This week with Arlene and Jeff:
...Ship spoke. "The aliens began launching their Paladins thirteen minutes and ten seconds ago. (The alien ship was still a long way from Earth.) The Wing Commander's tight-beam message said that she took only two other interceptors with her, and they are maintaining their shields at maximum in the hopes of remaining unseen while the alien fighters approach. She intends to lie in wait and will attack when her chances are optimum."
"Shit!" Jeff snarled as he came to his feet. "What the hell is she thinking? I thought she was on a reconnaissance mission."
Diana came over to take his hand. "She knows what she's doing," she tried to assure her husband, but her trembling hand spoke otherwise.
"Dammit, we need a better communications system. Having to wait for a message to get here is a bitch."
Before he could ask, Helen spoke up. "We tried, Jeff. So far, we haven't progressed very far, but after this is over, we will have more time to spend on the subject. And yes, I know. We need faster than light communications now, but not even Ship or her people managed to develop a communication system that was faster than the speed of light."
"I know. I know," he said as he slumped back into the command seat, "but I still want to know what's happening to Arlene and Ann."
"Not to mention the others," Diana reminded...
Have a goodun;
Roust