“Any change in the images coming from Outer Marker D7?” asked Karen
“All I see are the little ones with the sticks” replied Carolyn “I also see movement in the far background that looks like some sort machinery that is moving, but no changes since those 2 groups of beings left the view of D9 about 20 minutes ago. You think they are on to us now?”
“Maybe,” replied Karen “Lori ETA between us and the fleet of new guys?”
“Seven hours at current velocities.” replied Lori
“Any idea on what you want to say to them?” asked Carolyn
“I have no idea yet.” said Karen
“Would maybe ‘Take us to your leader’ might do?” joked Carolyn, while Lisa, Lori and Kathy slightly laughed at the statement.
“Carolyn,” said Karen “that is the most lamest statement I have ever heard, even coming from you, that is so nineteen fifties sci fi. And besides the other guys have to say it not us as the defenders of our world.”
“And as defenders of our world, what should we say then?” asked Carolyn
Lisa joined in and said “Welcome to the Arcevar Star System, you just went point four c in a point two c zone. Please pay the fine, this fine will then be used to upkeep the very fine space fleet of this system, thank you very much and have a nice day!”
Karen just shaked her head at Lisa. She didn’t know what to say in response to Lisa’s statement.
“Captain, I have an incoming text message from Cougar 2, on tachyon pulse” said Lisa “to all UNSF units and it is in the clear.”
“On screen number 3 Lisa.” said Karen.
Lisa typed in a few keys on her keyboard and then screen number 3 displayed the following image:
Delta Com Link 3987
To: All United Nations Space Fleet units
From: Lieutenant Commander Victoria M. Yamada
UNRV Dole, NCC-2540
Subj: Directive 3987
The Forty (40) unknown targets in the general area of Outer Marker D9 are deemed hostile to the United Nations of Arcevar Nover. It is deemed necessary to enact Directive 3987 in dealing with these forces. All UNSF units are there by ordered not to engage in direct combat with these forces. If any hostile action is taken against you by these forces you are ordered to disengage and not to return fire.
Repeat under Directive 3987 you are ordered not to engage in direct combat with these forces.
Casey you are at first at bat, break a leg.
“Who the hell is Casey?” asked Lori
“I do not know.” replied Kathy
Karen sort of ignored Lori and Kathy, went to the intercom and said “Probe Control, Bridge.”
“Probe Control here, go ahead bridge” said the voice over the intercom.
“Lynn what is the status of the emergency probe?” asked Karen
“Ready to go at a moments notice.” replied Lynn
“Prep two more orbital probes, both with no science instruments inside, just place a transponder with our tachyon pulse call sign, and the second probe with the Woodlawn’s tachyon pulse call sign and make it fast.” said Karen
“I got a spare probe here Karen, I can prepare one in five minutes. The second one is going to take time, about twenty fives give or take three minutes, I have to yank out the science instruments from that one.” replied Lynn
“If you kept what is in there, how long to prep that probe with just installing a transponder?” asked Karen
“I think six minutes might do the trick.” replied Lynn.
“Okay, put the Woodlawn’s transponder call sign into that probe. And put ours in the spare probe. Let me know when done or you are running to any problems.” said Karen
“Will do” said Lynn.
“Excuse me Captain.” said Lisa
“Yes Lisa?” asked Karen
“While you were talking to Lynn I looked up Directive 3987 on the ship’s computer.”
“And?” asked Karen
“It says ‘Surrender’.” said Lisa.
“Lisa, send an optical message to the Woodlawn, tell them to get ready for anything, we are going to red alert.” said Karen.
“Yes Captain.” said Lisa.
Karen turned on the intercom and said “All hands this is Captain speaking, suit up because we are going to red alert now.” She then pushed a button on her station and the ships’ lighting changed to red and an automated voice said ‘Condition Red!’.