My entire family went to Miranda. They were going to build a better life for all of us. I was going to go too, but Daddy made me stay behind and finish up school first. I was their first born, and I was his favorite. Everyone knew I was Daddy's favorite, but no one said it out loud.

I wanted to go with them, but Daddy said I was the only hope for the family. After I got my degree I could come be with him. I could see in his eyes that he wanted me to come then, but he was making himself leave me behind. He and Momma sold most the livestock so I could go to law school. I wasn't about to let him down.

I remember the day they left. Momma cried, and Daddy called me Princess. I watched the ship break atmo and walked back to my cramped dark dorm to study for finals.

It wasn't more than a week later that I got a registered letter with the alliance seal. Apparently the terraforming wasn't foolproof. My family had tried to start anew on an inhabitable planet.

All my friends told me to take a few semesters off to get my bearing, but I kept trudging through school. The more pain I felt from losing my two little brothers, my momma, and my daddy the deeper I dove into my books and schoolwork. Daddy wanted me to graduate more than anything. I was going to do it for him.

Those final semesters flew by, and it wasn't long 'til I was out on my pee goo looking for a job. I don't know why they call higher education a manner of preparing you for life. I had a fancy piece of paper that said I could practice law, but nowhere to go.

I took the first transport I could find to Paquin. I had heard, that with the legal confinement center there, they were in great need of defenders. After landing on the dusty platform, I paid the captain of the ship and started walking towards the nearest courthouse.

I held all I owned. I was dressed in my only suit. The skirt stopped just above my knees, so I had to wear nylons. I was wishing I hadn't with the hot sun beating down on me as I walked. I unbuttoned and took of