Episode 1 - Discovery

An unusual star system is discovered above the galaxy, a small black hole which has a binary star system and a planet orbiting it.

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"Ort Telescope Station 27 log, stardate ****, space is huge. Mind bogglingly huge. (continue Hitchhikers near quote). And it's my assignment to scan it. I'm supposed to turn this telescope fractions of a degree to scan space. Today we've actually reached an interesting milestone, and interesting angle to scan. If there can be such a thing. They've had me scanning across the galactic disk for a couple years now, but today I turn the telescope dramatically, straight up, straight out of the galaxy, above Sol, which is really to Sol's side, but in the bigger scheme of the galactic view, if you drew a line from Sol perpendicular to the center plane of the Milky Way Galaxy, that's where I get to look today.

"I discovered that there are other civilized worlds between Sol and the Edge, civilizations we haven't made contact with. The spin of the galaxy makes traveling up and down much more difficult than around, and so the Fleet has never ventured more than a few hundred light years straight up.

"But beyond those new worlds, outside our galaxy, I discovered something that seemingly should not be: a black hole, with a binary star system in orbit of it. A binary star system with a planet that happens to be within the habitable zone... or at least readings on the planet with four moons indicate a stable environment full of plant life.

"I'm going to recommend Command investigate further with a more dedicated telescope. Perhaps even that a mission be sent to investigate up close this unexpected, habitable world between a binary star system and a black hole outside of our galaxy. The system will be at it's closest point in 15 years time, plenty of time to find a crew, build a ship, and travel for a decade to meet the world.

"Tomorrow I will scan an empty part of space."

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"Federation Central News Network breaking news report: A new world has been discovered, one that defies logic, a habitable world locked between binary stars, and a black hole. And it's just barely outside our galaxy, relatively speaking. Federation Council reports that the system has a nearly 200,000 year orbit around the black hole. It's current location puts it about fifteen years away from it's closest point to the galaxy, which will position it directly above Sol. Starfleet has already stated they are in preliminary plans to send a ship on a one-way mission to colonize this world. No word yet as to who might Command such a mission.

"We're joined here today by Starfleet Press Secretary, (name), and our Vulpine News correspondent, (name). (SPS), what more can you tell us about the discovery of this world and it's importance to the Federation?"

"Thank you for having me, it's great to be here again. This discovery is truly unusual. For all the years we've been looking around our universe, we hadn't seen what was right above us. For there to be a black hole outside the Milky Way is an incredible scientific discovery and chance for study. And the fact that there's a habitable world orbiting that black hole? And for that habitable world to be at a binary star system? The habitable zone of a binary system is so irregular that it's almost imposible for a planet to remain within that habitable zone as both stars orbit each other, the heat radiation differences are vastly variable, especially with two differently sized stars. It's truly amazing this world exists."

"Now, (SPS), I understand that, at high warp it would be a 15 year journey, which will likely be a one-way trip, who does Starfleet have in mind to send away? Obviously they want to send someone qualified, but we also don't want to lose our best captains locally, not to mention the ship's crew and whatever other colonizing personnel..."

"It's too early yet to say who Starfleet might ask to go on this mission, but it will be volunteer only. That is, to say, anyone who is asked to go on the mission will be freely allowed to decline, knowing that it will be a one-way trip."

"Has Admiral....sorry, Professor Clevel, been put in the runnings to command the mission? He's been teaching survival and colonization for a few years, it wouldn't be a loss to send him away."

"He's still an Admiral even if he's a Professor. Admiral Clevel is likely to be asked, but I can't say for sure, there are several other Captains and Admirals that are also highly skilled in surviving on uninhabited planets, and on how to grow a civilization."

"Yes, but most of those either served under his command on ships, or were students in his classes at Starfleet Academy. He's gotta be the best man for the job, and as he's only teaching, it won't be a huge loss to the Fleet."

"Those professors are the ones that train the Officers that serve on the ships, without good teachers, we can't have good Officers."

The holoscreen turned off.

"So, Vulpine thinks I should leave...not surprised. They've always been against the colonization of empty worlds." Admiral Matthew Clevel ran his fingers through his long, grey beard. Wondering if, or when, Starfleet would call him back to action, away from his classrooms. "Joke's on them, I want this Command. And if they don't want me teaching, I guess we'll both be happy. I've been teaching long enough, it's time to live again."

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