by Chris Hechtl
“Tide’s out,” Betty Fahed said, coming over with a bucket. She sat on a log and pulled her boots off. The girl had gone out with the clammers to try to dig something up.
“You got the right size this time, right?” Bobby demanded, hands on her hips.
“Peace,” Betty said as her mom Anna came over with her own bucket. Anna fished out the jig Reg had whittled for them. The C-shaped wooden device allowed them to pick the right-sized clams. She put her rake down. “And we put the ones we couldn't take back the right way,” Betty said before her mom and Bobby could start in on each other.
“Okay. Good,” Bobby said. “Another couple of weeks and maybe they'll be ready to harvest,” she said.
“Maybe,” Betty said, stretching and wiggling her toes by the fire. “I'll tell you one thing, that water is cold!” she said with a shiver.
“I can imagine,” Bobby drawled as she pulled out her knife and handed it over to Betty. Betty took it without so much as a thank you and began shucking the clams. Nothing went to waste. The dogs were alerted by her actions and came sniffing. She tossed them one or two pieces to keep them occupied, then continued on. Most of the clams ended up in the soup pot.
The shells were set aside for the composting. The farmers wanted it to grind up. The same for fish parts; there were a lot of trace elements that helped feed the plants in the makeshift nurseries and fields.
Bobby nodded to the pile of wood Reg had brought them and then pulled out a small loaf of bread. She took another knife and cut the hard bread in half, then used her fingers to pull out some of the white inside. They were still getting used to making their own bread. Fortunately, she'd learned the art of cooking at an early age. When she was finished, she set the crumbs aside, then ladled in some of the rich clam stew into the loaf before she sealed it up again. The hard crust would seal in the juices of the stew. The stew would slowly be soaked up by the bread making for a hearty and warm meal.
“I'm going to go check the plants,” Anna said softly. She nodded to the others as she took her own loaf and walked off. Reg smiled indulgently to her and tipped his hat to her. She blushed, ducked her head and looked away just as a jealous Claudia arrived.
“Reg,” Claudia drawled as she walked past and over to the fire.
“Claudia, me darlin',” Reg replied in the exact same tone. She shot him a bemused look over her shoulder to him. He just gave her a quirky smile.
“Don't you have somewhere to be?” Betty asked. Her father was out with the fishers on the coast.
“Here, Reg,” Bobby said as she finished making him breakfast. She wrapped it in a long handkerchief and then tied it in a knot. “I'll want that back. Clean and not covered in snot,” she said with a glower at him.
“My thanks,” Reg said as he waved a hand to the girls. “Until tonight, beautiful lasses,” he said as he took himself off.
Bobby pursed her lips and shook her head at her sister's sigh. Claudia looked over to her and then poked her. “Stop,” Bobby growled.
“You know he's single,” Betty teased.
“No shit,” Bobby said.
“Not for long. I want him all for myself,” Claudia said dreamily.
Betty shook her head. “So, what's on the agenda for today?” she asked as she finished her bucket.
“We're so far behind on the agenda …,” Bobby sighed as she wiped her hands on her apron. “We need so much.”
“We saw some caves by the seashore. Down the coast a bit.”
“I saw some up in the hills by Adam Ursini's place too. Probably why he took it,” Claudia replied as she dusted her hands off and then took up her own breakfast. She had picked berries a day ago, and her sister had made tarts to indulge her sweet tooth. The two small pastries she'd been allowed to have warmed on a flat rock by the fire for a moment before she bit into the first.
“The farmers are having a Dickens of a hard time getting the stumps out of the fields. The same for the rocks. And yeah, there is still some salt contamination,” Claudia reported. “I saw them out trying to do something about it from the hill,” She said.
Bobby looked to where the farmers were at. They had been trying to plough a stretch of hillside for some time. Relearning the art of ploughing and dealing with the sheer drudgery involved had been an exercise in patience all in itself. They'd run through four sets of farmers in the past week. Some just couldn't hack the labor involved.
“Doc Humphrey said we need to figure out how to make dynamite,” Claudia said. “He did say all the rocks they are pulling out will make Jim dandy field walls like they had back in the old country eventually,” she said.
“Eventually,” Bobby mused. She inhaled and then exhaled slowly. “Okay, Claudia, you take some of the food to the plough teams when you're through,” she added as her sister daintily picked up one of the pastries with her fingertips. “Careful, hot,” Bobby warned.
“That's why I'm blowing on it,” Claudia murmured, making a show of blowing on the steaming pastry.
“Betty, you get to run some food to the fishermen. If they've got something, bring it back and I'll sort it from here,” Bobby said.
“I hate the slop bucket,” Betty grimaced. “Trade?” she asked, looking at Claudia. Claudia grimaced but then nodded once.
“Okay, whatever, you two want to divvy it up, fine, as long as it gets done,” Bobby admonished. “When you are done, go check with your mom, Betty. She's probably done weeding the greenhouse plants, but she'll dither over this one or that. We can't have that all day. See if you can encourage her to look into setting up another greenhouse.”
“We've got more plastic?” Betty asked dubiously. They were using sheets of clear plastic that had been used as packing material or to protectively wrap cargo as greenhouse material.
