Free Retreat And Adapt (A Galaxy Unknown) by Thomas DePrima

set out to view the farmlands. Jenetta didn't allow either the palace security force or the security force from the Ares to tag along, but she knew the Ares security force had launched several small observation satellites when the ship arrived in orbit and would be monitoring her travel wherever she went. For personal protection, she had Tayna and Cayla in the vehicle. Chamberlain Yaghutol wanted to join them, but Jenetta said they were looking for a relaxing day as they roamed about in an oh-gee vehicle and that he probably had much more important activities waiting. He tried to insist, saying that they might get lost, but Jenetta held firm, saying she could always call for assistance if all instrumentation in the vehicle were to suddenly fail.
    It was mid-summer on Gavistee Peninsula and the weather was wonderful. The air was crisp and clean, and the scent from abundant wildflowers floated on every breeze as the vehicle lifted off from the small parking pad near the palace. The warm day was especially pleasing after the freezing February weather recently experienced at the Potomac base.
    Jenetta took the vehicle up to three hundred meters above ground level, a height that should guarantee they didn't encounter any other vehicles, and pointed the small craft north. The height gave them a great view of the farmlands as they covered the first of the estate's thirty-six million hectares. At roughly three hundred sixty thousand square kilometers, the estate was about the combined size of Kansas and Oklahoma back on Earth. While most of the estate was arable, it was still extremely under-utilized in many areas. As they began to pass over the farms, the scent of wildflowers mingled with an occasional whiff of fertilizer, but the scenery always remained pleasant.
    It was wonderful to see the remarkable changes since her last visit to the planet. Where farmers had returned to their family plots, the fields were now mostly alive with healthy crops. When they overflew one farm where the crop seemed a bit undeveloped, Jenetta landed the vehicle.
    As the oh-gee ship settled onto its skids, a farmer and a young boy who had been working in a field hurried over and dropped to one knee while adopting Jenetta's skin color. Cayla and Tayna stood by Jenetta's side as she stepped out of the vehicle but apparently didn't sense danger because they didn't adopt an overly protective appearance.
    "Is this your farm?" Jenetta asked the farmer.
    "Yes, My Lady. My family has farmed this land since Gavistee farmland was first allotted to tenants. My grandfather was the first tenant on this land, and the lease was passed down to my father when grandfather died. It has now been passed to me, and my son will take it over when I'm no longer able to farm."
    "Raise your heads, please."
    "Yes, My Lady," the farmer said as he looked up. The boy looked up without saying anything.
    "What's your name?"
    "I'm Gerravx Hthumakp, My Lady. This is my son, Beauxvu."
    "As we overflew your farm, we couldn't help but notice that your crop seems to be a bit— stunted."
    "Yes, My Lady."
    "Do you know why? Are you getting enough water for irrigation?"
    "The water is plentiful, My Lady. The problem is with the topsoil. The wind took the good soil away after the disaster. We've done what we can, but it will take many years to rebuild it. I fear it will be a long time before we'll have a good crop for you."
    "The farms around this one all seem to be doing well."
    "They've been able to get free allotments of fertilizer. They've each given me a little, or we'd have no crop at all."
    "Why haven't you applied for your own free allotment of fertilizer?"
    "I have, My Lady, but I haven't received any."
    "Have you informed Chamberlain Yaghutol that you haven't received an allotment?"
    "Yes, My Lady. He knows."
    "And what has he said?"
    "He's said he'll look into it."
    "When was that?"
    "Several times, My Lady. The last time was just before spring planting."
    "But you've received seed