“Enjoying the sunset, my love?” William stepped out onto the terrace off the council chamber.
“Trying,” she answered.
He held his hands out to her. The two lovers faced each other, clasped hands and stared into each other’s eyes. Sun took in a deep breath. She felt the weight of the future, dropping her chin. William lifted it up.
“After all these years and decades, must I remind you not to carry so much weight alone?”
“Kate has the potential,” Sun said. “How many lives will be harmed if she is lost?”
“Besides yours?”
“It would not be our loss alone,” Sun said, still staring into William’s eyes.
“Challenge and self-reliance makes for strong leaders,” William said. “And remember, I have many friends across the solar system.”
Sun pulled away from him and turned towards the setting sun. “I still must consider the possibility.”
“Yes, we must,” William agreed. “But that fact is true regardless of where she lives.”
“James came to me last night,” she told him.
“I know.”
“He said he would take care of the family should anything happen to Kate.”
“Did he bring you solace?”
“No,” Sun admitted. “James lacks inherent foresight and empathy.”
“Many say the same of you,” William added with a smile.
She quickly turned to him, “I do not show what I feel, but I feel it nonetheless.”
“He may be stoic at times, but he is not ruthless.”
“That does make him a strong military leader. But it would not be the best thing for the council,” she paused and turned back to the setting sun. “Or the family.”
“The duty to chair the council does not have to fall to our branch,” he said.
“Lucas is far too inexperienced and Ceres,” Sun stopped midsentence. “Ceres would be like choosing James. She is closer to him than I and just as cold.”
“Ceres is your sister,” William said. “And is it not surprising after the loss of her own children?”
“Sometimes I feel as though I do not have a son, only a nephew.”
William pulled her close, held her tight and whispered into her ear. “He is your son and his heart is warm and strong. Do not let doubt into yours.”
Sun and William had been together most of their lives, a luxury few Alexanders had. They met as children during hand-to-hand combat training. Their classmates were no match for either, but they were certainly a match for each other. Ceres would often take bets when the two faced each other. And she rarely bet against William. It wasn’t until training was complete that the two became lovers.
“Perhaps Maria would reconsider,” Sun wondered.
“I have always considered Io a candidate,” William told her.
“She is consumed by her machines,” Sun said. “Sometimes I wonder if she is still human.”
“Io is passionate. Isn’t that what you are searching for?”
“She does have warmth that James does not.”
“Perhaps you should begin by seeking Maria’s council,” William said.
“Perhaps,” Sun responded, changing the subject quickly. “When does the next shuttle leave for Shackleton Base?”
“Tomorrow afternoon,” he said. “I’m sure she has already started packing. She knows you almost as well as I do.”
“Would you send for her at first light?” she asked.
“I already have.”
William pulled his wife close and cupped her cheeks. Sun smiled as he touched his lips to hers.
Yori stepped out onto the balcony and cleared his throat. The two looked over at him.
“Sun, the professor is here to visit the library and ask his question,” he said.
“Thank you, Yori.”
Sun left William on the balcony and followed Yori inside. They stepped through the council chamber, across the central alcove and headed to the library.
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