For Darkness Shows the Stars

estate.”
    “I have taken care of the estate,” said Elliot. “Look at it!” She spread her arms wide. As far as the eye could see, shoots burst through the well-tilled soil. They’d have a record harvest. More Posts were coming to the estate every month, happy to work and eager to take part in either the farming or the shipbuilding ventures on the land. “You don’t need me to run the estate, Dee. You know what to do. Be fair to the workers. Water the crops. We’ll be back in time for the harvest.”
    “And if the boat sinks?”
    “And if the sun explodes?” Elliot countered.
    They arrived at the Boatwright house. It was dark and empty as everyone had already headed toward the docks to see the launch. Elliot rushed inside. She didn’t have Kai’s night vision, but it didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for. She yanked the compass off the wall and sprinted back to the sun-cart.
    “This is about Kai, isn’t it?” Dee cried when she saw the compass. “Elliot, wait a moment. Let’s think this through. Can you really leave?”
    “Yes, I can,” she replied. “This time I can. I’ve thought about it. Everything is running so smoothly now. If I stay, I’ll die. I’d just watch the plants grow and hate myself. I was raised to work, not to be an idle Luddite lord. And that’s what I’ve been, ever since all the Posts have come back. Think about it, Dee. How much time have I spent cuddling your baby? How much time have I spent sitting in the house reading books and playing with Ro’s flower pots? Some of the Luddites go to resorts in the south and spend all summer swimming around in thermal pools. You yourself said I should visit the city. We’re not needed. I’m not needed. The shipyard has been rented for the season, and Donovan told me he’d help oversee it, so I’m not needed there. And Tatiana won’t care what’s happening on the North farm as long as she and Father get their money. I’m going to do this. I have to, Dee. I have to take this chance.”
    The older woman furrowed her brow but didn’t disagree. “And Kai, he knows?”
    “He asked.”
    But Dee still looked skeptical. “Elliot, I know how you feel about him, but don’t be hasty. It’s not a pleasure cruise they’re on. They’re all going to be working hard. You’re a farmer,” Dee said. “What will you do on a Fleet ship?”
    “Anything I want to!” Elliot threw her arms wide, feeling the wind slapping against her skin as they drove toward the beach. For once, she believed it. She could smell the sea in the air, but more than that, she could smell the scent of the grass as it awoke from its winter slumber. She could hear the sound of crickets as they sang to the emerging stars. It was springtime on the North Island. It was springtime for the world.
    Ro squealed with delight and copied her.
    “I’m not a farmer, Dee,” Elliot went on. “I tried to be, for the estate, but you’re a much better farmer than me. I made the wheat, but you’re the one growing it.”
    Dee was silent for a moment, considering this. “Well, that’s true.”
    “And Donovan Phoenix is a better shipbuilder than me. And Horatio Grove can help you get a better deal at the market. If you can name one thing I’d be better at doing than someone else here, I’d like to hear it.”
    “You give us hope, Elliot,” she said. “Because of you, I believed that the North estate was a place worth saving. Because of what you’ve done here, I believe that the world will change, that my children can grow up to be whatever they want.”
    Elliot dropped her arms and looked at her friend. “Oh, Dee. . . .”
    “But,” the Post continued, and smiled. “I suppose that’s a mission accomplished. So let’s get you to that ship.”
    They started down the path to the bay. There, on the beach, sat the buildings of the shipyard, little more than shadows against the pale sand. The sun-lamps burned down on Fleet workers bustling around the docks, loading crates and sun-carts and golden-finned machines Elliot had no name for on board the ship. It was massive—bigger than any vessel Elliot had ever seen. It floated gently by the dock that jutted out into the sea, illuminated from prow to stern by sun-lamps. Giant sun-sails lay furled against its masts.
    “Ooh,” said Ro, but they all three were thinking it.
    As they descended the slope toward the beach, Elliot could make out the name of the ship, painted on the side in glittering