Shattered Skies Book 1: Embers (WIP)

Ch. 2: Derelict

Date: 3/17/2159

Location: Tellina System, Tertiary Asteroid Belt

"Jurril, use a radar pulse on the derelict. All EM wavelengths." Walker orders. "I want to know everything we can about that ship." The Tir nods, entering the commands into the computer system. Walker, meanwhile focuses of matching speed with the wreak.

Slowly he edges the Reliant closer and closer to the Imperial ship, keeping a close eye on the debris surrounding it. Soon they are flying right beside it. Walker fires the reverse thursters briefly, slowing the ship to match the speed of the derelict.

"Alright. We're here. How're we doing with that radar pulse?"

"I am cross referencing it with the thermal sensor data now. It should not take more than a few more seconds." As she speaks, a digital image of the wreak flashes into being on the computer screen as a spinning 3D model. Both the thermal imaging and radar pulse information are overlaid atop of it, giving them a view of both inside and outside the ship. "It appears the ship is still powered by a single battery bank. I estimate only 36 minutes of power remain."

"So could we plug into the main computer drive? Figure out why it's here?"

"Unfortunately no. The main computer drive is beyond repair if my instruments are correct."

"What about grav-jump stabilizers?"

"I can see that they are still present. But I do not have enough information to determine whether or not we can use them. Compatibility issues notwithstanding."

"I'll go have Rojiss fire up the salvage drone. I'll fly it in and get what we need." Jurril simply nods in response as she turns back to her console with typical Tir abruptness.

Walker clips off his commpiece and selects Rojiss' name from the call screen before putting it on his ear.
"What do you need, Walker?" his Rinar engineer inquires.

"I need you to start up the salvage drone in the loading bay. We may have working stabilizers we could use."

"Good. I would prefer we get paid sooner rather than later."

"One more thing. We've encountered... complications. I'll meet you there and bring you up to speed."

"Sounds good. Rojiss out." A beep signals the call's end and Walker returns the commpiece to his collar.

"Jurril, you've got the bridge while I'm gone." He flips a switch turning on the rudimentary autopilot. Only really smart enough to keep the Reliant Alongside the derelict. It was the only one they could afford that worked with the ship's control systems.

"I believe the term was, 'good luck,' Walker." she replies, still fixated on her monitor. Without delay, he steps out of the pilot chair, walking the corridors to the loading bay on the lower deck.

Elapsed Time: 3 minutes

"That does complicate things..." the short, mask-wearing alien ponders. His voice laced with a modulated electronic sound. The Rinar were an interesting bunch. Coming from two planets sharing the same orbit on opposite sides of their system's star, there were mysteries abound about their origins. And more than a few conspiracy theories.

Physically, they look alot like moles. Stubby legs, a short tail and short, coarse fur. However, they also have more normal length arms. Three fingers on each hand ending with durable claws. Walker can't say much about the faces from memory. He hasn't seen very many maskless Rinar.