Cassandra Burton rapidly adjusts the dials and knobs that control her ship.  The tin can she calls home may not be the most elegant of spacecraft, but it's high durability and powerful engines make it ideal for the salvage business.  Still, most would write off the Iron Kite as a junk heap itself.  Only Cassi and her self-programmed computer system (IK, or Ike) have the interest needed to keep it flying.<br/><br/>"Alright Ike... bring her in nice and easy.  I'm gonna strap into my suit.  I don't trust the atmosphere readings in there."<br/><br/>Ike replies in her headset. ~Atmosphere is stable.  Warning.... biologicals detected.  Not human...~<br/><br/>"Quit your whining.  They probably just have a healthy population of rats on board.  They've been out here long enough the little rodents have probably taken over the ship."  She shudders a bit at the thought, particularly as her mind hits on what the vermin would have been eating, but she quickly pushes it aside.  All she has to do is flush the airlock, launch the buggers into space, then set the thing into neutral and tow it home.  With a ll the hype about the Merlin disappearing, she's certain the government will pay a hefty sum to get it back.<br/><br/>"Ok Ike... ready to dock when you are..."  There's a crunching sound as her bay doors align with the Merlin's, and the salvage ship sets up an air seal.  Then the robotic arms pry open the big ship's doors and allow Cassi access into it's dead belly.