A beeping from Tracy’s station interrupted the command crew’s staring at the new ship on screen. She began, a hint of disbelief in her voice, “We’re getting a message from it skipper, text only. It’s offering to render assistance.”
Anton watched his father sit back down in his chair and mull over the information. A moment of silence passed before Anton spoke up, “It wants to help. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“We don’t know anything about that ship,” he replied. “It comes out of nowhere and happens to want to help? It can’t be that simple.” Anton’s father shook his head.
Anton offered, “We’d offer help if we came across a damaged ship, wouldn’t we?”
“It’s not the same.”
“We’re sitting ducks out here. You said so yourself, the raider ship is coming back. What have we got to lose?”
Anton’s father nodded slowly. “Alright. Send a reply. We’ll accept any aid it’s willing to give.”
Tracy relayed the message. As soon as she did, the massive ship began to draw towards The Indigo Virgo. As it came closer, the crew saw that the hull of the ship was not a smooth contiguous surface. Its surface was arrayed with spires and antennae, all seemingly reaching out from the ship. It soon dwarfed The Indigo Virgo and still it continued course.
“Skipper?” Tracy said nervously, her eyes affixed on the looming ship.
“Hold fast. We couldn’t outrun it at this point anyways.”
It passed over them and came to a halt. Along a section of its underside, a sliver of light emerged and began to widen. It continued to enlarge and the crew realized it was an opening hatch. The ship lowered, taking The Indigo Virgo aboard into a vast bay. The bay door closed beneath them and mechanical arms from overhead came down to securely clamp The Indigo Virgo into place.
“For a moment there I was almost expecting it to have artificial gravity,” Anton commented.
“Well,” said Anton’s father. “Shall we go meet our would-be savior?”
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