On World Crown, Nini opened her eyes in her bed. After a quick wash, she followed her mother out to work in the fields.
She had grown a little, but only a little. The work in the fields was still strenuous for a child her age, especially now during harvest season.
By now, the ground beside them was piled high with the half-green bananas they had cut down. They were waiting for the Governor's trucks to come for collection.
Although the bananas had stopped growing since the death ray had vanished, at least their task was complete. Donna hadn't worked the whole year for nothing.
Several cars drove up the main road. Under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, laborers quickly loaded the fruits of Donna and Nini's year-long labor onto the trucks.
"Here, this is for you—2,460 Echoes." A voice with a hint of arrogance sounded as a stack of worn paper notes, held by a fair hand, was placed in Donna's dirty hands, her fingernails caked with soil.
