The call was tagged Most Secret. Commander Laik engaged the necessary security protocols before answering. A face appeared.

“Provost Frey,” the commander acknowledged, bowing.

“Prepare for security key transmission,” Frey replied. “Objective phase III.”

Laik felt encrypted files unfolding as his plant received data. He did not flinch as he assimilated their contents.

*

Laik entered the bridge and crossed to the terminal.

“I must enter rapport with the Hub,” he replied to the lieutenant’s unspoken question. “Do not intervene. That is an order.”

His body stiffened as his head engaged the cradle.

The main screen blinked to life. [Activating Special Weapons System] appeared, over an image of the surface. An object drifted into view: the 1984, a few kilometres from the spaceport.

[Targeting]

A moment’s pause – then a dazzling beam struck the vessel from above. The screen flared into whiteout, then slowly faded to reveal a spreading mist of particles, and empty space where the USNE ship had been.