Roho, on route to Rephidim on the Distant Star, is on deck when the ship encounters a floating derelict that passes dangerously close. He helps out a pretty saluki named Armani, who almost goes overboard when the ship lurches. At last, things settle, and Roho is asked to go over to examine the ship for any signs of plague. He finds none, and gets a chance to explore it a bit with the aid of his beautiful (and cutpurse) "assistant" Maza. They find an old logbook, and, with the help of Roho's new friend Armani, have it partially translated … though the fate of the crew of the Silver Bell is still a mystery