April 8: It's Always Something (39 page)

"They are going to have a fit," Diana predicted, but with joy.

"One may hope," Jeff agreed. "I also spoke with my contacts in Australia and shared Nick's number and suggested there are trade possibilities there, since North American will be declining to sell to them."

"OK, you must have the inside details on exactly where Nick fits in the revolutionary organization," Diana said. "Is he pretty high up, or did he have to pass you on in the organization?"

"I got some indications and assurances. We talked about his objectives, and discussed the direction Home took after leaving North America. He found some of our actions interesting, and I encouraged him to examine the records of the Assembly. But I don't really want to be seen as influencing them heavily in public. Still, our goals are similar enough to feel confident it is safe to risk landing the
Chariot
. Nor should it prove embarrassing later to have a business relationship with them.

"But I'm not allowed to discuss it with you or April yet," Jeff informed them. "He worries you may both be liable for the loss of your properties if things go badly for them, because their victory is by no means assured. You can both scan clean under veracity software as not having conspired on their rebellion. I may not be so clean, because I intend to privately and quietly encourage both Australia and Japan to support them. But I don't own property there for anyone to have a handle on me. Certainly I have no reputation to save in North America."

"That's outrageous," Diana objected. "They can't
make
you testify under that software anyway."

"So true, but April destroyed the effectiveness of that limitation when she visited Earth, by simply
inviting
them to run her statements through the software. That put them in the uncomfortable position of being unwilling to reciprocate. I know the same course is available to you, but in any case, I
promised
," Jeff said, as if that closed the matter. April hoped it did, because she knew Jeff wouldn't be budged.

"Uh oh..."April said. Her com console not only was flashing a yellow, but gave three sharp beeps. "
Com display retrieval,
" she said, without asking if anyone minded.

BBC World News was the header. "General Kilpatrick, head of God's Warriors faction sharing the temporary government in North America is reported as having been assassinated," the anchor said, with just the slightest smirk at 'temporary'. Britain was still nominally allied to the USNA.

"Oh great. Well, just let me say I had
nothing
to do with that," Gunny announced. "I was on ISSII and I have witnesses. I have an alibi!"

Di was regarding him with a look that asked why he'd feel the need to say such a thing?

Jeff's hand pad beeped and he looked at it.

"Same news?" April guessed.

"And more. It seems there is general conflict again between the Sons and Warriors again. In particular on the west coast, although Chen says in just the last hour it seems to be spreading. They are in particular contesting the control of airfields."

"It's so crazy," April said. "For a whole couple weeks I thought things were going to be easier. We seemed to be in a stable standoff with North America.
Their
factions seemed to be in a stable standoff with each other. Some places were recognizing us, or at least letting us land. And then...boom, it all unwinds and somebody wants to kill Jeff and they get all riled up and start blaming us for things publicly again. Now this. They'll be fighting each other again full scale again, and somebody will probably try to blame it all on Home. It seems like it's always something, and it never ends."

"It never does, not for anybody," Jeff agreed. "Undoubtedly, they all feel put upon by events the same as we do. However, the whole mess will still be there in the morning, and there is little we can immediately do to quickly influence it. Meanwhile, we still have reservations for dinner and dancing. I see no reason to let it spoil our evening." Jeff paused, and changed his tone to speak to the house. "
Com, close screen. Hold all priority traffic and record."
Jeff smiled at the others. "It can be something
tomorrow
."

Other Kindle Books & Links by Mackey Chandler

April (first in series)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077EOE2C

April is an exceptional young lady and something of a snoop. She finds herself involved with intrigues that stretch her abilities, after a chance run in with a spy. There is a terrible danger she and her friends and family will lose the only home she has ever known in orbit and be forced to live on the Slum Ball below. It's more than a teen should have to deal with. Fortunately she has a lot of smart friends and allies, who give them a thin technological edge in rebellion. It's a good thing, because things get very rough and dicey.

Down to Earth (sequel to April)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RGBIVK

April seems to make a habit of rescues. Now two lieutenants from the recent war appeal to her for help to reach Home. The secret they hold makes their escape doubtful. North America, the United States of North America, has been cheating on their treaty obligations and a public figure like April taking a very visible vacation there would be a good way to remind them of their obligations. Wouldn't it? Her family and business associates all think it is a great idea. She can serve a public purpose and do her rescue on the sly too. But things get difficult enough just getting back Home alive is going to be a challenge. It's a good thing she has some help. Why does everything have to be so complicated?

The Middle of Nowhere (third in April series)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Middle-Nowhere-April-ebook/dp/B00B1JJ7RQ

April returns home from her trip down to Earth unhappy with what she accomplished. Papa-san Santos is finishing her rescue of the Lieutenants, Her traitorous brother is dead and so many things are uncertain. The Chinese and North Americans both continue to give her and Home a hard time. But April, Jeff and Heather are gathering allies and power. China, trying to steal Singh technology, gets its hand slapped badly by Jeff and the Patriot Party in America is damaged, but not gone. Their project on the moon is not so easy for North America to shut down, especially with the Russians helping. Heather proves able to defend it forcefully. They really didn't know she owns a cannon. The three have their own bank now, Home is growing and April is quickly growing up into a formidable young woman, worthy of her partners.

