By the time she closed the multiplayer session it was far too late to check on her children.

The thought of involving them made her hesitate, but considering the recent developments within the Merchant Alliance she couldn’t risk staying. One last look at the screenshots of the free pay to win game made her smile wryly.

When she left the office her husband was on the mat with his big backpack, running an uneven uphill course, as usual.

Her food was waiting on the table in her insulating lunchbox. Silence spread between them as Andra placed her tablet on the table and started eating. By the time she placed the dishes in the dishwasher her husband, sweaty but not exhausted, had picked up the tablet and went over the screenshots.

"It's about time we make a decision. With the four kids our application will seem natural."

Her husband nodded vaguely. "What about the drive?"

"Spare parts for the mining drones. They've already been shipped." Andra rubbed her forehead tiredly. "How many can we get out before...whatever it is they want to set up as a government?"

"70%, we assume it might be more though. There were inquiries by company security into the high number of applications, but Urgo pulled up his mess of statistics about living space and the average number of children among applicants compared to the median."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Then we have to go." She concluded. "If there are just a few left here we can’t risk the kids. And Ondo is almost 17. Do you really believe the scholarships will stay open for the stateless if there’s another insurrection? I doubt it."

"That's rich, you complaining about insurrections." He chuckled as he put the tablet aside.

Andra pulled on a strand of her medium length hair. "I'm a mother. It isn’t like I want the kids to get involved, I just..."

His sweaty hands pulled hers into a firm grip. "You wish you could give them a safe, bright future. I know. I wish we could, but...they are good, strong young people. They will understand."

Her left slipped out of his embrace and patted his. "I know. I won't sit around and cry about fate, it’s just a pity we couldn’t change anything. Now stop playing the rock for me and go take a shower."

"Aww, now why did you have to ruin the mood." His pout was as silly as ever.

Somehow, the world seemed a little less hostile, even though they were still trapped in their windowless shoebox of a 7m×7m flat.

A glance at the tablet made her smile. "By the way, did you check all the screenshots?"

With raised eyebrows he let go of her and picked up the tablet again. After swishing back and forth between the cheap game's screenshots he couldn’t hide his surprised look. "6? They can’t be serious..."

"Outbreeding is a strategy, too." Andra smirked suggestively. Her smirk turned slightly melancholic a moment later. "I just hope they won't end up as cannon fodder at the front lines."

"Like me?" He sighed. "We'll just have to make sure they're prepared when the time comes. Ondo is old enough to start flight school or the military academy if all goes well."

Andra agreed. There was no other option. If security was ramped up and they got caught it would mean the end for her babies. Better die fighting than get collared and trapped on a mining platform like her cousin.

He pushed her towards the bathroom, interrupting her usual brooding to go get in the shower together.