Long-Distance Relationships

Captain Harrison felt his nerves of steel abandon him. It had been too long. The defense operation hadn't had to deal with a violation in years. An unauthorized craft had entered the perimeter, and this was clearly an act of aggression. Commander Richards, Harrison's second in command, approached the view-screen, nonplussed.

"What does he think he's playing at?" Richards dribbled.

"He knows what he's doing." Harrison had no intention of showing fear. "Open a channel. We'll show him who's in charge."

After an uncharacteristic pause, Tactical could be heard cursing at the comms panel.

"Shall we just leave a message?" offered Richards, without any awareness of the irony.

-----

Captain Page breathed a sigh of relief. Finally they'd reached a docking station; so long after the navigation system had failed. The crew could now rest, and command could see about bargaining with whoever ran this facility about repair work. Assuming they were friendly.

As the ship neared the quiet port, Lieutenant Simmons received something via his panel that was so shocking; he almost spat out his tea supplement.

"There's a message," he said, not believing what he was reading. "Don't come any closer. You've entered controlled space."

"Huh?" was all Page could manage.

"Scanning the vicinity for security patrols- nothing. Must be some kind of error." Simmons was talking mostly to himself. "Shall we go ahead?"

"Yes. Must have been a wandering transmission."

-----

"They're not responding." Richards was getting agitated. "We have to act."

"Agreed." Harrison wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, which was quite damp by this point. "Tactical! Ready the long-range missile- and- fire!"

Harrison sat back in his chair. He had done his job, now they would have to wait. At two light-hours distance, they wouldn't hear the explosion for some time.

Word Count: 299