The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 127
On DSA-2 the gateroom became the center of operations. A second probe was sent through the stargate to the planet called Yppion in the Orion Galaxy. More data was coming in, but after 38 minutes the stargate closed. Ensign Thomas in command of the Stargate command center, had some questions about the clsing of the stargate after such a short time. Droid 1 explained.
"Ensign Thomas, the gate shuts down after 38 minutes. Those are the laws of physics. We could boost up that time if necessary, but that will cost a serious amount of energy. We let the probes do their work now and every hour we will make a connection to Yppion to monitor their progress by downloading all the data of the probes. It is the Federation policy not to interfere with other cultures as the Prime Directive states. So we cannot and will not march through the gate and introduce ourselves to the local inhabitants. Wait, there is more news. Please follow me. Our droids have cleared another part of this complex from the ice. I think you will find this very interesting."
Ensign Thomas jumped to his feet. Everything here was way out everything he had expected when he graduated from the academy. Thomas had learned to trust the droids. And for a good reason. Droid 1 stopped at the door where two other droids had waited for his arrival. The door opened. The droids let Thomas enter first. The young Ensign stepped in a large hall, at least five floors high. Every floor had some kind of small space ships parked. In total there were more than fifty of these space craft. The space craft looked like shuttles, but apparently were constructed to travel through the Stargate. This was the moment Droid 1 said good-bye.
"Ensign Thomas, I have to return to my regular duties. Droid 4 will be leading the Gate Droids. He will also explain some things about these craft."
Droid 1 nodded and was transported back aboard Deep Space 2 in orbit. Droid 4 stepped forward and with almost exactly the same mechanical voice he started to explain the abilities of these craft.
"Ensign Thomas, these are shuttlecraft especially designed to travel through the stargate. The have minimal weapons, little shields and are not capable to travel faster than light. These are not warp capable space craft, but they have a perfect cloaking system. Apparently the ancients did not need warp drive as they used these ships to travel far distances through the gate network. If you would like to try one of them, please say so. I must say though that these ships can only be operated by humans with a special genetic structure. It is a safety mechanisme that the ancients have build in almost all their equipment so no other species could use them. A wise precaution if you ask me. The droids can simulate this genetic ability, so I can send a pilot to you so you can try this ship."
Another new toy of these ancient species. They must have been highly advanced.
"Deep Space 2 this is Ensign Thomas. We have found a large number of space craft. I would like to ask permission to try one and dock with it in Deep Space 2 spacedock."
Deep Space 2 Operations gave the permission. A few moments later one of the craft lifted off from the surface and set course to Deep Space 2, leaving the planet DSA-2 behind. On their way Droid 4 explained to Ensign Thomas how the ship was operated. The ship responded to mental commands. But Thomas could not control the ship as he did not have the special genetic ability of the ancients. But as long as there was a level 4 droid in the neighbourhood, this ship could fly.
"Deep Space 2, this is Gateship 1 requesting permission to dock."
"Gateship 1 you have permision to dock on platform Alpha."
A few minutes later the small craft landed on the platform in Deep Space 2 spacedock. Ensign Thomas was welcomed by Admiral Arthur himself and Chief Engineer Louis who absolutely wanted to see this craft for himself. But ensign Thomas seemed to be in a hurry.
"Admiral sir. I ask persmission take this craft to one of the uninhabited planet, try it out and explore that planet with a small away team."
Arthur thought about this for a moment. He thought his officers would need more training time to get used to this new way of travel. Of course there was always a droid with the away team. Only the droids could fly these craft anyway. But there was another problem...
"Actually Ensign Thomas, I had in mind that certainly in the beginning of testing this new way of going to other planets, only marines would be send through this stargate..."
"Permission to join the marines sir."
"Well Ensign, as you were the first to discover this stargate complex on DSA-2 and you have the most experience in this field, although it is not much yet, I must say I would rather have you doing this than anyone else, so your request to join the marines is hereby granted. But you will have to do additional training. Do you agree?"
"Yes sir, certainly sir, no problem sir."
Ensign Thomas didn't seem to have any choice anyway. So everything extra he had to do, was to prepair him better and the only way to go through that stargate.
"Ok then. You better change uniform... There are no ensigns in the marine corps mister Thomas. So therefore you will go by the rank of Second Lieutenant. You will report to Colonel Jan Theys, before anything else. I expect you back here in one hour."
Lieutenant Thomas saluted and ran out of spacedock. Admiral Arthur took a good look at the ship. He invited Chief Engineer Louis for a ride. But the chief seemed to have an objection.
"With all due respect Admiral," he said smiling, "I am not a marine."
"I am not either Louis, but we are not going through the gate... yet. We always send in the marines first."
Both officers stepped in the small craft laughing. When the Admiral stepped in the lights went on. When he sat down in the pilot seat and moved his hands above the console in front of him, the console was activated. Droid 4 was only watching. He had not done anything. He took a small device and scanned the Admiral. Droid 4 was more than a bit surprised.
"Admiral Arthur. It seems you have the proper genetics like the Ancients to operate their technology. Let me explain how this craft works. You should be able to operate it within 20 minutes by yourself."
A moment later Gateship 1 left Deep Space 2 spacedock. The small ship accellerated and Admiral Arthur proved Droid 4 to be right. In less than 20 minutes he could use the gateship like he had never flew anything else...