Elegy

It was an impossible situation: an asteroid in space where no asteroid should have been—with a city that could only have existed back on Earth!
Would you mind repeating that?
I said, sir, that Mr. Friden said, sir, that he sees a city.
A city?
Yes sir.
Captain Webber rubbed the back of his hand along his cheek.
You realize, of course, that that is impossible?
Yes sir.
Send Mr. Friden in to see me, at once.
The young man saluted and rushed out of the room. He returned with a somewhat older man who wore spectacles and frowned.
Now then, said Captain Webber, what's all this Lieutenant Peterson tells me about a city? Are you enjoying a private little joke, Friden?
Mr. Friden shook his head emphatically. No sir.