Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week's photo was contributed by Douglas M MacIlroy.

Looking at the title of the photo, I think this was taken at an observatory.

Copyright Doug M MacIlroy

"What did the general say?"

"Not much, but I could hear shouting in the background. They've locked in the coordinates we got from our telescope. The military has been scrambled. Missiles have been launched at the unknown object we reported."

"That's not so good, then."

"And from the screaming in the background, Russia and China think we're about to attack them and have mobilised their own militaries."

"So when do we tell him that what we saw was the result of a seagull crapping on the lens?"

"Maybe we'll leave it for a bit. They sounded very busy. Pint?"

"Yep."