Dark Space (33 page)

  
Shawn nodded, then turned to face the captain. “What about it?”

  
Ralath’s eyes moved down to the deck in contemplation before they locked back
onto Shawn’s. “An admirable quality.” He stepped through the doors, and they
quickly closed behind him.

  
Shawn turned back to the chamber and the still form inside it. Holding his hand
up to the transparent window over her face, he wished he could will Melissa
back to good health.

  
“I love you.”

  
Doctor Uudon stepped up behind Shawn. “I’ll do everything in my power to help
her, Commander. For now, she’s stable. I’ll continue to monitor her for any
change in her readings.”

  
Shawn nodded. “Actually, there is something else I’d like you to take care of for
me.”

  
“Oh?”

  
Reaching into his jacket pocket, Shawn withdrew Santorum’s recorded
communication Melissa had downloaded onboard the
Duchess
, then handed it
to Uudon. “I need you to see if you can make heads or tails of this.”

  
“What is it?”

  
“It’s the full transmission that was sent to the signal amplifier on Torval.
Melissa was able to decrypt it, but she was unable to decipher the message
body. Based on your experience with the device, maybe you can figure it out.”

  
Uudon nodded. If he was elated to have the alien recording in his possession,
it didn’t come across on his face. If anything, he appeared troubled over what
had happened to Melissa. “I’ll try to analyze it right away.”

  
“I’ll talk to Ralath… get you anything you might need.”

  
“The equipment on the
Nautilus
will be most helpful in that endeavor,”
the doctor said, then turned to the chamber holding Melissa, “but I’m wagering
you won’t want to wait that long.”

  
Shawn placed a gentle hand on the transparent view port once again. “Whatever
you need, Doctor. Keep me posted.”

…
To be continued.