9

You get Frank and Florence to each talk about their research history.

"I've written two papers this last year about crop rotation in moon domes," says Frank. "My earlier work on optimal conditions for growing bamboo for construction use is widely cited."

Florence has a different history. "I've been published in both U.E. journals and in the Libertalian open network," she says. "I've written on plant cycles in quasi-closed systems like boats and moon domes. And my work on robotic bees has been published outside of botany circles."

You get them both together again to make your final decision.

"So which of us are you taking?" asks Frank with a quiver of hope. Florence smiles at you anxiously.

I'll pick Frank Palmer.

I'll go with Florence Palmer.

I'll go with Kosmo's judgment here.

Let's flip for it.

Kosmo was just saying he didn't think he was going to be that useful earlier today. Now's his chance to prove you wrong. He readily takes up the responsibility.

"The competition was tight and this was a difficult choice," Kosmo says as the two Brits hang anxiously on his every word. The rest of the olive grove is still, only the light whistle of the artificial breeze wafting through. "We have considered your research records and reflected on the extremely multi-disciplinary nature of this mission. In light of this, we have decided to go with Florence."

Florence begins a little celebratory jig before collecting herself.

"Congratulations and commiserations, you two," says Kosmo to the pair of them before addressing Florence specifically. "We'll send over the full mission briefing pack as soon as you've signed the N.D.A.s. We'll speak again soon!"

"Of course. You won't regret this!" she says.

You hope not.

Next

Next on the itinerary is checking over the supply rockets in the spaceport.

Leaving the moon is easier than leaving Earth. For one, the elevator port is fully operational. This space elevator endlessly cycles goods and people from the orbital docking bays to and from Moltke City. Kosmo and you enter the trolley. He stares out of the window as you take a seat next to someone else.

Perched beside you is a young woman with thick, curly brown hair and the long, thin limbs that mark out a person born and raised in low gravity. She sits on the headrest, her feet on the chair, knees wedged into the seat in front.

She sees you looking. "You'd think they'd make the seats the right size for people that actually live here." She extends a hand to shake yours. "It's Rheita Petavius."

"Voshinu .."

"President Voshinu .."

"After the moon craters?"

Kosmo tears himself away from the window.

"Absolutely," he says. "She's the replacement for Manley Thompson, our atmosphere guy. The one who went AWOL."

"I hope Thompson turns up," says Petavius. "I'm good, but he's the best. Well. The best of the people that'd give up everything to go to Europa."

"Why would you want to give up everything?"

"I can see that you feel the call of Europa too."

"Did you know him well?"

Next

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***