I wanted to write about an old potter who spent her life shaping clay with her hands.

Outside the porthole, the stars twinkle a welcome back . They have emerged from hyperspace 2.8 million light years away from Waystation-1, heading directly towards the colony where their destination waits in stationary orbit. Two more jumps through hyperspace and they will get to the mothership where they will dock for a Standard week, and then start on the return voyage. The shuttle is silent. They are used to it. The silence makes it easier for them to take note of minor pr