Casina’s efficiency and knowledge of the ship astounded not only the crew but herself as well. It was as though Dammen had left part of himself with her after all, and the thought made her glow happily. What would he think of her now? she wondered, recalling how perturbed he had been when she had ordered his men from the bridge after putting the ship on autopilot. Would he still think her weak and helpless, or had he known as well what she was capable of if she just put her mind to something she was forced to do without him?

Within minutes, under her skillful direction, Casina’s crew had...