So, Derek’s family name, Mills, and why, to some people, it’s important. Travis Mills, Derek’s dad, well, he rivals my grandparents in wealth. Unfortunately, many cast aspersions because he’s made his money as a weapons contractor for the space forces.

Neither my parents nor my grandparents have ever said anything negative to me about him. My folks have always said, “To each their own, as long as they’re not harming anyone else.”

Amanda, Derek’s mom, on the other hand, is a brilliant scientist in her own right. Her specialty is geoforming planets and moons. In fact, she’s the lead scientist in advocating the geoforming of Europa.

His family, like mine, is very wealthy. However, they are considered to be in a lower social class than us, which I find absurd. Some people confuse social status with ability, which baffles me. My belief is simple: as long as someone is a decent person, their status doesn't matter. Normally, my opinions and attitudes would garner some form of repercussions, but my family's wealth and standing shield me since we have deep financial ties all over the world.