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Plague Ship
Plague Ship

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Plague Ship
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.
From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.
But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.
No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.
Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Plague Ship

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.
Line 2
From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.
Line 3
But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.
Line 4
No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.
Line 5
Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

also

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

applied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

apt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

brews

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

cabin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

close

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

common

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

cut

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

Dane

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

date

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

dropped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

dull

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

effects

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

find

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

flight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

HEADACHES

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

hope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

Hyper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

illness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

landing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

lifted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

lingering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

matter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

meeting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

mess

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

minimum

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

mug

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

Mura's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

off

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

plotted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

relaxation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

Sargol

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

Sargolian

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

schedule

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

spacer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

special

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

speculating

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

Steen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

studies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

systems

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

thrown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dane, himself, once he had thrown off the lingering effects of his Sargolian illness, applied time to his studies.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

usual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

usually

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

voyage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

wait

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HEADACHES They lifted from Sargol on schedule and went into Hyper also on schedule.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But this voyage there was little relaxation once they were in Hyper.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

Wilcox

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading No matter when Dane dropped into the mess cabin, which was the common meeting place of the spacer, he was apt to find others there before him, usually with a mug of one of Mura's special brews close at hand, speculating about their landing date.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading From that point on there was nothing to do but wait out the usual dull time of flight between systems and hope that Steen Wilcox had plotted a course which would cut that flight time to a minimum.