NaNoWriMo: 380 words.
Alex was kibitzing while Neko tried to debug an ancient protocol she thought might provide better video from the incoming starship when Alex’s phone chimed. The emergency signal. Alex looked blank. In her seventeen months in orbit she’d only heard it twice — both false alarms.
Neko said, “Hey, Ms. Security Officer, Ma’am, better pick up.” Alex started, and answered. She listened while her face grew blanker. “On my way,” she said.
To Neko’s raised eyebrow she said, “Somebody got killed. One of the new people. Murdered.”