The Seeker leaped outward. As it did so it pushed the growing field, which pulled the ship, which pushed the field. Acceleration was rapid. There was a moment of nausea and utter disorientation. The field and the ship within passed the speed of light and entered the abstract universe known as Space Plus. Stars went wavy and streaked around the ship.

Everyone was about to relax when Bonnie’s screens displayed three new marks, behind and to one side of the Seeker’s course through Space Plus.

The Seeke’s computer went to work. Bonnie studied the resultant readout, but did not try to conceal a sigh of relief.

“Not a chance of intercept—not unless they’re a lot faster than we are. Of course, they could track us all the way back to Centaurus, but I don’t think they’ll risk that.”

Still, one of the pursuing vessels continued to follow as its companions dropped from the screens.

“Maybe they think they’re faster than we are.”

Bonnie shook her head. “If anything, the reverse is true—unless they’ve tried to fool us into thinking that.”

“Anderson, you’re a detection specialist, not a psychologist,” Taourit observed.

“We all have our hobbies.”

The computer interrupted to announce the result of studies begun when they’d reentered the ship. It declared that the air was breathable, gravity was operational, and in general all was right within the enclosed metal globe that was the Seeker.

The single light on Bonnie’s console continued to hold position as if its crew was determined to follow all the way across the galaxy, if need be. Twice it dropped from the screen, only to crawl slowly back into view. Once it made up some distance on its quarry.

“What do you make of that?” Sanchez asked the cocontroller.

Taourit studied the monitors and readouts, punched a query into the computer, and received fresh information.

“They’re fiddling with their drive. Probably pushing it to the limit.” He looked over at her. “It would be detrimental to future relations if this bunch were to blow themselves up trying to catch us.”

“We can’t be held responsible for that,” the captain replied calmly. “We made no hostile gestures toward them and they still kept us prisoners—would have kept us permanently if we hadn’t escaped, according to this Ryo individual.”

“Yes. According to it,” agreed Taourit.

“It’s a him,” Bonnie reminded them.

They both tinned to glance at her, then resumed their conversation. “According to him, and exactly who is ‘him’? Could he be a cleverly planted spy?” the cocontroller wondered.

“I don’t think so,” Sanchez said. “Our escape clearly was not engineered by them.”