Haruun Kal, outer space.
A Consular-class cruiser bearing the insignia of the Galactic Empire dropped out of hyperspace and appeared here. Aboard the ship, the navigator adjusted the navigation equipment, then turned back to report, "Sir, we have arrived at the target, Haruun Kal. There is a Galactic Empire space station here. According to its identification code, it belongs to the Galactic Empire's 114th Escort Fleet."
Two Imperial officers stood on the bridge, a major and a captain judging by their insignia. They were members of this investigative team. Looking at the image on the holographic star map, they nodded. "That's right. A spaceport and its assigned warships. They appear to be completely intact."
The major waved a hand. "Send a request and prepare to dock. This spaceport does indeed look perfectly intact. We just need to find out why they have failed to report to us for the past three consecutive months. Prepare the report."
"Yes, sir." The captain nodded.
But after a while, the communications officer said, "Sir, there has been no response. They have not replied."
The major frowned at the holographic star map. "That's not right. They clearly still have ships patrolling nearby. Why aren't they responding?"
"Approaching recklessly without a response could be dangerous," the captain said.
The major pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "No. They have shown absolutely no reaction to our arrival, and even the patrol routes are exactly the same. That's impossible! Move in!"
"Yes!" Though the captain had his doubts, he obeyed.
The ship approached the spaceport. Sure enough, the patrolling vessels showed no reaction whatsoever. The cruiser pulled directly alongside the spaceport and docked, and the connection was completed without incident. From beginning to end, there was no response from the other side.
After thinking for a moment,