“I’m sorting through the list of applicants for the colony mission.”
“Anyone interesting?”
“I’ve got two artists who want to come along.”
“Artists?”
“Yes, they say they’ll do whatever clerical work we want them to do until they get established. They think people will be wanting art for their walls, a few portraits, things like that.”
“Are they together?”
“No, unrelated, but their applications are almost identical.”
“Well, as governor, you should commission a few paintings,” Samantha said.
“I guess so,” Marc said. “That reminds me. I should try to get a few professional painters.”
“Aren’t they professional?”
“No, building painters and car painters,” Marc said. “Blake and I painted our parents’ house once. Thought we did a nice job. Then Linda and I had our house painted by a professional; we were too busy by then. They did a much better job, less time, and a lot less paint.”
“How many job types are you planning on?”
“I have over fifty job classifications that need to be filled right away.”
“Fifty?! Like what?”
“Doctors, nurses, and teachers just to start. Then you have to have farmers and fishermen, machinists, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and the list goes on. Some of them will have multiple skills, but it is daunting.”
“How did they do it in the old days?”
“Back then, people were more versatile, and you didn’t have to worry about electricity and electronic equipment, much less spaceplane mechanics and pilots.”
“But they had wagon masters, drovers, and such.”
“And they lived a lot rougher at the start than we hope to.”
“You’d better not be hoping about that,” Samantha threatened.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Liz, I want you to command the Sakira when it goes to Mangkatar with the Paraxeans,” Marc told Liz when she joined him in his office.
“I guess I could. Isn’t that going to be a six-week mission?” Liz asked.
“On that order,” Marc said. “The exact timing will be subject to the exigencies of the situation.”
“Of course,” Liz said. “Who will command the Roebuck?”
“I want your input on that. What do you think of Lieutenant Payne?”
“He’s a pain in the ass,” Liz said. “But, joking aside, Catie thought he did an excellent job as her XO, and Captain Desjardins was pleased with his performance as well. What does Blake think?”
“He suggested him,” Marc said. “It’s a long mission. It could be six months to a year before the Galileo actually makes it out there.”
“He’s a big boy. Have you talked to him?”
“Not yet, I didn’t want to get his hopes up. But if you’ll command the Sakira, that puts you in command of the mission until you bring the Sakira home. It’s your decision, and you should tell him.”
“I’ll take care of it. Who’s going to command the Galileo when you send her out?”
“Desjardins or Fitzgerald?”
“Good choices,” Liz said. “Jodi was the XO of the Victory, so she’s ready to handle a detached mission like that, Desjardins has the experience of commanding the Sakira for the end of the asteroid mission as well.”
“It’ll be Blake’s call. You should let him know what you think,” Marc said.
“I will; what do I need to do now?”
“Work with Governor Paratar and get the ship ready to leave. I assume she’s completed her test jumps.”
“About three weeks ago,” Liz said. “They’ve been loading cargo into her and installing the last of the passenger cabins for the past two weeks. Am I going to command her when she goes to Artemis?”
“Not unless you want to. I’d rather you were here for Catie,” Marc said. “We can have Commander Desjardins command her, assuming Blake picks Jodi for the Galileo.”
“I’m good with that,” Liz said.
“Okay, I’ll let Blake know, and he’ll handle the change of command,” Marc said.
“Anything else?”
“No. But I do want to say how much your being there for Catie has meant to her mother and me,” Marc said. “You’ve been instrumental in her life. That’s why I want you here on Earth while I’m on Artemis, that way you’ll be more available for her.”
“And she has been there for me,” Liz said. “It’s surprising what you can learn from a teenager.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Thanks for having us over,” Blake said as Samantha met Jackie and him at the door.
“My pleasure,” Samantha said. “And I see you brought the wine.”
“Yes, someone told me I should,” Blake said while giving Jackie a smile.
“Come on in and sit down,” Samantha said. “Marc is just finishing up a call, and after that, he’s on the do not disturb list, right ADI?!” The three of them sat on the two sofas in the conversational group in the condo’s common room.
“Of course, Cer Sam,” ADI said.
“You mean you can do that?” Jackie asked.
“Oh, you haven’t met ADI?” Samantha asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“Hello, Cer Jackie,” ADI said.
“There you go, now you’ve met her. From now on, she’ll always be listening on your Comm. You can ask her for help, or sometimes just for info.”
“She’s always listening?”
“I’m very discreet,” ADI said. “I compartmentalize all information to ensure your privacy.”
Jackie looked at Samantha, totally confused.
“ADI is the Digital Intelligence that Marc found on the Sakira,” Samantha said. “She’s very useful and completely reliable.”
“Why, thank you, Cer Sam,” ADI said.
“And she also has a mild sense of humor.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jackie said.
“Hello, Jackie,” Marc said as he entered the room. He walked over and stood behind Samantha, giving her a kiss. “I see you’re having a positive influence on Blake.” Marc pointed to the bottle of wine to emphasize his point.
“I think it’s similar to the positive influence Sam is having on you,” Blake said.
“Well, if there’s one thing we McCormack boys need, it’s a positive influence.”
“I’ll let Mom know you think so,” Blake said.
“That sword will cut both ways,” Marc said as he sat down on the sofa next to Samantha. “Jackie, how are you adjusting to life in Delphi City?”
“I was adjusting just fine, but now I hear I’m going to have some more adjustments to make,” Jackie said, referring to the fact that Blake would be taking over the public duties of the president.
“Oh,
