The Ashes of Worlds - Kevin J. Anderson [239]
Sullivan put on a brave face as the Solar Navy cutter landed on Dobro and opened its hatches to the dry, dusty air. Taking Lydia’s hand, he stepped out and said, “Remember, I didn’t promise you anything fancy, but there won’t be any faeros here. And the hydrogues are gone. The Ildiran Empire and the Confederation are allies.” His voice trailed off as he searched her face. “This isn’t going to be so bad, is it?”
“Well, I can think of a lot of things I’m going to miss,” Lydia replied, but she smiled. “And a lot of things I won’t — Chairman Wenceslas and his cleanup crew, for one. We’ll make the best of it, and we’re together.”
The rest of his family emerged, blinking. They had been through enough turmoil that they were glad just to set foot on solid ground again. “The Chairman’s dead, and the Hansa’s overthrown,” said Jerome. “Things are getting better on Earth. We could always go back and pick up where we left off.”
Lydia waggled a finger at him. “The fact that it happened at all should give you cause for concern. Similar things have occurred before. Secret police, rights trampled on, people afraid to speak up against injustice, neighbors turning on neighbors. The ones you thought were your friends are suddenly afraid to get involved when you need help.” She sniffed. “I’m sure this place isn’t perfect either, but it’ll be a long time before I let down my guard again.”
Sullivan looked hopefully at his family. “Give Dobro a chance. We can really make a difference here.”
“If your father says this is a good opportunity for us, then the rest of you are going to give it your best shot,” Lydia said, and nobody argued with her.
After so many generations, there was no love lost between the human descendants and Ildiran splinter colonists on Dobro, but they had agreed to bury the hatchet, to work and live together. Now Sullivan would use his administrative skills to cement the two groups into one cooperative colony. With the help of Lydia and his family, he was sure he could pull it off.
Benn Stoner, the leader of the Burton descendants, walked with a rolling gait across the landing field to shake Sullivan’s hand. “So you’re the professionals? We’re pleased to have the help.”
“The Mage-Imperator has his hands full at Mijistra. The Confederation will send cargo ships with a few necessities, but we’ll have to do most of the work ourselves.”
“We’re fine with that,” Stoner said. “We’re hard workers — both humans and Ildirans.”
Several of the nearby Ildirans nodded, knowing that Sullivan had the Mage-Imperator’s blessing. Even if they were poorly trained in innovation, they were good at following instructions, and Sullivan felt that was a good start. “Before you know it, this place will be a model colony.”
“I believe that Dobro will thrive for the first time in its history,” said one of the Ildirans, a lens kithman.
Sullivan had his family unload their few belongings from the cutter. Stoner shouted out, “Stop sitting around and help the newcomers find a house to live in! Get them something nice — they’ll be here awhile.”
Although the original colony town had burned to the ground, new buildings made of freshly sawn wood had been built. The Gold family had more than enough space to spread out into three dwellings.
That first night, while he and Lydia relaxed in their new bedchamber, he patted her hand. “Sorry it’s not quite a paradise.”
She leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek. “You need a shave again.”
“I know.”
“We have running water, a heated home, and a pantry of food. I have all my family here with me. And we’re safe.” Lydia looked out the window at the dark sky and the dazzling blazers that illuminated the colony town. “It’s not paradise, but it’ll do.”
* * *
168
Nira
Nira did not look forward to seeing the familiar yet painful landscape of Dobro. As the Voracious Curiosity came in to land, the dry brown hills reminded her of horrific fires. She scanned the main colony settlement and shuddered to think of the breeding barracks, the fences, and the many times she had been abused and impregnated as part