Down South

[jammi]

"Hahah! This is amazing!" There had been a running party all over the ship for the last thirty minutes as the crew celebrated their find. The only two people who were even close to keeping their wits about them were Alex and Frank who were trying to glean further details from the image.

"There, you see that small spot there?" Frank said, pointing at a tiny spot of light on a large peninsular. "I reckon that's either volcanic activity or some kind of settlement. We won't be able to tell until we get closer. If it is a settlement, we've got a problem." Alex nodded silently. If there were any locals around that would make claiming the system awkward. Not to mention the fact they might react unfavourably to any House explorers. Best hope it was just a volcano then.

"Hrm, well hope for the best then Frank. Youd better identify that down there as a volcano when we get near enough though!" Both men peered at the image for a little longer in slience before Frank spoke again.

"As the ship's captain you get the honour of naming this, you know." Alex nodded slowly. He knew that and had been thinking about a name to put on the paperwork.

"Planet Sydney should do well." Frank nodded. It was a good name. Most captains kept a shortlist of names they'd like to give to their finds. Sydney was at the top of almost all of them. Just as the BAF had a history of several hundred HMS Victorys, Sydney was a popular name in exploration mythos. "Well, best round up the crew and get this girl ready to move. We have a planet to survey."

Fifteen minutes later the Cook was proceeding towards the planet at cruise velocity, with an estimated time of arrival being an hour from then. Twenty minutes later, disaster would strike.

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