page27 (1/2)

"And they're not sure we can eat any of the native vegetation When the foretation in the part of China where they landed They had no intention of eating anything that grew here naturally We don't know if our plants can grow on their planets All the colonists ht die"

"The survivors of the fleet that defeated the formics will already have those probleet there"

"Mother," said Alessandra patiently "I don't want to go"

"That's because you have been convinced by the dead souls at the school that you are an ordinary child But you are not You are et away froreen and filled with ancient powers We will live in the caves of the dead ogres and go out to harvest the fields that once were theirs! And in the cool evening, with sweet green breezes fluttering your skirts, you will dance with young race!"

"And where e find young men like that?"

"You'll see," said Mother Then she sang it: "You shall see! You shall see! A fine young ive his heart to you"

Finally the paper fluttered close enough for Alessandra to snatch it out of Mother's hands She read it, with Mother bending down to hover just behind the paper, s her fairy shter Alessandra Toscano (14), accepted into Colony I

"Obviously there's no sort of psychological screening after all," said Alessandra

"You try to hurt me but I will not be hurt Mother knohat is best for you You shall not make the mistakes that I have made"

"No, but I'll pay for them," said Alessandra

"Think, enerous, and poutful girl, think of this: What do you have to look forward to here in Monopoli, Italia, living in a flat in the unfashionable end of Via Luigi Indelli?"

"There is no fashionable end of Luigi Indelli"

"You make my point for me"

"Mother, I don't drea off into the sunset"

"That's a good thing, , because there are no princes--only men and animals who pretend to be men I married one of the latter but he at least provided you with the genes for those aood teeth"