"Then I'm changing my focus, and where I put my energies," April decided. "Home is important to me. I was willing to fight to keep it. However, I'm not going to bet everything on it being here, or the same, like you said – in five hundred years. I think we may be here if they keep advancing LET. Barring a really lucky assassin or slipping in the shower. There may be no solution until we can physically leave the Solar System. You're still thinking on that, aren't you?" she asked Jeff.
"Yes, but I'd be lying if I said I see a clear path forward. It may be a long time and we have to abide with what we have here until then. It may even wait until we live so long we don't mind going the slow way."
April nodded. "Then I intend to pay more attention to Central, and support Heather in whatever way I can. I think I already have more voice as a peer there than my vote gives me here. The new people don't know me or care what I did in the war. I was welcoming the anonymity, but perhaps that wasn't wise. I suspect it's too late to turn about and become loud in Home politics. It isn't me anyhow."
"Your strength has never been being loud," Jeff agreed. "Even in the first couple Assemblies you were less commanding than you were a voice to shame them to do what is right." He looked amused.
"What? You think it's funny?" April objected.
"It is, a little, that the girl so offended at the idea of being 'Lady Lewis' now wants to support the monarchy so whole heartedly."
"I guess it is," April admitted. "We all change and grow up. Well most of us...I plan on being thoroughly adult in about a hundred years."
Epilogue
Jeff and April went to meet Barak at the north dock. He'd been returned to the moon first by his company shuttle, then transferred to the regular Central – Home shuttle. When he exited he had a duffle and companions. Two young ladies who moved with easy confidence and zero G skills. So did Barak, April noticed. He carried himself differently than when he'd left. She liked the change.
Barak grabbed both April and Jeff with wide spread arms and hugged them as well as you can and stay attached to the deck in zero G. When he stepped back he introduced both Deloris and Alice very formally. Deloris as his captain and Alice as their environmental officer. "They both kept me alive," he said without a trace of humor. The ladies touched palms lightly with Jeff and April. Both seemed interested in them, a little appraising, and not at all disapproving. Alice let her eyes linger on Jeff, and checked out all of him, to the point Jeff looked away and worried if he was blushing. He wondered what stories Barak had told them.
"Do you have a place to stay?" April asked. "Home is absolutely jammed right now."
"I called my mom from the moon, and found out she was there too, off at Camelot doing some commission murals. I didn't pop over to see her though. She's never any fun to visit in the middle of a big project. She informed me my room is untouched and the door still knows my hand. I'm headed there for now, but I'd like to visit soon."
"You're welcome any time," April assured him.
"Oh! I got the final chit for my voyage. A little smaller for the signing bonus they offered, but I was really happy to have that option before I left. Would you deposit this in your bank?" Barak asked Jeff.
Jeff looked stricken when he glanced at the Armstrong check. "This is in USNA dollars. I'm sorry to tell you my bank doesn't deal in them anymore. They closed their payments system to me. Irwin at the Private Bank of Home still has access...Look, I'll just take this to him for you. I don't know the exact exchange today, but this will cover it easily." Jeff handed him five one gram Solars and a stack of twenty bits with a rubber band around them.
"These are something new," Barak said, looking at the top bit.
"You use them like singles or coins for small change," Jeff told him.
Barak looked at the engraving on the gram Solars. "Dollars are that low now?" he asked, dismayed.
"I'm sorry, yes. I'm afraid they've dropped badly, especially the last week since there is renewed chaos in North America. You don't have the option to demand payment in something else?" Jeff asked.
"No, I didn't think anything of it when we signed." His companions looked a little shocked too.
"It would have seemed quite reasonable when you left," Jeff admitted. "I wouldn't think ill of your employers. They had no reason to expect such a shift. I expect they must have been stuck holding quite a few dollars too."
"We were going to go on vacation. I guess that's out now," Barak said, looking at the coins.
"Look, there's all kinds of work to be had. I've got plenty of use for you if you want. Come see me in a couple days and we'll find something," Jeff promised.
"Thank you, I will. I'll have to," he amended, still upset. "Thanks for meeting us." He marched off, and the women were with him like remoras.
