"Signs of life?" A momentary panic.
"Yes, Lieutenant, but they cannot be right."
"Why?"
"Well, sir, Intelligence reports over two million inhabitants were shipped here, and the internal structures are certainly large enough to house that number. But I register less than two hundred life-forms."
"WHAT?"
"It's got to be the equipment, sir: they don't even register as human. The calcium content is much too high." Even as he spoke the console went dead with a smell of burned fiber and sparks.
"Communications Officer." He could not remember her name. "Have you contacted Colonel Joyce?"
"Yes, Lieutenant. The viewscreens are out, but we still have audio."
"Very well. Put me through."
She handed him a headset.