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  “Basically.”

  “That sucks.”

  “It does. Listen, Dace.” When I lay my hand on his wrist he jerks his arm away. Weird. I’m used to guys welcoming any physical contact. “I was wondering if you could convince your uncle to choose me as your escort. I know this planet as well as anyone, and actually … ” My mind races for anything I can use as bait, since flirtation obviously won’t work. “Actually, you’d get to explore a lot more if I’m your guide. I’d be willing to take you to places no one else will go. The rock hills, for example. You know, those outcroppings? Most people on Eco won’t take you near them.”

  “Why not?” I can tell by his tone Dace is intrigued.

  “They’re pretty unstable. Rock slides and all.” A holo image of the grandparents I never knew flits through my mind. “But I’m not worried about stuff like that. I know how to study them without danger.”

  This is a lie. I know nothing about the rock hills and have never dared to explore them. But by the time we reach that point in our tour, I’m sure I can come up with some excuse to avoid those rock piles.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Dace gets back on his feet, vigorously rubbing his arms with his hands. “Listen, I’d better go back. My uncle will wonder where I’ve gone, and I don’t want to worry him.” He tilts his head to the side and looks me over once more. “You’ll really take me places the others won’t?”

  I hop off my makeshift seat. Straightening to my full height, I look Dace dead in the eye. “I can, and I will.”

  “Good.” Dace’s teeth gleam in the darkness.

  His smile changes his face. He’s almost handsome. I shake my head. No use thinking that way. I have enough problems dealing with Raid.

  “See you later then,” I say, heading for the door. “Can you find your way back okay?”

  “Sure. Not such a big place, is it?” Dace crosses in front of me to walk out of the building. Halfway across the yard, he pauses. “I’ll put in a word for you with Uncle Connor. Promise.” He turns and jogs toward our living quarters.

  I wait until he safely enters that building before leaving the dairy and heading into the recreation hall.

  Of course, I have to share Patel’s offer with the others. Word gets around the compound so fast, there’s no way I can keep it a secret. But I also need to make sure no one else is interested.

  The game room’s filled with young people. Most are playing Deep Sea Survival. The game’s visuals swirl around me, making me feel as if I’m sinking through a shark-infested ocean trench. I squint to avoid getting caught up in the holographic images.

  “Well, look who’s here.” Emie sidles up to me and slips her arm through mine. “I thought you’d still be hanging out with the spacers.”

  “No, it was just dinner. Hey,” I shout over the booming sound system, “can you mute that thing? I’ve got a message.”

  Kam rises from a battered couch, waving his gloved hand. The game instantly pauses. “What’s up?”

  Several pairs of eyes fix on me. I know everyone, of course, though most are not what I’d call friends. The majority of people in the room are younger than me by at least three years. Raid, Emie, Kam, and I are four of the six people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen in the colony. Raid always jokes there must’ve been a three-year ban on sex after we were conceived.

  “Are you babysitting?” I raise my eyebrows at Emie. “Thought you had other plans for tonight.”

  “That’s later,” she replies, motioning with her head toward the tumble of kids occupying cushions tossed on the floor. I spy her sister, Lily, and Kam’s cousin, Trent. “Raid’s snagging some snacks from the storeroom, if you’re looking for him.”

  “No, not right now. I just need to deliver a message.” I wave my hands. “Hey, guys, listen up. I know not everyone’s here, but you can pass this along to your families and friends, okay?”

  “Sure, whatever,” says Trent, fiddling with his game controller glove. He has Kam’s pale coloring, offset by dark hair and vivid blue eyes. If he were a bit older than fourteen, Emie would probably consider throwing Kam over for his gorgeous cousin.

  “The captain of the Augusta Ada, the trading ship that landed today, has made an offer.” When I explain Patel’s bargain, several faces light up. I’m not the only one with dreams of leaving Eco. “The bad thing is … ” As I pause for effect, Raid enters the room, toting a canvas bag.

  “Snacks, you monsters.” Before he tosses the bag to Kam, he pulls out a precious bar of chocolate. Someone must’ve traded a bin of produce for that. “Here.” He presses the candy into my hands. “Don’t say I never gave you anything.”

