Tarkus sighed heavily as they transitioned back into normal space successfully. Kaira thought it had been their fifty-fourth jump, though she knew she might well have lost count. Once again it had been completely smooth, as all the others had been. While the transitions might have been easy, the piloting was clearly not.
“I need a break,” said Tarkus. “Something to eat, and then a shower.”
“Me too!” said Kaira.
“Sorry, not yet. I need you to take over.”
“What? You want me to fly the Glimmer through transitions?”
“Stars no! I need you to take over just in case someone else is travelling this route. If there is anyone there’s a good chance they’ll wind up in sensor range because the spots of stability are so small.
“It’s damn unlikely anyone will, and even if we see a ship they’
