SR-81 (The Road Not Taken)

The SR-81 was the USAF armed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft in the 2030s. The aircraft had an operational ceiling of 40,000 meters and was armed with air to air missiles.

In 2039, the Roxolan invasion fleet arrived and hovered at the Earth's north pole. They sent down their flyers to explore and test the atmosphere for safety. One flyer was intercepted by a SR-81 which monitored it as it descended to the SR-81's operating altitude. The aliens had ignored all radio transmissions so the SR-81 pilot received permission to pass a half kilometer in front of the flyer. The pilot knew exactly when he was spotted since he could see the alien pilot startle and jink away. The SR-81 gave pursuit but the flyer dodged away at impossible accelerations whenever it got close. Eventually the SR-81 had to break away for refueling.