Flash Fiction Friday, Week 40: S.O.S.

This week, we were sent on an exploratory mission. Our journey might lead us to another planet, another universe, or even take us through time. It was our call. Regardless of our destination, we were asked to write up details of our mission, and use the format of a Captain's Log. The genre was Sci-Fi.

My story is about a signal received from another world.

S.O.S.

2135, 23 MAR 1600 H……….MISSION #UAC-4496R……….OBJECTIVE: INVESTIGATE SIGNAL/REPORT/RESCUE(?)……….MICHAEL JOSEPH O’HALLOREN, COMMANDER; CREW: RICHARD JAMES COOPER, COMMAND MODULE PILOT; RONALD ANTHONY JORDAN, MISSION SPECIALIST; GEORGE FRANKLIN SANDERSON, MISSION SPECIALIST; JONATHAN MARK WINSTON, MISSION SPECIALIST; SAMUEL TIMOTHY CAULDER, PAYLOAD SPECIALIST; BRAIN MITCHELL DAVIS, PAYLOAD SPECIALIST……….mjoEND TRANS

2135, 23 MAR 1615 H……….Signal received from beyond Black Arc……….Origin: Location #QR94xxxB9……….Atmosphere compatible with Earth……….S.O.S/no clarification……….System confirms 10 identical signals received past 10 years/Frequency: Annual/Earth time measurement……….Shuttles dispatched……….No shuttles retrieved/all crew classified MIA……….No reports or data available/corrupted?..........No rescue(s) of inhabitants documented……….Further access denied..........Will proceed with caution following arrival……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 16 DEC 2100 H……….Touchdown achieved……….Instrumentation reveals no immediate danger……….Unable to seek origin of signal due to zero visibility……….Planet has 48 hours (Earth time measurement) of day from its sun and 48 hours (Earth time measurement) of night……….Instruments show we are mid-way through night cycle……….Were advised by Mission Control to begin search for possible distress immediately on arrival……….My orders were to dispatch entire crew……….I take full responsibility for disobeying said order……….I will not leave shuttle unattended or place entire crew in jeopardy……….Ronny and Sam will initiate search/both fully armed and are to remain together……….Report back within 2 hours……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 16 DEC 2245 H……….Communication received from Ronny……….They were met by Ardisians (inhabitants of this planet)……….They were advised S.O.S. sent in error……….No danger present……….I advised their immediate return……….Contacted Mission Control to request further orders……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 17 DEC 0800 H……….No response from Mission Control……….Ronny and Sam have not returned……….Unable to reach them……….Unsure how to proceed……….Plan is to wait for daylight……….Noises outside/did not investigate due zero visibility……….Shuttle on total lockdown……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 17 DEC 2115 H……….Still no response from Mission Control……….Still no response from Ronny or Sam……….Day cycle has begun, but light dim……….Limited visibility..........George and Brian investigated area around Shuttle and reported damage to hull, landing gear doors, and landing gear……….Jonny will assess damage/attempt to determine cause/evaluate feasibility of repairs……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 17 DEC 2400 H……….Still unable to contact Ronny or Sam……..No response from Mission Control……….No contact with Ardisians……….George and Brian dispatched on search for Ronny and Sam and/or Ardisian representative……….Advised both must report status within 2 hours……….Jonny cannot determine cause of damage/damage is extensive/repairs will be time-intensive and difficult without stronger light source……….I have requested immediate response and assistance from Mission Control……….Used Code Override CX5957……….I take full responsibility for violation of protocol, but I advised we are in distress and in need of immediate assistance……….Crew members missing and unable to be reached……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 18 DEC 0300 H……….George and Brian have not returned and I have received no communication from them……….Still unable to contact Ronny or Sam……….No response from Mission Control……….I fear for the safety of my crew and the security of our craft……….I do not understand lack of response from Mission Control……….I do not believe initial communication was from Ronny……….No data on Ardisians available……….Still cannot retrieve data from previous missions……….Doubts about purpose of this mission……….mjoENDTRANS

2135, 18 DEC 0600 H…….…Not much time……….Mission Control confirmed our purpose……….Ardisians hold annual event/death matches……….Ardisians possess powerful weapons……….Guarantee safety of planet Earth if Earth provides seven human fighters per year……….Entrances sealed/not holding……….Seal has been broken…….…Hull has been breached…….…They are close……….We can  hear them……….Richie, Jonny and I will use our sidearms now……….On ourselves……….We have all been betrayed by our own kind..........We are not the first..........But we will be the last..........mjoEND TRANS