Book 4: Chapter 15: Frustrations Mount
Howard
July 2334
Trantor
“Well, that tears it,” I said. “Humans are idiots.”
Bridget sighed. “Given what’s going on, Howard, I think they’ve shown considerable restraint in grandfathering us.”
“Or they’ve noticed that we own half the damned city and they’d lose a proxy fight.”
“That may have played a part, I admit.” Bridget walked to the picture window and gazed out, arms crossed.
I enjoyed the panoramic view of the atmosphere of Big Top through the distant fibrex dome of the city. The sight of clouds and Jovian life stretching off in all directions, seemingly to infinity, never failed to fill me with awe. But I knew that, for Bridget, it was about more than the view; it was a validation of her work and her professional reputation. She was the reigning expert on Jovian-class life throughout human space and was unlikely to be dethroned anytime soon. A passing pod of blimps brought a slight grin to her face.
“You have that smile,” I said. “Remembering our first encounter?”