A ship's engines near full power, sitting high in the planet Tholl's orbit, rolling around a thousand kilometers away or so from its home port.
Decorated in the royal colors of black and red, the spacecraft titled itself slightly forward as was it coasting onward, its nose pointed into the stars. The ship was a standard model, cruise liner, a workhorse of the Galaxy and a symbol of military power.
Two small dark smudges crossed the backdrop of the stars, two fighters moving across the ship, racing away from the orbital ship, flying to intercept a distant, blinking light. On the flight deck of one of the ships, the navigational officer raced to his station.
''Target approaching, best approach bearing one zero three six and range zero-five-four four kilometers.'' The Nav officer stated as he relayed the data to the head of the flight deck on the other ship.
''Roger that, we're a bit different, so we'll match your approach but we don't have engines to match yours. All standard procedures, contact us if we have any real problems.'' The second ship replied to the first.
''Right, getting the weapons ready for take off.'' The navigational officer answered as he started launching the vectors on his control panel.
''Well, you're not going to surprise me here. I'll see you soon.'' The first ship mumbled as it spun toward its weapons, eyes darting between the two missiles it was accelerating toward.
''Good luck and fair winds.'' The second ship said as it rolled into its weapons.
''Yeah, whatever. Take it easy.'' The first ship exhaled and disconnected from the incoming missiles before moving its nose down, dodging the explosions with little difficulty and throwing the missiles to the side, off the ship.
''Weapons, weapons, weapons. Son of a—'' The first pilot cut himself off, turning to the weapons officer as he watched the missiles fly off, feeling a bit dumbfounded. ''What the hell was that about?'' The pilot spoke up as he released his straps.
''I don't know! I think we just got lucky, I don't know why that happened. God, though, I hope my wife doesn't find out I had to dodge a couple of klunky torpedoes. Can't respect the woman if that's what touched her.'' The weapons operator replied, smiling after he finished scolding his pilot.
''Well, whatever it was you just did, you did it well. I think, nothing to worry about, let's dock and call it a day. Though, if you're looking for your next dive, you'll have to find someone else to slip into.'' The navigational officer said as he looked to his weapons officer.
''Anything to change the mood, let's go.''
"Hey, pilot. Out for that quick getaway."
"Yes, my love. How do I look?"
"Like a princess. Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"Oh, yes, several times."
"Well, then, I'd have to say that you love me more. I'm happy to be sharing this moment with you."
"Hey, gentlemen. Again, sorry for the hell out here. Downtime is coming to a close and I'll be back soon."
"Understood."
"But, I do need you. Again."
"I said nothing about wanting to go. You know I'm happy here."
"It's dangerous."
"I know that. You know that. You're my best friend. I don't want you going off and getting hurt. We've been through too much to lose you now. You're staying here."
"You're going to leave me all alone here? I'll be right here, chatting away with the lovely ship."
"Yes, but—»
"No buts. Where do you think this is, some sort of resort? For a second thought, you can come with me... Oh no, don't say you can't come. I know that look on your face. It's that look of confusion and worry. You worry too much. You can come with me and still be here, we both know that."
"Alright, alright. Come with you. I promise to do my best to bring you back. You need your big sister."
"Well... No, I don't. I'm just a little nostalgic right now, ok?"
"Hey, look, I'm coming with you. I love you and I don't want you to get hurt. So, if you're going to stay here and look pretty, I'll bring you back as soon as I can. How's that?"
"Oh my goodness, is that wine? I want a glass of that wine."
"I'll bring you and a glass of wine back as soon as possible. I promise."
"No, no, no, no, I don't want you to leave me here. I'd rather have wine. You take that and bring it back as soon as you can. I'll be fine here."
"Alright, I'll be back in a few hours. Make sure you're sealed up and—»
"Oh, no. No, no, no. I'm not going to lock the door. You're probably worried you'll never see me again. That's why I was locked away in the first place. You should know I love you and I know you love me. In case you're putting that around, I know where you're hiding it in your other pants, so don't worry too much. You're not getting rid of me. Now, you be careful and don't go too far out there."
"Thank you. Can I get a quick kiss before I go?"
"Aren't you always kissing me? I'm really okay with it. Do you really want to kiss me?"
"I'd love to, but I have to get out of here. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Are you sure? It'll only take a couple of minutes."
"Yes, it'll make me feel better, but, I have to get out of here before they realize I'm gone. I promise, I'll be back."
"You've been acting weird lately, though. We may have to have a talk. I only have so much time before somethings bound to go missing."
"Really? Ok, I'll think about it. Now, let's go down this dark hallway and out of the elevator doors before they notice I'm gone. By the way, aren't you worried someone might see you and think you're old-fashioned?"
"I don't know. Well, maybe. That's why I'm wearing this old robe. Some of these guys might think I'm an old lady if I show up in anything else. It's really nice, though. I love how the robe feels. You've looked through it a few times, haven't you. There's nothing especially bad I should worry about."
"Yes, I have. Yes, there is something bad. I'll figure it out in a few minutes. You should probably tell your people that I'm on my way as soon as I can. I'll be there in three or four hours, or is it three or four... hours?"
"That's fine, but people are going to starting getting frustrated soon. Everything seemed much easier when the humans were here, didn't they? Relax, I'll be back in a few hours. I just have to go pick up my lady friend to bring back to the ship."
"Alright, have fun. Try to get back to base without getting caught. And not to repeat myself, but be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you like the humans that came before you. I think I may have noticed something, but my scanner's turning into a mess and I can't seem to—»
"Alright, dear, don't worry. Let's go, let's go. I have to get out of here. I have to take you with me, but maybe we can make it back here before I'm supposed to pick you up."
"Oh, no. That won't work. I'm a lady. It's nothing, really, I'm just getting a little bored. I want to run around a little bit in that big, big room over there that looks like a room. When I get there, I'll try to find something to do. It'll pass the time, but you have to hurry. I'll keep watch for you."
"Thanks, dear. I'll have to run back here if I can't make it in time, do you think you'll be alright if I can't make it back?"
"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll be here either way. I love you, too."
