“Captain Scheider! Come quickly, I need your help!” shouted Ivan down the phone.

“There in two,” replied Captain Scheider, and within seconds he strode into the main control room of HEDGEHOG with a presence that told anyone he could fix whatever mess they were in. That was why he was one of the most respected men in the universe.

“What’s happening Ivan?” he asked.

“There are lots of ships appearing in the middle of the Halian Zone, Sir.”

“Have we made contact?”

“Negative, that’s why I called you. I think we should but it’s clearly a strange situation.”

Captain Scheider nodded. Ivan had a sensible head on his very young shoulders. This could easily be a situation that required an experienced presence.

“Excellent, let’s try.”

Ivan sent a signal out, trying to make contact with one of the ships that had been appearing. He got an answer pretty quickly.

“Officer Tanyan, over. Ruff!”

“Rearguard Beagles,” Ivan smiled. Friendly ships. That was OK.

Captain Scheider wasn’t so sure.

“Stay with us Officer Tanyan, it’s HEDGEHOG. Ivan, get another ship. Quickly.”

He did.

“Officer Chasetail, ruff!”

Whilst they were getting a third ship, even more were appearing.

“I don’t like this Ivan,” said Captain Scheider. “Look where they are all appearing.”

Ivan looked at the screen, and the ships were all really close together, within a few miles at most.

“Why would they be so close together?” he asked. “And none of them are really moving, it’s like they’re waiting for something.”

“I’m not sure,” said Captain Scheider. “But we need to call Flight Cruiser Lexonus.”