A Different Perspective (fourth in April series)

http://www.amazon.com/Different-Perspective-April-ebook/dp/B00DFL42PU

Despite winning a war against one of the world's super powers and undertaking a mission to Earth to try to demonstrate their independence, April and her new nation still find their freedom tenuous. There are shortages and hostility and machinations against them behind the scenes. Their small technological lead on the Earthies is about the only advantage they have besides courage and sheer nerve. But they are attracting the right sort of people and if pressed, they still are capable of bold action. Home is growing physically and maturing. So is April.

A Depth of Understanding (Fifth in April series)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ02NK8

April's nation Home has removed itself from orbiting close to Earth, but problems continue. Their enemies try to use the United Nations to act against them, as if that isn't a transparent subterfuge. The new Lunar nation of Central acts to help them, but at considerable cost. Meanwhile Home is expanding their reach into the solar system and gaining new citizens who appreciate opportunity and freedom. The things Home citizens decide to do, both new and old are interesting. The trouble from Earth is contained, but the whole matter is far from over.

And What Goes Around (Sixth book in April series)

https://www.amazon.com/What-Goes-Around-April-Book-ebook/dp/B00UR2D6SE

The nation of Home and their ally Central seem to have bought some safety by moving Mitsubishi 3 from Low Earth Orbit to a halo orbit around L2 beyond the moon. It has added some expense to stay supplied, but it has unexpected advantages too. A little extra distance works just fine when Earth has its own problems. Like April and her close friends Heather and Jeff, Home is growing, developing its own character, and becoming more independent. They really have no choice.

They Said it would be Easy (Seventh book in the April series)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BCLPVSQ

The nation of Home seems to be safe beyond the moon, but life is hardly certain. Earth still is a huge influence and far too big for Home to affect to any degree. The Earthies have their own problems and Home can't be of much help. Sometimes when your neighbors are crazy and bent on ruin all you can do is watch in horror and protect yourself. Life goes on and things do get easier as adjustments are made. Of course when things return to normal not all those adjustments will just go away. April and her partners Jeff and Heather support Home, but not with a blank check. A lot of Earthies want to join them, but growth in business and actual places to put them can only happen so fast. Even in interesting times life goes on. People still get married, go to work, and want to have a good time.

It is suggested if you haven't read the earlier April series books the characters and events in the seventh book of the series will be much richer and meaningful if you read the others as a base first.

Paper or Plastic? (My first novel. A stand alone book.)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RCLW68

Roger was medically discharged after his service in the Pan Arabic Protectorate, cutting off his chosen career path early. He is living in rural Sitra Falls, Oregon trying to deal with hyper-vigilance and ease back into civilian life.

When an unusual looking young woman enters his favorite breakfast place he befriends her. Little does he know he'll kill for her before lunch and start an adventure that will take him around the world and off planet.

When you have every sort of alphabet agency human and alien hunting for you survival is the hard part. But you might as well get rich too.

Family Law

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GQSZVS

People love easily. Look at most of your relatives or coworkers. How lovable are they? Really? Yet most have mates and children. The vast majority are still invited to family gatherings and their relatives will speak to them.

Many have pets to which they are devoted. Some even call them their fur-babies. Is your dog or cat or parakeet property or family? Not in law but in your heart? Can a pet really love you back? Or is it a different affection? Are you not kind to those who feed and shelter you? But what if your dog could talk back? Would your cat speak to you kindly?

What if the furry fellow in question has his own law? And is quite articulate in explaining his choices. Can a Human adopt such an alien? Can such an intelligent alien adopt a human? Should they?

How much more complicated might it be if we meet really intelligent species not human? How would we treat these 'people' in feathers or fur? Perhaps a more difficult question is: How would they treat us? Are we that lovable?

When society and the law decide these sort of questions must be answered it is usually because someone disapproves of your choices. Today it may be a cat named in a will or a contest for custody of a dog. People are usually happy living the way they want until conflict is forced upon them.

Of course if the furry alien in question is smart enough to fly spaceships, and happens to be similar in size and disposition to a mature Grizzly bear, wisdom calls for a certain delicacy in telling him no...

The Long Voyage of the Little Fleet (sequel to Family Law)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYA9WTQ

In the first book of this series "Family Law", Lee's parents and their business partner Gordon found a class A habitable planet. They thought their quest as explorers was over and they'd live a life of ease. But before they could return and register their claim Lee's parents died doing a survey of the surface. That left Lee two-thirds owner of the claim and their partner Gordon obligated by his word with her parents to raise Lee. She had grown up aboard ship with her uncle Gordon and he was the only family she'd ever known. Him adopting her was an obvious arrangement - to them. Other people didn't see it so clearly over the picky little fact Gordon wasn't human.

After finding prejudice and hostility on several worlds Lee was of the opinion planets might be nice to visit, but terrible places to live. She wanted back in space exploring. Fortunately Gordon was agreeable and the income from their discovery made outfitting an expedition possible. Lee wanted to go DEEP - out where it was entirely unknown and the potential prizes huge. After all, if they kept exploring tentatively they might run up against the border of some bold star faring race who had gobbled up all the best real estate. It wasn't hard to find others of a like mind for a really long voyage. This sequel to "Family Law" is the story of their incredible voyage.

Link to full list of current releases on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004RZUOS2

Mac's Writing Blog:

http://www.mackeychandler.com