 What is Mia’s relationship to Jimmy D. and how does it develop throughout the story?
The ancient rule was sink or swim—swim in the miasma of a planet without spaceflight, or sink to utter destruction! [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, July 1963. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] I The horses and packs were loaded before we went aboard the scoutship. The scout bay is no more than a great oversized airlock with a dozen small ships squatting over their tubes, but it was the last of the Ship that I might ever see, so I took a long final look from the top of the ramp. There were sixteen of us girls and thirteen boys. I was feeling lost and just beginning to enjoy it when Jimmy Dentremont came over to me. "Mia, do you want to go partners if we can get together when we get down?" Well, I did when I wasn't mad at him, but now I had that crack he'd made about being a snob in mind, so I said, "Not likely. My name is Mia Havero. I'm fourteen, of course, or I wouldn't be telling this. I'm short, dark and scrawny, though I don't expect that scrawniness to last much longer. Mother is very good looking. After we were all settled, George Fuhonin, the pilot, raised the ramps. We didn't have to leave that way, but George thinks it's fun to be a hot pilot. Thinking it over, I was almost sorry I'd been stinking to Jimmy D. He's the only competition I have my own age. The trouble is, you don't go partners with the competition, do you? The planet chosen for our Trial was called Tintera. The last contact the Ship had had with it—and we were the ones who dropped them—was almost 150 years ago. It didn't make any practical difference to us kids because they never tell you anything about the place they're going to drop you.
 Jimmy D. is Mia’s fellow scout. At first, Mia describes how they butt heads a lot due to differences in their personalities. But as Mia begins to face the trials of her mission, she comes to miss Jimmy, wishing that Jimmy could be there with her and provide a little help.
 Jimmy D. is Mia’s fellow scout. At first, Mia describes their relationship as turbulent, complaining that Jimmy always asks her to be his partner even though she’s already partners with Venie Morlock. However, when Jimmy is arrested during their mission on Tintera, Mia agrees to be his partner out of pity.  Jimmy D. is Mia’s partner. At first, Mia describes their relationship as efficient and workable. But when competition around being the best colony scout come up, things start to change. Their partnership falls apart during their scout mission to Tintera, when Jimmy is arrested and jailed.  Jimmy D. is Mia’s soon to be partner. At first, Mia describes Jimmy as “a meatball,” suggesting that Jimmy is goofy and won’t prove to be a satisfactory partner. However, when Jimmy shows his smarts by saveing Mia from Horst and his grizzly gang, Mia realizes he will be a good partner after all.  Jimmy D. is Mia’s fellow scout. At first, Mia describes how they butt heads a lot due to differences in their personalities. But as Mia begins to face the trials of her mission, she comes to miss Jimmy, wishing that Jimmy could be there with her and provide a little help.