(eng) Nancy Kress - Sleepless 01 by Beggars in Spain

Author:Beggars in Spain [Spain, Beggars in]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Community,” Jennifer Sharifi said calmly to Najla and Ricky, “must always come first. That’s why Daddy won’t be coming home again. Daddy broke his solidarity with his community.”

The children looked at their shoes. They were afraid of her, Jennifer saw. That was not bad; fear was only the ancient word for respect.

Najla finally said in a small voice, “Why do we have to leave Sanctuary?”

“We aren’t leaving Sanctuary, Najla. Sanctuary goes with us. Wherever the community is, that’s Sanctuary. You’ll like the new place we’re taking Sanctuary. It’s safer for our people.”

Ricky raised his eyes to his mother. Richard’s eyes, in Richard’s face. “When will the orbital be ready for us?”

“Five years. We must plan it, construct it, pay for it.” Five years would be faster than an orbital had ever been constructed before, even given that they had purchased an existing shell from a Far East government that now would have to build itself another one.

Ricky said, “And we’ll never come back to Earth again?”

“Certainly you’ll come back to Earth,” Jennifer said. “On business, when you’re grown. Much of our business will still be here, among those few Sleepers who are not beggars or parasites. But we’ll conduct business from the orbital, and we’ll find ways to use genemods to build the strongest society ever known.”

Najla said doubtfully, “Is that legal?”

Jennifer rose, the folds of her abbaya falling around her sandals. The two children rose as well, Najla still looking doubtful, Ricky troubled. “It will be legal,” Jennifer said. “We’ll make it legal for you, and for all the children to come. Legal, and solid, and safe.”

“Mother—” Ricky said, and stopped.

“Yes, Ricky?”

He looked at her, and a shade passed over his small face. Whatever he had been going to say, he decided to keep it to himself. Jennifer bent and kissed him, kissed Najla, and turned to start toward the house. She would talk again to the children later, explaining to them in small doses they could absorb, making it all clear. Later. Right now there was so much else to do. To plan. To keep in control.

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