Derelict for Trade – Andre Norton (1997)

Derelict for Trade by Andre Norton and Sherwood Smith, published in 1997, is part of the well-known Solar Queen series. This science fiction adventure continues the story of the independent Free Traders aboard the Solar Queen as they face peril, mystery, and opportunity in deep space. Set in a richly imagined universe governed by interstellar commerce and complex alien diplomacy, the novel follows the crew’s encounter with an abandoned spacecraft—one that could either be their ruin or their salvation.

Plot Summary

The Solar Queen hung in the silence of space, her crew taut with anxiety and dwindling fuel reserves. As Captain Jellico directed the ship toward the planetary mass of Mykos to conserve what little remained, a navigational knot snapped them violently out of hyperspace. Sensors revealed a grim truth: the ship was adrift, with insufficient power to reach port. Options were few, and danger loomed in the form of defensive weapons from the nearby alien habitat, the Kanddoyd cylomes. With no way to brake or steer safely, they faced possible destruction.

Amid tension on the bridge, a ghost emerged from the void. Another vessel appeared on sensors – silent, lifeless, and following their trajectory with unnatural precision. No response came to hails. As visuals cleared, it became evident the derelict bore Terran registry. Scorch marks streaked its hull. Its name, Starvenger, glinted coldly in alien and human script. The chance for salvation lay in the possibility of its fuel reserves. Yet the risk of contagion or trap hung heavy over the decision to board.

Captain Jellico chose action. A boarding team in full biohazard suits, led by astrogator apprentice Rip Shannon, floated across the abyss to the drifting ship. Dane Thorson, the sturdy cargo apprentice, and Dr. Rael Cofort, the ship’s new medic, joined him. Inside, the Starvenger lay in eerie stillness. Systems hummed with residual life, but no crew stirred. As they moved through corridors and cargo holds, they found signs of sudden abandonment – systems cleared, logs wiped clean, and not a soul in sight. But two survivors remained, frail and near death – a pair of feline companions, clinging to life in the hydroponics lab, forgotten by those who fled.

Fuel was discovered – nearly a full reserve, compatible with the Queen’s engines after minor adjustments. As Chief Engineer Stotz oversaw the transfer, the crew reflected on their fortune. It was a reprieve, but not without a price. Questions gnawed at them – why had a well-stocked, apparently undamaged ship been abandoned? What had frightened its crew into flight, leaving behind only cats and empty cabins?

Back aboard the Queen, the mood shifted from desperation to contemplation. The crew gathered in the cramped mess, the heart of the ship, and weighed their options. The Starvenger and its unknown cargo could be sold for salvage. Or it could be retained, doubling their trading capacity and perhaps, their fortunes. Arguments circled, from docking fees and crew shortages to future prospects and pride in building something lasting. In the end, they voted to keep the ship, now their ship, and began the long loop around Mykos to reach port safely.

As the acceleration eased, Dane returned to the Starvenger with Cargo Master Van Ryke. In the hold they cataloged goods tailored for alien trade – stridulation unguents, carapace jewels, sonic rasps. Clearly, the previous crew had been bound for Kanddoyd ports. Yet there were no clues as to what had gone wrong. Van Ryke suspected illness or sabotage, while Dane could not dismiss the lone scorched mark on the hull.

When Van Ryke returned to the Queen, Dane lingered. Something about the ship called to him – the scuffed console, the comfortable layout, the worn marks of familiarity. It had been someone’s home. He found a cobalt-blue mug in a cabin corner, untouched, unshattered. In the weightless quiet, the mug felt like a relic of memory. This ship had not been discarded lightly. There had been lives here, habits, bonds. And now, nothing.

He climbed to the bridge where Rip and Wilcox examined the alien nav-comp. Dane spoke the thought that had rooted itself in his bones: they owed it to the vanished crew to uncover what had happened. Not for profit, but out of respect. If it had been the Queen, if they had disappeared, someone ought to care enough to ask the same.

Rip agreed, drawn by the same unspoken code. Wilcox, pragmatic and skeptical, shrugged. If the captain allowed it, he would help. That was enough.

Meanwhile, back aboard the Queen, the cats, dubbed Alpha and Omega, stirred in isolation. The ship’s own feline, Sinbad, visited them with wary acceptance. Dr. Cofort and Craig Tau watched over the creatures, noting their gradual recovery. The mystery deepened – if the ship’s logs were wiped and its crew vanished, why leave behind living beings? Not all questions found answers.

