The senior lieutenant of the Dark Nebula stared in horror at the visiplate.

“Great Galloping Galaxies!” It should have been a howl, but it was a whisper instead. “What’s that?”

It was a ship, but a whale to the Dark Nebula’s minnow; and on its side was the Spaceship-and-Sun of the Empire. Every alarm on the ship yammered hysterically.

The orders went out, and the Dark Nebula prepared to run if it could, and fight if it must,—while down in the hyperwave room, a message stormed its way through hyperspace to the Foundation.

Over and over again! Partly a plea for help, but mainly a warning of danger.