One week later a huge crowd of people was gathered in Boston to witness Harper and Trance's wedding.
Everything looked perfect. There was a multitude of flower arrangements, a band consisting of stringed instruments, drums, and horns, and crewmembers from Andromeda and some of the other Commonwealth ships.
Also in attendance was Boston's own newly formed militia, which included former resistance fighters and some new recruits.
It looked very much like a sight that you would have expected to seen in the kingdom of King Arthur rather than several thousand years later in Boston. There was multicolored tents, and ribbons and banners hanging on poles that surrounded the area where the wedding would take place.
The band had already started to play, and the music seemed almost a foreign thing in Boston. There had been some celebrating and some singing when Earth's freedom was officially proclaimed, but this was different. The hearts of the musicians were filled with joy, hope, and pride, three emotions that the Nietzcheans tried there best to eradicate in the hearts of all Earthers. These emotions and more, could easily be felt and heard in the music that quite literally came from their hearts.
Finally, as a precautionary measure only, Dylan had guards placed discreetly around the perimeter of the area. He wasn't about to let anything ruin this day for his friends.
Trance, Becca, Rommie, and Gloria, were in one tent getting ready for the big day, while Harper, Brendan, Rhade, and Rick prepared in a separate tent.
Trance had just finished getting into her wedding gown and was looking at herself in a mirror.
"Well," Trance said. "What do you think?"
"I think you look beautiful Trance." Gloria said.
"Are you sure?" Trance asked, as she stared thoughtfully at her reflection. "Maybe I should have left my tail under the gown."
"Your tail is perfect the way it is Trance." Becca said.
"Are you positive Becca?"
"Would your Maid of Honor lie to you?" Becca asked.
Trance threw her arms around Becca and cried.
"Thanks Becca," Trance said. "For everything. This is going to be the best day ever!"
Trance released Becca and looked at her reflection as she spun herself around.
"You're right Becca." Trance said. "The tail does look better out."
"I wonder how the men are doing with Harper." Rommie said.
"They're probably still trying to convince him to wear the tux." Becca laughed. "He hates wearing one of those things worse than I hate wearing dresses. If it was up to him, he'd probably wear his cargo pants, tool belt, and a Hawaiian shirt."
All four ladies looked at each other in shock.
"He wouldn't dare!" They all said.