<new storm looms on DISPLAYS>
NAV
<to display, then keys>
We've got more incoming!
But nav-radar can't resolve it!
HELM
<looks out>
Gravel?
SCIENCER
<keys, loud>
Yes: Gravel:
Captain: We have a sand-storm, in-coming!
MI-KEE
<orders>
Hang in tight: Shield us with the big iron!
<EXPLOSION-FLASHES BEHIND BIG-IRON>
<music sand-grinds>
SCIENCER
We have reacceleration of the big iron!
MI-KEE
<orders>
Helm: Keep us ahead of the changes!
HELM
Aye.
<keys>
<SHIP REACCELERATES to match big-iron>
ALL
<concurrently>
<watch pensively>
ENG
<comments>
Well: Now we know how they accelerate the comets.
COMM
How's that?
ENG
They take a huge asteroid, a hundred kilometers across, drill-out perforations
around a central circular projectile-mass, sink a nuclear device down to
the bottom of one of the holes, wait for the right aim, and when it detonates,
it shears the projectile-mass at its perforations, and shatters its base
into sand and gravel, thrusting the big main mass forward: a crude but
effectual nuclear cannon.
COMM
Think they'd do that with a moon of Neptune? Or Pluto and Charon?
ENG
That's an interesting speculation....
SCIENCER
<interrupts>
The sand storm has cleared.
COMM
<pause then continues>
Maybe Pluton was denser at one time.
ENG
More likely they find big asteroids further out here in the Kuiper Belt.
<music new ominous tones>
NAV
<mild freaks>
Non-ballistics approaching!
MI-KEE
Shut-down all electronic transmissions!
ALL
<key>
<SEVERAL DISPLAYS SHUT-DOWN>
<passive displays show UFOs sidling-up>
ALL
<concurrently>
<watch silently>
HELM
<worries-quiets>
Do you think they know we're here? |