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  “Where is Aliisha?”

  “Trying to seduce the shuttle pilots.”

  “And your sisters?”

  “Weeliasha is at the flight-control office and Torlia is on the Solar Knife running the defence systems.”

  Tornen chuckled. “What are you supposed to be doing?”

  “Helping with colony control. Mom was going to come with me, but the boys went berserk and she had to help the Dads control them.” Yvetta bit her nail. “I hate public speaking.”

  Her grandfather gave her a hug. “You will do fine.”

  Yvetta whirled as she felt a familiar presence. “Papa.”

  Papa Jarix was waiting for her, his tawny hair slightly rumpled. “If you are ready, Yvetta, your mother will catch up with us once she gets your brothers under control. They broke into meat storage and have been gnawing on the haunches of steer that we were storing.”

  She winced. “I am as ready as ever. Grandpa was giving me a pep talk.”

  Her father smiled at his father-in-law. “He is good at that. I hear he used to do a little bit of public speaking in his time.”

  Yvetta laughed. Tornen Hagerson had been chief executive officer and head designer of Hagerson Multi Corporation. He had, indeed, done his share of public speaking.

  She hiked with her father to the landing site and pasted a smile on her face. She greeted ship captains and species representatives alike.

  Once everyone had had a chance to relax, she got on the podium and addressed the crowd.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, colonists of all ages. Welcome to one and all.

  “I am Yvetta Hagerson-Leo, owner of this world. It has been handed down from my mother’s side and it will belong to my children in the long run. While all colonists are welcome here, they will not have a claim to any part of this world. Their children, however, will.

  “This planet not only has invited colonists of all races but of all origins. There are ninety-two families of designed origin here and they are citizens of this world with property rights as well as homes. That is a status that you will have to work for. No disrespect to the designed beings will be tolerated. Anyone engaging in discrimination or hate crimes will be ejected from this world without qualm or appeal. The truth of the situation can be determined by a number of the designed beings, so if you harbour hatred for them, you may leave now. The shuttles are waiting.”

  Yvetta paused for a moment while several folks stirred in discomfort before they settled.

  “The city is accessible to everyone. There is a museum containing archived documents of the basics of genetic design. It is the most extensive in all the planets and we welcome people to gain an education about the first settlers of this world.”

  Yvetta described the amenities available. Food, housing, pools, exercise areas and farmland. She went through some basic rules of conduct and mentioned the contracts that all members of the colonist program had signed.

  “If you want to leave, you may leave. Freedom is prized above all. I, once again, would like to formally welcome you to Argent. Be welcome and ask questions.”

  She nodded and bowed her way off the podium.

  Her father wrapped an arm around her. “You did well, Yvetta.”

  She sighed and smiled. “Are Gran and Grandpa coming for dinner tonight?”

  Papa Jarix smiled. “Of course. They are now colonists of Argent. There is no reason for them to leave again.”

  Yvetta laughed. After close to thirty years, her mother had convinced her parents to stay. Her grandfather retired and her grandmother resigned her charity posts, both of them signing on as administrators for the Argent colony.

  As they walked back to the house, they heard yelling, yowling and cursing, Yvetta grinned. There was nothing like being surrounded by family and wanting to be there anyway.

  About the Author

  Zenina Masters was born in Canada and lives in Canada. She has a regular job and does nothing particularly exciting with her life. She enjoys fishing, silence and the ability to pick and choose friends she can trust. Life is too short to watch your back all the time.

  Her writing life is a teeny bit of escapism, she would probably chicken out if confronted by three naked men and looks forward to one day finding out.