Author's Note

Gentle Readers - As Kestrel was writing this story, she encountered a number of difficulties. First of all, the length. Kestrel didn't have to worry about whether the story was long enough to be worthwhile. Instead, she started to wonder if she had begun the Great Space Cases Novel. Therefore, the story, like Julius Caesar's Gaul, is divided into three parts. In fact, there was intended to be another part, covering events on board the Christa, that had to be dropped in mercy to the readers. (Of course, if you're curious, let Kestrel know - it could be an interesting sequel).

The second, and more serious, problem, occurred when Kestrel was about halfway through, and Tracey Rich published her excellent story, "The Road Not Taken". Eek! A number of Kestrel's plot elements showed up in it. Fortunately, Ms. Rich, as one can tell from her writing, has an excellent sense of humour, and graciously encouraged Kestrel to continue. Thanks, Tracey.

Still, Kestrel is now pondering these events. They seem beyond normal explanation. Was she in some strange psychic connection with Ms. Rich? Were they both tapping the great Space Cases collective unconscious? Kestrel is not entirely sure what all this means, but if Ms. Rich is currently working on a story that involves a parrot with a college education, Kestrel is going to get worried.

Want to start the story? Go to Chapter 1

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