Unbroken Curiosity

Chapter 6: The Derelict

Captain Sivian Cox

"Is it hostile?" The captain asked. He and Wroth stood in the Combat Suite. They observed the unidentified ship through a small mock-up projected by the suite's holographic terminal. Cox studied its structure, debating its intentions in his head. Its design was aerodynamic, with wings and thrusters allowing for in-atmosphere travel. A larger thruster confirmed that the ship was also capable of faster-than-light travel. From the image, Cox deduced that the ship had no weapons and held a crew of at least 20 people.

But anything is possible.

"Negative." A.E.U. responded over the ship's internal comms. "The. Ship. Is. Adrift."

"Signs of life?" Wroth asked, eyeing the elf Aryron.

"Negative. Life support. Is. Not. Active."

"It could be a ploy. One to lure scavengers closer before attacking." Wroth said. Aryron nodded in agreement.

Cox shook his head. "Such ploys would work if there were ships to hunt. A.E.U., has Burke arrived on the bridge?"

"I am here, Captain," Burke answered.

"Sorry to wake you."

"No problem."

"All right then. A.E.U., I need you to scan for any identification. We need to know to whom that ship belongs. Its design is post-war, which means Wroth's concerns might hold some merit. Burke, scan the surrounding space for any other ships. It could be an ambush. Otherwise, protocol is clear." Cox turned to Wroth, trying not to hesitate as he spoke. "Ready a boarding party, Commander. We need to recover the ship's black box if we wish to prove salvage rights."

Wroth nodded. "It will be done, Captain. Sergeant Al'Thiel, with me." Wroth and Aryron left the Combat Suite.

Cox suppressed a yawn. "Get me an Energizer." He asked one of the nearby soldiers. The Erothh company private nodded and scurried away. "Helmsman. Take us closer and prepare for docking. All hands stand ready." Somewhere, a yellow warning light came to life. A synthetic voice sounded the captain's last order. Swiping on a nearby console, Cox changed the image on the holographic table to show the Curiosity's approach. He began to pace around the table, feeling his heart beat louder and louder the closer the Curiosity came to the smaller vessel. Please, by the Creator. Don't be pirates. Cox prayed.

"Captain." The robot's voice came, startling the captain.

"Yes, A.E.U."

"I. Have. Detected. Faint. Signs. Of. Power. Onboard. The. Vessel."

So, it could not have been adrift for long. Less than a hundred years. Maybe more.

"Furthermore. I. Have. Identified. The. Ship. The Seeker's Mount. Responder Code: EG-1632"

"EG? That is an Exploration Guild Ship. The Seeker's Mount... What is it doing out here."

"Unknown."

We are the first... Aren't we? Why would the Guild send two ships towards the same place and not tell me about it? "A.E.U., relay this information to Wroth. I am coming back to the bridge."

"Affirmative."

Aryron

"What is your assessment of the situation, sir?" Aryron asked. Commander Wroth paced from one end of the armoury to the other, digesting the Captain's words. Another Guild ship...Could it be?