Our Greatest Olive Branch

On a mission of discovery and making peaceful first contact, Captain Judy Smith and her small crew of engineers, scholars, and scientists readied a prototype engine called the 'folder,' designed to fold space for traversing into another solar system.

"We're ready, Captain," said the chief engineer.

"Excellent! Comms, inform mission control, and let's fire up the engine."

Within seconds all of their surrounding space went entirely black, followed by a brilliant flash of light.

"Captain, I'm already picking up radio transmissions from the planet below, and I can see a sprawling infrastructure on its surface," said a communications officer.

"That's great! Prepare to send the share package."

"Is it really true, Captain, that it contains everything about us? Isn't that a bit overly optimistic?" asked the comms officer.

"No. Not at all. We're going to presume that full transparency will be our greatest olive branch ..."

"Captain, Captain, they're firing on us with lasers. They've surgically struck the folder and obliterated it!" said the chief engineer.

"Dammit! Abort the share package. Initiate procedure Hostile Response Plan SD."

"But, Captain, that'll mean …" said the chief engineer.

"Yes, I know. Say a prayer. We mustn't survive here."

"Ma'am, shall I send a warning signal to Earth?" asked the comms officer.

A computer voice said, "Self-destruct in 10, 9, 8 …"

"Negative, Lieutenant, they might trace its destination. Goodbye, my dear crew."