Six Months Later

The main communal room that Astra had seen originally had a number of other rooms opening off it, including a dining room, a library and a gymnasium. Wishing to retain her fitness, Astra had a daily work-out in the last named, though these had had to become somewhat less strenuous as her pregnancy had advanced. At the six month stage, because she was expecting twins her belly was already about as big as it would have been at seven and a half months had she been carrying only a single foetus.

Then one day the news came that the Falstadt Empire had declared war on Gaia. Few of Astra's companions seemed very surprised.

Lying on her divan, she ponderously rolled onto her side so that she was facing her next-door neighbour, a girl hugely pregnant with triplets. "I'm not a native of this world, Lesba, and I've been remiss in learning about its politics," she said. "What can you tell me about the Falstadt Empire? And more importantly, which side is likely to win this war?"

"I can't tell you much, I'm afraid. I've never been very interested in politics. All I know is that the Empire is ruled by men, that they have strong armed forces and are very warlike. I always thought that they were too far distant to be a real threat to Gaia, but maybe I was wrong."

1. Another woman, better informed, joins in the conversation.
2. The conversation is interrupted by a medical orderly - distinguished from the naked inmates by her labcoat - who comes with the surprising news that the Over Power has sent for Astra. Two guards will escort her.
3. The conversation is interrupted by a strange hooded figure, who enters the room and approaches Astra. "I am Valshmyra," she says in a guttural hissing voice.
4. The conversation is interrupted by an alarm sounding. The Empire has lost no time in launching an air attack against the Gaian capital.

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