Epilogue: Where Are They Now?

All the sleepers aboard Kapiolani's cryo-cabin were rescued safely. Upon being revived, Trustee Johns displayed psychotic behavior, and it was determined that he was suffering from acute morphine withdrawal and had a semi-healed greenstick fracture of the right tibia. The leg was repaired, but after repeated lapses into addiction, his employment with Corrections was terminated. Drawing on his law enforcement background, he became a bounty hunter. Rudi had his sentence reduced in appreciation of his cooperation into the probe of the Kapiolani hijacking. Upon his return to Earth, he learned that the young woman responsible for his conviction had no interest in resuming their relationship, but he was able to get custody of their daughter. Ironically, he emigrated to Salinas Prime, and eventually partnered with an older woman.

Judge Falkner was lauded as a forward-thinker when the Cultural Development Bureau of Salinas Prime contacted Earth asking for more orphans. Although he'd never heard of an organization called Emigration Intercession Enabling Indigent Orphans, the alias John Wilkes Booth did ring a bell-he was the man who assassinated US President Abraham Lincoln. Careful questioning of the CDB by his clerk, Spinelli, revealed that it was a scam perpetrated by the transport pilot he'd assigned. However, research into the Orphan Train program encouraged the judge to attempt further placement of at-risk juveniles as an alternative to Rehab.

Of the juvenile offenders Riddick placed on Salinas Prime, Wilbur thrived with his foster father, got a degree in Pharmocology and founded a successful company exporting medicines compounded from indigenous products. Deborah got off to a rocky start among the sheep, testing Syd and Marti's limits, but they were firm and loving. Although it took several years for her to adapt, she learned the difference between love and sex, and finally partnered with a young man from one of the neighboring farms. Jacquelyn waited for Riddick to return, until a news bulletin detailing his capture in another system for a different offense shattered her hopes. She stowed away on a trading vessel, returning briefly to Earth, then got passage with a group of pilgrims on the way to New Mecca.

As for Richard B. Riddick, he has repeatedly escaped detention. His current whereabouts are unknown.

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The author waxes loquacious: A big thanks to everyone who read "It Takes One to Know One". An even bigger thanks to my faithful reviewers-you know who you are. This story grew out of a series of off-the-wall e-mails that took place many months ago. A plot bunny with as much tenacity as Riddick himself would not drop the idea of Riddick piloting a gang of delinquent kids. There really was an orphan train program-more detailsat pbs(dot)org-and John Wilkes Booth did assassinate Lincoln. I have other incarnations of Riddick in mind, but I think the fat lady has sung for this one. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a nice day.