Aboard the Han, the Chinese captain's options were limited once again.

Additionally, the 38-minute delay in takeoff from Cebu meant the plane was not as far out to sea as anticipated, which contributed to the captain's options available for an emergency landing.

The two-decade duration of Stargazer's voyage of discovery had encouraged camaraderie, but he hadn't viewed it as a captain's option to form any deeper relationships with those serving under him.

And the Khan's UET-assigned schedule now read Earth to Terranova to Farmer's Dell, where further orders might be waiting-or if not, at the captain's option, return to Earth either directly or via the Twin Worlds.