Chapter 24: Derelict Freighter

Someone or something was firing on Saria. The good news was it was an energy-based weapon. Her personal shield popped into existence and reflected the blast away from her.

“Saria, are you all right?” I asked.

“No damage, Sir!” she replied. “These shields are amazing. Without them, I’d be dead.”

“Can you locate the source?” I asked.

“It came from directly ahead. I think it’s an automated defence,” she replied.

From down the dimly lit corridor, the weapon fired at her again and bounced harmlessly off her.

“I see it, hold on,” said Saria.

She aimed her laser carbine and fired a single shot at the ceiling just ahead. Sparks rained down and then stopped.

“I’ve got it, Sir!” said Saria.

“There could be more throughout the vessel. Let’s hope that’s all they have to throw at us,” I said.

“This vessel considers us a threat?” asked Laine.

“It makes no sense. It sent out a distress call, then attacks us when we try to help,” I replied.

Saria moved ahead and examined her handiwork.

“Like I said, it was an automated defence. I’ve neutralized it,” she said.

“Good job, Lieutenant,” I said.

Saria smiled and nodded.

I called Ship on my communicator.

“Commodore, I’m checking in with you. We are proceeding inside the vessel. An emergency bulkhead has blocked our return to the shuttle for now,” I said.

“Have you found any crew members?” asked Jem.

“Not yet. I’ll let you know when I do. It appears the vessel is on reserve power. We are proceeding with caution,” I replied.

“Understood, Captain,” said Jem.

I closed the communications channel.

We moved ahead, and the corridor opened into a wider area. Furniture and equipment were overturned and piled into low walls. I saw burn marks everywhere.

“Stay close together. If we find more like that, our shields will overlap for extra protection,” said Saria.

We huddled together and advanced into the area.

“I wonder what this area was for?” asked Laine.

“I don’t know. It looks like there was a battle here,” said Saria.

“Where are the bodies?” asked Laine.

Saria scraped her foot on the floor, disturbing a layer of dust.

“Try scanning this dust with your device,” replied Saria.

Laine did just that.

“I’m detecting carbon mostly, and various trace minerals...” said Laine.

“Sounds about right,” said Saria.

“Are you saying this dust is all that remains?” asked Laine.

“After they died, their bodies decomposed over a long time,” replied Saria.

Laine gulped.

“So we’re unlikely to find any survivors?” she asked.

“The battle happened long ago, based on the decomposition,” replied Saria.

“We need a way out, or we will share their fate. Which way to their bridge?” I asked.

Laine studied the map on her device.

“I believe in that direction. Maybe up a level or two,” she replied and pointed.

“Lead on, Saria,” I said and gestured in the same direction Laine had.

We left the open area and entered another corridor.

The corridor looked no different from the others, complete with burn marks on the walls.

“It looks like the battle proceeded this way,” I said.

“Agreed. The blast patterns on the walls concur with your assessment,” said Saria.

“They were fighting their way to the bridge, perhaps,” I suggested.

We continued along, following the traces of a battle long ago.

“We don’t even know what race this vessel comes from,” said Laine.

“I need more answers. If you see a computer terminal, plug in and get whatever you can,” I said.

“Will do, Captain,” replied Laine.

“Saria, please continue to focus on keeping us alive,” I said.

Saria nodded.

“We should avoid the elevators, Captain. Too easy for us to get trapped inside,” she said.

“Agreed. Laine, see if you can locate stairs up to the bridge level on your map,” I said.

Laine nodded.

“I suggest you try the next door on your right,” she said.

Beside the door, I found a panel with two buttons. I pressed the one for open. The door slid open to reveal a vertical shaft with hand holds up and down the shaft.

“Those aren’t stairs,” said Laine.

“I have an idea,” I said.

I reached my arm into the shaft, while keeping my body outside in the corridor. When I relaxed my arm, it just floated there.

I pulled back my arm and turned to face Laine and Saria.

“There’s no gravity inside the shaft. We can float in there and use the hand holds to pull ourself in the direction we choose,” I said.

“It’s a novel approach, and it saves power too,” said Saria.

“After you, Lieutenant. I suggest we try going up two levels,” I said and gestured for her to enter the shaft.

She nodded and stepped into the shaft.

Once Saria had floated up the shaft, Laine followed, and I brought up the rear. I left the door open to mark our return journey, though I supposed with Laine’s map we’d find the way.

