A Learning Experience

Epilogue

“Welcome home, Steve.”

Steve smiled as he saw Kevin, a little older, waiting for him in the teleport chamber.

“It’s good to see you again,” he said, as he wrapped Kevin up in a hug. “It’s been… what? Four years since I saw you and the kids?”

“I’m just glad you got here in time for the memorial service,” Kevin said. “In the five years since the Battle of Earth, you only ever attended the first ceremony.”

“You know the dangers of dwelling on the past,” Steve said, irked. He’d left the Sol System as soon as the elections had been held, naming Rochester as the first President of the Solar Union. Steve had felt it would be better for his successor if Steve himself was no longer around. “How far would we have come as a family if we’d kept blaming the English for kicking us out of Scotland?”

Kevin smiled. “I think it was the charge of being drunk and disorderly that really got to our ancestors,” he countered. “But we also have to remember the past.”

Steve shrugged. “Mariko and I went quite a bit further this time,” he said. “I sent back a handful of reports, but I’ve got a complete one here. So far, the war seems to have remained firmly stalemated. That may change though, soon.”

“Because of us,” Kevin said. He took the chip Steve passed him and dropped it into his pocket. “We could do with another few decades before the galaxy as a whole realises we exist.”

“We may not have that time,” Steve admitted. “It all depends on which way the lizards choose to jump.”

He shook his head. “But enough of that,” he said. “You’re the Director of Solar Intelligence, so give me some intelligence.”

“That would require brain surgery,” Kevin pointed out.

Steve snorted, rudely. “How are things in Heinlein these days? I heard the announcement about us having the millionth citizen on the way in.”

“Oddly bureaucratic, despite the best intentions of our laws,” Kevin conceded. “It seems natural that we develop government, then the government starts growing out of control.”

“I’m not surprised,” Steve said. He took the beer Kevin offered him, then sat down. “But you know what? There’s a whole universe out there. Anyone who doesn’t fit in here will be able to go outwards, if they wish. And the problem will take care of itself.”

“As long as the Galactics don’t take care of us,” Kevin said. “One day, one day soon, they will notice. And then the shit will really hit the fan.”

“Give us time,” Steve said. “By the time they notice, we will be ready.”