Warm, humane hands gently held Casina as a lukewarm liquid caressed her stinging members. Too insensible to comprehend or care what was happening to her, she shivered uncontrollably as unfamiliar voices faded in and out around her, vaguely penetrating her subconscious. Strong hands handled her, but she was physically unable to ward them off. She felt herself rising and falling simultaneously. It was a confusing feeling, one that made her dizzy and warm all at the same time. Still, the liquid caressing her felt so good, and the hypothermic needles of pain were slowly subsiding to a more tolerable state.

Later she was to recall a sharp pain in her head and then at her wrist that made her cry out. Feverish, she struck out blindly as a strange steaming drink was then poured carefully, yet insistently down her throat. She made a feeble effort at resistance but soon felt herself falling again, falling until she was no longer aware of anything.

* * * *

She awoke to a brightly lit room. Lifting a hand against the light, she blinked, taking a moment to adjust her eyes.

She glanced at the sparse furnishings, then slowly sat up when she observed the large round port hole on the wall beside her, spaced about a foot from the bunk. Slowly she pulled herself up by the ledge to peer out the thick glass.

A strangled gasp tore from her lips as she took in the view. Biting back a curse, she curled an angry fist against the glass, her stomach knotting in agitation.

“No. No!” she groaned as she observed the wondrous, intricate patterns of glistening stars, whirling spheres, and mysterious orbs suspended seemingly motionless outside the port hole. “This can’t be happening!” Faith, was she in outer space...on a...a...spaceship?

She fell back onto the bunk and threw a forearm over her face. God, she pleaded silently. Let this be nothing more than a bad dream. Frightened, heartfelt sobs overtook her, as tears sprang forth and streamed down her face. She pounded the padded bunk in fury, wondering what was to become of her now. “Please, God, no...” she murmured. After all she had been through and now...this.