I AM SORRY TO DISTURB YOU CAPTAIN PHOENIX BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME

DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING THE ENEMY SCOUT SHIP.

Phoenix sat up eagerly. “Do you need me in the control room?” he said. THAT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY CAPTAIN.

“Right!I’ll be there straight away.” Phoenix bounded off the bed and over to the bathroom door. “I’m sorry pet,” he shouted through the door, pulling on his trousers.“Emergency in the control room.Back as soon as I can.” With that Phoenix dashed for the door. He was still tucking himself in in the corridor as a muffled scream from within his cabin startled a passing crew member.

*

Phoenix settled into the plush leather armchair in the centre of the control room. “Screen on, please.”

“It’s on, sir,” said Apricot.

Phoenix squinted at the large black square on the wall in front. “Ah! So it is! It’s difficult sometimes, you know, to focus on the stars.Like coming across a washing line unexpectedly. Difficult to judge the distance until you’ve focused onit ....sort of thing.”

“Yes, sir,” said Apricot.

“So, what’s happening?” asked Phoenix.

Apricot frowned at the screen. “I’m not really sure, sir,” he said.

“Marshia?” said Phoenix.

UNDERSTOOD.WE ARE ONE POINT TWO MILES TO THE REAR OF THE ENEMY SCOUT

SHIP CAPTAIN. DOCTORS NAIZE AND NAIZE HAVE BUILT INVERTED GRAVITONIC