Sam spent his day off repairing the leaky sprinkler system in Grandma’s garden and uncovering a multitude of other problems as he did so. Even with the generous repair grant the ship had offered them, he didn’t know how they’d fix it all.

He emerged from beneath the floor panels late in the afternoon, tired, filthy, and hungry, only to discover that no one had spare cash for a shower and his cousins had eaten all the lunch. Nothing else would be available until supper time, and even then, it wouldn’t be much. Sunday suppers were always light.

At least he could take a nap.

He’d rubbed most of the grime off his face and hands and started climbing into his bunk when his message tone rang.

“I think my sister may be in trouble. Can you come help...

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