Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Caldera /kal?der?/ A large volcanic crater, typically one formed by a major eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano. This story takes place on a huge planet 150,000 miles in circumference (in comparison the earth is 26,000 mile around at the equator.) on a continent far north where summer is non-existent. This little part of the world is a caldera, the mouth of an extinct volcano. The crater walls are thousands of feet high, 450 mile at its largest base and 250 mile at it's shortest and for hundreds of years the only way in was to either fly in or spend a few weeks hiking in. 33 years ago a tunnel was finally finished after 45 years of digging the 300 miles through the mountain to gain entrance to the caldera by vehicle. The caldera itself is about 600 miles from east to west and about 550 miles north to south; in it are thousands of lakes of various sizes, some of which are fed by hot springs and never freeze over. The Average ambient temperature is around 20° F to 30° F because of the hot springs that abound. The temperature outside of the caldera is usually -20° F at its mildest. There are a bunch of towns and cities and one big one with a population of over five million, making the total population around ten million. The whole area is a tourist trap for the rich and ultra rich. The smaller towns are populated with those that service that industry and almost every job is related to the tourist industry in one way or another. There is a lot to do there while on vacation, mountains rock/ice climbing, endless miles of trails for hiking, mountain bike riding, 4 wheeling, motocross, lakes with plentiful fish and great for water sports ,downhill and cross country skiing, Ice fishing, sledding and snowmobiling. Setting: A planet in a distant galaxy in the distant past Place: Northern most area of North continent 3: The Caldera Cities: 1. Henderson - main city Cast of characters: Kevin Nelson - Amy's father/soulmate - Main character and Narrator Amy Nelson - 8 years old, Kevin's daughter/soulmate by Ginny Virginia (Ginny) Nelson née: Nicholas - Amy's mother, Kevin's second wife - Died of cancer Bambi Nelson - Kevin's first wife - killed in accident Karen Nelson - Kevin's daughter by Bambi - killed in accident - age 6 ½ Kathy Owens - 8 years old, Pete's daughter/soulmate - Amy's friend Pete Owens - Sheriff's Deputy and Kathy's father/soulmate Sarah (Sally) Hamilton - 9 years old, Brad and Wendy's daughter/soulmate - Amy's friend Brad Hamilton - Sally's father/soulmate Wendy Hamilton - Sally's mother, Brad's wife and loved by both. Donnie Nelson (Blackwell) - 11 years old, Adopted by Kevin, Dannie's twin brother/soulmate Dannie Nelson (Blackwell) - 11 years old, Adopted by Kevin, Donnie's twin sister/soulmate Edith Blackwell - Donnie and Dannie's Mother - gave them up for adoption Paula Moonie - 23 years old, Kids nanny/teacher, Corky's aunt/soulmate Henry (Corky) Moonie - 12 years old, Paula's nephew/soulmate Dr. Martha Lucas - 41 years old, Kevin and Amy's Doctor Cindy Laudner - 20 years old, Dr. Lucas's assistant, Ruth's soulmate Stephanie - 22 years old, Dr. Lucas's assistant Ruth Baiter - 23 years old, Princess of the West Wind, Cindy's soulmate Marcus Leonard - Billionaire Business Mogul Lenard Leonard - Marcus Leonard's son, caused accident that killed Bambi and Karen and injured Kevin Lloyd Parker - 30 years old, Kevin's Financial Consultant/Banker Paige Parker - 12 years old, Lloyd's oldest daughter Tina Parker - 10 years old, Lloyd's youngest daughter Janine Jenson - Popular News Reporter/Anchor Donavan - Floor person at The Curran Bay Company - Furriers Nancy Felder and Arthur Stanley - Festival Charity Organizers Greg Benson - PR rep. Tabatha Wheeler - County Commissioner Darla - Exhibitionist/Voyeur Mary - Darla's 10 year old daughter also an Exhibitionist/Voyeur Ralf - local veterans club - works the concession stands Bob - Ralf's partner at the stands Dick - Works one of the stands Officer Nancy - Sheriff's Deputy Officer Bob - Sheriff's Deputy Mrs. Wilcox - Church Program Director Kari Porter - Church Choir leader Daphne Porter (no relation to Kari) - 8 years old - skating champion and Amy's friend Gabe Porter - 36 years old -- Daphne's father Jeff Porter - 18 years old - Daphne's brother Neil Porter - 16 years old - Daphne's brother Gabe Jr. (Junior) - 13 years old - Daphne's brother Paul Porter - 11 years old - Daphne's brother Samuel Porter - 9 years old - Daphne's brother Isabella Brown - 8 years old - Daphne's cousin Johnny Howler and the Lover Boys - Johnny Howler - 16 years old, lead singer and leader of the band - Roy - 15 years old, drummer - Roger `Rog' - 14 years old, bass guitar - David - 13 years old, lead guitar