The following unedited scene was deleted from the final manuscript, but posted here because I think it explains so much of what the book is about. Enjoy.
“Billy, can I speak with you a moment, privately?”
“Sure, Nardo.” He followed his brother into his quarters, wondering at the strange look on his face. They’d been laughing at a holovid and having a good time when Nardo, summoned by management, left the unit. Andrica was down in the mines, as usual.
“Computer, privacy mode.”
“Privacy mode confirmed.”
“What’s going on, Nardo? What did they want?”
“Andrica’s dead.”
“What? How? I didn’t hear any alarms.”
“She was the only victim. A piece of equipment she was working on collapsed. Killed her instantly.”
“Aw, man, I’m sorry. You alright?”
Nardo waved his concern away. “You know we didn’t have that kind of relationship, not like you and Cecily. She was a means to an end, a way to get here.”
“Yeah, I know, but still, for over two years she was your wife.”
Both men were quiet for a moment, each with his thoughts.
“At least the next transport’s not for nine months,” Billy continued. “You still have time to work before they send you back to Earth.”
“I’m not going back,” Nardo said firmly.
“Not going back?” He must have heard wrong.
“I’m exercising my option.”
“Exercising your…” Billy staggered over to the bed and sat down. “No!”
“I don’t have a choice.” Nardo came and stood over him. “You know there’s nothing on Earth. That’s why we came here, remember? Because we couldn’t find decent work at home. I came and paved the way for you and CJ to come once you found brides. Why would I go back now when I don’t have to?”
“But Cecily? She’s my wife. I love her. It’s not like with you and Andrica. I don’t know if I can do this, man. And what about Cecily? How’s she going to feel? I can tell you now she won’t like it. She almost backed out when she read that clause in the contract. I had to do some pretty fast talking at the agency just to get her here. Unless,” he brightened at the thought, “you just plan to pretend?” That made much more sense than what he was hearing.
Nardo crossed his arms over his chest. “I want a real marriage.”
“No. I won’t do it. You can’t have her.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
