Dj Giddis

Escaping the Recluses Dj Giddis

Mitchell strode through the corridors to Captain Bickel's office. Upon his entrance, the administrative assistant instantly stood and escorted him through the main lobby and into the captain's inner office. As the assistant left, the door slid shut and Mitchell heard the distinct sound of the magnetic lock engaging. He pulled himself to attention and announced, "Commander Mitchell, reporting as ordered, sir.""At ease," Bickel said. Mitchell relaxed, glad the formalities were done. "This must be serious, sir.""Yes, and I don't know how sensitive. You are well aware of the reports of two luxury cruise ships disappearing near Neptune.""Yes, sir. As a matter of fact, SERVe Eighteen is scheduled to patrol that sector. My crew and I were actually on our way there when you called us in.""I know. And that's because there's some information that you need before heading out there." The captain stood and walked over to the right-hand wall. There was a large aquarium full of some of the most colorful salt-water creatures from Earth swimming through equally colorful corals. This whole scene dissolved as Bickel pressed in a command on the small panel on the wall and the holographic projection switched to a large screen that was showing a split image of two cruise ships."These," the captain said, "are the supposedly missing ships. But as you can see, the ships aren't missing. They were found deep in Neptune's atmosphere, fully intact and showing no damage beyond what one might expect from prolonged exposure to the planet's gases.""The people aboard?""All missing. Not a sign of a single passenger or crew member of either ship."Mitchell and his crew must navigate the dangers of space, and politics as they try to find the missing people and return them safely home.