The Starfield Farming Sovereign (Elizabeth Schofield) novel Chapter 363

Chapter 363 More the Merrier

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“These soldiers and their families have been through things most people never face. That changes how you value what you have. They’ve been trained to follow orders, hold a line, and keep going when things get hard. And if the farm gives them something real to hold onto, a purpose, a future, that kind of gratitude doesn’t stay quiet. It shows up in how they work.

“Yes, one person in the household is down and needs care. But that means everyone else in that family is going to work harder than almost anyone you could hire off the street, because they have to. A mother can handle logistics or lighter work while managing the household. A father who can’t move anymore still has a wife, parents, and children who understand exactly what’s at stake and will show up for it.

“On the surface, I’m taking on one person who needs care. In practice, I’m getting an entire family’s commitment. That’s not a liability. That’s the most stable, motivated workforce I could ask for.”

Elizabeth paused, eyes clear. “As for the medical side, the farm was already planning to invest in equipment. Getting my hands on military-grade hardware that isn’t available on the open market is a better outcome than whatever I could have sourced myself. And…” she smiled slightly, “don’t forget what makes this farm different. The produce might help with their recovery. Maybe not a cure, but less pain, better quality of life. That counts for something.”

She brought it home. “So this is a good deal for everyone. I get the most valuable thing a farm can have, loyal, committed people who treat this place like their own. They get the dignity of earning their own way, and an environment that might actually do their injured family member some good. I’m not doing this out of sentiment. I’m doing it because it makes sense.”

Clean logic, clear reasoning, not a trace of impulse in any of it. A farm owner running the numbers and liking what she saw.

On the other end of the screen, Zaylee stared at her.

Then the warmth in her face broke open into something she didn’t bother containing. She’d come into this call braced to gently talk a well-meaning young woman out of something she couldn’t actually handle. She hadn’t expected this.

“That’s my girl,” Zaylee said, and meant it entirely. “You’ve thought this through better than we gave you credit for. Do what you need to do. Trevor and I are behind you completely.”

At that, a large figure moved into frame beside Zaylee. Trevor had apparently been listening from just off screen this whole time. The expression on his face was the kind he didn’t usually let people see, open, unguarded, genuinely impressed.

“Well said.” His voice filled the room even through the communicator. “That’s the kind of thinking I’d expect from someone in this family. You go ahead and do it. And if anyone gives you trouble over this, or comes looking to make problems for the farm, you tell me. I’ll have a personal conversation with them,

The protective edge in it was unmistakable.

Elizabeth felt something settle in her chest. Thank you. Commander

“Commander?” He waved a hand like shed said something mildly offensive: “Call me Uncle Trevor. We’re family, aren’t we?” Then a slightly dillerent look crossed his face, something almost crafty, and he leaned

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Chapter 363 More the Mormon

toward the screen and lowered his voice with the energy of a man who’d been waiting for an opening. So

that From the sound of it, even with all these new people, you’re still short-handed over there?

Elizabeth blinked, then nodded along, “Very short-handed. I could split every person into two and still nor have enough”

His eyes lit up. “What if I sent a few more over? Good people Retired veterans, some with families. Longal reliable, I’d vouch for every one of them”

Elizabeth was delighted on the inside. She kept her face carefully undecided. Td love the people. Uncle Trevor, but moving and placing, everyone all at once, my transport capacity.

“Transport!” He slapped the armrest like she’d handed him exactly the cue he wanted. Easy. The military cycles out older transport and patrol ships every year. They’re not the newest models, but they’re solid low maintenance, and with some modification they’ll handle inter-planet runs, freight, passengers, and even serve as temporary housing, How many do you want? What configuration? I’ll have them sent over

Elizabeth’s internal reaction was immediate and enthusiastic. She’d been turning over the transport problem in her head ever since the shipping lane application went in.

Scaling up

the farm meant moving product out and bringing people and supplies in, and that required real capacity. New ships were expensive, and nothing civilian came close to military-grade durability and defensive capability.

Trevor had just solved a problem she hadn’t finished asking about yet,

She let the delight show. “Really? Uncle Trevor, that would be incredible. As for specs, I’m not particular. Anything that can handle basic inter-planet travel with decent cargo or passenger capacity works for me. And quantity, well, the more the better.”

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The Farming Saint in the Starry Wasteland