Like every other citizen of the Federation of Sentient Planets, Lunzie Mespil knew the so-called "planet pirates" were capable of terrible things. But -- also like every other citizen of the Federation -- she never in her heart of hearts believed that anything would happen to her...

When pirates attack the space liner on which she is a passenger Lunzie didn't panic. She kept her head, made it to a lifeboat and she isn't too worried; she will spend a month or two in cryogenic stasis awaiting inevitable rescue, and then proceed with her life. Only it might not be a month or two...