Laine looked back at me.

“Captain, this feels oddly familiar,” said Laine.

“I know what you mean. Let’s hope the vessel’s computer doesn’t turn on gravity while we are in here,” I said.

“Keep moving,” said Saria. “If you don’t want to become a target.”

We continued on up two levels. Saria opened the door, and we moved out into a corridor. Saria was watching for potential threats when I emerged from the shaft.

“The bridge should be this way,” said Laine as she examined her device and pointed down the corridor.

Saria moved on, we followed.

“I don’t see any burn marks on this level,” I said.

“You’re suggesting they didn’t make it this far?” asked Laine.

“It looks that way,” I replied.

We continued. The corridor ended at double doors that were closed.

“The bridge is through there,” said Laine.

“I have a bad feeling. Laine, step back with me. Saria, be careful when you open the doors,” I ordered.

Laine and I moved a short distance away and to the side while Saria inspected the panel with the door controls. She pressed the open button.

“The doors aren’t responding,” said Saria. “And there’s a voice speaking in a strange language.”

Laine and I returned to join Saria at the panel.

The voice came from the panel. I didn’t recognize the language. I called Ship on my communicator.

“Ship, please listen to this audio and identify the language,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

I held my communicator close to the panel for Ship to hear the message.

“Captain, the language is that of a race called the Uv’ek. The Baglogi and the Uv’ek were allies, several millennia ago,” replied Ship.

“Progress! Ship, can you translate it for us?” I asked.

“Confirmed. Message reads: This vessel is property of the Uv’ek. Leave now or face consequences,” replied Ship.

I was in no mood for consequences.

“Ship, hail the vessel. Tell it we are Baglogi and here to answer their distress call. We need access to the bridge to discover the nature of the distress,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

We waited outside the doors for about two minutes. Suddenly, the voice on the panel stopped. Soon after that, the doors opened.

I looked through the doorway as the lights flickered on inside the bridge. Various displays came to life.

“Attention, I have explained to the vessel, and you now have access for the rescue.

“The vessel understands Baglogi, and I have downloaded Uv’ek/Quard translation to Laine’s device,” said Ship.

“Thank you, Ship. Good job!” I said.

We stood at the threshold to the bridge.

“My Baglogi isn’t very good,” said Laine.

“Mine is non-existent,” said Saria.

“Lieutenant, you’d best stay here and guard the corridor. Don’t fire on anyone unless fired upon,” I ordered.

Saria nodded. I gestured to Laine.

“You’re with me, Ensign,” I said.

We entered the bridge of the Uv’ek vessel. Directly ahead on the wall was a large display. About the room were various consoles.

“Now we learn what happened,” I said to Laine.

She shrugged and smiled at me.

I’d taken the effort to learn Baglogi a while back, when we’d visited the Baglogi home world. It turned out I needn’t have bothered. Anyway, it had been a while since I’d practiced.

I took a deep breath and spoke in my best Baglogi.

“I am Captain Brian. We are here to help. Please explain distress,” I said.

A moment later, a schematic of the vessel appeared on the display, thankfully annotated in Baglogi.

“What are those red areas?” asked Laine.

The schematic had helpfully highlighted two areas in red.

“Well, this one says Engineering, and that one is a cargo bay,” I replied.

“Are you sure?” asked Laine.

“My Baglogi vocabulary isn’t as good as Ori. I’m sure about the engineering one. Why don’t you try out your device?” I suggested.

Laine typed in something on her device. A minute later she looked up and punched me in the arm.

“You got the first one right. The second location is their sick bay,” she said with a grin.

“Oh! Sorry, I must remember that one. I might need it if you keep hitting me. Can you get more details on them?” I asked.

More typing. I looked towards the doorway where Saria was standing guard, looking bored. Except for the noises we made, this place was silent. At least there weren’t any killer androids.

“Captain, there’s damage to the main hyperspace engine. Main power is down, running on backup,” said Laine.

“What about the sick bay?” I asked.

“It didn’t give me further details, but listed it as ‘urgent’,” replied Laine.

I called Ship again.

“Ship, there’s damage to both the hyperspace engine and main power. Please hail the vessel and get all the details you can. Send over maintenance bots. Ask for schematics, fabricate replacement parts if you have to,” I ordered.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“Let me know when you have any updates,” I said.