| “So, you want Ranny’s baby do you.” a garrulous old lady said. “She was just brought down here,
right before the whole world went crazy. Did the maintainers really revolt? Serves those high and mighty
trouble making ‘Idle Rich’ bums right. They never respected anyone’s feelings but their own. Makes
me ashamed to be one of them. My husband divorced me because I couldn’t have kids. Look at me
now, mother to hundreds of kids and they’re just as human as any of those rich snobs. More human
than most of them, if you ask me. Here we are, Ranny’s little one. If you want to wait a couple of
minutes, I’ll find her boy too. I’d be sorry to see him go. Been a real joy to me, that one. A sweet child,
just like his mother. Too bad she couldn’t come down here to see him once and a while. I’m sure she
wanted to but her owner wouldn’t let her.”
“Hey, you know, I’d really like to stay and talk with you but Ranny is hurting with too much milk
right now and she really needs his little one to nurse.”
“Then it’s a good thing that I didn’t just feed her. Yes, she’s hungry now. That’ll help Ranny alright.
She’s... where’d she go? Flighty young people nowadays. Never have time for their elders.”
“Sorry it took so long.” Suzie said as she approached Phil. “There was an old lady down there who
takes care of the kids and she wanted to talk my ear off. It was hard getting away from her.”
You’re here now with the baby and the clothes.” Phil replied. “Go on in and give her the baby. And
tell her that I love her, will you?”
Suzie opened the door “I’m on my way.” she closed the door behind her. “Hey Ranny, here’s your
baby. Doesn’t she have a name?” Suzie handed the baby to a still naked Ranny who immediately
started nursing.
“No, my former owner wouldn’t name any of my children and wouldn’t let me name them either.”
“Couldn’t you name them without him knowing?” Joan asked.
“No,” Ranny answered, “I was constantly monitored and he punished me severely when I disobeyed
him.”
“Well then,” Suzie responded, “let’s name them now. What should we call this little angel?”
“How about Angel?” Ranny asked. “That’s what I thought Phil was when I first saw him. I still think
he is and it sure seems like she brought him into my life. I nursed her for the first month of her life then I
was taken to the abattoir and put in that killing room. I went to sleep there and thought I was dead. I
woke up in Phil’s arms and felt like I was in heaven ever since.”
“Wow,” Suzie exclaimed, “I don’t think Phil’s ever had that effect on a girl before. By the way, he
says to tell you that he loves you.”
Ranny changed her baby over to the other side and looked longingly at the door.
“You’d like to go to him right now, wouldn’t you?” Joan said. “Well, let’s start dressing you. We can
start with the lower half while you’re nursing Angel then we’ll dress your upper half and you can see
Phil.” Joan and Suzie put words to action and soon had Ranny’s lower half dressed. “Oh, by the way
Suzie, Ranny is what that pervert who claimed ownership of her called her. It never was a real name so
we decided that her name is Roni.”
“Roni, yes, that does sound a lot nicer.” Suzie replied. “I’m sure Phil will like it too. If you’re through
feeding Angel I can burp her while Joan helps you finish dressing. Phil’s just as anxious to see you as
you are to see him.”
“Thank you Suzie,” Roni said as she teared up, “you’re a real friend. I’m sorry, I’m just not used to
anyone being nice to me.”
“Well you better get used to it.” Joan said. “The Ryan clan is a big one and you’re going to be part of
it. You’re so beautiful and so perfect for Phil that everyone will fall in love with you at first sight.” At
Roni’s surprised expression, Joan added, “I don’t mean romantic love, like Phil’s, but family love, the
kind that Suzie and I feel for you. There, ” Joan smoothed out one last wrinkle, “now you’re
presentable.”
“I don’t see what’s so good about wearing clothes, they’re very uncomfortable.” Roni stood up and
held her hands out for her baby.
Suzie handed Angel to her mother, “just think of all the problems you’d have if you ran around in
public without them. Men are really going to stare at you a lot. If you didn’t have any clothes on, they’d
do a lot more than just stare. I suppose you’re used to that kind of treatment from that pervert but
that’s not normal and Phil wouldn’t like it if you had sex with anyone but him.”
