Sitting duck

"Star date, Captain's diary, 07September 2403, within the past 12 hours we have successfully stopped the astroid from a fatally striking the earth. We have also prevented an alien attempt to take control of the Horizon. Both victories have come at a huge cost".

The Horizon lies stranded in space navigation lights winking, revolving around it's central core

at a speed relatively equivalent to the velocity of the Earth's orbit around the sun. This crucial function provides the Horizon with an artificial gravity of one atmosphere keeping people and everything else that is not tied down from floating around while repairs are ongoing, apart from which only basic life support systems are fully functional".

Captain Maedza set at the desk in his apartment typing in his electronic diary.

"Bridge to captain", a voice came over the plug in his ear.

Captain Maedza, swiped his hand over the mouth piece clip on attached to tunic of his uniform.

"Go ahead bridge", captain Maedza replied.

"Ship's sensors detect traffic approaching", came the response.

"What now?", captain Maedza thought to himself.

"On my way", captain Maedza announced shutting off his electronic diary before getting up to leave

for the room.

Settling himself in his chair, captain Maedza called out, "report!?"

A different officer of the day watch replied, from behind a control console, "Unknown vessels were sighted approaching the direction of the planet Plaska".

"Wedge shaped star ships appeared on the bridge's big screen".

"Summon the mission commander immediately to the bridge. Tell him we have a situation", instructed captain Maedza.

"Bridge to engine room, this is captain Maedza, how far with power restoration to ship's guns?"

"Engine room officer speaking, we need a bit more time".

The bridge doors opened and the mission commander walked onto the flight deck.

"Captain your message sounded urgent..."

"On screen", ordered captain Maedza, alien star ships appeared flying towards the Horizon.

"At present due to the lose of power resulting from collision with the astroid the Horizon is temporarily unable to fire it's guns", captain explained to the mission commander.

"I 'll take care of this, the mission commander, replied, and swiping his communication ordered,

"all arrowhead fighter pilots standby for action", the mission commander spoke into his communicator. "Let's allow them to get a little bit closer, then we 'll release the fighters to deal with them".

Everyone on the bridge held their breath watching the fleet of alien craft getting closer.

"Stand by to cargo doors", ordered captain Maedza.

"Captain urgent message from engineering, reported the officer of the watch.

"What's so urgent?", captain Maedza asked.

"All systems except for life support are to be switched off while power is restored to the entire ship. Any activity may cause a power and plunge the ship in to a complete black out, threatening even life support systems", replied the officer of the watch.

"How long will power restoration take?" asked an anxious captain Maedza his eyes on the approaching alien craft along with everyone else on the bridge.

"According to engineering, 20minutes, 15 at the earliest", responded the officer of the watch.

"Approximately how long will it take the alien craft to be within firing range?"

"Approximately 5minutes sir", returned the officer of the watch.

"Bridge to engineering", this is captain Maedza. We don't have 15 minutes. A fleet of alien fighter craft will be upon the Horizon in 5minutes".

"How can we assist?", asked the engineering officer.

"Open doors to holding bays 2, 4, 6 and 8 replied captain Maedza.

"Cargo doors openning, announced the officer of the watch.

"All arrowhead fighters, deploy and attack incoming alien fighters once Bay doors are open", screamed the mission commander into his communicator.

It felt like an eternity as the doors to the holding bays containing the arrowhead fighters fully opened. Arrowhead fighters shot into the murky darkness of space, their cannons blazing away as they tore into the formation of enemy fighters ripping apart with formidable firepower.

The enemy fighters were taken by surprise by the arrowheads that suddenly sprang at them without warning. Laser beams and rocket fire lit up the darkness of space in spectacular flashes of light.

The people watching the action on the bridge of the Horizon were ecstatic with joy cheering on the arrowheads as they charged at the alien craft blasting them to atoms.

I have a question though, which I 've already guessed the answer", remarked captain Maedza.

"Which is?", the mission commander asked.

"It's as if the aliens knew the Horizon was defenceless. Their timing could not been better?"

"You will recall captain, the astroid also appeared out if the blue", added the officer of the watch.

"Exactly", Agreed captain Maedza."

What are the two of you suggesting, that the aliens are afraid of us", asked the mission commander.

"Precisely, let us assume that they are and they want to stop us from reaching Plaska", agreed captain Maedza.

"Are you saying the astroid was a diversion, and the actual target was the Horizon not Earth", remarked the mission commander.

Swiping his hand over the communicator, captain Maedza commanded, "security carry out a through sweep of the damaged sections of the Horizon which the boarders came through. Search for any alien devices left behind, they will most likely be cleverly concealed.