“Damn! They just took out the eastern control tower.” First officer Anders slammed his gloved hand against the bridge display.
“They’re definitely coming in force then,” pronounced Captain Caldwell. “All crews to their ships, Anders, and we must alert the planet.”
The first officer barely glanced up from his monitor while hurrying to relay the order.
“Yes, sir,” Anders replied. “Ensign Paden, you can work the communications array. Broadcast the alert to all planet-side forces!”
“Umm…”
Both the captain and the first officer stopped. Looking up, they could see the Ensign Paden shuffling his considerable weight from large foot to large foot. His forelimbs clapped together nervously, and his eyes sought the ceiling.
“Maybe I could run another scan,” said Paden. “You know, verify their strength before I start trumpeting over the wire.”
“Quickly, Paden,” snapped Anders. “Our homeworld must be forewarned about this alien invasion! Send the broadcast.”
“Ehh,” Paden grimaced. His ears flapped in agitation. “Are you sure? I mean, planet-wide broadcast seems kinda over the top.”
“Paden, we must send this message as broadly as possible,” explained Captain Caldwell patiently. “Otherwise we risk the defenses unfolding piecemeal and ineffectively.”
“Geez, I suppose,” frumped Paden. He blew out a long sigh through his trunk. “But, how ‘bout I just make some calls, yeah? The array seems so, well, public.”
“I know what’s going on here,” said Anders, coming around the table impatiently. “Paden, monitor the invaders. I’ll send the alert.”
As the ensign clomped aside, Anders shrugged at the captain apologetically.
“Sorry, sir, I should’ve remembered: Elephants never transmit.”