Captain Jellico called a meeting. The crew discussed the legalities of salvage, the prospect of adding a second ship to their operations, and the implications of the unknown. Though Dr. Cofort voiced concern over acquiring a vessel under suspicious circumstances, the majority leaned toward pragmatism. Nothing in the law forbade their claim. If they did not take the ship, another would. The decision stood – they would claim the Starvenger and begin preparations to operate her.

Dane and Van Ryke continued their inventory. The goods lacked immediate high value, but trading potential lingered. As they walked the decks, Dane thought of his journey – the green apprentice who had once stepped onto the Queen with more strength than skill. Now, faced with his own ship and the responsibilities of command, he felt a weight settle on his shoulders. Pride, yes. But also responsibility.

And still, the mystery endured. Empty corridors and wiped systems hinted at a story no one yet knew. The only living evidence, Alpha and Omega, could not speak. But their presence was enough to disturb the simple narrative of abandonment. The Queen’s crew had gained a ship, and with it, perhaps a path toward prosperity. Yet beneath that fortune, something whispered of unfinished tales and forgotten fates.

Dane looked around the Starvenger and felt the weight of both. He would keep looking. Not for reward, not for reputation. But because it felt right.

Main Characters

• Dane Thorson – A cargo apprentice aboard the Solar Queen, Dane is tall, rawboned, and quietly courageous. As he matures through crises, he proves his loyalty, sharp mind, and moral compass. His deep connection to the crew and ship underscores his evolving role from apprentice to vital team member. A subtle romantic tension with Rael Cofort adds dimension to his character arc.

• Captain Miceal Jellico – Stoic and seasoned, Jellico is a quintessential starship captain—decisive, calm under pressure, and deeply protective of his crew. His leadership anchors the team through financial peril and existential threats, revealing a man who balances logic with unspoken empathy.

• Jan Van Ryke – The genial cargo master whose experience and wisdom often guide the crew. Practical and unflappable, Van Ryke’s strategic thinking and respect for his crew’s growth make him a key figure in the Queen’s decision-making.

• Rael Cofort – The new medic, intelligent and composed, Rael brings emotional insight and clinical precision. Her background in both medicine and psychology allows her to connect with others on a deep level. Her quiet strength and curiosity make her a stabilizing force, particularly in her interactions with Dane.

• Steen Wilcox – The expert astrogator, Wilcox is meticulous and exacting. His technical prowess is crucial during navigation crises, and he approaches problems with professional detachment, though he’s not without dry wit.

• Ali Kamil – The ship’s irreverent and sharp-witted engineer apprentice, Ali balances comic relief with technical expertise. His playful personality masks a deeply capable and resourceful mind.

• Jasper Weeks – A quiet, intelligent jet tech apprentice with a knack for engineering detail. His innovations, like creating ultrasonic detectors for alien communication, reveal his understated brilliance.

Theme

• Survival and Adaptation – At the heart of the story is the Free Traders’ struggle for survival. Faced with fuel shortages, economic desperation, and mysterious threats, the crew must adapt to new environments and unknown technology, demonstrating resilience in both body and spirit.

• Trust and Camaraderie – The tight-knit bonds among the crew highlight a theme of mutual reliance. Despite differing backgrounds and temperaments, the Queen’s crew operates like a family, especially in crises where unity becomes their greatest strength.

• Mystery and the Unknown – The derelict ship Starvenger becomes a central mystery—its abandonment, intact systems, and enigmatic origin fuel a motif of exploration tinged with unease. The unknown is both a lure and a threat.

• Cultural Intersection and Communication – The novel explores the challenges of interspecies trade and diplomacy, especially with races like the Kanddoyd. Efforts to understand alien norms and languages underscore the importance—and difficulty—of communication in a multicultural galaxy.

• Choice and Consequence – Through democratic decision-making aboard the Queen, the crew must constantly weigh risk and reward. Their vote to invest in salvaging the Starvenger sets off a cascade of potential consequences, personal and professional.

Writing Style and Tone

Andre Norton and Sherwood Smith employ a measured, immersive narrative voice that reflects both the tactical precision of spacefaring life and the emotional undercurrents of close-quarter living. The prose is rich in technical detail without becoming inaccessible, layering mechanical descriptions with human emotion to create a vivid, lived-in universe. The third-person limited point of view often focuses on Dane Thorson, allowing readers to experience his inner growth and moral dilemmas firsthand.

The tone balances tension and hope—oscillating between the grim pragmatism of life-threatening decisions and the warmth of crew camaraderie. Moments of quiet reflection, dry humor, and unspoken emotion give the story depth, even as it maintains the pacing of a spacefaring adventure. The authors skillfully navigate between worldbuilding and character introspection, ensuring the reader remains engaged in both the external stakes and internal journeys.