No one dared to make a suggestion, though the Roamer clans had never been reluctant to speak their minds. Cesca continued, “Throughout our history, Roamers have never had an easy time. We have crashed headlong into adversity, and we have survived. We know how to adapt. We know how to innovate. And we know how to remain what we are.”

Cesca had been trained to be firm and unwavering, as well as a caring and nurturing leader. She would devote her heart and mind to this job. “I intend to see us through this crisis, and I do not speak lightly of the hydrogue threat. This war could either destroy all of human civilization … or give Roamers our independence at last.”

This sent mutters through the audience hall, and she let the gathered people express themselves, building upon each other’s confidence.

“So, what are we to do, if we can no longer harvest ekti from gas giants? Our entire economy is based on this. Should we just surrender to the inevitable—maybe join the Big Goose after all?” She shook her head. “We dare not become more dependent upon the Hansa, after working for more than a century to wean ourselves from suffocating ties with Earth.”

“Then how do we survive?” shouted someone from the audience. “Without ekti we—”

She cut him off with a sharply raised palm. “Since when have the Roamers been bound to a single option? Gas giants are merely the most convenient reservoirs of hydrogen. But it is the most abundant element in the galaxy. We must look at alternatives and begin to harvest ekti in other ways.”

Cesca smiled down at a man seated in the front row of audience benches. “I have recalled Kotto Okiah, one of our best inventors, from Isperos, where he was building a new Roamer colony in the heat and lava. I have asked him to apply his ingenuity to this new problem. It may prove more difficult to harvest ekti elsewhere in the Spiral Arm … but will that stop us?”

She forced a laugh. “I don’t think so! We are Roamers. Let us apply our imaginations, our creativity, and face down this challenge. Look toward the Guiding Star we all know is out there. We can come out stronger if we work hard enough and demonstrate our true brilliance. We’ve always been good at considering long-term plans, haven’t we?”

Cesca lifted both hands, looking at all her people. “Every one of our inventors and designers and engineers must join in. We have no time to lose.” Relieved but giddy, she took a step back from the podium and raised her voice. “We will find new ways.”

111: TASIA TAMBLYN

111TASIA TAMBLYN

The Goliath rode in a stationary orbit, while Platcom Tasia Tamblyn’s Thunderhead crouched close to the Hansa mines plowing through the colorful Jovian skies. The enormous factories sprayed exhaust plumes shaped like anvils high into the rarefied air.