American Science Fiction Magazine #30

"Derelict of Space" by Randall Garrett The Galactic Interstellar Ship *Pendar* detects an anomalous object traveling at three-quarters light velocity. Investigation reveals an ancient Earth vessel, over three thousand years old, carrying eight hundred frozen humans in suspended animation. Dr. Gell leads an anthropological team at Kelivar IV's research lab to study the derelict. The ship was damaged en route by cosmic debris—a microscopic dust particle punching a hole that wrecked vital systems, sending it off course. Gell's understaffed team selects one frozen passenger at random for attempted revival, hoping to extract intelligence valuable to their ongoing war effort. The narrative explores how a tiny collision across interstellar distances proved catastrophic, stranding the ancient expedition in space for millennia.