The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but within a kilometer or two.
Disclaimer : The following is a pure fiction, any ressemblance to actual characters is purely intentional...
The galaxy is now at peace, after endless battles to save their species, all empires have reached a new equilibrium. The Federation has resumed its exploration of uncharted territories, the Romulans and the Borg have become very pacific, indulging in more cerebral activities, which they realized are far more gratifying. This change occured slowly, over centuries, but it all started with an earth nation called the KAGs... These people were known for their mental abilities and for elaborating very challenging puzzles that had others around obsessed with solving them, thus forgetting they actually wanted to exterminate each other. Once the Federation leaders realized the power of the Kags, they sent them on a mission: throw Puzzles at the enemies, instead of photon torpedoes. Over time, all conflicts ceased. The Klingon empire was so overwhelmed with these puzzles that they actually offered a new Home World to The KAGs, and changed their name to the KAGON empire... To this day, all KAG people remain devoted to their founding fathers who have provided them with such skills.
On this first day of the New Year, Captain Bullockzz, Commander Kilroy, communication Officer Snooze, and Security Officer Coman 978 were orbiting slowly around their home world in the Empire's flagship "Puzzled" when they were hailed.... by the Queen of the empire !!!
"Captain Bullockzz, today is the first day of a New Year and I have a mission of the utmost importance for you and your crew. My son, Prince Julian, has now come to the age were he must find a date... By our traditions, you have to bring back a suitable princess by the 186th day of this year, so he can be married before the 276th day of the year !!! Please do not delay your departure, as your journey may be long. I have heard rumors that Princess Aarianahhh might be availble, but you must hurry as she resides on the Matildian Home World. By our latest calculations, you will have to get to the Ferret Kingdom before the 38th day, and to the Matildian Home World before the 95th day, Good Luck!!!"
Captain Bullockzz`s answer was, of course "We shall come back victorious from this quest , my queen !" commander Kilroy was not so enthusiastic "By my estimate, the probabilities of our success are less than 0.1% with a confidence interval of 95% "
By the 31st day, they were not half way to the Ferret Kingdom, and defense systems were down. "How will we defend against (5,5) threats ?, we are out of 9 volt batteries!" asked Coman978 . "I can give you a hint on how to fix it" said the Captain. "I will probably have it fixed before I understand your hint" was the prompt reply. On the 35th day, the communication equipment went down... "I can give you a ..." "NO!" came the answer from Officer Snooze, for it was a well known fact for generations that a Bullockzz hint could be more puzzling than the actual problem at hand... On the 39th day, they finally reached the Ferret border and broke their orbit...which meant they would have to cross it before the end of the 64th day.
"It only takes first grade Math to realize that we are 1 day late, the probabilities of success are now less than 0.05% with a..."
"STOP !!" came the unanimous response.
To be continued...
