The Ship That Came Early is Book Two of The Gate Salvage Chronicles.
Orison Station survived the broken gate, but survival has not made it safe. The Mended Wing crew is still trapped on the wrong side of the impossible, working under emergency contract while the station argues, repairs, rations, and tries not to open the wrong door.
Then a human ship older than the wormhole program answers Orison's warning before the warning was sent.
The HCS Meridian should not exist. It should not know John Hayes's name. It should not be carrying records of a first boarding party Orison does not remember sending. And it should not be asking for salvage inspection under manual terms only.
John, Leni, Jax, Rook, and the rest of Orison must decide what can be trusted when rescue language becomes dangerous, supplies arrive tied to a gate core, and mercy starts sounding like a weapon.
To survive, they will have to remember the rule Orison has already paid for once:
Do not choose the fastest door.