D-037: Shuttle Hio (N-Space to Loyalists’ Rock), Sleeping Cabin
The rumble of the shuttle’s thrusters, higher-pitched than on Spanial, and the whisper of the airflow are a constant, gentle white noise background.
The shuttle is over half way to Loyalist’s Rock, decelerating toward the small planet from where Spanial jumped into the Zarg’s World system, where Lia will establish the ship’s alibi for arriving so far out from the star, in case one is needed.
The date is 211.423 – supposedly the tenth anniversary of Lia’s birth. Eliana’s same birth anniversary will not occur for another 63 Cycles.
The time is GG01; Lia is fully rested.
Of what is she thinking, if anything?
She’s thinking about her old life, her parents, her aunt, mixed feelings, regrets and choices.