“Good, then I want these modifications to be included in the new skymine that will soon be put into service at Erphano. The facility is undergoing its final construction stages right now, so you’d better hurry.” Clarin’s engineers looked alarmed, then drew deep breaths, accepting the challenge.

The Speaker looked at Cesca. “My grandson Berndt will be managing that skymine. Why not have him start with an efficient facility?”

“No point in wasting time.” Cesca smiled, seeing the old woman’s plan all along. “To make certain that the modifications run smoothly, perhaps Engineer Clarin should serve aboard the Erphano skymine for a month or two, as a shakedown?”

“Cesca, you never fail to demonstrate my wisdom in choosing you as my successor.”

“We will do as you ask, Speaker Okiah. Thank you for your approval!” Clarin bustled out of the office chamber, his motions exaggerated in the low gravity.

Next to enter was Kotto Okiah, the Speaker’s youngest son by her fourth and last husband. She raised herself off her sling chair and kissed him on each unshaven cheek. She looked without surprise at the scattered plans and notes he had brought with him.

Some Roamers chose to use computer design systems and thin display screens to show their work, but Kotto Okiah preferred to work manually, calculating with his own brain power and scribbling on valuable pieces of paper, which he always recycled if his ideas proved fruitless. Many of his concepts fizzled into dead-ends, but the young man’s sheer imagination had also led to numerous breakthroughs.

Kotto bowed to Cesca, but his full attention, as always, was on his ancient mother. Jhy Okiah insisted that she never gave her family special treatment, but all Roamers had clan ties and obligations.

Kotto was diligent enough to have other engineers check and double-check his work to ensure appropriate safety levels. Still, even when accidents happened, the optimistic Kotto never appeared shamed, only contemplative. “Innovative developments are not always perfect,” he said. “We must expect some to fail.”

“Please make it as few as possible,” his old mother had said.

Now the young man spread out his display, including star-charts, surveillance photographs, and rapidly sketched plans for a strange settlement on a bleak, hot world. “I don’t know if you’ll like this idea, Mother. It is very dangerous, but could be highly profitable.”

“I’m listening. You’ll have to convince me, as always.”

Cesca leaned forward to participate in the discussion as Kotto began to talk with exuberance. “I’ve been studying the hot world of Isperos, very much like the planet Mercury in the Earth system. The challenge is large, but the resources are remarkable. Look at all these metals, and the rare isotopes readily available on surface scrapings! I think it would be worth the effort.”