As he watched, though, the lightning storms appeared to climb higher, a turbulence approaching the habitable atmospheric levels. The white birds stirred in their roosts, as if they could sense something ominous. It was an uneasy night.

But Ross would not have chosen to be anywhere else. The Blue Sky Mine was his home and his dream.

At the age of twenty-seven, shortly after he’d invested in this wild venture, Ross had been brash and bold—and why not, since he was already attempting to do an impossible thing? With a smile, he recalled the day he had approached Cesca Peroni, a woman he’d long admired but did not know very well. He met her in an empty tunnel in the clustered asteroids of Rendezvous. Willing to take a gamble and ready to accept failure, Ross had walked right up to her and asked her to marry him.

Cesca had raised her eyebrows and assessed the broad-shouldered young man, the outcast son of a powerful clan determined to make his own success. When she smiled at Ross, his heart had melted and he knew he’d made the correct choice.

Cesca was taken with him, though hesitant. After being trained by Speaker Jhy Okiah, the young woman was politically savvy enough to know that Ross could be “trouble.” She had touched a fingertip to her full lower lip. “I admit your Blue Sky Mine is a viable commercial opportunity. But if you don’t succeed and I’m already betrothed to you, then I’ll have thrown away my chance to make a good marriage alliance.” He couldn’t tell if she was teasing him.

“I realize you might be wary of me, Cesca,” he had said. “I’ve already been ostracized by my father, but I swear I’ll make my own way. I know I can pay off the Golgen facility. My dream is to become independent and strong, and I know exactly how to accomplish it.”

She shrugged. “And what would my family say? The Peronis are a powerful clan in their own right. Since I’m his only daughter, my father expects great things from me.”

Ross had clasped his hands in front of him. “And well he should. But you are clearly being groomed to become the next Speaker. Surely that’s enough for his pride?”

He was glad they had a chance to talk frankly, but he couldn’t decide if she was playing with him, or genuinely considering her options. Though the two felt warm toward each other, their decision would be based on a reasonable analysis of consequences, rather than frivolous romantic giddiness. A true Roamer match.

“I can offer you this, Ross Tamblyn,” Cesca finally said, crossing her slender arms over her chest and trying to hold a cool mask over what seemed to be an amused smile. “I will agree to wed you if you’re able to pay off the Blue Sky Mine and make a profit.”