"The Kadrom vessel reported a sideways movement in space just before their scanners detected missiles approaching the vessel. Then it exploded as the warheads made contact. Ragol, who was piloting the patrol craft, detected the movement of the missiles; but his instruments confirmed his knowledge that he had not fired the missiles. They left under some unexplained action of their own which is at present beyond the comprehension of this unit."

"That's alright. I don't understand it either, but if the Kadrom war fleet is on its way, then we should be quick about finding some answers. We're honourary members. We can make our own choices about what to do. I think we should forget about helping with the defense, manning ships and dodging attacks, that is. We're only one more spacecraft in a fleet of many. I think that we should do some investigations. It's going to mean going to Kadrom. Wow! A planet outside our solar system. That's a whale of an idea. Can our defense shields survive a Kadrom attack if we get caught on the way there?"

"Indeed, Miss O’Malley, but it would be wise to select an unfamiliar route, rather than using the conventional space lanes."

"The conventional routes will be cluttered with warships, I'm sure, but we'll be safe if we can get to Kadrom another way. First we need to go to Saturn and store an analysis of one of their Space Force missiles in your own memory bank, Butler One."

"Is there a reason for that, Miss O’Malley?"

"The sideways jolt of the touring vessel is what confuses me. Something else must have caused that, because it happened before the missiles took off. Still I would like to analyze the missiles anyway. Maybe it will give us a clue."

*          *          *          *

Butler One soon announced that their request to dock at Space Force Headquarters had been accepted. When they had docked, Ann and Butler One left Wildstar and met some of the members of Space Force, including Nezz Narf.

"We are glad to have your help, Ann O’Malley of Earth. I fear that we may not survive the battle ahead. We are up against an alien race about whom we know very little."

"I would like to travel secretly to Kadrom and try to have Butler One examine their touring vessels."

"But Ann, the journey is long and dangerous. Trying to break into their touring vessel depots and study their ships is even more risky," said Nezz Narf, "What could you gain from doing so?"
"If we can prove that it was not deliberate, then it will be a well spent period of time," said Butler One, speaking to reinforce the intentions of Ann O’Malley, "Ann suspects a connection between the missiles and the touring vessel itself. It could be possible for example, that those ships have some means of firing one of our missiles by remote control. This would account for the inconsistencies we have experienced."

"Why would they do that to destroy their own ship?" asked Wendell.

"It might have been a suicide mission, with the goal being to start a war with us," said Butler One, "We must explore the possibility, rather than leave ourselves open to certain defeat in a direct conflict above planet Saturn."

"We appreciate your making this effort and your concern for us will not be forgotten. I can only hope that you can achieve your mission safely," said Nezz Narf.

"I hope it works too" said Ann, "May we see one of your patrol craft missiles?"

"Ragol will show you the way to the patrol docking bay."

Ann, Wendell, Butler One and Ragol made their way and were soon removing a missile from the stationary patrol craft.

"Just put it down on the trolley and we'll take it to the laboratory," said Ragol.

"That will not be necessary," said Butler One.

"Not necessary?" queried Ragol.

"It's true" said Ann O’Malley "Butler One's own probes will enable him to analyze the missile and store a complete record of the device in his computer memory bank."

"Correct, Miss O’Malley. So I shall now commence the analysis."

From Butler One's robotic structure extended a long pliable arm with a probe at the end of it. The probe had a hemispherical shape. Butler One's head was a plastifer orb, which would glow in various changing colours as he began to store data.

“This is so exciting!” said Wendell.

"We'd better not interrupt him" said Ann.

"At the risk of sounding rude, why don't we just load a missile shell into your spaceship and you can take it with you?" said Nezz Narf.

"Because we might repeat the accident, whatever it was, as soon as we arrive on Kadrom," said Ann, "If we simply take a computer record along, we can compare it with his analysis of the tourist vessel."

"Analysis concluded, Miss O’Malley. I have stored the data," said Butler One.

"Then let's go. We don't know when the Kadrom warships will arrive here" said Ann.

Wildstar was soon under way, and travelled into outer space at an incredible velocity.