It was the first of
fourteen ships from both Space Command and Starlight Enterprise that
were expected to arrive within the hour.
The Tempest maneuvered carefully through the gaping orifice left when
Kimball's ship had blown the massive airlock, and set down inside the
airless docking arena of the asteroid. Captain Mary Marks-Owens
descended the ladder first, followed by several members of the crew.
All were armed. Only the lights of the spaceship lit up the cavernous
hall of shadows.
"Eerie," observed Captain Marks-Owens as she set foot on the pavement.
"Follow me. We'll see if the place is as abandoned as it looks." Nine
space-suited figures fell in behind her as she approached the airlock
into the manufacturing area. When she was unable to open it, she called
for a portable power supply. Two additional men brought one from the
ship, opened the airlock, and allowed the landing party to enter the
complex. Once inside, the members of the crew were able to dispense
with their helmets.
Slowly and carefully they made their way through the blackness, pushing
it back with the radiance of the lights they carried. They were in awe
of the huge, obviously alien place.
"The place feels almost haunted," observed one man in a quiet voice.
"Somewhat," agreed the Captain, "but there's more to it than that.
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