Dennis Freestone

The Key Lime Wars Dennis Freestone

In the "Key Lime Wars," Soren Kierkegaard, the son and grandson of the famous philosopher of the same name, is pitted against the American National Security State in the battle to install Milky Way Federation supplied Cold Fusion reactors on a global basis the help the Earth to avert the impending global warming crisis. The United States bitterly opposes Cold Fusion: if adopted, global oil profits would disappear and the dominance of the U. S. in the world economy with it.

Soren is an outlier. A human from the Milky Way Federation whose family has long lived here. With the aid of MWF technology, he runs a key lime export business. The earthly key lime is favored throughout the MWF as uniquely suited to the exotic beverages favored throughout the MWF. In recent years, because of unique aspects of Earth culture, mainly the sport of baseball and affection for modern be-bop jazz, MWF tourists have been drawn in large numbers to earth, to jazz festivals and major league baseball. MWF tourists are (almost) indistinguishable from the local Earth population. The tourists come to Earth on the "Bump," a faster than light portal. But recently the Bump has presented health problems and the MWF has suspended its use. For that reason, the outliers are fleeing the planet and only Soren is left to implement the humanitarian Cold Fusion assistance project.

Reluctantly, Soren takes on the job, mainly out of loyalty to his philosopher father. His effort is immediately complicated by the participation of his militant (communist) girl friend, Miko Matsunaga. With Miko as his rambunctious ally, it seems doubtful Soren will ever be able to succeed with the global installation of Cold Fusion., In fact, almost immediately, Miko is captured by American forces.

The battle is drawn. Miko must be saved; Cold Fusion has to go forward. But at what dire cost to Soren and Miko?