""Okay I've had quite enough of this!" I cried to the old me. "Understandable.  I'm..." he corrected himself "er, you're far too young for all of this nonsense.  But you see Jake, dear Jake, the world…"

"Their senses suggested that they had been granted a brief reprieve from their pursuers.  Rik took a moment to inspect the item.  It looked less of an instrument found in the engine of star ship than that of a puzzle.  "What…"

"Perhaps it's a dream, well, nightmare.  Perhaps if I just close my eyes and click my heels, I'll wake up in cold sweat but nonetheless in the comfort of my own bed.  Perhaps if I just summon the energy... But alas this is no…"