I walked out onto the surface of the Moon. No breather or suit, I just walked out onto the loose soil of this place I now called home. The sun was coming up over Earth and I stood to watch the Earth go from shadow to the most beautiful blue and green ball. Cloud cover over Europe obscured most of that continent but Africa pulsed with life.

A bright light flared on the planet and zipped through the space between us to land gently in front of me. For a moment it was the polar bear from the arctic then it morphed into a beautiful woman dressed in a flame red dress that flowed about her shapely figure. Her ebony hair fell loosely about her shoulders.

“Come walk with me.” Her voice was a low contralto.

“Yes, ma’am.” I bowed my head to her.

“Very nice, my Peter. You have built well. Soon, life will come back to my favorite moon and you will have made it possible.” She turned and began to walk towards the horizon.

“The Ikiiri mining equipment made the task easy. And the Ikiiri crew was a revelation. Their discipline was incredible. I learned a lot from them.” Peter walked beside her almost but not quite touching.

“And they learned much from you as well. But now, you’ll be joined by your fellow humans and there will be a new set of . . . challenges.” Her smile was inviting.

“Yeah, right. There are no problems just challenges."

“Exactly, my knight. You have planned well so far but the time is coming when you will not be able to control all the circumstances. And you will have to give up command and accept another’s orders.”

“I knew that was coming. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I’d rather be flying then building, although that’s a very satisfying feeling.”

“Yes, you were born to fly and there will much to learn in the coming weeks. But you will need to be wary of some of those who will be coming. Not all will share your passion and their hidden agendas may endanger all of you.”

“I know, ma’am. This first grouping is pretty much family but after that will be the ones chosen by their governments. And they’ll be more concerned with taking control than with moving ahead.”

“Very good, my Peter. Go to Ruth when you have a question. They can not lie to her but then none of you can.” She cast that silver-eyed glance up at him. “I am a little worried about her. The burden of command is often heavy and she will always chose to go it alone so that no other will be hurt.  She can be so . . . stubborn!”

Peter tried to hold back his laugh but it burst through. “I . . . believe she said something like that about you, my lady.”

“Nonsense. I rarely interfere in the lives of my avatars.” She paused and thought. “Much. Maybe a little hint, now and then. Nothing much.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Peter met her eyes and saw the twinkle for just a moment.

“Getting back to why I came for a visit, I need you to watch out for her. She is my most loved daughter but she may be too quick to step into danger if she thinks that will keep you from harm. Her greatest fear is harming another but she knows that that is inevitable.”

“Many do not share her dreams for humanity.” Peter sighed. “My own parents would keep all of us from any danger even if it meant stagnation.”

“Ah, parents never quite let go, my Peter. And sometimes caution is required. But a new age for my human children is dawning and change is indeed inevitable.” She stopped and faced him, one hand coming up to caress his jaw. “Guard yourself and the others, my knight. The enemy may be well hidden. My Bard had it right when he wrote ‘to smile and smile and be a villain’. Be wary and protect my Avatar.”

“I promise, my lady, to do my very best.”

“No one could ask for more.” She raised up and kissed his cheek gently.

Then she began to glow, turning into a flame that warmed him even as it arched away from him and sped back to Earth.

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End chapter twenty-two