Category: Change is the Only Option

The inspector arrives…     “What do you mean, the girl is gone?” Inspector Charlotte Rhody’s voice penetrated Simon’s skull like a knife. “You were ordered to confine her and insure she had no contact with any one from Refugio, were you not?”     The woman’s gaze made Simon want to turn and run, but he…

Deceived, captured, and abused…   “How long will they be out?” Mack Gunson, the ship’s captain, asked the cook.     “I don’t want to give them too much at once. You can taste it if it is too strong, but it will stay in their systems. By tomorrow afternoon when we rendezvous with Blackie, they’ll be…

Farm twenty-two, the quarantine rooms, a leaving…     “Deirdre, for the last time you cannot see Sarita.” Morianan was becoming more and more annoyed with the whinny, simpering woman.     “But we have little to do in the packing plant right now. It would release one of the Healers to their own duties.”     “Sarita…

Farm 22, the Quarantine Rooms, a Leaving…     “Decoman, for the last time you cannot see Sarita.” Morianan was becoming more and more annoyed with the the family discerner. “Sarita is suffering from a severe headache due to late manifestation. She needs to be alone and quiet.” Morianan would not lie to the man but…

Refugio, the Residency, a Message, Hope…     Serept showed Carlos Bethal into the Overlord’s office without ceremony. He could see the man was excited and would not wait. Carlos asked him to fetch Megal to the meeting as well. Francos rose to greet his father-in-law. “You have good news, I gather?” “I do, but I…

Northwest Trade City, Farm 22, a Way Out, a Way Home, a Plan…  “So, this order from the Overlord will be the exact cover I need to go home,” Tony explained to Simon over the com. “All we will need to do is get Sarita, Nathan and Rhonda here to the port and we can…

The Residency, Ciudad Centro, Refugio…     Francos’ uncle was troubled. “Francos, I hope we have a secondary plan for Megal. So far none of the family Pesch has indicated they have women of the right age. The marriage broker did get a strange message from Alam that Anthony Pesch might know of someone. But he…

Farm 22, Troubling Actions, Fleeing Home… Decoman Kearney had made up his mind. He would contact the Assembly Population Office and the guild of discerners. He was no fool. The Refugio trade representative had been to Farm Twenty-Two far too often these past few weeks. Each time he had been in the company of Sarita,…

Farm 22, Family News… It took almost a full week for Rita to arrange a few months off. While many of her colleagues found her haughtiness rude, most valued her knowledge and ability as a healer. She was not sure she could persuade Sarita to see this chance as an opportunity and not a dangerous…

Utopia Colony, Farm 22, a Restless Night, a Meeting…  Sarita could not sleep. She was tired from the hard-physical labor, but her head buzzed, and her body itched. It was as if she was outside a classroom, or a dining hall and a very thick door was shut. She could hear and feel things, but…