back to the tablet in her hand, reviewing the vital scans of the crew. She knew they were about to face something far more complicated than anyone anticipated. “If it’s a trap,” she said, her voice soft but firm, “then we’ll handle it. We don’t leave anyone behind.”

Before Katie could respond, the comms panel on the wall chimed with a low, urgent tone. Lt. Fox’s voice came through, sharp and clear, cutting through the tension.

“Sickbay, this is Tactical. We’ve just picked up something. A new anomaly in the sector. Multiple ship signatures. They’re not Vaadwaur.”

Lillian’s heart skipped a beat. “How many?”

“Three ships, all moving in fast. They’re close—very close. ETA to intercept is less than six minutes.”

Katie exchanged a quick glance with Lillian. The gravity of the situation was now undeniable.

Lillian immediately snapped into action, her mind running through every scenario. “Fox, get me a clear report. Do we have visuals yet?”

“Negative, we’re still tracking by passive sensors. But they’re closing in, and they don’t seem to be avoiding us.”

“Understood,” Lillian replied, her tone unwavering. She turned to Katie, who was already moving to the door. “Stay with the crew. I’ll prep Sickbay for potential casualties.”

Katie gave a sharp nod, her expression resolute. “Aye, ma’am.”

As the door to Sickbay slid closed behind her, Lillian began to prepare herself for what was to come. If the ships were hostile—and it seemed likely—then the Healdsburg’s survival, and the safety of its crew, hinged on quick thinking, solid teamwork, and a little bit of luck.

The ship was in Ghost Mode, but with three ships closing in, it was only a matter of time before they were forced to break cover. And when that happened, Sickbay would be the last place anyone would want to be.