Logbook Entry: Corvette Incident

Day 16, Second Planet of Sector 62

PILOT: At about 1600 hours scanners detected a large metallic object on the surface of the snow in a large valley approximately 80 klicks to the southeast.  Approaching the site, we noticed what appeared to be a large corvette-class warship, approximately 150 meters long, partially buried in deep snow drifts covering the valley floor.  Setting down the ship, Gord and I used a highly sophisticated technique to determine who would go.

SCIENCE OFFICER: After losing rock paper scissors (Why does a paper beat a rock? Really, why?), I donned my helmet and airtanks and grabbed some miscellaneous gear, before exiting out the airlock (Trevor didn't want to open the hull and loose all the warm air).  Approaching the ship, I noticed it had carbon scoring along much of the hull, and curious pitting in some places.  An entry hatch was easily found half buried on the side of the hull, and I was quickly able to gain access through it.  On the other side of point of entry was a small hallway extending a few meters before angling off to the left.  On either side of the hallway were several small rooms, none containing any objects of significance.  Exploring the hallway to the left, I discovered a computer room, with all of it's equipment thoroughly destroyed, only a few display monitors and scraps of semi-recognizable component remained, the rest was tiny bits of metal or congealed molten metal.  Someone or something obviously used heavy energy weapons on the computers, for an unknown reason.  Deciding to explore the entire length of the vessel before attempting to gain access to the upper decks, I proceeded forward through a narrow corridor to the front section of the ship.  Finding several briefing rooms with humananoid-designed seats, and displays, I encountered another computer room, that had only been partially destroyed.  After plugging in a spare power source I was carrying for precisely that reason, I activated one of the better-looking computer terminals furthest from the blast damage, and with (what my sensoror detected) connections to the rest of the ship, and presumably any other computers onboard.  Almost immediately after engaging power, the screen displayed a visual menu of options, in an unknown language.  Choosing one at random, another screen was brought up with large type at top, a white space in the middle, and a shape at the bottom.  Repeatedly selecting the box and the type did nothing, but when I tried the button it displayed a message on the screen.  Repeatedly pressing the button, it displayed the same message several times and then flashed several new messages.  At that point, a human voice issued from the speaking component and said something in a harsh tone.  Continuing to click in the hopes it would reveal more information for the translation device, the voice ceased.  All of a sudden, red lights began to blink in the hallway outside.  As I walked out to investigate, a single monotone voice began saying one-word messages, each time different.  Suddenly recognizing it for what it was, I began running for the exit hatch.  Clearing the hull, I shouted at Gord to "Liftoff! Liftoff!!".  Quickly engaging engines, he swung around and deployed the hatch.  As we speed away, I heard a loud roar over the sound of the engines, and witnessed a tremendous mass of snow blasted up into the air, melting, and falling back as water onto the blackened, newly-formed depression in the valley floor.  Nothing remained but a few scraps of metal, and the snow for hundreds of meters had been melted.

PILOT: After Trevor came running out screaming his head off to take off, I accelerated forward, dropped down to only a meter or so above the snow, dropped the hatch, and gunned the engines a second or so before I felt Trevor was safely inside.  Curving around, I watched as a massive cloud of mist/liquid fell onto the blackened remains of the corvette.  Next time I'm going to order him not to touch ANYTHING.