It hovered for a second, a momentary break in the cloud cover causing it to sparkle like a tiny jewel. Then, with what she knew was a tinny, almost in...udible buzz, though she was too far away to hear it, it darted forward and was lost from sight.With a touch to her forearm controls, she had one lens of her goggles go to a 60/40 split view with the take from the drone occupying the smaller portion. She watched as it entered the cave and, just around the first bend, it saw a carefully concealed. That whole ‘it’s got to grow or it’s dying’ theory can be examined a different way. The government has to spend ever increasing amounts of money to keep these companies fed. That’s the definition of a parasite – a parasite grows by consuming the nutrients of the host.“The relationship has to move towards being symbiotic rather than parasitic. Both government and company have to grow in a healthy way, together. You can’t send young men and women off to war as a way of improving the bottom line. Your Grandfather was a heavy, and poor, poker player, often losing more than he could pay, so, to keep his knees from being broken, I settled his debts, lots of his debts. After a while, I came to enjoying it, so much I'd give hints to other players to make sure he lost, and I had to make restitution, but those days are gone, and I've missed them long enough. I promised your grandfather I'd make a man of you when you turned sixteen, just as I did your father, the age your grandfather was the. ." You're not worthless, Kris." I know." I gave him a weak smile. "It's too bright for that, okay?"Kurt looked at me for a moment and I felt very self-conscious about it. The morning sun was streaming through the kitchen windows and my memory of the night before seemed something like visiting a confessional, dark and remote and secret."Yeah." My husband finally nodded and then frowned as he looked at his watch. "I'd better go." Okay," I agreed, even though we both knew it was a little early for.