Page 26 of Thalen

“Is there something about them I should know?’

“Yes, actually,” I said, logging in and perusing the top result on the homepage. “I’d like to import a tractor and harvester for him from Earth. He told me the model numbers, but I forgot them. I’ll know when I see the model numbers again though.”

“They’ll need to be converted from their original combustion engine configuration, but that shouldn’t be an issue. Comm me when you have the specifics, and I’ll set things in motion. The cost will be covered easily by the additional family claim allowance.”

“I’d like to reduce that by contributing some matter for conversion,” I replied. “I want him and Jason to be able to use as much of that as they wish for things they may need later.”

“We can do that. Five fields’ worth over two years and an additional assignment to your agricultural efforts will cover it.”

That was steep but fair. “And if I agree, how much of their allowance would be used?”

“None, and you can keep the produce from the experimental crop. I’ll have the plants and the supplies to grow them sent over tomorrow. How much space do you have in your greenhouse?”

“It’s half full. The other half is completely empty except for the watering apparatus across the ceiling, which is turned off on that side. There’s not any tables or trays or anything. Just floor.”

“Not a problem.”

“What will I be growing?”

“Blueberries. They arrived on the freighter and cleared this afternoon. They are in stasis, bare root.”

“He mentioned something called bananas and pineapples. Are those on the permitted list?”

“Ohhhh! I do believe we can accommodate those, but no, they are not yet. I will have to check their requirements and compatibility and have a sample of each sent for a lunar scan. If the small craft is allowed to proceed with landing, we can move forward with sequencing them and verifying they will not bring a disease here that will harm the other plants. Then if everything looks good, we can have some imported.”

I knew already that anything that left the spaceport was first determined to be disease and insect free, but the system was in place to provide a triple lock of safety. The lunar scan wasn’t something we could simply decide to skip, either. The outpost the Ancients left scanned every ship that arrived, and if something was aboard that violated the sanctity of the planet, said ship found itself held in orbit, unable to do anything until said item was beamed out and destroyed. So far, it had only happened once, and it had caused a stir when it did. The Ancients had some incredibly detailed scanning equipment, that was for certain.

“Okay. Put us down for testing those once approval is granted, if it ever is.”

“You betcha! That would reduce the matter to a field’s worth over five years, if you’ll accept various varieties of heritage bananas and include plantains. We’d provide the extra field space and greenhouses for them. They are endangered back on Earth but provide an exceptional nutritional source of potassium and other vitamins, as well as fiber. Also, bananas are naturally sweet, and they and pineapples are often used in various desserts.”

I chuckled. “Okay, you’ve sold me. I’m sure Evan will be thrilled if you can get us all those.”

I paused, looking at a vid caption. “Using my IH McCormick B275”. That was it. That’s the one he’d mentioned. I scrolled through the streamer’s other vids, spying further down the list one called “Harvesting” with my 403’.

“Bob? I’ve found the ones he’d like.” I rattled off the model numbers, then gave him the YouVid streamer’s channel name and each vid’s identifying serial number. “Got it. I’ll get right on it. I’ll let you know when we have made progress.”

“Thank you.”

A yawn cracked my jaw, and I rubbed under my nose.

“Goodnight,” I said to Bob and the animals, despite most of them already being asleep. I put my datapad down on the bedside table and carefully slipped under the covers. Eloise shifted to generously allow me part of the pillow, her purring quickly lulling me into slumber.

15

EVAN

“Goood morning, New Haven!”

I bolted upright.

“It’s a lovely day here in Walnut Grove. Today’s high will be 78 with lows of 63. Gentle breezes from the Southwest will make it feel more like 76, but that’s still warm enough to not need a windbreaker! What’s as big as a kilt-ha but weighs nothing?” A brief pause. “A kilt’ha’s shadow!” Ba-dump thump! “It’s Tuesday, so it’s a school day, kiddos! Be sure to log into your home’s wall vid system for class. Moms and dads of preschoolers, do we have a treat for you! New episodes of Playfleet have arrived and will begin streaming today. In addition, we have a preschool teacher aboard the Mylos Fleet who has agreed to do an interactive preschool activity class under the Romper Room brand. That will be at 11:30 a.m. local time, so be there for the first ever meet, greet, and play and for your child to have the chance to hear their name called out! At nine and again at two, there will be more Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood from the archives, as well. New Sesame Street episodes and other preschool family faves can be streamed via Bob Net on the children’s educational menu. And now, for some morning music!”

A Whiter Shade of Pale began to play as I stared around the room.

“That is so weird, “ I giggled. “But also cool.”

I climbed out of bed and quickly made my way to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I dressed and made the bed before leaving the room. I grinned as I found Jason already up, still in his pajamas, sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of what looked like orange juice in front of him. Two more glasses sat at my and Thalen’s places, mine with a cup of coffee next to it.