A series of rifts related to the Prometheus Event have been opening in the isolated Skalur Expanse. New technology recovered from the Sicarians has the potential to close these rifts. The Darwin is sent to establish a network of these Sicarian satellites to stabilize the region, under the command of Acting Captain Lt Commander Kael Thomas. When they arrive in the Cadaka system, they detect a distress beacon coming from the third planet in the system, Brut III. An away team, consisting of Acting First Officer Lt Commander Maxwell Traenor, Ensign Kurt Logan, Ensign Graeme Cook and Ensign Mathias Duncan, is formed to go investigate the distress signal on the surface. Meanwhile, Lt Commander Luna Walker, Lieutenant JG Iniko Mpeba, Ensign Michael Jellico and Lieutenant JG Graham Block begin assembly of the primary satellite in Cargo Bay I. Lieutenant Valdivia directs the deployment of the repeater satellites from Astrometrics, with the assistance of Ensign Mason Quinn and Mission Specialist Lieutenant Ayla.
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Shortly before the Darwin’s arrival, a mercenary patrol craft ran afoul of the rift and crash landed on Brut III. They are holding a captive, an Ash’lie name Lyna Namid. Trapped on the planet, awaiting rescue by the other members of their organization, they prioritize safety. The captain of the little ship, Ankia Viljoen orders one of the crewmembers, Duccio Turrisi, to set up traps to stall any potential wildlife on the planet. While he is working on that, the ship becomes unstable, and they are forced to evacuate, setting up a temporary camp in the jungles outside the patrol craft.
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The team assembling the satellite runs into an unexpected complication when Cmdr Walker is abruptly transferred to the Apollo. Lt Mpeba is left in charge in her absence. They finish assembly and don EVA suits, then move the satellite out into space to begin calibrations. Meanwhile, the Away Team headed by Cmdr Traenor head to the surface of the planet. They are forced to land some distance away due to the dense jungle, and have to do some hiking with packs of equipment to reach the crash site.
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