But he was committed now. There was nothing he could do except to see it through.
He reached the hatch and tumbled through it. There was no one waiting. The inner lock stood open and there was no one there.
He stopped to stare at the emptiness and behind him the retracting ladder rumbled softly and the hatch hissed to a close.
"Hey," he shouted, "where is everyone?"
"There is no one here," the voice said, "but me."
"All right," said Sherwood. "Where do I go to find you?"
"You have found me," said the Ship. "You are standing in me."
"You mean...."
"I told you," said the Ship. "I said I was the Ship. That is what I am."
"But no one...."