  I tap the bar against my palm. “I was just telling everyone about an opportunity.” I summarize Patel’s offer as I peel the paper from the chocolate then wave the bar under Raid’s nose. “But, the thing is—I think the captain’s lying.”

  “Why’s that?” Emie moves close to Kam, who wraps his arm around her waist. She allows the embrace, but doesn’t lean into him.

  “Yeah, what’s the deal?” Raid asks, leaning in to take a bite of the chocolate. His eyes meet mine as he straightens. Eyes as dark as the chocolate and just as tempting.

  “I overheard him when he didn’t know I was around. Near the ship, with one of his crew, right before I came in here.” I lie without hesitation, my gaze fixed on Raid’s face.

  The other young people in the room all focus on me. This had better be good. “He said he was just conning us. He does want someone to escort his nephew about the planet, but he has no intention of taking anyone with him when he leaves.” I shrug. “Don’t know what excuse he’ll use, or if he’ll just lift off without telling anyone, but I don’t think he plans to keep his word.”

  “So, we shouldn’t bother?” Trent’s blue eyes mist with tears. He looks away, nonchalantly brushing at his face with his sleeve. No, I’m not the only one desperate to leave Eco. Trent has a fascination with science that holodiscs and intermittent access to the ’sphere can’t satisfy.

  “Well, that’s up to you. I thought maybe I’d show the kid around, just to be polite. But don’t expect any favors from Captain Patel.” I break off a piece of the chocolate and pop it in my mouth.

  Without warning, Raid leans in and kisses me. “Mmmm, tasty,” he says, as he pulls away.

  “Gross, Raid.” I wipe my mouth with the heel of my hand.

  “Really?” He steps back, his face blank as a mask. “Way to kill a mood, Ann.”

  “Like sticking your tongue in my mouth when I’m not expecting it?”

  “Some girls would like that.” Raid tugs up his pants, which have slipped down his narrow hips.

  “You need a belt. Or smaller pants,” I say, shoving the rest of the chocolate into my mouth. I know I’m being cruel, and I don’t care. I can’t have Raiden Lin seducing me into staying on Eco. Not when I’m so close to leaving.

  Raid stares at me for a moment before shaking his head. “What a baby.” He turns to Emie and Kam. “Isn’t she a baby?”

  “Now, Raid,” says Emie.

  “Yes,” says Kam.

  “So why don’t you run along, little girl? Back to your mommy and daddy.” Raid’s black eyes flash. “I’m sure they can show you how to behave like a grown-up. Oh wait, maybe not.”

  I step forward and slap Raid hard across the face. All heads in the room swivel to look at us. I stand motionless, cradling one hand with the other. “Sorry,” I mutter. But I’m not sure this is true.

  Emie rushes forward. “Kam, turn the game back on,” she orders, as she steps between Raid and me. “You two settle down. Don’t air your crap in public.”

  “Sorry,” I say again, as holographic images spring to life all around me. I stare into the dead eyes of a shark as it swims near my face. “But really, Raid, you didn’t have to be so freakin’ rude.”

  “I apologize,” he says. “Shouldn’t bring the parents into it. But the smack
-down might have been overkill.”

  “I just … I don’t know.” I blow at the imaginary shark and it turns and glides away.

  “You never know, Ann.” There’s a sadness in Raid’s voice that makes me wince.

  I lay my fingers over one of his rigid arms. “You just want more than I can give right now. We’ve talked about this before.”

  “Yeah.” Raid lifts his other arm and brushes his thick black hair away from his forehead. “We’ve talked and talked. Well, I’m done, Ann.” He shakes off my hand. “Come and find me when you’re ready to do more than talk.” Turning on his heel, he strides out of the game room.

  “He’ll be back,” says Emie, pulling me in for a hug.

  I hear the outer door of the recreation building slam.

  It doesn’t matter. I’ll be gone soon. Far away. It’s really better for Raid if he isn’t that attached when I leave.

  It really is better.

  “Come on,” I say to Emie. “I bet I can survive longer than you—or Kam,” I add, with a glance at her boyfriend.

  “Fat chance.” Kam throws me a controller glove. “Prepare to be humbled, Solano.”