“But I can’t help my past.” a suddenly distraught Roni cried out.
“Hey, no one’s going to hold your past against you.” Joan told her. “You certainly weren’t
responsible for what you’ve been through. It wasn’t your fault that you went along with what you
couldn’t avoid. Phil definently won’t hold your past against you. He loves you. Now dry your tears and
let’s go see that boyfriend of yours.”
“Do you really think he’ll accept me despite my past?” a worried Roni asked.
“He already has,”Suzie answered, “so stop worrying. Now let’s go out there before he starts thinking
you don’t want him anymore.”
Roni rushed through the door and almost collided with Phil who turned when he heard the door
open. “Phil, they told me that you might think I don’t love you anymore. I’ll always love you. Please,
don’t stop loving me.”
“How could you think I’d ever stop loving you?” Phil asked. “And why did you two even suggest
something like that to her?”
“Because they...” “I’m sorry...” “She was worried...” they all tried to answer at once.
Phil held up his hands. “One at a time. Ranny, you first.”
“I’m not Ranny anymore. That’s what that pervert used to call me. My name’s Roni.”
“Roni, I like that. It’s a lot better than Ranny.” Phil said. “But what’s this all about?”
“They told me that you wouldn’t want me to have sex with anyone else and I got worried because I
had a lot of sex with that pervert and I was afraid you wouldn’t want me any more.”
“Darlin’ the past is past.” Phil assured her. “What you did then wasn’t your fault, you had to do it. I
understand that. I don’t want you to have sex with anyone else from now on but what’s done is done.
We can’t change it. Let’s just love each other and be true to each other from now on, okay?
“Does that mean you’re not going to have sex with anyone but me?”
“Of course I’m not. You’re the only one for me. Besides, it’s part of the wedding vows and in my
family, we take such things seriously.”
Roni looked down the passage, past Phil. Phil turned to see what she was looking at. He saw a very
beautiful youngish lady in a slightly grease stained jumpsuit coming towards them. Roni tightened her
arm around his waist in a possessive manner. Something about this lady must make Roni feel
threatened.
“What’s wrong , darlin’?” he asked her.
“She’s a maintainer.” Roni answered.
“So what.” Phil replied.
“They have sex with anyone who wants to have sex with them and I don’t want you to have sex with
her.”
“Hey, don’t worry,” he replied, “I’m your man. My heart’s been yours ever since I picked you up
off that floor back there.
Sally looked over these newcomers. From their dress they must all be from off station. But why
would they bring a ten year old girl on a military mission? On second thought, that girl is older than ten,
probably closer to sixteen and the way she’s looking at her she must be from the station. Probably a
food animal these people rescued.
Sally walked up to them. “You’re a food animal, aren’t you?” she asked the young girl.
“I was.” Roni answered. “Are you one of the maintainers who revolted against those wicked people
who ran this station?”
A very stern, unforgiving look settled onto Sally’s face. “Yes, I am.”
“Then I’d like to thank you for saving my life.” Roni replied. “I was in the abattoir in the killing room
when the sleepy gas was released. I woke up in this angel’s arms. Now, we’re going to get married.”
“And you wanted to make sure I knew he’s taken? I can’t blame you. He’s very handsome, a little
short for my taste but just right for you. Maybe I’ll find me a man who isn’t too judgmental about a
girl’s past.”
“I’m sure you will.” Suzie broke in. “My name’s Suzie, this is my friend, Joan, my cousin, Phil, his
fiancee, Roni and two of her children.”
“I’m Sally and I want to thank you for coming here to help us. We couldn’t have secured this station
without you.”
“You’re welcome,” Phil replied. “We were getting ready to invade this station after the things Dave
told us right after he and Kayla landed so it didn’t take very long for us to launch a force and get here.
We brought Dave back up with us.”
