The return to awareness was jarring despite how gentile it was designed to be.  After such a long time spent in a dreamless coma induced by the damage control systems it was difficult to focus on anything.  Confusion filled each thought as cold start checks refused to relinquish control of any systems until each passed a complete check.

Bright spots of pain dotted its body, still not fully healed.  The realization was disturbing, standard procedure clearly outlined that reactivation would only be permitted after a complete recovery was made except in a few special cases.  A quick check of its structural systems and the repairs logged by the Damage Control Implants brought some relief, revealing that all hull breaches were sealed and the worst of the damage sustained in the previous battle was healed.  Major repairs still remained, especially to the weapon systems and outer armor, however all the ground work was laid and a full recovery would be possible without outside aid.

During its self examination several more startup checks were passed and control of the sensors was at last released.  Without any whisker drones there was a distinct impression of blindness and it made a note to grow a new set as soon as practical.  Thankfully long range scans were not necessary to determine the trigger to its reawakening.  A small shuttle of undetermined origin was actively scanning it.

A tingle ran through its body as it longed to have battle control released at the sight of the unidentified craft.  Instead it was forced to passively watch as cold start diagnostics unhurriedly checked each system in an order that couldn't be altered or bypassed.  An order that placed weapon systems last.

Forced to consider the situation it ultimately decided that perhaps this was for the best.  The small craft seemed to be incapable of posing a threat.  An initial visual survey suggested that it did in fact mount weapons but nothing on a scale that could cause much damage.  Even the clumsy way it slowly maneuvered around, scanning in a tight short range band, suggested there was nothing to be concerned about yet.

Instead this could be an opportunity.  A chance to learn why it had not been recovered after the battle and returned to service.  Devoting several seconds to consider this possibility and the risks involved it at last reached a decision.

Slowly it opened the port landing bay.  For now it would watch and wait until full control was restored.

*	*	*

The fur on the back of Shawn Stark's neck refused to settle down, clearly advertising how tense he felt much to his annoyance.  Back when the strange ship's landing bay opened without warning everyone on-board started to argue about what should be done.  He'd been the one to insist that the ship be investigated for anything they could use but everyone else seemed to want to run away with their tails between their legs.

"Having second thoughts?" Dana asked as she stepped out beside him.

Not everyone else, he admonished himself and shook his head.  "Just nervous," he said and took a few cautious steps out into the landing bay while peering around cautiously.  "My father told me how dangerous derelicts can be if you make a mistake."

She smiled warmly and the sight warmed his heart.  "Nothing to do with an abandoned ship offering us the chance to land, huh?"

"It has to be some automated system that is still working," he insisted.  "You can't assume nothing on a ship works just because it's been abandoned."