Several vessels orbited the planet and Tyvek had found himself back aboard the runabout Nile. Accompanying him once again was Gunney and Corporal Smith.
"So Lieutenant, where are we off to now?" asked Gunney.
"The Briar Patch, Gunney. Commodore Hunter has assigned us to a first contact assignment," replied Tyvek.
"In the Patch? Who with?" he asked.
"We will find out when we get there. Tactical telemetry has detected life forms in an unexplored system of the Patch. The Commodore wants someone to investigate, so I volunteered us," Tyvek replied.
"I'll thank you when we get back sir."
The Nile streaked through space towards the Patch with sensors ablaze.
"We are nearing the outer perimeter. Slowing to half impulse," Corporal Smith reported.
"Steady as she goes, helmsman. Gunney, continue scans of the system," Tyvek ordered.
The planet was very dark despite the fact the luminescence of the Patch glowed on its surface. The world looked very dead but would soon reveal life, a most sinister form of life. As the runabout entered the planet's orbit the occupants made themselves ready to beam down.
"Sir, there are many life forms down there, concentrated heavily here and here," said Gunney.
"Gunney, you will remain here. Myself and Corporal Smith will beam down and investigate using the stealth gear. I am setting the transporter to my comm frequency, if we need an emergency beamout," replied Tyvek.
The two officers beamed down.
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