PERMANOIDS OF CHILON

            Derron was awake before the lid hissed open. He turned his head to see Kirah’s and Lando’s cocoons open also. He felt strange; apprehension was nagging at him, but he was not sure what his feelings meant. He climbed out.

            “Good morning, BOSS. Or is it evening?” he addressed the rows of colored lights as he stretched and yawned. He enjoyed the feeling as his body responded to his movements. There was no reply. “Hello, BOSS.” Derron was worried. The computer should have responded instantly to his voice. He felt Kirah and Lando behind him and sensed their concern.

            “Where are you, BOSS?” Kirah’s voice was uncertain. “You’re not playing a game, are you?”

            “I’M SORRY TO HAVE KEPT YOU WAITING, BUT I HAVE PICKED UP A SERIES OF REPEATED SOUNDS. I THINK IT MAY BE A SIGNAL, AND PERHAPS A DISTRESS CALL.”

            “What does it say?” Derron asked.

            “IT DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING. IT IS A SERIES OF TONES.”

            “Are there any other ships in this sector?”

            “THERE ARE NONE THAT I CAN LOCATE, DERRON.”

            “Get an exact location of the signal, then send a message back to Luma-Vanceda. If someone is in distress, we’re bound by law to respond.”