The Ortega was a Mark III Galaxy Class cruiser found circling on a two minute cycle in empty space by Blake. The crew included Dr Kendall, Grovane, Sonheim, Pasco, Levett, Dortmunn, Rafford, Mandrian and Sara, and it was carrying the vital neutrotope to Destiny. The ship was fitted with communicators, as not all ships were. The ship was sabotaged by Sara, who destroyed the flight deck, including the ison crystal, and later sabotaged the filtration plant. The ship was fitted with life rockets, which had a limited range. Dortmunn was supposed to have fled the ship with launching of life rocket-2, but this was simply a ruse concocted by Sara. It was destroyed by Blake by placing an explosive charge.