Charlie replied, "In two days? That's the date of Tanya's first concert in Luketown, and it's another four days before I can bring her to Aurous Hill if I pick her up. Isn't there a chance of her getting caught in Luketown?"

"There shouldn't be," Vera replied. "She is supposed to be military with clearance. Local officials won't have authority to look into her, and any credentials we're giving her are genuine."

Pausing, she then asked, "Are you driving to Luketown?"

"Yes," Charlie replied. "I