Midday found Gerrin, Reilly and Aldous walking along a dirt road through what could have been called the center of the workers’ village in Canton. Few other people were on the street, since most of the residents were either working in the factory or sleeping. They had been discussing how to locate their missing crewmembers. “You want to ask at the foreman’s office first?” Aldous asked.

Gerrin thought for a second. “The ships at the dock first. Then we come back to the factory.”

They continued to look around for signs of Anna and Lewis. Coming into a large open area which appeared to be the town square, they came upon a statue. The statue was of a large man glaring down into the square. A plaque at the bottom identified the subject of the statue. “Who the hell’s Jayne Cobb?” Aldous asked.

“I don’t know,” Gerrin commented, “but something’s got him angry”.

“From the look on his face, you’d think we owed him money” Reilly mused.

“That’s kind of what I meant”. Gerrin turned away. “Come on, we have work to do”.

* * * * *

While Gerrin, Reilly and Aldous made their way through Canton, Anna and Lewis continued to flee from the pursuing guards. They had reached the foothills, where the ground was more solid. The bamboo stalks ended, and short, gnarled trees grew from the ground. They moved swiftly but carefully among the trees, trying to avoid making noise. Every few minutes they stopped just long enough to listen for the pursuing guards. So far they had heard only the occasional sounds of local wildlife.

Anna suddenly froze, stopping Lewis with her arm. “What?” Lewis whispered.

They both listened for several seconds. They could barely hear voices, far behind them but getting closer. “Come on” she pushed Lewis forward.

The two of them moved further into the hills, carefully observing the foliage for possible hiding places. The voices behind them neither faded nor grew louder. Lewis scrambled ahead, with Anna behind him, listening for the approaching guards. Halfway into th