STARSHIP

"Captain we just lost communication with star command", reported Tanaka Denga, the communications officer, sitting at the communications console on the bridge of Vessel of Zimbabwe (VoZ) Sandawana.

The Sandawana was part of a new class of Starship that incorporated the features of a starship and a space station. It had the speed and manouvrebility of a former while being the size of the latter. 

The unique combination allowed for extended voyages into the furthest reaches of deep space without the need for resupply. Each vessel was fully self sufficient, being equipped with several strategically positioned botanical gardens among other features.

These served the dual purpose of providing  recreation for the crew, as well as for organic production of oxygen. 

The Sandawana was on a routine patrol of the mercurial star system. Its presence in the sector was a direct  response to increased activity by alien vessels that had been detected in the sector. The Sandawana's brief was to intercept and make contact with a view to ascertain threat levels the increased alien activity posed.

The commander of the Sandawana was at that moment was not sure what was happening and needed.

"Switch to alternative channels", commanded captain Sydney Maguire from his commander's seat. 

"I already tried", reported lieutenant Tanaka.

"Contact other vessels in nearby sectors", captain Maguire ordered, "and find out if the are able to get through to star command".

"Urgent message coming through sir", reported lieutenant Maguire.

"On screen", ordered captain Maguire.

The giant screen at the forward section of the bridge came alive replacing the view of the sector of space they were passing through, with the distorted image of a man struggling to fully materialise. 

The man who was dressed in a star command uniform was speaking urgently as dirt and debris were falling all around him.

"Earth is under attack!", was all he managed to say before the transmission unceremoniously uprooted returning the screen back to the view of that sector of space.

"Com", when was the transmission sent", asked captain Maguire.

"A minute before...", started lieutenant Tanaka Denga but did not finish and paused in mid-statement.

"Before what?", captain Maguire impatiently pressed for an answer.

"A large anolmy has just appeared behind us and Earth", reported lieutenant Tanaka Denga.

"What!?", shot back captain Maguire in surprise.

"A distortion in the space, time continuum...", lieutenant Tanaka Denga began but was not allowed to finish by captain Maguire impatiently cutting him off.

"I know what an anomaly is, why wasn't it detected earlier?", charged captain Maguire.

"It wasn't there a minute ago captain remarked lieutenant Tanaka.

"Ask if any of the other starships in nearby sectors have heard from space command", ordered captain Maguire.

"Yes sir", replied lieutenant Tanaka Denga", obediently turning to his instrument console, and moving his fingers swiftly across the instrument panel to comply with the captain's order.

"All the other starships report receiving the same transmission that Earth is under attack. As well seeing the anomaly".

"Just how big is this anomaly", asked captain Maguire.

"According to the ship's instruments the anomaly extends for a distance that would take us a couple of light years to get around if we want to return to Earth", promptly reported Tanaka Denga.

"We don't have a couple of light years. "Earth is under attack right now, and if the attacking vessels managed to sneak past the orbiting defence platforms, the planet will be virtually defenceless", returned captain Maguire.

"Incoming message from VoZ Mwenezi, sir", reported lieutenant Tanaka Denga. "It says all starships are maintain station, orders of vice admiral Nyathi".

"Open transmission to the Mwenezi", ordered captain Maguire.

The giant computer monitor once again came alive showing the bridge of the starship, Mwenezi. The bridge were sitting at their posts waiting for orders while the starship's commander, captain Tineyi Mbada and vice admiral Ian Nyathi set a distance behind the pilot and navigator staring expectantly at the big screen in front of them.

"Captain", greeted vice admiral Nyathi warmly.

"Vice admiral", captain Maguire returned the compliment.

"You received my order that all starships are to remain exactly where they are until we can ascertain the best course of action to take", said vice admiral Nyathi.

"Yes I did but I must respectful disagree with that position", replied captain Maguire.

"On what basis?", vice admiral Nyathi asked.

"Earth is under attack", replied captain Maguire.

"We don't know that for sure but what we know for sure. What we do know is that there is a lot of alien activity and if we move from this position. If we drop our guard, there is no telling what alien deluge will be coming to Earth", argued vice admiral Nyathi.

"But the transmission..", put in captain Maguire.

"Was not conclusive", vice admiral Nyathi cutting off captain Maguire before he could proceed.

"Look it could have been alien ruse bounced of one of our satellites to get us to let up on our blockade. I mean just think about it, captain. The transmission was not clear and it was actually less than a minute".

The vice admiral paused to catch his breath before proceeding, "why would space command not warn us in time of an impending attack to enable starships to redeploy strategically around Earth?"

"Are you saying this is a hoax?", asked captain Maguire.

"I 'm saying we stay put and proceed on our present course".

"I 'm afraid I can't disagree with you more on that position", said captain Maguire.

"I hope you are not planning to act on that?", cautioned vice admiral Nyathi.

The veiled warning was followed by a brief pause of silence.

"It is my duty as a space command officer to take whatever action I may deem necessary to protect Earth and it's inhabitants".

"Your duty captain is to obey orders, is that clear captain!?", countered vice admiral Nyathi severely.

By then the bridge crews on both starships were keenly following the exchange between captain Maguire and vice admiral Nyathi.

"I can stand here debating with you matters of protocol or I can proceed to Earth's defence. I prefer the latter". 

"What?", shouted vice admiral Nyathi almost leaping out of his chair with rage.

"End transmission", captain Maguire calmly ordered lieutenant Tanaka at the communications console.

The view of the Mwenezi's bridge was instantly replaced on giant computer monitor by the view from space.