"They're all effectively broke," Jeff worried, looking at them walk away.
"Barak will take them in when they find out there isn't a room to be had. They got along with each other just fine for months in the Yuki-onna. His mom's place is probably more comfortable. He said they were going on vacation. I took that to mean together. Well, I guess they're all not going on vacation together now. You watch, they'll have things sorted out before his mom gets back. Eddie could probably use the pilot right away. Or old man Larkin if Eddie can't. The short one, who liked you, has to have suit skills. Barak does too, and can do construction or any number of things. They'll have to turn off the com to get any peace from the recruiters once word is out that they're looking," April predicted. "I'm not worried about them."
Jeff scrutinized her closely. She was unflinching under his gaze. "No, you aren't, and I like that about you."
"Come on. Let's go home. I'll make some popcorn and we can look at the moon."
The End
The Last Part
Other Kindle Books & Links by Mackey Chandler
April (first in series)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077EOE2C
April is an exceptional young lady and something of a snoop. She finds herself involved with intrigues that stretch her abilities, after a chance run in with a spy. There is a terrible danger she and her friends and family will lose the only home she has ever known in orbit and be forced to live on the slum ball below. It's more than a teen should have to deal with. Fortunately she has a lot of smart friends and allies, who give them a thin technological edge in rebellion. It's a good thing, because things get very rough and dicey.
Down to Earth (sequel to April)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RGBIVK
April seems to make a habit of rescues. Now two lieutenants from the recent war appeal to her for help to reach Home. The secret they hold makes their escape doubtful. North America, the United States of North America, has been cheating on their treaty obligations and a public figure like April taking a very visible vacation there would be a good way to remind them of their obligations. Wouldn't it? Her family and business associates all think it is a great idea. She can serve a public purpose and do her rescue on the sly too. But things get difficult enough just getting back Home alive is going to be a challenge. It's a good thing she has some help. Why does everything have to be so complicated?
The Middle of Nowhere (third in April series)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Middle-Nowhere-April-ebook/dp/B00B1JJ7RQ
April returns home from her trip down to Earth unhappy with what she accomplished. Papa-san Santos is finishing her rescue of the Lieutenants, Her traitorous brother is dead and so many things are uncertain. The Chinese and North Americans both continue to give her and Home a hard time. But April, Jeff and Heather are gathering allies and power. China, trying to steal Singh technology, gets its hand slapped badly by Jeff and the Patriot Party in America is damaged, but not gone. Their project on the moon is not so easy for North America to shut down, especially with the Russians helping. Heather proves able to defend it forcefully. They really didn't know she owns a cannon. The three have their own bank now, Home is growing and April is quickly growing
up into a formidable young woman, worthy of her partners.
A Different Perspective (fourth in April series)
http://www.amazon.com/Different-Perspective-April-ebook/dp/B00DFL42PU
Despite winning a war against one of the world's super powers and undertaking a mission to Earth to try to demonstrate their independence, April and her new nation still find their freedom tenuous. There are shortages and hostility and machinations against them behind the scenes. Their small technological lead on the Earthies is about the only advantage they have besides courage and sheer nerve. But they are attracting the right sort of people and if pressed, they still are capable of bold action. Home is growing physically and maturing. So is April.
A Depth of Understanding (Fifth in April series)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ02NK8
April's nation Home has removed itself from orbiting close to Earth, but problems continue. Their enemies try to use the United Nations to act against them, as if that isn't a transparent subterfuge. The new Lunar nation of Central acts to help them, but at considerable cost. Meanwhile Home is expanding their reach into the solar system and gaining new citizens who appreciate opportunity and freedom. The things Home citizens decide to do, both new and old are interesting. The trouble from Earth is contained, but the whole matter is far from over.
And What Goes Around (Sixth in April Series)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UR2D6SE
The nation of Home and their ally Central seem to have bought some safety by moving Mitsubishi 3 from Low Earth Orbit to a halo orbit around L2 beyond the moon. It has added some expense to stay supplied, but it has unexpected advantages too. A little extra distance works just fine when Earth has its own problems. Like April and her close friends Heather and Jeff, Home is growing, developing its own character, and becoming more independent. They really have no choice.
