Ace awoke early.  The sun streamed in through the window, seagulls screeched from the harbour.  She lay in the huge bed for a while listening to the sounds of the colony drift into her room, enjoying the opportunity to lie in.

yawning, she slid from the bed and padded over to the bathroom.  A note had been slid under her door.  She reached down and unfolded it.

Gone for a wander.  I expect we've got different itineraries.
See you for dinner tonight.
The Doctor.

Ace grinned.  That was the Doctor's way of saying that he had things to do and didn't want her in the way.  Still, it suited her.  She fancied exploring on her own.

She showered quickly and wandered down to the restaurant in search of breakfast.  Once again the Doctor's scarab credit card seemed to have worked wonders and waiters scurried around her as if she was royalty.

Draining the last of her coffee she strolled out into the suns.  The island was abuzz with traders and tourists, the beach already full of holidaymakers.  With a grumbling roar the yellow shape of the coastguard flyer swooped low over the colony and out to sea.  Ace frowned.  They obviously had a problem somewhere.  It was difficult to imagine tragedy in this vibrant place.

Pulling her sunglasses from the top of her head, she meandered down to the waterfront, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.  The harbour was awash with boats of different shapes and sizes - trawlers, tugs, pleasure cruisers.  A huge salt processor drifted out on the horizon.  There was a crowd at the end of one of the jetties, and with nothing better to do Ace wandered over.

The crowd was gathered around a small submarine.  The crew were setting up a gangplank to the jetty.  Ace suddenly felt a hand clamp on her shoulder.

'Good morning, my dear.'

Ace groaned inwardly.  She slid out from under his hand.

'Wotcha, how's the head?'

Bryce shook his head dismissively.  'I'm fine, my dear.  It take more than a few bottles of cheap colony plonk to dampen my spirits.  Besides, I've got work to do.  Lots of research.'  He gestured at the submarine.  'Are you joining us?  Exploring the  ruins, delving into the past?'

Ace was about to decline politely when her eye was caught by the man clambering out of the sub.  He was about her age, tall and slim - Indian by the look of him - muscles rippling under his vest.  He looked over at her and smiled.

Ace patted Bryce on the arm.  'I may well be, Mr Bryce.  I may well be.'

Bryce followed her eyeline.  'Ah, young Rajiid.  Our captain.'  He waved at the young Indian.  'Rajiid, come and say hello to our new guest.'

Rajiid hopped up on to the jetty and sauntered over, grinning.

'Who have you found to bother now, Edwin?'

'Bother?  My dear young man, Miss Ace is a keen explorer and companion of an excellent fellow by the name of the Doctor.'  He looked around in surprise.  'Where is the Doctor by the way?  I wouldn't have thought he'd want to miss this.'

`Oh he'll catch us up later, don't you worry.'  Ace held out a hand to Rajiid.  'Hi.'

The submarine pilot shook it firmly.  'What brings you to Coralee, Miss Ace?'

'Not a lot, and it's just Ace.'  She nodded at the sub.  'Does than make you a scientist?'

Bryce laughed.  'Huh?  No, he's an entrepreneur.  Now if you will excuse me, I must get my usual seat.'