Chapter 5: Clear Cutting
It was evening and Jill was sitting with her parents and Aggie in the family room after dinner. They were watching a popular holo show about the early founding of Trena. It showed how the Queen’s ancestors had found the planet and how it had been four hundred years ago.
“Much like Home,” Jill commented. “I have been impressed on how well you and your family tried to prevent large scale clear cutting on Trena your majesty.”
“We’ve always wanted to be ecologically sound,” Aggie said, “that is why most of our heavy industry is off world.”
“How do we prevent large scale eco damage to Home,” Jill asked, “I am not even certain how much authority I have on Home. I mean it is my world and all; but in allowing it to become a refuge for the people of Trena I just don’t know what I can get away with.”
“I would think that anything that you wanted we would have to abide by,” Aggie replied, “but like you I don’t want that planet harmed.”
“Aggie,” Jill said suddenly, “would I be out of line to meet with General Langtree and Jonesy. Maybe they have some ideas.”
“What are you two talking about?” Michael asked turning to the two young women.
“Dad is there some way not to plunder those forests on Home?” Jill asked, “I just don’t think we should harm that planet any more than we have to!”
“I agree with her Michael,” Aggie said, “We have to find some way to help our people make a home on Home without tearing up the planet.”
“We have been talking about this Your Majesty,” Her father responded, “Bob from Boeing space works has designed a container that can be expanded into a shelter. But that is all we have come up with, that and spreading people out so they are not all on top of each other. We are locating towns all over the planet. We’re planning to place a major town on each continent. A big town in the districts to be a district capital with a scattering of smaller towns and villages in the districts. But even to site them we’ll have to clear some of the forests. We can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”
“I know that Dad,” Jill replied, “but can that omelet be made with one egg instead of a dozen?”
“That doesn’t seem out of line,” Aggie chimed in. “Please arrange a meeting between the three of us and General Langtree, and Jonesy. I have an idea that I won’t like; but it could solve the problem. Oh make sure Lord Mercer is present.”
“Yes majesty,” her father replied and turned back to the program he was watching. This was the first time in over a week he had been home to spend some time with the family before they were all in bed.
Every Last Mother's Child Page 114