“Yeah, I saw him already. Laurie sent for Kayla. They’re going to get married tonight by station law
since it isn’t legal for them to get married on Earth yet. How old are you, Roni, sixteen?”
“Almost seventeen. Can Phil and I get married here, today? I don’t want to wait any longer than I
have to.”
“Of course you can get married here today.” Sally informed her. “But the way I understand it,
sixteen’s old enough on Earth too.”
“Yes it is,” Phil answered, “but we’re not going back for a few days yet and I’d like to marry this
beautiful lady as soon as I can.”
“Who’s that cute guy over there?” Sally asked. “I’d sure like to meet him.”
“Hey Jim,” Suzie hollered, “there’s someone over here that wants to meet you. She’s beautiful so
you better make it fast before some other guy comes along.” Suzie turned back to Sally. “Jim’s another
cousin and he’s a pretty good guy.”
“Hey Phil,” Jim greeted, “I see you found a real beauty just your size. Hey Suzie, that can’t be the
beautiful lady you want to introduce me to. She’s already taken.”
“No, Sally wants to meet you.” Suzie replied. “Why she’d want you with so many good looking
cousins around I don’t know but she said she wanted to meet you. Sally, this is Jim, Jim, this is Sally.
Be understanding Jim, she hasn’t said anything but I can tell she’s been through some real bad stuff
recently.”
“Okay,” Jim took Sally’s hands, “we’ll take things as slow as you want. Despite what my cousin may
tell you, I can be patient.” Sally’s eyes teared up and she threw her arms around Jim and cried into his
chest. “Whoa, I guess Suzie was right, you have been through something real bad. Just cry all you need
to darlin’, I’m not going anywhere.”
After about a minute of crying Sally calmed down a bit. “It was horrible,” she said into Jim’s chest, “I
didn’t have any choice, I had to do what those perverted teens wanted. They made me do some real
disgusting things.”
“Well, you’ll never have to do disgusting things again with anybody as long as I’m around.”
“But, how long will you be around?” Sally asked as she looked up at him.
“As long as you want me to.”
“Phil and Roni are going to get married today, can we get married at the same time?”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Jim asked. She nodded. “Then of course we can. You two
don’t mind a double wedding do you?”
“I’d like that.” Roni replied. “That is, as long as Phil doesn’t mind.”
“No, that’s fine.” Phil said. “Jim’s family and a good friend. Besides, I have enough happiness today
to share with the whole world. Well, not with those bums who caused our ladies so much grief.”
“Yeah,” Jim’s face hardened to match Phil’s, “I know what you mean. I’d like to cause them a slow,
painful death.”
“Actually,” Phil added, “that would be too good for them. We’ll just have to leave it in God’s hands.
He can punish them a lot better than we can.”
“You know,” Joan broke in, “I was just trying to come up with something that would be bad enough
for them and I think you just did Phil. I can’t think of anything mere people could do to them that would
be bad enough. Do you know what that pervert was trying to do to this little girl when the sleepy gas
got him? He had his head between her legs. Poor little thing, she can’t be more than three.”
“I’ll kill him.” Phil exclaimed. “I’ll kill him slowly and painfully and let God take over from there.”
“Need some help, cousin?” Suzie asked eagerly. “Child molestation has got to be the worst
imaginable thing a person could do.”
“Child molestation?” Roni asked. “What’s that?”
“That’s when someone does bad things with one of these precious little children.” Joan replied. “It’s
especially bad when it’s sexual, like what this pervert did.”
“It happened all the time here.” Sally said. “Us maintainers were luckier than the ‘food animals’ and
‘pets’, we at least had to be ten before anyone could have sex with us. The owners of the ‘food
animals’ and ‘pets’ could do anything they wanted to with them whenever they wanted to. Age didn’t
matter.”
“I wish we had known that earlier,” Jim said, “we would have stopped it a long time ago. This whole
society was very sick.”
“That’s why you and Phil will have to be very patient and understanding with Roni and I.” Sally said.
“How old were you when that pervert started having sex with you?” Phil asked Roni.
