The Star Patrol ship resembled a three-barbed arrowhead, descending past the clouds with gravity brakes shining Cherenkov blue and radiator wings glowing dull red. The fusion engines in its stern were cold, landing legs extending as it approached an open field outside Grand Arztilla, the place now known as Starman’s Landing.
There’ll be a spaceport here, one day, Eric thought. Beside him, Kadelius watched the ship with mouth agape. Two blunt-nosed drop shuttles already sat on the light-brown earth, chariots for the Marines who’d helped restore order and nab wayward dinosaurs after the Patrol cleaned up the replicator ships.
“I had my Insight implants recording when the T. rex chased us,” Felden said, standing in a line with his sister and the others. “I wonder what Mom will say.”
“No.” Zandra held up a finger. “We never tell Mom about that. Ever.”
“So we’re not gonna tell her about the T. rex, but somehow the pirate alliance and the orbital strike are less bad?”
“Maybe you should just say you had a grand old time lounging on a beach until the Patrol showed up,” Eric mused.
Touching down with a thump, the Patrol ship landed and the rumbling of its engines diminished. A ramp began to open for a bay below the bow, an officer emerged followed by Existential Risks Directorate Agent Mara Vela.
“Apologies,” she said. “I don’t make a habit of leaving my people behind.”
“Well, we accomplished the mission,” Eric replied. Now he had one more choice to make.
The Patrol officer stopped and returned the salutes of Felden and Zandra. “Lieutenants. Good to see you’re alive.”
Felden replied, “You too, Captain Singham.” He looked to Selva. “So, uh, how classified is this?”
“Not officially, but we prefer you not discuss it publically for the time being. As things get better here, we can let the truth out.”
Eric noticed Kadelius watching the Patrol captain and Agent Vela. “You look like you want to say something.”
He took a breath. “Any chance I could… go with you? Travel in the stars, visit other worlds?”
“Join the Patrol, eh?” Captain Singham asked.
Kadelius scuffed his foot. “He said you take recruits from the worlds you recontact.” Kadelius jabbed a thumb towards Eric.
“Think you’ve got what it takes?” asked Singham.
“It’s the least we could do,” said Selva.
“All right then.” Singham smiled at Kadelius. “Pack your bags.”
“That goes for us, too.” Professor Temerin turned to Rachel. “Maybe someday you’ll get around to completing that thesis.”
Eric took a breath. “I’m staying, too.”
“Really? After everything you said?”
“I was being too harsh. For all its flaws there’s still some amazing things about this place.” Though Ed’s loss still hurt deep, he remembered the thrill of his first flight over the fields. “I’ve always wanted to get into technological uplift; if I went home I could spend decades and still not get a role half as good as this.”
“Give it ten years and you’ll have steam engines and electricity,” Cobb said.
Eric answered, “I think I can do it in five.”
“It is true,” Ralbor said. “Lord Leon sings his praises as a master engineer.”
“You sure?” Selva asked.
“Yeah.” Eric nodded. “It’s not like Meridian will be isolated either, now that Dulane’s gone. Just put that money in my bank account so I can get some cheeseburgers shipped in every now and then.”
“It’s been nice knowing you.” Felden patted him on the shoulder.
Temerin hugged him. “Save me a drink, for when I return.”
Eric didn’t know what his future would bring, as he watched the spaceship ascend away and vanish into the sky. But he did know one thing: this planet’s history was only just beginning.
THE END
