When they arrived at the airstrip, Jeiel Vernier awaited them. The commander shouted something alien to him then quickly slid Casina off his mount. Once on the ground beside her, he took her arm, shouted something else to Jeiel, then hastened her across the tarmac, to a small craft similar to the one she had tried stealing while aboard the ship that had brought her there. What had they called

it? Oh, yes. A canvas module.

"Wh-Where are we going?" Casina asked, balking somewhat, as bad memories washed over her.

"You"re spending the day with me," he said in a flat tone, daring her to argue the point.

He ushered...