“I was four when he took possession of me.” Roni answered. “Please, don’t be mad at me. I didn’t
have any choice.”
“Darlin’,” Phil replied, “I’m not mad or upset with you but I’m sure mad at that pervert for what he
did to you and your little girl. No one will ever do anything like that to either one of you again.”
“Dave and Laurie were both saying we needed to put a stop to this corrupt society.” Sally said. “I
agreed with them from the start but I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to stop them and would only
make things worse by trying.”
“Can’t we go down to the creche and get my son.” Roni asked. “I really miss him. We could get
your children too, Sally.”
“Yes,” Sally agreed, “I’d like that. That’s where I was going when I ran into you guys.”
When they arrived at the creche the garrulous old lady Joan ran into earlier took one look at them
and immediately started running toward them. “Ranny! Oh my little darling. I’ve missed you so. Come
over here, here’s your little boy. Just as sweet as his mother. He’s been a real joy to me. Oh, I’m so
glad no more of my children will be killed to provide meat for spoiled people’s tables. That’s been the
only bad thing about being down here with all these precious little ones. Johnny, your mother’s here.
Aren’t you glad?”
“Mama?” a puzzled Johnny asked. “That her, holding baby?”
“Yes Johnny,” Roni kneeled before him, “I’m your mother. I sure missed you.” she placed her hand
on the side of his face. “Has Jane been taking good care of you?”
“Gramma?” Johnny asked. “Yeah. Is that mean owner who don’t let you see me?”
Roni looked where Johnny was pointing. “No, that’s Phil, he’s from Earth. I’m going to marry him
and he’s going to be your daddy. We’re going to live on Earth with him. Would you like that?”
“Can Gramma come too?” Johnny pleaded.
“Will you Jane?” Roni asked. “I’d really like it if you would.”
“Somebody really wants this old lady with them?” an incredulous Jane asked. “I’d be addle-pated if
is didn’t go where I’m wanted. That’s why I’m down here, nobody wanted me anywhere else. You
sure you really want me? What about your man? Does he want an old lady tagging along? I must have
died and gone to heaven. I’m speechless.”
“Roni just invited you, that’s good enough for me” Phil said. “Besides, Roni and Sally will both need
help with their children. By the way, can you locate Sally’s children for her? She’s marrying my cousin
Jim and she’ll be going to Earth with us.”
“Sally’s children,” Jane was off again, “let’s see, they were right over here. Everything’s so topsy
turvy since that revolution started. I’ll be glad when things settle down. Oh, I’m real glad that things are
changing. I didn’t like the way things were. All these innocent children being killed for food. Terrible
way to treat human beings. Using them for food. Yesterday, they would have tried me for treason for
saying something like that. It’s true though, we’re all human here. There’s no animals on this station,
only people. It’s criminal the way they treated the ones they called sub-human. I’m glad they’re going
to be punished for it. Oh, I hope they don’t punish me too. I used to eat meat.”
Yes,” Sally broke in “but you quit eating meat a long time ago and you’ve treated these poor children
a lot better than anyone else ever has. I’m sure they’ll take that into account. There’s my children, way
over there. Thank you, Jane. We’ll come back for you before we leave. Bye!” Sally bent over and
kissed Jane on the cheek and then collected her children.
Roni gave Jane a fierce hug. “I’ve sure missed you. You’re the only one who was ever nice to me
until today. I love you, Jane. Bye for now.”
“They really want me.” a stunned Jane said as they were leaving.
“We have to do something for Jane.” Laurie told Dave after watching that farewell scene. “She’s
done so much good over the last dozen years. There’s not a maintainer on this station who wouldn’t
defend her. She’s been so good to our kids.”
“I talked to some of the lawyers and judges on the way up and they want to extend leniency to at
least some of the ‘Idle Rich’ and “Administrators’. I’m sure Jane will head that list. I’m not sure my dad
will be on it though.”
