by Darrell Bain
"Should I relay that message to the President?"
"There's no need, sir," Juan said. "Reddy wants to tell him personally before he leaves. He did say a computer hookup would be sufficient, though. I guess he understands the demand on the time of the leader of the most powerful country on Earth. And, I'm happy to say, there's no question that we are the most powerful and will remain so as long as we keep our little secret concerning tolerances."
Anton smiled at his two young employees. He was going to miss them. He found himself hoping he lived long enough to indeed see them off to the stars to visit the alien he had been in touch with for so long. In the meantime, he could finally rest.
"There was one other thing, sir," Juan said. "Reddy's superiors have decided to send some biological data down with the fuel pellets and other items. They are making no promises but believe the data might possibly help us in extending our life spans and those of our animal companions."
***
"Are you sorry we're not to be going, sweetheart?" Juan asked as they lay in bed several nights later, after Reddy had said goodbye and launched his lander.
Samantha knew what he meant. "Not really. I'm sure it couldn't possibly be as satisfying as staying right here with you and getting used to being married. There's just one problem."
"What's that?"
"You're going to have to look for a new job."
"I believe I can manage that. And what will you be doing in the meantime?"
"Me? Tomorrow I'm going to deposit my part of the advance on the book Jennie is writing. Then I'm going to begin thinking of ways to spend it. As big as it turned out to be, that ought to keep me occupied for a long time!"
The End
Author's note: This novel was originally a short story, published individually. Later I expanded it slightly when it was included in my latest collection, Oops! It was then that I began thinking it might make a pretty decent novel and began trying to turn it into one. It took several attempts over a period of several years before a plot finally clicked. This long novel is the result. My granddaughter, Robyn, was a first reader for the novel that was published just before this one. She did such a good job that I imposed on her to read and edit this one for me. She accepted, and did so well with the editing and helpful suggestions that I thought she deserved more than just a mention, which is why you see her name here as a co-author. So, thanks again, Robyn.
Darrell Bain
Shepherd, Texas
June 2014
Also by Darrell Bain and Robyn Pass
From Double Dragon Publishing
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com
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