SHIP'S LOG:

Stratospheric Aerodrome Renoire

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 9/3/2022 10:51pm

Like every planet we visit to extend our treatments to, this one had an unmemorable designation. B88721-e. The troops end up giving them informal names, which spread with surprising speed and authority throughout the ranks. This one they're calling the Sun Temple planet.

Operation 277765a was centered on a medium-sized megalopolis of blocky stone pyramids. An industrial center for this particular continent, producing rope and glass, according to the mission notes. The city had an equally obscure designation, but hopefully we wouldn't be here long enough to give it a pet name.

"Shred those kites, Physician Assistant Joiner."

"Shredding now mam."

Joiner let loose with the staple guns.

The sun was beginning to set, pouring its rays over the city, stretching the shadows of the towering stone structures and turning the sky a beautiful apricot.

Something glinted at the top of one pyramid, then another, and another. Like fireflies waking up. Their light grew brighter and brighter. This was not in the diagnostic report.

"Lead Nurse, the St. John is on fire," announced the ensign. Three o'clock."

In the orange sky, the St. John Ambulance was slowly bursting into flame, impaled on a beam of light.

Beams of light began to criss-cross the sky, burning holes through ships throughout the battalion.

"Take us up, helmsman! Maximum angle!"

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 6/22/2022 11:48pm

The dirigible bay of the Stratospheric Aerodrome Charcot is packed. We've nuzzled the Zephyr Ambulance LTD in between a towering Mega-hospital Carrier and an evil looking Intensive Care Frigate.

"Where's the party, nurses?" I call to the crew loading health munitions onto the frigate.

"Buncha sun worshippers!" one calls back. He looks eager to take a break and saunters over.

"Civilization's a 3-4," he continues, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Most nurses smoke. "They've got some big kites, but nothing lighter than air. No serious projectiles. Sounds like another cakewalk. Where are you in from?"

I catch myself before mentioning the Stratospheric Aerodrome Renoire and its strange disappearance.

"Aw, shucks, well, 'loose lips' and all that. Afraid I can't say."

The nurse looks at me with a newly suspicious air.

"Oh, uh, sorry, mam. Didn't mean anything by it. I better get back to my shift."

He tosses the cigarette on the ground and steps on it on his way back to his ship.


Zasha C. En
Lead Attack Nurse
Emergency Response Unit
Zephyr Ambulance LTD

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 3/26/2022 11:50pm

Passing through the curtain is never a comfortable experience. For some new recruits it's downright harrowing -- a mixture of extreme air sickness and extreme fear.

"Take you meds, everybody. Passing through the curtain in five."

I'm gotten used to it, and lost track of exactly how many times I've crossed through to find another world to heal, and add to our empire of wellness.

The Drapery Ships take their place, then unfurl the shimmering field we call the curtain.

"Ensign, take us through. Steady one-third"

"Aye aye, Lead Nurse."

It's over in just a few seconds. They say it's instantaneous, but we all know first hand you've got to keep your eyes shut. That's the key to---

"bluHURLLLLL...." goes the ensign. Luckily he had his sick bag ready.

"Mam," the J.G. Lt. speaks up, "There she is. Stratospheric Aerodrome Charcot, dead ahead."

The great floating dome glows golden in the setting sun of this world. Probably looks a lot like the Reniore did.

"Take us in, JG."

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 1/18/2022 11:08pm

"... and with the rest of the planet peaceful, they're calling it a wrap. Going to send us through the curtain again to provide care and healing to some new unsuspecting barbarians..."

The Doctor tends to get a bit maudlin when we drink. Doctors and nurses aren't supposed to fraternize like this. Well, not openly. But when your commanding officer opens up the bottle at his desk, you're better off rolling with it.

"But there's still known resistance in the Idris Range. They brought down the Renoire!"

"As you've clearly stated, we don't know that. It could have been some freak atmospheric event. They mentioned cloudwaves..."

"They also mentioned small arms fire, and being under attack."

"You've confirmed there's no sign of them. Using our best technology."

"It just doesn't seem wise to leave it unsolved. What if there's something going on?"

"There will be an occupying force. And they can call the fleet back through the curtain whenever they need it. But Division Surgeon Stumpkin says it's time to move on to the next campaign. I hear they give the Division Surgeons quotas to fill. The one with the most planets under their scrubs wins their own therapeutic fiefdom."

I've finished my drink and don't want any more. I set it on the Doctor's desk.

"We leave at dawn," he says.

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 11/25/2021 10:40pm

"But how could an entire stratospheric aerodrome just disappear?"

"I assure you we have been quite thorough in our search, Doctor. Even at full power, it couldn't have outdistanced the perimeter of our search. And there's no sign of wreckage on the continent below within a similar radius."

"What if the wreckage had been camouflaged? Or crashed and dismantled before your arrival?"

"The techs have been over the plates multiple times. The land below is largely a pristine boreal forest, and there is no evidence of impact anywhere."

There's an empty hiss on the radio.

"Alright, Nurse En. If you're out of leads, we can use you back at HQ. Expect details by condor in the morning."

"Yes sir."

Zephyr Ambulance LTD 10/5/2021 10:25pm

Late Domsday, Peripheral Calendar

Arrived at the last known coordinates of the Stratospheric Aerodrome Renoire. No aerodrome in sight.

Visual reconnaissance of the surface could not confirm wreckage, but low altitude observation was contraindicated due to potential local hostiles. Photographic plates were taken with the M-95 Aerial Eye and are enroute to Zephyr HQ via homing condor for further analysis.

Executing search pattern SPIRAL-V12 until new orders received.

Zasha C. En
Lead Attack Nurse
Emergency Response Unit
Zephyr Ambulance LTD

Harkback Union 8/22/2021 8:27am

Journal of Harbormaster L. Sky

1st entry

Massive cloudwave shook the station last night. Damage to helium condensers C, F, and O. Crew losses minimal. Previous harbormaster missing in action. Now assuming command of the station. Derigible bay off-limits to all visitors until further notice.

Losing altitude due to leaks caused by small arms fire on continent below.

Letter sent to company headquarters requesting funds for repairs.

Harbormaster L. Sky