“I think someone was working on welding bits together. I'll check on that when I'm done here. If I've got some I'll have it for you when you get back. If not, have your mom plan for the next greenhouse,” Bobby ordered.
“Gotcha,” Betty replied with a nod.
“Such a beautiful planet,” Claudia said as she licked her fingertips clean.
“Yes, yes, it is,” Bobby said as she glanced over to their small cottage project. The two families had decided to join forces to build the thing when they'd realized just how hard it was to live on the planet. They'd started it with field stone for the foundation, but they'd gotten worn out moving the stones in. They'd also run out of easily attainable material for mortar. Just another thing for Bobby to look into.
“If you get a chance, ask around if anyone's found some clay. We need it for mortar and bricks,” she said. “We can get sand from the beach.”
“Okay,” the girls said together.
“Doc Humphrey said he'd check the flock tomorrow. We really need them at the top of their game. I'll go milk the goats. Finish up quickly, gals; we're burnin' daylight,” Bobby said as she picked up the upside-down milk pail and left the fire area.
Just another day in paradise she thought as she saw Luca wheeling and drifting up and down in the sky. “Must be nice to goof off,” she muttered.
Chapter 8
Planet Gaston in the Janus Star System
March 3, 2233
“Beware the Ides of March”
Governor Cristi Lee Gaston-Verkolje-Schotte looked out the window to the see the packed dirt street and the school on the other side. It was a nice day, too nice to be stuck in doors a part of her mind thought. But, that was part of being an adult she thought, someone had to run the planet.
She was the eldest daughter of the Gaston family and was no longer living in her father's immense shadow. With his death from cancer, she had been forced to stand out into the light on her own. In order to guard her dad's legacy, she'd stepped into his shoes until someone else was elected. Instead, she had been elected the star system governor much to her consternation. Also to her surprise, she'd grown into the role; years running her father's office had helped her fit into the job it
seemed.
She'd also been surprised when some of the men had hit her up for the occasional date. She'd thought they'd been attracted to her for her position but found out over time that she was still a woman and still beautiful in her own right, even though she couldn't have children. Daniel had accepted her for that after some long talks, and they'd gotten married a year ago.
Their marriage had been hard on her in some ways; her father hadn't been there to walk her down the aisle, nor her mom or many other treasured family members. Now they were just memories to her and her sisters. When she and her sisters passed into the next realm, they'd be all but forgotten she knew.
She turned to look out the window to see the leaves flutter in the wind. In another week or so, they'd begin to change color she knew.
Their first full year on the planet had been a challenge, the second even more so without her father's guiding hand. But they'd survived and were thriving. The northern continents were great for growing corn and wheat, staples that would be marketable once the sector got its own trade arrangements going.
When was the big question. Somehow, they had to find a way to start making the payments on their loans she knew. When and how were things she'd thought would be easy before they left. Now, now though … she shook her head as she heard the distant sound of the school bell ring and then she saw the kids pile out of the school as they went to play and walk home.
It'd be all right she thought. One way or another they'd make it work. For the kid's sake, she reminded herself as she turned back to her paperwork.
~~*^*~~
March 5, 2233
It might be March on Earth, but it was an entirely different season on Gaston. The local fall on the planet brought the turning of the leaves as well as the traditional harvest festival. The festival was a time for everyone to get together, catch up, and rejoice in their new home while enjoying the fruits of their labors. “They are getting big!” Rachel said as she watched and admired her grandniece and nephew playing. Her first marriage hadn't worked out. She had decided to take some time to get her life back in order.
“I know. Arjen does good work … even if he had to get married a tad early,” Bogi said with a shake of her head. “Why'd he have to grow up so fast? And twins? I'm too young to be a grandmother!”
Rachel snorted and ribbed her sister.
“Dad would have loved this,” Cristi murmured, looking away. Her sisters quieted.
“I know. I wish he'd survived to see them born,” Bogi murmured.
“He's with us in spirit. I still can't believe they named the planet after him though,” Rachel said with s shake of her head.
“After us. Our last name too,” Bogi pointed out.
“Well, it was. We're married now, remember?” Rachel reminded her with a laugh. She held up her hand with her wedding band.
“True,” Bogi said thoughtfully. After a moment, she had something of a stricken look on her face.
“What?” Cristi asked in alarm.
“I just realized, Dad was the only one with the Gaston name. It is done now that you remarried,” she said to Cristi.
“That's what he got for having girls,” Cristi murmured. The sisters exchanged knowing smirks. After a moment, Bogi shrugged. “I know it sucks, but I'm not giving up my last name.”
“Me neither,” Cristi said.
“Dad would understand. So let the name of the planet be as a memorial to him. To us too if you want to push it, but to him. He got us here,” Bogi said.
“He'd hate it you mean. He'd grumble, but he'd buckle under us when we put our foot down you mean,” Rachel replied with a grin.
“True,” Boggie said with a fond smile.
“Here here. To dad!” Cristi said, holding up her glass in a toast. The other sisters did the same.
~~*^*~~
Cristi rushed to her office in her robe and slippers when she got the unexpected call in the middle of the night. She stared in disbelief at the computer as it showed her the plot of the star system and the direction of the caller.
