CARRIE’S DIRTY FACE was streaked with tears when Gavin finally returned. In the hours while she waited, she wondered what they were going to do with her. Would they charge her with something? Put her on trial? Or just give her the sack? She also tried several times to talk to the guard, hoping for a friendly voice, but he never answered and only stood immobile and nearly invisible to those who didn’t know he was there. She wondered at his stamina, for she was chilled through and her muscles ached no matter in what position she stood or sat. But all her fatigue melted away while she listened to what Gavin had to say as the guard released her from her restraints, and she stretched and rubbed her wrists and ankles.
“The Council have been unable to trace the transgalactic route the placktoids
