A mildly interesting story - it's nice to get the gaps filled in. Somehow I had thought Pat Rin chose the name Conrad on Surebleak, not before he got there (as this story indicates). And I have no idea what "Conrad, like the carpets?" means. I somehow don't quite warm to Beba or Joshu - it's nice that they can get away from their planet before it implodes socially, but I'm not really interested in what happens to them next (not nearly as interested as I am in Ceola). Not a bad story, and as always I enjoy seeing the bits filled in, but not exciting either. ( )