Stress and Excitement

Two days later.

{Analysis complete, Admiral. No signs of advanced alien life detected in space,} the Proxima’s AI reported. It had spent a few hours repeatedly examining every pixel of the completed map and come to the conclusion that, if alien lifeforms existed in the Proxima Centauri system, they were either incapable of spaceflight or used a means too advanced for it to detect.

“Signal the fleet: the fleet will prepare to launch after crossing Proxima Centauri’s heliopause. Once launched, the escorts will take up formation around the TSF Proxima. Exploration Fleet is to remain docked but move to Condition Yellow. They will launch once we’re ten AU inside the system,” Admiral of the Red Bianchi ordered.

{Signal sent and acknowledged, Admiral,} the AI replied, then engaged the Proxima’s gravity drives. They were close enough to the star to get at least minimal acceleration out of them.

“Proxima, all hands announcement.”

{Recording, Admiral.}