Prize Crew

A sailor in the Navy returns home after a deployment in deep space.  He recounts a mission during which he was tasked with piloting an abandoned alien ship to Terra.  

The sailor, Parker, Lang, and Prescott, are deployed to a Miscreet ship adrift in space. The foursome finds the vessel vacant of its crew.  Parker and Lang locate the bridge and bring the starship under their command, while Prescott and the sailor take inventory.

Prescott identifies a series of cabins, each equipped with a bunk and a lavatory.  Lang labels each of four consecutive doors with spray paint: Prescott, the sailor, Lang, and Parker.  

The sailor reflects on their commanding officer, Parker, her appearance and temperament.

The Miscreet ship is made to jump through space to the Solar System.  In hindsight, the sailor wonders about the malicious presence on the vessel and the impact of warp travel.

The sailor wakes overnight to find his cabin shrunken.  He rushes to show the small room to Lang, who dismisses the sailor’s concern and suggests he select a new, larger room.

Taking up his watch, the sailor is unnerved by the deep quiet of the ship that is punctuated only by the occasional whir of alien machines.  On reflection, the sailor supposes that the Miscreet ship served as a vector for an invasive presence on Terra. 

Prescott arrives to relieve the sailor.  He complains that the sailor was banging loudly in his cabin overnight.  Taken aback, the sailor admits only to whistling to fill the silence.