As the Challenger when hurdling through space at Warp 7 the listening post was making ready for the reception of the cadets.

The station commander and lead scientist had received the communication hours after the ship left Sol’s system and was practically giddy with glee. “Do you know when they will get here?” he asked his assistant, Lieutenant Commander Svetlana Ivanov.

“Nyet,” she replied before shaking her head, “No, not exactly. Sometime in the next three to four hours if they kept to course at speed.” She grinned a moment, “Do they know what they are carrying?”

The commander shook his head, “No I think only three people know what is in that box. Maybe four. Hopefully they didn’t open it or it will ruin the surprise. Hail them and see where they are at.”

The XO nodded and then pushed the button, sending a priority message through the void to the Challenger…