Keepsake

We are on slow approach to the fourth planet in the system. Sorry the fifth, Joan will explain, as planned. Arrival in orbit 241 days. All as planned."

"Thanks Mary - I’m gonna hold off on engineering for a minute. Exploration, Joan?"

Joan responded " The sun, as was known, is a G2 , slightly smaller than Sol . Radiation is within Sol norms. The arrival planet shows water in the spectrum and it looks like it will be within the temperature range of Earth. Oxygen level higher, nitrogen levels higher. No signs of bio mass yet, won’t be, until we are closer. Still, it looks perfect for us!

Only one surprise. There is another planet in the same orbit range , completely out of Kepler’s third law range, so it must be in a chaotic orbit . It is a small .367 Earth mass planet. Inward towards the sun, so our arrival planet is actually the fifth. We failed to pick it up before on the long range scans. I don’t know why yet. I do not believe it can support human life. Instrumentation reads no atmosphere but it does seem to have some water. I’ll be able to give a more accurate report as we get closer."

"Thank You Joan. Ok Engineering - Computers. Brad."

" All systems tested and are working as per design specs. Main computer fully functional. Main data banks intact and undamaged."

"Thank You - Engineering Mechanical - Greg"

"Main drive is fine, fusion pile is stable, hull is intact and shows no hits or damage, life support systems are fine. We had one small malfunction in a main sensor in cryobank storage. It is now repaired . . . !"

Tim started to rise up but a fierce glare from the Captain caused him to collapse back in his chair.

"Greg . . .Continue"

"That’s about it, Captain. All other systems are fine, fully operational. "

"Thank You ..Greg. .........Engineering - Security ....Irene.

"No threats, senors show no indication of any hostile or other intelligent life forms. Weapons systems fully functional. Cargo bays and equipment all fine."

"Thank You...Irene. Biologic’s - Medical Tim. "

"All crew members are in good physical condition, Greg has a sprained ankle . Judy is suffering from emotional shock and has been placed under moderate sedation. No other traumas or impairment of crew were found. Complete physicals are to be conducted within 24 hours as planned. I will be reporting for Judy, if acceptable."

"Thank You Tim. Request approved. Biologic’s - Propagation Tim."

"Mechanical systems are fine, computer system has been shut down and all software programs are being evaluated for errors, .............All human and animal gametes for the new colony , were destroyed by the malfunctioning sensor and a human decision error, prior to launch........basically sir..... the equipment is fine....... the artificial wombs are ready ...but we have no eggs .

The Captain interrupted.... "Excuse me Tim ...do we know yet .....what happened?"

"Yes Sir......the trays used to transport the gametes into the ship were never intended to be brought along on the mission. They were made of a plastic material and stacked compactly after the gametes were placed in cryo. This is surmise but we believe that someone on the bio pre- launch team made the decision that they may be useful to the colony team upon arrival and placed them in a storage locker against established procedure.