“Why wouldn’t he be on it” Laurie asked. “There were many times over the last ten years that he
kept you from being executed as a seditionist. If the others had known even half of the things you said
to him, you would’ve been executed at age seven. And you know how greedy your sister and mother
were for meat, if it weren’t for your dad, they would have eaten a lot more than they did.”
“I don’t think we need to call Jane in here.” Judge O’Rourke said. “Mr. Prosecutor, do you have
any objections to granting her clemency?”
“No, your Honor. If any of these cannibals deserve clemency, it’s her.”
“Then this court grants her clemency. That brings us to Rory McManis. Mr. McManis, why should
we gant you clemency?”
“I could try to excuse my behavior by saying that was the way the society I was raised in was set up
but that’s really no excuse. I did try to help my son and make things better for those I came in contact
with but there was only so much I could do. I’ll let others plead my case and throw myself on the mercy
of this court.”
“Your Honor,” Gene Ryan said, “I have all these briefs from many people who had dealings with
Mr. McManis. They’re asking that he be granted clemency, stating that he did indeed make things
better for them.”
“Mr Prosecutor? Any objections?”
“No, your Honor, the people have no objection.”
“Mr. McManis, I must commend you for not trying to excuse your behavior. Clemency granted.”
Rory left the court a free man. Not innocent, but free. Dave and a tearful Laurie followed him out.
“Laurie, why the tears?” he asked.
“I’m happy.” she replied. “I didn’t want you executed so I’m happy and relieved that you were
granted clemency. But what about your wife and daughter?”
“My wife stopped being a wife to me years ago. She didn’t like my attitude. Now, she’s being
defiant, claiming she did nothing wrong. Since she is guilty of cannibalism, among other things, and she
won’t ask for clemency, she’ll be executed for her crimes. As for my daughter, because of her age
they’re still trying to give her another chance. She’ll still have to admit she was wrong somewhere along
the line.”
“There’s still our three children.” Laurie reminded him. “They’re down in the creche. I was planning
on getting them as soon as we finished in there. You want to come with me?”
“Can you wait a minute?” Rory asked. “I need to talk with my son, Dave.”
“Of course.” Laurie answered. “You can come too, if you want Dave. I’ll introduce you to your
brother and sisters.” She turned back to Rory, “I’ll wait over there.”
As Laurie walked down the corridor Rory turned to his oldest son. “Dave, I’m sorry I couldn’t let
you marry Kayla. Your mother wouldn’t let me. She insisted that Kayla remain a food animal.”
“I guess you did need mom’s agreement to change Kayla’s status. Why didn’t you tell me then that
mom was the one insisting that Kayla remain a food animal?”
“Our marriage may have been over but I didn’t want you hating your mother. Laurie’s been more of
a wife to me for the last five years. I’d like to make that official and I’d like your blessing.”
“Laurie’s been my good friend for six years now. Ever since you took me to her so she could
introduce me to the joys of sex. When I got home Kayla knew something happened and wanted to
know what. I was always honest with her so I told her. She insisted I do it with her. I went into the
hidden system and fixed the surveillance system so it would show a phony sex session and then made
love to her. She cried when we finished, she was a virgin.
After she was done crying she asked me to promise that I’d never do that with anyone but her. I’ve
kept that promise ever since. Laurie was nice but Kayla was so sweet and innocent and loving I just
never wanted anyone but her.”
“That’s the way I feel about Laurie.” Rory replied. “Do I have your blessing , son?”
“If she wants to marry you, of course you two have my blessing.” Dave responded. “She’s been
more of a mother to me than my mother ever was. Kayla’s coming up so we can get married tonight.
We can make it a double wedding if you want. But let’s not keep your lady waiting.” They started
walking toward Laurie.
“I appreciate the gesture and Laurie will too but we can’t get married as long as your mother is still
alive. I’m going to move in with her though. The old place will be empty. You and Kayla can live there
if you want.”
“Where can they live if they want?” Laurie asked.
“Where we used to live.” Rory answered, indicating himself and Dave. “It’ll be empty as soon as I
move in with you.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something? You haven’t asked me yet.”
