Flight into danger

It was a warm summer day outside, when Takunda set before a large desk in an office at space command headquarters A senior operations officer set on the other side of the desk briefing Takunda on the mission for which he has been selected.

The excitement had all of started 24hrs earlier with a signal from space that jammed all communications generating much excitement, hysteria and initial traces of panic among the population.

It had been decided during an emergency sitting of the cabinet undertake a secret mission to the source of the alien signal. An aviator of exceptional talent was required for the task and the honour had fallen to space commander Takunda to undertake a solo flight into the unknown.

The operations officer was stressing, "above all, this is top secret, not a word about this should leak out to the public. The media is therefore being kept out of this matter until we have a clear picture of what we are dealing with".

"All the best commander", the operations officer stood up and held out a hand to Takunda.

"Thank you sir", Takunda replied standing up and shaking the proffered hand.

"I need not remind you on the essentiality of observing rules of engagement on this mission", the operations officer had pressed in passing.

"Yeah right", Takunda thought to himself. He understood too well the conditions under which he could hostile action could be resorted to. He was well aware of the rules governing the conditions for engagement but did the aliens know let alone care.

Takunda's thoughts were interrupted by a media boss audio message alert coming over the scout ship's communicator. It was Maidei.

Takunda knew that if he answered he would have to lie to her to avoid compromising the mission. Otherwise it would become frontline news. Maidei would not miss the opportunity to get a scoop for her news channel, Galaxy times.

Takunda pressed the accept icon on the communicator and Maidei appeared on the ship's monitor looking as beautiful as ever.

"Hi babe, you didn't tell me you were going somewhere", Maidei sounded disappointed.

"It's just a routine test flight", Takunda lied.

"So you 'll be able to come over to this evening for a candle light dinner", Maidei's expression lit up with excitement.

"Well not really", Takunda added with difficulty, "this is a special test flight". We are testing a new proto-type starship", there was a bit of truth in the lie, the scout ship was an upgrade featuring extended flight range, a more sophisticated weapons system as well as a more advanced communications system.

"Oh what are you saying", Maidei's expression darkening again, "I wanted to tell you something very important..."

"I 'm really sorry it will have to wait", Takunda stressed with a bit of emphasis. Then he touched the icon again to end the call and began to initiate the pre-take off sequence.

Chapter 6

It was a sunny day outside, when Takunda set before a large desk in an office at space command headquarters A senior operations officer set on the other side of the desk briefing Takunda on the mission for which he has been selected.

The excitement had all of started 24hrs earlier with a signal from space that jammed all communications generating much excitement, hysteria and initial traces of panic among the population.

It had been decided during an emergency sitting of the cabinet undertake a secret mission to the source of the alien signal. An aviator of exceptional talent was required for the task and the honour had fallen to space commander Takunda to undertake a solo flight into the unknown.

The operations officer was stressing, "above all, this is top secret, not a word about this should leak out to the public. The media is therefore being kept out of this matter until we have a clear picture of what we are dealing with".

"All the best commander", the operations officer stood up and held out a hand to Takunda.

"Thank you sir", Takunda replied standing up and shaking the proffered hand.

"I need not remind on the essentiality of observing rules of engagement on this mission", the operations officer had pressed in passing.

"Yeah right", Takunda thought to himself. He understood too well the conditions under which he could hostile action could be resorted to. He was well aware of the rules governing the conditions for engagement but did the aliens know let alone care.

Takunda's thoughts were interrupted by a media boss audio message alert coming over the scout ship's communicator. It was Maidei.

Takunda knew that if he answered he would have to lie to her to avoid compromising the mission. Otherwise it would become frontline news. Maidei would not miss the opportunity to get a scoop for her news channel, Galaxy times.

Takunda pressed the accept icon on the communicator and Maidei appeared on the ship's monitor looking as beautiful as ever.

"Hi babe, you didn't tell me you were going somewhere", Maidei sounded disappointed.

"It's just a routine test flight", Takunda lied.

"So you 'll be able to come over to this evening for a candle light dinner", Maidei's expression lit up with excitement.

"Well not really", Takunda added with difficulty, "this is a special test flight". We are testing a new proto-type starship", there was a bit of truth in the lie, the scout ship was an upgrade featuring extended flight range, a more sophisticated weapons system as well as a more advanced communications system.

"Oh what are you saying", Maidei's expression darkening again, "I wanted to tell you something very important..."

"I 'm really sorry it will have to wait", Takunda stressed with a bit of emphasis. Then he touched the icon again to end the call and began to initiate the pre-take off sequence.