"Well, currently we're in orbit above the planet Risa, which is about 90 light-years from Earth," Julian says--as gently as possible, because this is obviously a big shock. He looks sympathetic and a bit worried, frankly. He can't conceive of what would cause this boy to be so afraid--so much so that the first thing he did was try to arm himself, ineffectual as a butter knife against a phaser on stun would be.

"It's a bit much to take in, I realize. The fact that we're in space, I mean. I'm guessing we haven't even come close to interstellar space travel in the time you're from."