Jenny Tompkins, 24, an Earthling - a Zarcon - and best friend of Kaaniga Altair, lay on her bed, staring blankly at the beautifully ornate ceiling, a frown gracing her lovely brow. She was so bored she could spit tacks and wondered briefly how Casina had managed to survive the boredom she had endured during her tribulation period, both while at St. Christi’s Institute for the Criminally Insane as well as during her captive flight to Planet Konatha. Then later at TrCasinaar, their present domicile, then back to Earth again when Menakam M’yata, Kaanig Altair’s half-brother and chief antagonist had shipped her back home.

Kaanig Altair had promised Jenny that...