Almost all of Lumina's modern industries were now controlled by the Maple City government and the Red Maple Factory's workers' committee. They included the original Red Maple Factory, which had fully resumed production; the crystal-ice extraction and refining plants on the tundra beyond the mountains; collective farms growing new crops; and even the large farms and pastures surrounding the city.
All these industries had been brought into the fold, but they were also all considered collective enterprises. The Far Shore Sector government of the Commonwealth had watched this planet swallow up a huge share of its annual pacification budget, only to see it turn into a golden goose. Naturally, they were delighted. As long as local security on Lumina remained stable and the planet paid enough taxes, the sector government wouldn't interfere in its administration.
And so, a respected member of society like Mr. Trend, who had opened several successful companies in Maple City, could even be considered Lumina's "richest man."
He was also now a specially appointed technical adviser to the Red Maple Factory, and often chatted and laughed with Director Lu and Director Ba.
The reporter felt that the old man had grown even more radiant during his year on Lumina. He couldn't help wondering whether the magnetic fields emanating from the vast deposits of Tai ore beneath the Red Maple Factory might be enhancing the electronic components inside him.
As an old friend, John Prince was of course delighted. He smiled and said, "It really is nice to stand in the sunlight! But, Mr. Trend, that young man you had your eye on..."
"Not you people, but us, young John," the old man corrected with a smile.
"I haven't joined the Brotherhood. At least, my body is still one hundred percent natural human. And I'm a psion,