I spent the entire night wondering what to do. I couldn't just hitch a ride on the next spaceship headed for deep space and Ellison, but I couldn't stay on a haunted ship either.

If I demanded to be dropped off on the nearest planet, I risked being caught by the police. Then Ellison would be left in the incapable hands of the Ringers, who would rather think she turned traitor and sailed rather than investigate why her telecom was switched off.

As long as I had my ...