ETC#3334_0025

EXTERNAL OBSERVATION LOG — RESCUE ATTEMPT

ACCESS LEVEL: IRON-6

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OBSERVER: Rescue Vessel "Meridian"
DATE: 098/032 EIC
MISSION: External assessment of Station ████-███
STATUS: aborted


07:00 — approached station at minimum safe distance. no response to hails.

07:15 — station appears intact. no visible damage. lights are on. life support appears functional.

07:30 — visual scan of station exterior. all windows dark except one.

07:35 — enhanced scan of illuminated window. medical wing. level 7.

07:40 — something moved past the window.

07:42 — correction. multiple somethings. moving in synchronization.

07:45 — they appear to be personnel. standing. facing the window. not moving.

07:50 — count: 47 personnel visible.

07:55 — they are staring at our ship.

08:00 — recommendation: maintain distance.

08:10 — the personnel moved. all at once. turned away from window. walked out of view.

08:15 — they are walking through the station. toward the docking bay.

08:20 — docking bay doors are opening.

08:22 — bay doors should not open without authorization.

08:25 — visual confirmation: all 47 personnel standing in docking bay. in vacuum. no suits.

08:27 — they should be dead.

08:30 — they are not dead.

08:32 — they are waving at us.

08:35 — they are gesturing for us to dock.

08:37 — ABORT ABORT ABORT.

08:40 — engaging thrusters. moving away from station.

08:42 — they are still waving.

08:45 — they are smiling.

08:50 — one of them has started writing on the window. in frost. from their breath.

08:55 — message reads: "THE OCEAN WANTS TO MEET YOU"

09:00 — we are leaving.

MISSION CONCLUSION:
Rescue aborted.
Station declared irretrievable.
Recommendation: establish permanent exclusion zone.
FINAL NOTE:
As we left, all 47 personnel turned in unison and walked back inside.
The docking bay doors closed behind them.
One of them looked back.
I swear it was smiling.

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