EARTH—LOS ANGELESArcah and Gloalorn spent the first several days with Kimberly learning about how human society worked. They received standard Links and a stipend from the Federation—enough to meet their physical needs and extra pocket change. Their quarters above the residence of Daphne, Kimberly, and Dale cost them nothing, courtesy of the Federation. Travel by portal to anywhere was so inexpensive as to be hardly worth considering. In any case, the Federation picked up that cost as well, which allowed Butler’s office to keep track of the Asterian wanderings.
Initially, each morning both Asterians took breakfast with their hosts. Then they spent the rest of the day exploring together. After a couple of days, however, each went his separate way, usually returning by supper time but somet
