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NAVEL ENGAGEMENT A. BERTRAM CHANDLER When the gaussjammer LODE TRADER was wrecked on the planet later much later - irreverently named Nirvana by Commodore Ferson of the Survey Service, there was only one survivor. Only one human survivor, that is. LODE TRADER - one of the Interstellar Transport Commission's tramps carried only a small crew, consisting of Master, three mates, three engineers and a catering officer. She had accomodation for twelve passengers which, sometimes, was fully booked - but which, this voyage, wasn't. The sole occupant of the compartment packed with cramped dogboxes was a priest, a missionary, bound from Terra to the newly established colony on Hamal V. When the magnetic storm hit LODE TRADER, throwing her light years off trajectory, the Captain, a confirmed agnostic, sneeringly suggested that his passenger get down on his knees and start
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