Derelict

A silent vessel arrives from the depths of space, carrying no answers and no living crew—only possibility. For the men stationed far from Earth, the discovery feels like salvation, but it quickly becomes something far more dangerous. Orders clash with instinct. Loyalty erodes under pressure. And a single decision threatens to redefine freedom itself. Derelict is a tense, character-driven science fiction story about power, secrecy, and moral choice. As authority tightens its grip and ambition turns predatory, two men confront the limits of obedience in a world where survival often means surrender. What begins as a scientific mystery transforms into a psychological struggle, where trust fractures and every action carries a cost that cannot be undone. Alan E. Nourse was known for blending sharp scientific insight with deeply human conflicts. Trained as a physician, Nourse brought realism and ethical complexity to his science fiction, often exploring how individuals respond when systems fail them. In Derelict, his controlled pacing and emotional restraint amplify the story’s quiet intensity, making it as relevant now as when it was first published.