Ames and Sheridan

The following scene from chapter 1 of Tendrils to the Moon is where I started to distinguish and develop the two main characters, Montgomery Ames and Wayne Sheridan. It foretells the nature of the conflict that propels the book's action. It starts with Ames talking to Sheridan.

"We have to have the mindset that crews of other ships are going to be loyal primarily to each other and to their families. They'll surely make the same assumptions about us."

"I've known the leaders on this expedition for most of my career, Mr. Ames. We've been working together for years to make this happen. We have the same goal. All of us."

Ames nodded slowly. "I'm asking you to prepare for the possibility that, in unforeseeable circumstances, that may not be the case all of the time."

Sheridan pinched the bridge of his nose, an idiosyncrasy that was triggered when something upset or frustrated him. On any given day that could be a number of things, so Ames didn't worry himself about it.

"I hired you for your expertise in these matters, for my strengths lie elsewhere," Sheridan said, his voice measured. "Request granted."

"Thank you."

"Two minutes," Reuben announced. But for the constant hum of the electronics, the flight deck was quiet. Nothing to do for the moment but wait.

"When we're free of our connections to Earth, hopefully we'll dispose of that part of our nature," Sheridan said pensively.

"Which part?" Ames asked.

"The fighting, Mr. Ames. The conflict. We've watched it play out our entire lives. Nations, tribes, religions, ethnic groups." He jabbed a finger emphatically into his armrest. "History has been the same wars repeated by different players since the beginning of time. To leave all the mundane things behind, to evolve into something better, that would be a welcome change."

It was the kind of sentiment Ames expected to hear from someone whose parents raised their child internationally, who understood only one, all-encompassing humanity. "You're talking about the survival instinct, Mr. Sheridan. I don't see how we evolve past that without dying out."

"That's because you lack vision." Sheridan smiled ruefully. "But I don't blame you for that."

Ames bit his tongue. Sheridan had spent his whole life chasing after his dreams, failing and succeeding--mostly succeeding--achieving what so many couldn't do, things that were supposed to be impossible. Despite being similar in age, in that moment he felt much younger than his employer. Or was it older? Sheridan retained much of the youthful idealism that Ames had lost in 22 years in the Service.

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