The Best Made Plans

"The Best Made Plans" by Everett B. Cole is a science fiction story set in a school on the alien planet of Khloris, where Don Michaels grapples with complex relationships and political conflicts. A terrorist event involving Harle Waern sets the stage for rising tensions and uncertainty, particularly in Oredan. When Don defends Harle's nephew, Pete, against bullies, he becomes a target himself, accused of bending the truth. This incident pulls Don into a web of power struggles and political schemes, forcing him to confront authority and fight for what he believes is right in a world where legitimacy is constantly challenged.

Everett B. Cole (1910-2001) was an American writer of science fiction short stories and a professional soldier. He fought at Omaha Beach during World War II and worked as a signal maintenance and property officer at Fort Douglas, Utah, retiring in 1960. He got a bachelor's degree in Math and Physics and became a Math, Physics, and Chemistry teacher at Yorktown High School in Texas. His first science fiction story, "Philosophical Corps" was published in the magazine Astounding in 1951. His fix-up of that story and two others, The Philosophical Corps, was published by Gnome Press in 1962. A second novel, The Best Made Plans, was serialized in Astounding in 1959, but never published in book form. He also co-authored historical books about the south Texas region.