“This is Gaston calling the Santa Maria, Governor Schotte speaking. Please restate intentions,” she said as she came around her desk and took her customary seat. It couldn't be; it was too early!”
“Gaston? I thought that was the name of the governor? Did you say your name is Governor Schotte?” a voice asked ten anxious minutes later.
“That is correct. The planet has been named Gaston after my late father, the former governor. I am Cristi Schotte, his daughter, and the current governor,” Cristi replied. “To whom am I speaking to?”
“We catch you at a bad time, landie?” the voice rolled on. Cristi frowned. “This is the good ship Santa Maria carrying thirty thousand popsicle passengers for your planet. Better get ready for them,” the woman's voice said.
“Can I speak to your captain?” Cristi demanded. “I think there has been a mistake. We weren't supposed to get another shipment for some time,” she said. She got up to pace and then try to start the fire in the small potbellied stove. The autumn evening had turned distinctively chilly.
Around that time, the ship received her previous message. A different voice responded. “This is Captain Lauren Kendrick to Governor Schotte. We were commissioned to carry these colonists to your planet. I know this comes as something of a surprise. We'll all have to deal with it,” the woman said. “You've got eight days to prepare for us and them.”
Cristi shook her head. “Not possible,” she said. But she was tired of trying to hold a conversation with ten minute gaps between sentences.
“This is Governor Schotte. We are not prepared for any additional arrivals at this time. But I will see what we can do. We will speak more when you get into orbit.”
Ten minutes after her transmission she received a short “Roger,” for a reply.
“Now what the hell do I do?” she said, sitting heavily in her chair.
~~*^*~~
“Doctor Sotch said he can put up one family. The Smith family has opened their doors to two families. Can you possibly handle a family as well?” Rachel asked, clearly getting desperate.
“I can. I'm not thrilled about it mind you. How are we going to deal with the food situation?” Emmett Brown asked. “And did you ask my parents?”
“They are my next call.”
“You won't get through; they don't have a radio,” Emmett replied with a shake of his head. “You are lucky you got me at all. I'm usually out and about. Dad is probably the same,” he said.
“Okay. We don't expect the people to freeload. Compensation we'll work out of course,” Rachel said. “I don't know yet what sort of balance between sweat equity is acceptable; it all depends on the parties involved obviously,” she said.
“Okay, I get that.”
“I know you've been setting up your lab …”
“Trying to do so you mean. I honestly regret coming to the ground,” Emmett said with a shake of his head. “I'm not cut out to be a farmer,” he said with a grimace in his voice.
“Well, if you are interested in selling, we can see if someone is willing to buy,” Rachel said. “But that can wait. So, you are okay taking on some boarders?”
“Yes. One family,” Emmett stressed as he glanced at his wife. She nodded curtly. “Just the one. No more than four people. They have to understand they are guests. If they won't help or if they piss me off, I'll turf them all out, snow or no snow,” he warned.
“Understood,” Rachel said, penciling him down for one. “Thank you.”
“Thank me when they are gone,” Emmett grumbled as his wife kissed him on the cheek. “I'll go over to my parents and ask them in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Rachel said heartfully.
~~*^*~~
The colony ship arrived in orbit eight days later. Along the way, Governor Schotte found out that the ship was an older model, the same class as the one that had brought them to Gaston over a year prior.
“I know we're early,” Captain Ken
drick said. The captain was a butch female human. She sported a blocky face and pixi short hair common among spacers.
“Yes, you are,” Cristi said as the signal went in and out. “It's not just that you are unexpected. You aren't unwelcome, it's just … we're not ready,” Cristi said.
She had spent the past eight days scrambling to find shelter and food for so many extra people after the harvest. Winter was nearly upon them; there was no way she'd be able to get them housed on their own. Only a few hundred families had offered to put up an extra family. They only had enough food to feed their families for the winter as it was.
“I suggest you get ready,” Captain Kendrick said firmly.
“Captain, we are just now entering winter. We don't have the extra materials to build more homes. We don't have the extra food to feed more mouths all winter long. We can't grow food with a meter of snow on the ground!” Cristi said with a shake of her head.
The captain grimaced.
“I've found housing for four hundred and forty people so far. A hundred and twenty families have offered to open their doors for a short period of time.”
“That's unacceptable. It barely qualifies as a drop in the bucket,” Captain Kendrick pointed out.
“Look, you showed up early, remember?” Cristi said desperately. The captain's jaw worked. “Look, the only thing I can think of is to delay waking them.”
The captain scowled.
“You can do that, right? Give us the winter to get through; we're not sure how bad it is going to be. Then once we've got the spring planting done, we can throw whatever manpower we can spare plus the manpower of your passengers into planting more food and building the homes. Unless you brought extra food and temporary shelters?” Cristi asked hopefully.
“No. Most came with only a couple hundred kilos of cargo to begin with,” the captain said with a shake of her head. She was clearly unhappy.
“I'm sorry. Whoever sent you out so early should have thought this through. At the least checked the seasons!” Cristi said, waving a hand before running it through her hair. “Look, I know this isn't …”