There is something that I haven’t told you yet because so far in the story it doesn’t have any relevance. But I think it will help if you know about this now. Andromeda possessed astonishing beauty. You know when you see a beautiful woman and you can’t help but stop in your tracks; you are struck dumb; maybe your heart gives a thump. And then when she smiles at you, you would be quite happy if the entire universe paused at that moment for a whole lifetime. This is the kind of beauty Andromeda had: entrancing, eternal, infinite beauty. I will not try and describe her features because it doesn’t really matter and I could never do her justice, but I hope you understand what I mean.

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One day a new character appeared among the Pilgrims. It was Phineus. Phineus was related to Andromeda, one of those kinds of uncle who is only a little bit older than the niece.  He was a brilliant scientist and a shrewd businessman and had made himself by far the wealthiest man in the Solar system. He had developed a miniature warp drive unit and had installed it in one of his private   yachts. Nobody, but nobody, else had such a craft.

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Andromeda’s mother had wanted her to marry Phineus.

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He wooed her and tempted her to leave the planet with her: