Gates of Ivory & Horn by Pat A. Seudónimo

Alice had it all, at least most of it all. She was young, beautiful, had a faithful cadre of friends, and a successful career. Despite all she had going for her, it was becoming apparent she would soon be dead. Home for her was a community in space. That community had left Earth generations ago, charged with the mission of turning planets into worlds. Her place in that mission was essential but not glorious. That was how she liked it, for she was a builder and a thinker but not a dreamer. Pulled from a job she loved, she found herself doing a job she dreaded.

Adult • Science Fiction