Redemptions Revolution PT5 Counting Coup

Jiangyin Late August 2507

Looking to his right Allen wonders if the sight before his is truly possible. Months previous he had been changed, though not much. Things he did on Persephone weren’t much different than some of the work he’d done long before but now he somehow feels vindicated for the deeds of which he had sought redemption. This was it. This is why he still moves and breaths and loves. With his Lily laying at his side and a small wooden crib just beyond her he, despite his happiness, sobs aimless.

Lily, her face awash with early morning light does not stir. Though not asleep, she holds back sullen and regretful for not holding her husband. Something tells her that he merely needs to get it out on his own. Even he had said there were things he did not wish to pass to those he loved and he was right. Sort of. She despised his ways. And she loved them. For some reason there were things she could never hope to understand. But it was the same for her. He could never understand the social graces or obligation that came with the biannual gatherings she was forced to attend by her family. He could not understand her frustration with having to live without him for months at a time. It was different before. Most of the time she could go wherever he was bound for work.

Work. Teaching people things they should have learned before using their money to buy property they could not properly manage. To manage people who had little education and even less hope. Indentured, as civilized as it sounds means the same as slave. How could her husband condone such barbarism from his clientele? And training security officers to do what, drive the slaves? She understands there is villainy throughout the universe but why would people of such wealth and finery move to such desolate places?

Even with so many questions Lily clears her mind for a moment to reach out to Allen. As she touches his face her eyes open. His eyes and jaw are clenched hard holding some strange power o