Chapter 1

Well, today was the day. The day I lost my freedom. No more appeals, the last one had been denied. They’d be coming this morning, to seal my fate.

No, I’m not talking about prison.

I suppose I should start at the beginning.

I’m Todd. Todd Romero. I’m 30, which is part of the problem. I’m an engineer.

5 years ago, my only serious relationship blew up after 4 years because she cheated, repeatedly. Shortly after this, my childhood home caught on fire and burned to the ground, taking both of my parents with it. Feeling completely alone in the world, I decided to leave it—the world.

I had a good job, but I decided to take a job at LunaTech, an outfit that contracted engineering services all over the galaxy. They sent you on contracts lasting between a few months and 5 years. The catch is, you couldn’t refuse or run out on a contract. You could quit, but only with 60 days’ notice before the end of your current contract. But they paid ridiculously well, and I’d be able to get lost. My first assignment was a one-year contract on a planet called Rizhiv, a lovely place whose inhabitants were 4-foot tall furballs whose subtle empathetic telepathic waves transmitted to all and sundry an overwhelming sense of contentment and calm. Rizhiv is known for being the most peaceful planet in the galaxy. I still have friends I correspond with: a Rizhivi friendship is for life. It was just what I needed.

The assignments I’d had since were varied, but I enjoyed them. I felt like I was broadening myself, seeing the galaxy, working with different species. There were plenty of aliens on Earth, but working on their planets was different. I also grew, big-time, as an engineer. Most engineering principles are fairly universal, but how they might be utilized is not. I broadened my knowledge and skills considerably. I saw a lot of different places and enjoyed them all. Until I came here 6 months ago, on a 3-year contract.