Earth. She smiles in recognition. 'I've met a few Earthers,' she tells him, unwilling to admit just how many. It would require explanation that she's not sure she's up to giving right now. Tayrey wants to be considered on her own merits, as a spacer, not a victim.

'My homeworld is called Cardalek,' she tells him. 'The colony, and the Company that founded it. It's partly terraformed, as is one of our moons, where we grow crops. There aren't many naturally habitable worlds our our way either! The sector has over a hundred inhabited planets, but many of those settlements are small. Thousands. I've heard Earth is densely populated.'

Her voice is animated, enthusiastic. It's so good to talk to someone who cares about this sort of thing.