The bridge crew held their breaths as the Evergreen's sensors played across the unidentified ships hull. "Sir, what we are reading from the ship so far is... non-human design... no engine activity... no signals what-so-ever other than auxiliary power and gravity is operational." said the tactical officer on the second tier. Solomon turned to him with a tense face, "Any life signs?" asked Solomon. "unable to tell at this time, sir." said the Tactical officer not taking his eyes from his monitor, "But another thirty kilometres, maybe... a deeper more detailed scan could find something" he quickly added. Kyril lowered himself once more into his seat, "Can our scans even find their type of life?" The Crew and looked at him with puzzled expressions. Kyril quickly explained that it's obviously an alien ship as pointed out by the Tactical Officer built by an unknown race, perhaps the Evergreen sensors were not accustomed to their specifics, or maybe they had a shielding that hid the life from the scans. Little did he know that what lay aboard that ship, could not be classed as 'living'.
The unknown vessel was now only six kilometres away, and nothing. No life signs, no alteration in its drifting course, no signals at all. The Evergreen held its position. Kyril scratched his greying stubbly chin with his thinning talons. "Solomon, I want you to take two platoons aboard, take two platoons from the Infinity, too. Let them choose which. Find out what you can, and make contact if possible." Kyril's voice had become coarse with strain from the past few days. Solomon nodded and went to leave but was stopped by Kyril giving one last order. "Engage only if engaged first. I know, they're bad rules of engagement but, we could do with one less enemy out here...".
The Evergreen remained still as a hunter at two kilometres from the unknown vessel with the Infinity a kilometre below and in boarding formation. Solomon had selected first and fifth platoons of the first company. Lieutenant Jake Enderson was to lead the second landing craft into the cargo hold with the first landing craft lead by Solomon himself. The Infinity had selected Captain Byron Halliwell of their first company, first platoon, and Lieutenant Yren Chi of the first company, fourth platoon. All four landing craft would land in what seemed to be the main cargo hold of the alien vessel to establish a non-aggressive entrance, entering through the conventional way of the cargo holds where, if there is life, they can deal with the encounter accordingly. All commanders had briefed their soldiers as their bulky drop craft lifted their heavy full bellies off their launch pads, screeching into the void of space, Solomon could see the alien ship more clearly now through the pilot's screen than he could in the bridge. The ship was long and sleek, almost aerodynamic looking. It's nose pointing like a beak. A large bulky cylinder hung beneath a tiny wing on both the starboard and port sides, it's emerald skin glistened from the distant sun. the four platoons began gliding through the black cold void safely hidden in their Storm IV transport ships. Two ships left each star cruiser, two midnight blue, two silver. within the belly of the blue ship that left The Evergreen, the lights had been dimmed to battle brightness to allow the pilots optimal vision, Solomon sat in his leading seat, looking back upon the other thirteen souls that sat, staring back at him. Clear anxious looks and worry could be seen on some, excitement could be read on others, but one face caught Solomon's gaze, an auburn haired woman who sat in the centre looking down with her chin stumped on her armoured chest, playing with her helmet on her lap. Solomon expected to see Lyra as the most anxious and worried of them all. This was in fact, her first combat drop. And a combat drop it was to be dealt as. They are invading an alien ship after all. Solomon had almost missed Sandra sat next to Lyra in full battle armour, glistening even from the far away command consoles in the cockpit, her helmet had been securely fastened by Lyra before boarding. Solomon only recognised her by the sparkle in her eye and the stray strand of blonde hair that had fallen in front of her eye visor.
Solomon allowed his mind to venture once more. 'Was this too early for the pair of them to be assigned to an outgoing mission?' his voice seemed to echo inside his head when he thought to himself inside his helmet, Lyra seemed relatively calm, showing no signs of discomfort with the ahead assignment, but Sandra, her yes showed the anxiety of not knowing what was ahead. This was more her job than this was Lyra's. Lyra was only along to give medical attention if needed, and if it was a derelict ship, no medical staff would be required, but Sandra's job was to learn the new species, see about a language, learn their ways.