Chapter 38 - Introducing the USS Drake (Patreon)

“Incoming starship, you have entered the restricted space of Minos, the ‘Arsenal of Freedom.’ By order of the Arcon of Minos, Minos and its star system is closed, until further notice, to all travelers and visitors. You are ordered to please depart the system immediately. I repeat, you are ordered to please depart the system immediately. Failure to acknowledge this warning may result in your ship being destroyed, or impounded and crew killed. Have a wonderful day and journey back to where you came from.”

“Minos, this is Captain Paul Rice of the U.S.S. Drake, representing the United Federation of Planets. We have been dispatched by Starfleet Command to investigate Minos’ … disappearance from the larger galaxy, including reports that the planet has become unpopulated. Can you please help us understand these reports?”

At this, Carl’s face went still for a brief moment, indicating that his systems were trying to develop an answer that would politely send the Drake off, but not reveal the truth. After a quick review of my memories, I don’t recall ever specifically telling Carl to hide the fact that the Minosian civilization had been destroyed and its people all killed. Hopefully he’d recognize that my other orders were meant to hide the true state of Minos and answer accordingly. That was a terrible oversight on my part. I only hoped that Carl didn’t reveal too much.