However, the economy of farming had shifted to benefit the big factory farms, just as the majority of the family-owned corner groceries, drug stores, ...utcher shops and hardware stores had folded because the chain stores had buying power that they had no chance of matching. They were fractionally nickeled and dimed to death. People writing the news said that it was just the passing of an age, but they were murdered by way of cold, calculated economic warfare nonetheless.The farm was sold to a. It seemed as though the Marines had cut down dozens of them, but there were always more, climbing over the ruined bodies of their comrades as they charged forward.Those that had clambered up on top of their breaching craft fired down with handheld plasma pistols, made from some kind of sculpted resin. Bolts of crackling, green energy rained down on the Marines, splashing against their cover to leave black burn marks on the metal. A few of the Marines took hits, screaming from within their. The kids should have kept us from doing what we did, that was absolutely our thinking and what I based all my confidence on that things would not get out of control. My kids have been my work, hobby, passion, and source of joy for ten years. Knowing the choices I made in spite of the strength of my commitment to them gives a peak at how overwhelmingly happy I felt for a brief time last spring and summer. His wife wrote to me after the shit hit the fan, saying he said it was a terrible mistake. "But, I don't think that I will. In fact I can see some advantages tothis situation, don't you?" Although asked, Jane didn't expect ananswer. "If you don't want me to tell all of the neighbours, all of yourfriends and family, then you're going to have to do what I want you todo. Is that understood?" This time Jeff stuttered an affirmative."I want you to put on your sexiest clothes, we'll go upstairs in aminute, and then you're going to come with me, walking through thegarden, into my house..