Ivan knocked tentatively on the door before edging into the room.

Captain Scheider looked up from giving Duane half an hour of his finest barracking. He wasn't usually one to give long lectures about what was expected of someone, or to rant and rave at them for their mistakes. Captain Scheider was amongst the most respected and feared men in the Outer Galaxies, and it was well known that a bad word from him could end your career within seconds. A long stare and a couple of words were usually enough to turn anyone into a gibbering wreck.

Today though, he had made an exception. Not only had Duane's negligence allowed the Outer Galaxies to be invaded by the dreaded Crawkling army, but he had been mocking and bullying a junior member of staff on their first day instead of carrying out his duty. A junior member of staff who happened to already be better at Duane's job than the long-serving Duane.

“Captain Scheider, Sir,” Ivan said cautiously. “I'm sorry to interrupt but there is something I think you should see.”

“You don't need to be sorry,” said Captain Scheider kindly, “you've done a good job so far Ivan. Well done.”

Ivan tried not to smile too proudly, but impressing Captain Scheider within ten years of beginning his job would have been some effort. For him to have achieved this on his first day was way beyond his expectations.

Captain Scheider followed him down the corridor back into the main control room of HEDGEHOG where all eyes were on the giant screen again. Hundreds of new ships had appeared on the screen, fighting against the Crawkling ships they had seen invading before.

“Sir,” he began. “There are loads of ships everywhere. And not just those we saw before.”

“We've mobilised the fleet Sir, and some of them are ours,” an officer standing next to Ivan continued, “but some we don’t know. We think they are rebel fleets come to help our cause.”

“Interesting...” said Captain Scheider. “And I think I know exactly who they are. Make connections.”

Corporal Jess Adams took over.

“Unidentified aircraft in Sector 12, co-ordinates 452938,49261 please identify yourself. This is Corporal Jess Adams of HEDGEHOG. Over.”