Zip turned to a
"reception only" channel on the communicator his suit provided.
"It's not an Earth ship, sir," said a voice, "and it's empty.
Completely derelict. Must have been clamped to the surface of the
asteroid and got shaken off when you moved it out of the Belt."
"Go inside! Make sure there's no one in it!" It was the commanding
voice of Lurton Zimbardo. "Look for any sign that the Starmen had
something to do with it!"
"Yes sir!" The orders were given and six men left one of the pirate
ships and went through the open door of the alien craft. It took less
than a minute to get a report.
"Nothing here, sir," said one of the spacesuited men to his officer.
"The cargo area has been completely destroyed in an explosion, and the
wall has been blown open into empty space. There are no suits, no signs
of any habitation."
"It's an old wreck, sir, and so damaged that it can't be used,"
reported the pirate officer to headquarters.
"Probably left by the beings who built the asteroid," said Zimbardo.
"Come on back to work. I'd like to take a look at it, but we don't have
the men or time right now. Other matters are pressing."
"Yes sir." The communication terminated. The pirate ship took back its
six crew members and the three ships cruised over the horizon.
"Part one, the least risky part, successful," said Zip.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167