Spotlights chased the sparkling blur of spandex and ponytails tumbling toward the flaming pit below. A split second more and surely the inferno would devour her. A muscular man swung past dangling from a trapeze, and snatched her by the wrists. Applause erupted from the hushed crowd with the ferocity of a raging volcano. The ovation passed through striped tent walls, rumbled over scarecrows guarding neighboring corn field...

Ambientchimes. Glimmering green lights. Dream ether consumed distant memories. Grainy sleep crumbled from Kinari's eyes. Gradually details of the stasis chamber appeared. "Are we there already?" She mumbled while stretching her arms above her head. Life-support tubing dragged across her face. "Yes," an affectionate digital voice replied. "The ship has assumed orbit over Dhatu IV." "Really? How long has it been?" "The ship...