Marishka slipped out of her heels and intot he jeffries tube she hadn’t known was in her office until her favorite Caitian had shown her one evening. Now she used it every time she needed to leave without being seen or just wanted some alone time. People had a tendency to find her even in her quarters. Usually she didn’t mind that but, every once in a while, she wanted to be alone with her tumultuous thoughts. The other reason, of course, was that she wasn’t going to make it easier for Mr. Dawson to find her. She picked her way carefully for what seemed like several ong minutes until she exited at a seldom used cargo bay, stepped onto a catwalk, and surveyed her surroundings.

• Marishka