[snip]

Human life signs were confirmed, nearly 790 thousand individual life signs ranging from babies up to 80 some years of age scattered across the planet in small and large cities or towns alike. Given the colony had started years ago with roughly 200 thousand some members this would fit in growth as well as going off the last record a year or so ago from a member of the colony who had left due to not wanting to stay. Picture and video scans showed the colonists going about their day to day lives, doing jobs, shopping, and such, all quite normal it seems. The colonists form of dress was pretty normal too for clothing fashion about 70-80 years ago within the civilian population of the Federation for humans, while some changes were noticeable most had stayed the same. The same for technology was evident in style, function and the like, all seeming well maintained and operational. Animal life equally was seemingly unaffected by anything odd on scans. As the probes completed their passes over the planet the only thing they also confirmed was no outward going signals from the planet were going to the in orbit satellites. It is as if for some reason the entire population months ago decided to remain isolated planet side. They certainly weren’t suffering by this choice it seemed, plenty of food sources were evident on the planetary scans, as were mineral and mines all in active use. There was even regular signs of oceanic vessels, air craft in the skies, etc. But nothing higher then that actively manned in orbit.

As the probes completed their scan of the planet they made one final pass near to the inner most planet to confirm readings there near an automated mining outpost that also was signaling being full and requesting service. It was here the probes finally made their first curious discovery! A human life sign! No sooner had this registered then a short range comm hail was sent to the probes in rapid succession.

On audio a strained, tired, perhaps even isolation starved sounding male voice spoke, =/\= Hello?!? Is someone out there?!? Oh god please tell me those probes have people behind them?!? Anyone answer please?? Oh God am I hallucinating again? Oh God I’ve cracked ARGH!=/\= The obviously stressed out man’s voice said babbling to himself now.

Cross was about to enter the lift when she heard the male voice ,shaking her head sadly the doctor stepped inside =/\= Sickbay =/\=.

“Please make to him,” Glen told NE Morse, communications officer =/\= To unidentified mining outpost. This is Captain John T Glen of the USS Merrimack. You are not hallucinating. Those were our probes. We are on a peaceful mission. Can we be of assistance to you? Do you require medical help? =/\=

• Glen, CO

=/\= C…Captain Glen....USS M…Merrimack?=/\= The man said echoing in a confused stuttered tone, not fear, just confusion. =/\= I…yes! YES! Please for the love of God yes I need help! I…=/\= The man seemed to pause slightly to catch his near hyperventilating breath at the idea of getting help or even just simple human contact. =/\= I…I do not even care if you’re from the Federation! Get me off this station please! My name is Michael Duck. I’m a drone and station technician, I’ve been stuck on this station alone for uh.....oh God what what’s the star date?=/\= He said muttering to himself a few beeps from the comms likely indicated he was checking a computer read out. =/\= Uh…oh God its really been 7 almost 8 months?? =/\= He paused again, to catch his near hyperventilating breath.

=/\= Yeah 7 months almost 8! I came on a system pod to service this mining station’s drilling laser and automated mining drones. My brother Donald he…he was on our system pod. I was doing my work while he was checking our pod’s communication and life support systems something about a leak or computer error or something. I can’t remember. Then there were these streaks of bright lights, like....like comets but....but I don’t think they were! Six…maybe eight? I cant remember, they streaked across the space line and I think hit the back side of Unity! My brother must have hit something he shouldn’t in his surprise the pod it disconnected from the docking clamp and he lost control a few seconds later somehow…I…I don’t know where he is, do you see a pod anywhere? If the support systems were malfunctioning I......=/\= The man trailed off.

Scans by the probes did pick up a system pod drifting in a low orbit 80 some meters away on the dark side of the asteroid that the mining station was currently latched onto. Life signs showed empty, and life support systems and power long dead, it seems a micro meteorite fragment from the mined asteroid had hit the bubble screen and pierced it liking killing the brother in question before any emergency action could be taken.

GM CockRoach