“I’m sorry,” Rory apologized. “Old habits die hard. I’ll try to be more considerate from now on.
Laurie will you please let me move in with you? And will you marry me as soon as I’m free to marry?”
“Yes to that last one but my quarters are too cramped fo five people. We’ll need a bigger place.”
“Well then, let’s go get our kids and find larger quarters.”
A look of intense fear came over Roni’s face. Phil noticed and looked to see what caused it. He saw
a man and woman, with their arms around each other’s waists, approaching. The woman was dressed
a lot like Sally but the man was wearing much nicer clothes. From his clothes Phil recognized him as an
“Administrator”. Roni was trying her best to hide behind him.
“Laurie!” Sally cried out from just behind her. “So, you got away from that mad-house. Hi Rory,
they grant you clemency?” He nodded. “So, where are you two headed?”
“We’re going down to the creche to get our children.” Rory answered. “Then we’re going to find
new quarters. Dave and Kayla will be using my old quarters and Laurie’s old quarters are too small for
the two of us and our three kids. You must be Jim,” Rory held out his hand. “you got a real good one in
Sally. Next to Laurie, they don’t come any better.”
Jim shook Rory’s hand. “Yeah, but how do you know about me?”
“Sally is Laurie’s best friend so she’s been keeping an eye on her while she was working.” Rory
answered. “She filled me in on Sally and her new friends. Roni, I’m sorry I couldn’t stop Ted from
abusing you so badly. There were a lot of things I wanted to change but couldn’t. I was at my wits end
trying to figure out a way to keep Laurie from being retired two years from now.”
“What’s so bad about being retired?” Phil asked.
“They took us to the abattoir to retire us.” Sally answered. “My trip there was over eighteen years
off. Laurie’s trip there was just over two years away. You really love her, don’t you Rory?”
“Yes, I do.” he answered. “I’m going to marry her just as soon as I’m free to do so.”
“You might want to think about wearing different clothes.” Phil told Rory. “Those clothes you’re
wearing strike fear in the former food animals. Roni’s scared to death of you and so is her daughter. It
must be bad associations.”
“I hadn’t really thought about that but it does make sense.” Rory replied. “I’ll have to change as soon
as I can. Well love, shall we go get our kids and stop scaring Phil’s family?”
“By all means.” Laurie said. “I love you too much to want you to be the stuff of anyone’s nightmares.
See you all later.”
Three minutes later they arrived at the creche. When they entered they saw a bunch of eager young
faces looking at them. One little girl cried out “daddy!” She ran up to Rory and gave him a big hug.
“Is this your second daughter by June?” Laurie asked.
“Yes, and she’s much more like Dave than like her sister. A large part of that is because Jane raised
her. Jane may talk a lot but she’s a real good person.”
“You don’t need to tell a maintainer that. There’s not one of us who wouldn’t die defending her.”
“Who’s come to steal some of my children now?” a querulous voice asked. “Oh, it’s you Laurie.
You want all five of your kids or just the three you had with him?” she turned to Rory “I’m surprised
they let you loose. Aren’t they going to execute you with the rest of us cannibals?”
“Hasn’t anyone told you yet?” Rory asked Jane. “You’ve been granted clemency. They want you to
continue taking care of the unclaimed children and they appreciate what you’ve done already.”
“They’ve granted him clemency too.” Laurie told Jane. “Although I can’t see why.” she teased.”
“You vixen,” Rory responded. “You know good and well why. Jane, would you get Laurie’s
children for us? All five of them.”
“They granted me clemency did they?” Jane said as she led the way. “Ranny and Sally were here
with their men and they told me they would. They want me to go down to the planet with them. Can
you imagine that, someone actually wanting me. Here we are, all safe and sound. Children, your mother
is here along with the father of three of you.”
“I’m going to be father to all of them.” Rory told her. “I love Laurie too much to reject any of her
children. You kids want to come live with your mother and I?”
