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Somehow, the questions come one at a time. As opposed to the disorganized mess that would’ve been a roughneck’s briefing back on the Duck. But Captain Elishani takes it all in stride, not showing any speck of annoyance. “We’re the vanguard, and the only ship docked in Babylonia when the discovery was made. A proper salvage fleet’s being prepped, but they’re more than a week out. And have to secure the site as soon as possible.”
Nods all around, and mutters across cliques and departments.
You can’t help but grin. Holy shit! This kind of opportunity only comes knocking once every century. The debt you could possibly shave off, even with dues paid to the Salvage Guild…you will never complain about being reassigned anywhere. No wonder Stolze was dead-set on pulling you from the Duck.
“This typical of a salvage gig?” you joke to Gully.
“No,” she whispers back. “Recycled materials from cities, ships raised after typhoons and hurricanes…never a spaceship. Never!”
But among the excitement, Tabitha isn’t nearly sold on it. The comms officer raises her voice: “…how come the distress signal only turned on now? And, uh…that’s a neat combat controller thing, but how do we know that anybody else didn’t pick up the line? Babylonia isn’t the only power in the New Atlantic with Old World technology.”
A sobering question that puts a dampener on the mood. One that Geary looks reluctant to answer, but Elishani does with a cool, calculated confidence. “I would not have accepted the mission if I knew that we were unprepared to deal with any threat we could possibly face. Sergeant Kwan and his men have more than proven themselves multiple times over in keeping us safe.”
What were the <span class="mu-i">Calypso’s</span> armaments? Four .50 machine guns, and a pair of auto-cannons. Not including whatever the sergeant had in the armory, and you could’ve sworn you saw a rocket launcher next to the security vests.
You pray that it’ll be enough.
But before anyone else can ask any more questions, the captain launches into the next part of his presentation. Logistics are brought up, as well as the deployment of crude SONAR and RADAR ROVs to scout for the ship and the vehicle. The <span class="mu-i">Calypso</span> can best weigh anchor above Kingston, and use the sunken city as an underwater FOB until the <span class="mu-i">Olympia</span> itself can be found.
Two hours later, you’re still giddy, as everyone reconvenes for the meeting now that the anchor’s been weighed. This time, you and Gully are fully suited up, TAComm helmets slung under your arms. Much to your amusement, nervous-looking Toone is completely unable to look either you or Kwan in the eye as he gives Elishani his findings.
“The ship’s been split up, sir,” he says anxiously, “Two halves resting along this…raised plateau of the Puerto Rican trench. Front half and cargo area’s been blown towards Kingston, but the command and living quarters are nearly two kilos away."
(cont.)
