It’s creepifyin’ that old Earth got used up. How did they do it?
Scary to even ponder on too hard, ‘specially if, like they claim, history repeats itself. Which it seems to be doin’ right here in front of our eyes on the Rock. The Rock being one of the more primitive paradises left fer cowhands to inhabit that Michael and I have found.
The Centrists started as a merger of the Demoplicans and Replutocrats in retaliation to the upsurge of the Libertarian Party, whose growth in strength and reputation made it obvious that the original two parties needed to combine or they would indeed be conquered. The Libertarian menace was the common enemy that forced them to join forces or drown. Their merger into the Centrist party was an obvious choice, as their fight over the middle of the road needed to gain a majority of the vote was causing them to be indistinguishable, even to the least educated of the unwashed masses. The long and bloody war that ensued pushed the individualistic Libertarian rebels to the outer planets on the edges of space.
After the Troubles, a lot of these outer planets was declared as wilderness areas. No motorized vehicles allowed. Not sure why, for tourists to come ogle us? T’were true on some of them holiday planets.
It was also figured to be a sure fire way to recover from the ravages of the cities. Now that the cities were all gone, blown to smithereens in the Troubles, the plants and lesser animals would take back their land. And humans had, we hoped, learned a lesson. Too many of any animal, even humans, in too close of quarters, not a smart idea. Killed the Earth.
‘Course then livin’ primitive, no runnin’ water, no electric, people found out just how much harder life without machines is. So they started tinkerin’, inventin’ and makin’. Pretty soon, if we ain’t careful, they change it so only some of the planet is wilderness, then the good landing and harbor areas get developed and then development slowly but surely moves inland. Happening on a lot of planets.
Anyone having taken the wrong side in the Troubles, like the sparse populations of the outer worlds, are still dirt poor, even illiterate and living in towns that are considered little more than ghettos by the Centrists. This works to the Centrists advantage to keep them tame and to get them trained to be good little workers. Folks are rewarded for living in the city and attending the schools, churches and workin’ at full time careers that keep the Centrist government runnin’ and in power.
The farmers and ranchers are a more idealistic and individualistic lot. Especially now that the tough times have lessened as the farms and ranches get established, the pioneers have more time to think about they and their children’s futures. And they have rediscovered the joy of the decidedly unvegger beef barbeque.
Traders have started showing up in ships hawkin’ cheap technologies and folks have started trading their goods.
Every planet does it different, but we’re sure ‘nough crawling, tooth and claw, our way up Nob Hill.
Just sayin’.
‘Course from a cowhands point of view, being a lover of grass and trees and all sich, I gotta say it worked out well. Here at the outer edge (if not off the edge) of the Cosmos, we ain’t got too much civilization, so we live quiet and free. Not bothered by anyone, no one loves us and no one cares. No complaints here. Until now.
Who the heck keeps shootin’ at me? Cuttin’ into my quiet times.
12 Look Out
Cowgirl Thrillers Page 22
