“Welcome to the Astridina System.  We have our work cut out for us.”  Captain Wren Walton stood at the head of the briefing room table, facing the senior staff.  PADDs, food, and drink were scattered across the table.  The Mackenzie had the task of engaging with a diplomatic challenge.  “The Astridina III is home to the Astrids, a humanoid species.  It is a cultural civilization that is heavily based on the cycles of the solar system.  What we were reliably informed would be a simple cover mission involving humanitarian efforts has turned into something far more complex.”  Walton tapped at the table console as the screen’s focus shifted.  “Within the Astridina System is Astridina V.  It’s at the far edge.  It is home to a far older civilization than the Astrids, who have had no contact with them…ever.”

Lieutenant William Prentice stepped from the corner of the room, PADD in hand.  “Until one week ago, when a message was transmitted from Astridina V.  The problem was, it was in a language nobody on Astridina III understood.  They’ve been studying it and trying to break the code.  They’ve had no luck so far.”  He tapped at the console.  “The Astrids achieved warp-capable travel within the last ten years and are building contacts with colonies in the surrounding system.  They are aware of the Orion Syndicate.  We asked them about their relationship, and their answer leaves much to be desired.  When asked why they’ve never gone to investigate Astridina V, they said that the people on that planet are cursed, damned, and every other superstition you can imagine.  Our science team is working to verify these claims. Lieutenant Maguire?”

Matilda’s face was a mix of confusion and worry.  “The planet is hard to scan from this distance.  There’s a lot of interference in the atmosphere.  What little we can tell is that this planet may have had a regular orbit with Astridina III.  It’s a similar size.  We’re also concerned about its projected orbit.”  She tapped at the console at her seat, and the screen display shifted to show a moving display of the planet.  “It will not be an issue in the near future, so that’s the good news.  The bad news is we’ve run some scenarios with its current track, and it will destabilize within the next twenty years.  The worse news is that its projected path will take it near Astridina III.”

Walton grimaced at the revelation.  The science team had been working to get a better picture of what was going on with the far-flung planet.  The news added to the pile of complications.  “We’ve started our medical and engineering outreach to the Astrids, so we’ll start there.  The Perseverance will arrive within the hour to take point on our mystery planet.  Ms. Maguire, have your team complete and be ready to transfer your findings.  We’re going to need your help here with the Astrids.”

Matilda frowned as she asked, “You don’t trust them, Captain?”

Wren wasn’t sure.  She replied, “The Orion Syndicate has been active in and around their system.  I don’t trust their evasive answers.  Buran’s out there and we’re running interference for them.  If the Astrids know something about the Syndicate, that’s intel and we need as much of it as we can get.  You have your orders.”  The meeting broke up, and most officers filed out.  Walton glanced up, smiling at the remaining face.  “Chief Petty Officer Henry Wyatt.”

“Captain.”  He walked to the front of the room, staring at the faint image of Astridina V.

She caught a look flicker across his face before it vanished underneath the El-Aurian’s ancient face. “Should I be worried, Henry?”  His wisdom had rarely failed, and his eyes had seen much of the universe.

Wyatt shook his head lightly, concern rippling across his features.  “I don’t know, Wren.  You’ve read the reports from the Shackleton Expanse.  When I read about the Vezda, I got this feeling.  This feeling of a deep, innate fear.  In all my travels, I never ran into them.  Heard rumors of ‘em.”  He pointed at the planet.  “Something about that planet gives me the same fear.”

She followed his gaze to the planet, staring at it as if it would reveal its mystery.  “You think there’s a Vezda out there?”

Another light shake of his head.  “Something bad is on that planet.  Something dark.  Something evil.”  Henry sighed.  “I’m not much help in giving you an exact identification.”

Wren put her hand on his shoulder, thankful for the old man.  “You’ve given me enough reason to warn Captain Park.  Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”  She walked out of the room.

Henry Wyatt remained, staring at the planet on the screen. “What if we’re not supposed to?”, he asked himself and the empty room.