Captain’s log, 23 March 2158.

Flatly refused to participate in Old Earth excavation. Participating anyway.

Every ten years, the surviving Old Earth governments, few as they were, got together to attempt another excavation of the destroyed planet.

“You know how it goes, Renelle. I refuse, they insist, they compliment, they threaten, I agree,” Crystalline Fosterman said. She was one of the leaders of the survivors. “It’s just a dumb tradition that never results in anything. All you have to do is play along for a day or two.”

“I’m sorry, Crys, but I have better things to do,” Renelle said.

“I’ll pay you,” Crys offered.

Renelle asked, “How much?”

A day later, Renelle and her crew were on the...

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