Skull squadron defolded into unfamiliar space.  The computer did not recognize the star patterns on any logged charts.  (See Msg # fairly buku fuck back).

 Very odd, thought Max Sterling, fighter Ace, and commander of the Skull.  Max’s Veritech had lost contact with the SDF-3 as did the high tech instruments aboard the Prowler recon ship.  There was no trace of the signal for which they were investigating, however there was a star system roughly 4.2 hours away and the group was headed in that direction.  Hopefully they might find a clue as to the source and meaning to the message there. 

 “Nina Recon to Commander Sterling,” the communications officer from the vessel off his starboard viewport called over the comm-channel. 

 “Skull One, go ahead.” Max replied as he keyed up the video link on the terminal in front of him. 

 A young gash came on the screen. 

 “Sir, we still haven’t established contact with the SDF-3, but we are picking up that strange broadcast again.  Shall I put it on audio for you?”

 “Affirmative.”

 “Stand by while I put it through.” The gash spoke a few words to another gash at her 3 O’clock, and continued.  “Also be advised, we’ve analyzed the message’s wavelength and it is pulsing at very odd intervals.  Much of it is static, but you can make out more of the messages content if you listen to both this new one and the first one we intercepted back to back.”

 Max thought to himself about Professor Lang's theory just before they left on the mission.  The original message was being broadcast on a very low bandwidth... one not normally used for interstellar transmissions.  In fact it was so low that Lang thought it was actually some sort of echo.  Not meant to be heard by their normal range of frequencies in the first place…possibly even a way to send out a secret code or distress signal.   

The original message started to crackle over the speakers, and it again sent a chill immediately down his spine.  This was the unhindered version...without computer enhancement.  The computer sometimes made mistakes when interpreting syllables from the sounds amidst the background noise.  A lot more gibberish and hissing were prominent when the filter was not used, but the Hysteria that manifested in the voice was unmistakably clear... 

 "Formless!! Sssssstatic It chitters and xksksssekk engulfs us!! Eeeaaarrrrghhh! NOOOOOOOO!!! Fight! We succumb!! Ieaahhh!! eeeeeeeeee Almost a whistling noise here.  Crawler!!! ………………No match for tXXXXXEEEXXhe wing in yhatsgs! Save yourselves if you hear this! Bbbbbbrrrssssssssssshhhhh…… All is LOST! Flee! FLEE!! FLEE!!!" UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEUUUU UUUUEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 The transmitter seemed to be on, but nothing more could be made out.

 “This is the new one sir.” The gash called out in between the hissing sounds and background noise.  xeehheit static…ssxx eeeaaaahhh Repeating… this is Federated Commonwealth escort vessel Sarna 4sssssx in orbit around Twycross we cannot fight it any longer. ...Jumpship deEEEEEeryoyed.  Many have already succumbed to the ssseesnness.  A Force of unknown magnitude has jjjsjisxxstatic xsss over our minds.  making us axxxxssscracklexweeeeeeee eeeeeeeeee….  Against our will.  Iiahaaahaha it almost has control hiss…over EEEEEEEEUUUUUUU.  This may be our last transmission.  Even our PPCs are no match for their yelxxhho hhhhissss….  immense Star Cruiser…  Save your energy.  save yourselves aaaaaxhhehehs more static.  Do not approaosssssssssuuuuuuhhhhhheeeewwwwwwww EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEUUUUU EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSS

 It was still only bits and pieces...and a lot of static.  But the message was essentially the same as the original picked up by the SDF-3.  And the troubled voice was so distraught with anxiety.  It was unquestionably from the same origin that sent them to investigate this area of space in the first place. 

 “Did you get a fix on the source of the transmission?” Max asked the gash officer. 

 “That’s affirmative sir.  It will be a short jump to get there.  We already have the coordinates laid in and the reflex engines are at full power.”

 “This is Skull One.  Bring all weapons online, we’re going in hot to the source of that transmission.”

 “Prepare for spacefold.”