What do they want?

"This is the Zheng He to unidentified spacecraft. Turn down all power, and prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply within three minutes, we will open fire on your vessel. I repeat: If you do not comply within three minutes, we will open fire on your vessel."

With that, the channel closes. And you realize you are back to square one.

"We could try burning its hull with the engines," Elena suggests. No spacecraft is designed for a sudden and consistent doze of heat rivaling the sun's surface! "But that means we have to stay alive long enough to burn it in the first place."

"What about a long distance fight?" you ask.

"If our weapons could graze them, sure. But I don't think we are so lucky," Elena answers. "We could also make a U turn, and hope that our ship is faster. But if its not, we will be sitting ducks for them."

Right. You sigh. In theory, you could also surrender. But knowing the zetans, you have a pretty good idea about what would that entail for you. You glance back at the ship, then you take a deep breath, prepared to make your decision.