“Are you sure you want Susy and I?” Randi, the oldest one asked. “You don’t know who our
fathers are.”
“That doesn’t matter.” He told them. “I know who your mother is and that’s enough for me.”
Randi looked around at the other four, they all nodded their agreement. “Then we’ll gladly go. We
don’t want to be separated and we all want to live with mom.” she gave him a challenging look, “you
are going to marry mom, aren’t you?”
He looked at Laurie and they both smiled.“Of course I am.”
They found three adjoining suites in what used to be an “Idle Rich” living area and started moving
junk out and cleaning up. They’d been at it less than an hour when there was a knock on the door.
Laurie answered it and ushered Phil in.
“Hi Phil.” Rory greeted him. “Welcome to our humble abode. Excuse the mess but we just started
cleaning. So, what can we do for you?”
“They tried your wife.” Phil said. “She was defiant clear through the trial. She kept complaining about
the court interfering with her God-given right to eat the food animals and treat the sub-humans however
she wanted to. She’s totally unrepentant about her behavior and won’t ask for clemency. They have her
down in the reclamation chamber and are getting ready to execute her. Your daughter Susan is down
there and could really use her father’s support so they asked me to get you.”
“I’ll be right with you.” Rory replied. “Robyn, do you want to come? She is your mother.”
“Jane’s the only mother I’ve ever known and Laurie’s going to be my new mother. Can I wait here?”
“Of course, sweetness.” Rory said. He kissed Laurie, said “bye” and left.
Susan was in tears when he got there. “Oh daddy, can’t you do something? They’re going to kill
mother. I don’t want her to die.”
“I wish I could baby but your mother’s too adamant about her ‘right’ to mistreat and eat other
human beings. God never granted anyone the right to do that.”
“Then Dave was right and we were wrong?” Susan asked.
“Yes, and I knew it all along. You should be proud of your brother. He’s a very brave man. He
risked his life by standing up for what he believes in. I didn’t do that. I was too afraid of ending up like
my uncle.”
“You believed the same things Dave did?”
“Yes I did.” Rory answered. “I just didn’t have the courage of my convictions. I even married a
woman I didn’t really love and couldn’t marry the woman I do love.”
Dave came in and walked over to Susan and Rory. “Hi dad, sis. How are you two?”
“Oh Dave. “Susan cried as she threw her arms around him, “I’m sorry I made fun of you for so long.
I thought you were crazy and believed stupid things. Now I know better. Can you do anything for
mom? No one else can.”
“I did what I could.” Dave answered. “She’s too adamant in her beliefs so she’ll be executed but at
least she won’t be spaced like most of the unrepentant cannibals.”
“They’re spacing them? Like the seditionists were?”
“No.” Dave replied. “They’re executing them first, not spacing them while they’re still alive. How’s
Laurie doing dad?”
“She’s fine.” Rory told his son. “She’s down in our new quarters with our kids.”
“Kids?” Susan questioned. “You had kids with her?”
“Three of them are mine and Laurie’s,” Rory answered. “Two are Laurie’s by other men and one is
your younger sister. Your mother wouldn’t even visit her, not even once. She’s looking forward to
meeting you.”
“I’d like that.” Susan replied. “But I don’t think I want to live with Laurie. At least not right now.”
“Your old room’s empty.”Dave volunteered. “Kayla and I would like it if you stayed with us until
you’re ready to live with dad and Laurie.”
“Are you sure?” an incredulous Susan asked. “ I used to treat her real bad.”
“Yes, she’s already forgiven you but an apology would be nice. By the way, you’re going to be an
aunt.”
“Really? Kayla’s pregnant? That’s great!” Susan gave Dave a big hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
The doctor attending June’s execution gave a nod and the nurse removed the I V needle from her
arm. They wheeled her into the reclamation booth that the “Idle Rich” used to bury their dead.
“Well at least you kept me occupied long enough that I didn’t have to watch mom die.” Susan said.
“I really didn’t want to see her die. The judge said I had to be here or I wouldn’t have come.”
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