"Catapulting out of orbit in 5,4,3..." the automated voice of the ship's computer announced on the bridge of the Horizon counting down making the countdown into deep space.
"...2,1".
The two superlifters, Horizon and Thunder shot out of Plaska's orbit, leaping out into deep space in a spectacular streaks of light, side by side on course for the beita quadrant.
Watching the stars shoot past from a window on the Horizon, Maidei's anger began to dissipate, she was grappling in her mind with the possibility that she might have been too quick to judge and jumped to conclusions, may be she ought to give, Takunda a chance to explain himself. Maybe she had seen wrong, maybe it was the princess who had kissed him. It would certainly make more sense that way.