"Lieutenant Stone, incoming message from Sector Operations," an announcement burst out over the external speaker as Lieutenant Jim Stone exited the USS Pennine.
He had spent the last 7 days appealing against the decision of Sector Operations to transfer the team aboard a starship and now it looked as though his efforts were in vain. He walked briskly into the SAR Headquarters and up to his office and tapped the terminal bringing the communications channel open.
He saw an Admiral sitting behind a desk, in front of a Starfleet Command flag on the screen.
"Yes Admiral," he said as he sat down.
"Lieutenant, your transfer to the London has been postponed pending review. Captain Edwards has been transferred to another area and I feel it's inappropriate to shake up the Serenity System anymore than necessary, so you'll be remaining on Serenity for the time being," the Admiral said. "However...."
He was interrupted by the sudden blaring of the scramble klaxon and yet another announcement. "All personnel, action stations, scramble scramble."
"Sorry sir," Stone said. "I believe I'm needed. Can I call you back?"
"No need Lieutenant, I was just rambling, good hunting, Ops out."
The screen went back to the Federation crest, but Stone never saw it, he was out of the office and down to the landing pad in seconds. USS Pennine was already powered and crewed up. He ran through the hatch as it began to close.
"Rich, what's happening?" Stone asked as he sat down at the co-pilots console.
"A shuttle's just hit the surface somewhere near the Marines base, no one knows why it was there, who was aboard, where it was going!" Watson replied.
"Arm yourselves, people. Jan, sensors to max please. Marc, bring the weapons online," Stone commanded.
The runabout lifted off and flew over the SAR building and out to the east.
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