Encounter at Hardpoint 1. The United Worlds ship Venture overtook light speed, slipping into subspace. Elongated stars shot past the bridge's window. Executive Officer Weston Ryder sat by Captain Stern at the rear of the control center. Engineer Jed Forger and Crew Psychologist Dana Tren sat up front, operating their consoles. The hyperdrive's hum filled the room, mixed with intermittent beeps from wall-mounted computers....