A blank sound emanated from everyone, no-one knew. No-one had the slightest idea. Foster sat down, resting her elbows on the table she buried her head in her hands. She rubbed the bridge of her nose a few times, made several strange noises then stood up. 'Right, ok, fine, this is what we'll do - Lee, check the communications log, check if he sent any message back to earth. Keelan check in the records where he could have gone. Simon and Charlotte, you can check his quarters, I want any clues, any slight indication as to where he's gone and why. I do have a good idea, but...' She was about to continue, when, from down the corridor, in the captains quarters there came a sound, a slow rhythmic sound, like metal on metal. A clock, an old-fashioned clock. It struck twelve times.
Jayne, who, until this moment, had been keeping quiet, stood forward, checking her watch quickly, she spoke. 'I think before you do all that you should come with me.' She walked off down the corridor to her quarters, the rest, unsure of the change in authority, waited. Foster walked after her, the remainder of the crew followed. The room was small, and only four of them could cram in. Jayne was seen rummaging through a chest that lay along one of the walls. She found what she was looking for. 'This has been in my company's possession for the past two hundred and forty years, I was specifically asked to board this vessel, at all costs, and on this day at twelve o'clock to give you this. I understand it will explain all. It's a diary. That's all I know.'
She handed the diary to Foster. She seemed curious, and wanted to open it immediately, however, in this tight room it would be awkward for everyone to see. So, exiting, she walked towards the observation deck, which was equipped with a large desk and many chairs. She sat. The crew crowded round the small box, a nervous tension had filled the air, and the shuffling of awkward feet could be heard echoing round the metal cabin. Placing the diary on the smooth surface she opened it. The 'book' was about thirty centimetres square, and about four or five thick, opening it revealed a screen, the other half, the 'lid', folded below it to provide a firm base. The screen flickered to life. As it warmed a series of options, listed horizontally, became apparent. They examined them