Paper or Plastic?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RCLW68
Roger was medically discharged after his service in the Pan Arabic Protectorate, cutting off his chosen career path early. He is living in rural Sitra Falls, Oregon trying to deal with hyper-vigilance and ease back into civilian life.
When an unusual looking young woman enters his favorite breakfast place he befriends her. Little does he know he'll kill for her before lunch and start an adventure that will take him around the world and off planet.
When you have every sort of alphabet agency human and alien hunting for you survival is the hard part. But you might as well get rich too.
Family Law
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GQSZVS
People love easily. Look at most of your relatives or coworkers. How lovable are they? Really? Yet most have mates and children. The vast majority are still invited to family gatherings and their relatives will speak to them.
Many have pets to which they are devoted. Some even call them their fur-babies. Is your dog or cat or parakeet property or family? Not in law but in your heart? Can a pet really love you back? Or is it a different affection? Are you not kind to those who feed and shelter you? But what if your dog could talk back? Would your cat speak to you kindly?
What if the furry fellow in question has his own law? And is quite articulate in explaining his choices. Can a Human adopt such an alien? Can such an intelligent alien adopt a human? Should they?
How much more complicated might it be if we meet really intelligent species not human? How would we treat these 'people' in feathers or fur? Perhaps a more difficult question is: How would they treat us? Are we that lovable?
When society and the law decide these sort of questions must be answered it is usually because someone disapproves of your choices. Today it may be a cat named in a will or a contest for custody of a dog. People are usually happy living the way they want until conflict is forced upon them.
Of course if the furry alien in question is smart enough to fly spaceships, and happens to be similar in size and disposition to a mature Grizzly bear, wisdom calls for a certain delicacy in telling him no...
The Long Voyage of the Little Fleet (sequel to Family Law)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYA9WTQ
In the first book of this series "Family Law", Lee's parents and their business partner Gordon found a class A habitable planet. They thought their quest as explorers was over and they'd live a life of ease. But before they could return and register their claim Lee's parents died doing a survey of the surface. That left Lee two-thirds owner of the claim and their partner Gordon obligated by his word with her parents to raise Lee. She had grown up aboard ship with her uncle Gordon and he was the only family she'd ever known. Him adopting her was an obvious arrangement - to them. Other people didn't see it so clearly over the picky little fact Gordon wasn't human.
After finding prejudice and hostility on several worlds Lee was of the opinion planets might be nice to visit, but terrible places to live. She wanted back in space exploring. Fortunately Gordon was agreeable and the income from their discovery made outfitting an expedition possible. Lee wanted to go DEEP - out where it was entirely unknown and the potential prizes huge. After all, if they kept exploring tentatively they might run up against the border of some bold star faring race who had gobbled up all the best real estate. It wasn't hard to find others of a like mind for a really long voyage. This sequel to "Family Law" is the story of their incredible voyage.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0167XFXM8
When Lee Anderson and her parents had discovered a new world teeming with life, it had been the dream of every explorer: they were rich beyond their imaginations. But tragedy had struck when a herd of creatures overran their camp and killed her parents.
The only other adult in her life had been their partner Gordon, who adopted her as parent. Which didn’t turn out to be easy, because he wasn’t human. He was a large intelligent alien and to Lee he was Uncle Gordon, but neither his race – the Derf – nor Humans were gracious about accepting their family relationship.
After various misadventures and strife they made others accept it, and also found that while they might not share blood, they both had exploring in the blood. Unhappy in civilization they decided to explore again – going really deep this time, far beyond established frontiers. They’d met other alien civilizations, made claim to new sources of wealth that rivaled their previous claims in value, and then headed home to present their new claims on Earth.
But a lot of things didn’t make sense. Warnings came from their Fargoer allies that not everything on Earth was as it seemed to be. This is the story of their return voyage, and the unexpected mysteries in what they had left behind.
Link to full list of current releases on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004RZUOS2
Mac's Writing Blog:
http://www.mackeychandler.com
They Said It Would Be Easy (April Book 7) Page 35
