*
“How did things go with Kenneth?” Alana asked softly as they returned to the bridge of the December.
“Somewhat well,” Ted grumbled. “Kenneth’s position in charge is relatively stable and he’s taken up residence in the Capitol Building in DC, but he’s promising to hold legitimate elections within a few months to give prospective candidates enough time to get their affairs in order and mobilize their campaigns. But I’m pretty sure Ken’s going to win the presidency. Just as I suspected, most people are rallying around him—their hero.”
“While you were gone I received a transmission from my parents,” Trell spoke up. “They basically said I’m an adult and can make my own decisions, though I think they’re a little disappointed I’m not returning to Kolea.” He glanced at the General Operations table. “I swear I’ve spent more time here than I have at my desk back at the KSS office,” he said sentimentally. He looked back at Ted, his gaze strong and determined. “I’m honestly starting to feel as if my home is here.”
“While I can’t say the same, not yet at least,” Alana said, “I’m staying, too. I want to see the peace negotiations through to the end, even if they take the rest of my lifetime.”
“And I don’t really have a place to go back to,” Vandoraa said. Ted could sympathize. He didn’t really have such a place either. Even though they’d won, even though his people were free again, the things he had fought so hard to regain weren’t really his. He hadn’t even found his daughter, though he would always continue to look for her. But he did have one thing. This ship and this crew.
“I’m trying to get back to where I belong. My gut tells me that if I stay with you guys, I’ll run back into Archie and the July at some point,” Bea said. “That’s why I’m here and that’s why I’ll stay.”
Ted nodded. He could accept that. He stood tall, faced his crew, and said, “Set a course for Earth Station. Let’s see what the future brings.”
Appendix
The Crew of the December:
Theodore “Ted” Anderson—Captain of the December.
Alana Teinn—First Officer of the December.
Trell Sirrin—General Operations on the December.
Vandoraa—Pilot of the December.
Bea Hamilton—Engineer of the December.
Earth:
Kenneth's Resistance Cell:
Kenneth Wood—Leader of one of the many resistance cells on Earth fighting the Drevi.
Jesse—Kenneth’s Second-In-Command.
Neptune Station:
Rosa Soto—Commander of Neptune Station.
Dong Zhu—Second in Command of Neptune Station.
Nathaniel Shepherd—Former Commander of Neptune Station.
Doctor Tramm—The doctor aboard Neptune Station.
The Crew of the May:
Alice Phantomwise—The Captain of the May and Julia Phantomwise's younger sister.
The Crew of the April:
Julia Phantomwise—The Captain of the April and Alice Phantomwise's older sister.
Other:
Jodi Hart—An old friend of Ted's.
Rachel Anderson—Ted’s daughter.
Leslie Anderson—Ted’s late wife.
Dreve:
The House of Ellsaa:
Queen Sostewa—The Queen of the Drevi.
The House of Feyvok:
Doctor Hio—Leading scientist in the Drevi Empire.
Moflair—Dr. Hio's assistant.
The House of Neryx:
Tavron—Vandoraa's oldest brother. A top diplomat.
Gavton—Vandoraa's older brother. A soldier.
Sullig—Gavton’s security chief.
Kolea:
The Wren:
Fjala Mahr—The Wren of Kolea.
Parliament:
Macedr—The Head of Parliament.
Tykiah Loar—A member of Parliament and a “friend” of Alana. Fjala Mahr’s daughter.
Yule—Vice President of the Parliament.
Verra Norms—A member of Parliament who represents the State where Trell's parents live.
The Kolean Military:
General Akui Toka—The commander of the Kolean Military.
Hoguh Tyer—General Toka's Second.
Juiya Kama—A young officer who befriends Ted.
The Kolean Intelligence Society (KIS):
Okim—The President of the KIS and Millika's boss.
Millika Firal—Alana's mother and the Vice President of the KIS.
Danyara—A KIS member working under Alana.
Mirina—A KIS member specializing in disguises.
The Kolean Space Society (KSS):
Kural—Trell's boss.
Utair—Trell's co-worker.
Other:
Sefra Sirrin—Trell's mother.
Jerum Linir—Trell's father.
Issar—A Kolean TV personality.
Mythical Figures:
Anuah—A mythical warrior woman.
Yutet—Armory's mythical lover.
Armory—Yutet's mythical lover.
About the Author
Karen Lofgren has been writing since she was in third grade. She attended Knox College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. She is the author of several science fiction and fantasy works, including the urban fantasy Imagine Someday and the epic space opera saga The Souls of the Stars. She lives in Illinois with her pet rats.
If you enjoyed December, please consider leaving a review and checking out Karen Lofgren’s other works, available now from Loyalty Press!
The crew of the December’s adventures will continue in
July
The Souls of the Stars
Book II
Coming Soon from Loyalty Press
December Page 54
