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to put my money in a bank, where the tax people can find out about it? No, it's hard assets and negotiable instruments for me, stashed safely on several planets where no-one can find all of it at once!"
    "You're a wise man." Vince picked up his glass and sipped, eyes thoughtful. "Steve, we haven't hired an apprentice in years. The Cap'n prefers to hire trained spacers; says it's safer that way, for them and for the ship. Still, that's not set in stone. Why do you want to get off Earth?"
    "Sir, I want to live in a place where I can decide for myself what I want to do, and where I want to go, and how I want to live, without having to get some bureaucrat's permission first - not to mention pay him a bribe before he'll give it!" The young man's face twisted sourly, as if he wanted to spit in disgust.
    "I can understand that. Trouble is, wandering around the stars in a spaceship doesn't help you establish a life somewhere else. Where do you want to settle?"
    "I'd like to get to the Lancastrian Commonwealth, Sir. I've got to admit, my ears pricked when Mr. Brackmann said your ship is based there. I've read a lot about it. I like its emphasis on individual rights and responsibilities, and limited government. It sounds a lot like what the former United States was said to have been before the statists ruined it."
    Vince nodded approvingly. "That's what the Commonwealth's original members had in mind, and they built in a lot of hard limits to make sure it stayed that way. The old United States doomed itself through not ring-fencing its constitution to stop it being undermined. Our founders learned from that mistake. I'm a Commonwealth citizen myself - I was born and raised on New Brisbane, and it's still my home. Cabot 's registered in the Commonwealth, too, on Lancaster itself. How do you plan to qualify for residency and a work permit? Our planets are very selective about immigration."
    "According to what I've read, Sir, the Commonwealth Fleet has a non-citizen service program. If I complete a four-year term of enlistment, I'll qualify for Commonwealth citizenship. Once I've got that, I can settle on any of its member worlds."
    "Quite right. There are twenty-seven member planets in the Commonwealth right now, with two more in the process of upgrading to full membership and another thirty associate members, so you'll have plenty of choice. What about your family? Don't they mind you going off and leaving them?"
    "I'm an orphan, Sir. I've got no brothers or sisters."
    "Oh. Sorry to hear that." Clearly a little embarrassed, the Bosun changed the subject. "Why didn't you take a basic spacer course at vo-tech school? That would have qualified you as a Spacer Third Class in six months, and made finding a berth much easier."
    Steve shrugged. "Sure, Sir, but that takes money. I don't have enough."
    "Why not apply for a study grant or loan?"
    "They're only available for qualifications that'll be used locally, Sir. You can't get one unless you undertake not to emigrate for at least ten years after graduation."
    The spacer shook his head in dismay. "I don't know any other planet with such restrictive policies. The Commonwealth reckons it's better for everyone if you're educated and qualified enough to support yourself, without being a burden on others. Besides, that way you become a taxpayer, which means more income for the government."
    Louie grimaced. "The reason's simple, Vince. Look what happened after the gravitic drive came along. Most of those who left were in the top ten per cent of Earth's population in terms of intelligence, drive and ability. They could see the way things were going here, and wanted no part of it. They sold all they had, cut all their ties, abandoned everything that held them back, and headed out. Not many had the guts or gumption to do that - it automatically culled all but the strongest candidates. Even then, they weren't accepted into a colony group unless they had skills, knowledge and abilities that were needed;