The Derelict
Dronon had joined them in the room where the signal was being received. Caspar, who'd been struggling to get information from the partly damaged console, suddenly gasped.
''There is a ship - and it's the Peladon!''
''That's Captain Frazier's ship'' Dronon added.
''Is that supposed to mean something to us?'' Savage asked, with a touch of sarcasm.
''He was a leg- one of the great Time Masters.''
''''Was?''
''We assumed it was 'was'. He may be alive - perhaps in stasis.''
''But you don't know.''
They had come here so Nikki could see if there was anything at the Vanishing Point worth taking back to Earth 1 for study. Not to go on what might well be a ghost hunt through space and time. Savage looked at Nikki.
''There's a lot here which we could take back'' she began. ''But if there is an intact ship - or one that's more or less intact - that would be better still. I could maybe do some temporary repairs and we could get a lot more of this junk onboard at one time.''
Caspar glowered at her last remark. She ignored him.
Savage nodded slowly. There was something in what she said. And this was her field of expertise.
X
At Savage's order, they came to a halt, with about a thousand yards between the jump ship and what appeared to be a derelict, abandoned, vessel. It was a Time Ship. No weapons had been trained on them - or fired. The attempt at direct communication hadn't been answered.
''Life support appears to be functioning'' Caspar reported. ''All other systems are on stand-by.''
Savage looked at the inert vessel, making a decision. ''Ahead - slow.''
The jump ship drifted forwards. On the other vessel, a large hatch began to slowly open.
''Automatic response'' Dronon said. ''We've been identified as a Time Master vessel. ''
The jump ship continued to move towards what turned out to be the entrance to a large hangar. Two jump ships were parked at the inner end of the hangar.
''Bingo'' Nikki murmured. ''But no welcoming committee.''
Dronon checked one of the consoles.''Air quality is reasonable - no trace of pathogens.''
''Alright''Savage decided. ''We go for a walk.''
X
As soon as they began o descend, the lights brightened in one section of the hangar - a door at the far end of the illuminated section began to open. No one came through to meet them.
''It appears to be another automatic response'' Dronon said ''Sort of a 'this way' sign.''
They would follow the 'sign' - for now - Savage decided. The open door led into a corridor. Several sections of corridor lighted up as they made their way along - the lights going off behind them, he noticed when he glanced over his shoulder. There might have been no pathogens, but there was a musty aroma to the air. Their footsteps could be seen in a thin layer of dust - not much chance of letting lost on the way back. The 'guided tour' took them through two right turns and then one to the left. There was a large metal door at the far end of the corridor they were now in.
''That is the Med Bay'' Caspar confirmed.
The Med Bay door slid softly open and the lights came on inside. All the equipment was dark and inert, except for two man-sized cylinders.
''Stasis pods''
Both Time Masters hurried to the nearest one. As they looked down through the face plate, their shoulders seemed to slump.
''That is Captain Frazier'' Caspar said ''but -''
''He's dead'' Savage could read the lack of life signs on the monitors as well as they could. Dead but perfectly preserved.
''The access hatch is sealed'' Nikki observed.
''No pathogens in the atmosphere'' Caspar reminded them.
Which didn't mean they weren't sealed in with Frazier. He didn't look more than middle-aged - he had to have died of something.
Nikki had turned to glance into the other pod. She straightened up sharply.
''Vandal -''
She did address him by his first name, but only when off-duty. Something pretty startling must have forced the word out of her now.
He moved to her side, looked down and then stared in amazement. There was a woman in the pod. And not just any woman. She was Kendra Saunders.