Eternity's Mind by Kevin J. Anderson

times over. You could buy your own planet.”
    Xander interrupted, “ Planets. Plural.”
    â€œWell, not any good planets,” Rlinda said. “You should be thinking bigger. That money from Maria Ulio is not just a life-changing amount, it’s a Confederation -changing amount. You can form your own businesses, travel anywhere you want, give a bunch to charity. Be a philanthropist. Be everybody’s favorite friend. Maria collected so much profit from Ulio Station that just spending it is going to be your new full-time job.”
    Terry blushed, which Xander found endearing. “Do you need any money, Rlinda? You helped us so much, and I’d like to pay you back. Can we maybe invest in Kett Shipping? Or help you build another restaurant?”
    Rlinda gave a hearty laugh. “My dear boy, I may not be as fabulously rich as Maria was, but I’ve done quite well for myself. I could’ve retired ten times over, and I’ve already got restaurants on Relleker, Earth, and Theroc. Kett Shipping is doing just fine.” When they paused behind the Verne ’s new main engines, she held out a stern finger. Her words echoed against the wide thruster cones. “That’s your money, Mr. Handon. A lot of money. Don’t do anything foolish, but you need to think seriously about what you want.”
    Xander nodded. “Exactly what I’ve been telling him, but it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ll keep Terry in check, just in case he goes overboard. If he wanted to have a whole asteroid carved into an orbiting likeness of his face, I’d stop him. Maybe.”
    The other man flushed again. “I would never do that!”
    â€œOf course you wouldn’t. So far, the only way you’ve splurged is by ordering more expensive meals and better wine.”
    â€œNow that’s a good use of the money,” Rlinda said. “A wise investment.”
    Xander grew serious. “I know where I mean to spend part of it, and this is one case where I truly intend to spare no expense. I’m going to dig into all available medical research. Terry’s had medical studies done on his spine, and nobody’s been able to help. With all of these resources now, there’s got to be a way we can give him the use of his legs again.”
    Terry sounded exasperated. “I get along just fine.”
    â€œâ€˜Just fine’ doesn’t mean you can’t do better,” Xander said. “With all the doctors in the Confederation and the Ildiran Empire, someone will be able to make you walk again.”
    â€œIn zero gravity it doesn’t make any difference,” Terry insisted.
    The two had talked around in circles many times; they’d even gotten into arguments, which resulted in memorable apologies. Xander had held his partner, explaining that he just wanted what was best for him.
    â€œIt’s just not the highest thing on my priority list,” Terry said.
    Xander knew when to be quiet, and he decided to keep doing research on his own. He would find an answer and present it to Terry—and then he wouldn’t back down so easily.
    Rlinda’s big brown eyes moistened as she looked from one man to the other. She said in a chastising tone, “You don’t have to hold out unreasonable hope, dear boy, but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope entirely.” She reached out with her big beefy arms and swept the two into a generous awkward embrace that made Xander stumble while Terry’s antigrav belt kept him balanced. OK remained silent, standing there like a long-suffering observer.
    â€œYou can fund medical research, you know,” Rlinda said. “You could buy any laboratory, create a think tank, found a university, devote countless hours to it—and you wouldn’t be the only one to benefit if you did find a cure. Think of the others who suffer from a similar condition.”
    Xander knew that response might have more of an