  Emie gives my arm a pat before backing away. “Give me one of those too, Kam. I’ll help Ann.”

  Kam grins and tosses her a glove. “I’ll take on the two of you. Easy win.”

  Emie and I look at each other.

  “Let’s wipe the ocean floor with him,” I say.

  “Oh, let’s.” Emie smiles as we flop onto the couch on either side of Kam.

  I turn off the part of my mind whispering stupid, painful things—things about Raid and how he makes me feel like my stomach’s filled with trapped moths—and concentrate on the game. Tomorrow I’ll escort Captain Patel’s nephew around Eco, and after that, who knows? Perhaps I’ll finally be jetting to Earth, where I belong.

  Where there are endless opportunities and millions of young men with dark eyes.

  Gently wrapping fabric tape, I hear the greenhouse door open and close. I don’t look up until I finish the delicate process of grafting a slip of standard apple tree onto dwarf stock.

  “Your dad said you’d be here.” Dace faces me across the workbench. “I wanted to let you know my uncle’s made his choice.”

  I push the pot holding the grafted sapling to one side. “And?”

  Dace examines the tree with interest. “Is this what you do? When you’re not studying holodiscs or hanging out, I mean?”

  “Yes, I’m apprenticed to my grandmother. Now—what did he decide?”

  “He said you could show me around. Seems like no one else was eager to volunteer, even with his offer.” Dace studies me with a question in his eyes. “You did carry the message to the others?”

  “I did.” I wipe my hands on my jeans. One way to disguise the trembling in my fingers.

  “Anyway, no one stepped forward. I thought it was weird that not a single person was interested.” Dace is still staring at me. “Except for you, of course. So I guess you’re it.”

  I cough to cover the laugh threatening to erupt from my throat. “Bien. When do you want to start?”

  “Today? Is that possible?”

  “Sure.” I sweep up my grafting tools and slip them into the workbench drawer. “But you need to do some prep. First of all, you need an emergency kit.” I list off the items Dace must carry with him whenever he travels beyond the compound.

  Dace scribbles the list into his holofone. “Is it that dangerous?”

  “Not if you’re prepared.” I look him over, noting his loose cotton T-shirt and pants. “You’ll need to wear jeans. Jeans and a polysteel jacket. And boots. Ground’s hard and rocky. No place for soft shoes.”

  Chewing on his stylus, Dace stares at the screen of his fone. “I don’t have the jacket. Not much use for one on the ship, and the other planets we’ve visited required more protection.”

  “Oh, space suits or something? That must’ve been awkward.”

  “Hard to work in at first, but you get used to it.” Dace taps the stylus against his chin. “You’re lucky Eco has an Earth-like atmosphere. Makes everything so much easier.”

  I frown. Dace might think we’re fortunate, but he doesn’t know what it’s like to actually live here. “Yes, well … Eco has its own problems. No surface water. That was the major focus of the terraforming. They were planning to bring the underground water to the surface.”

  “I know. I read that.” Dace smiles, displaying teeth as white and even as his uncle’s. “Looked it up last night in your holo library.”

  “Well, aren’t you the researcher.” I move toward the exit. “Come on; let’s get your emergency kit together. And find you a jacket.” Pausing at the doors, I look him up and down. “One of mine might fit you. You’re skinny enough. Should work. Unless you’re funny about wearing a girl’s jacket.”

  “I don’t care.” Dace steps closer until we’re toe to toe. “Who’s going to see us?”

  We’re about the same height—he only has an inch on me. Accustomed as I am to Raid’s height and larger frame, it seems strange to be standing so close to a boy just barely bigger than me. But it isn’t a bad feeling. With Dace, I feel like I’m the one who’s older, who’s the protector. Which I might have to be if we encounter any problems out in the wilderness.

  “Follow me,” I say, and am secretly pleased when he does.

  As we cross the barren yard that lies between the greenhouse and the living quarters, Raid and Kam stroll out of the recreation hall.

  “Well, if it isn’t Solano and the little scientist,” says Kam.

  Raid crosses his arms against his chest and glowers.

  “Thought you two would be working.” I meet Raid’s stare with a glare of my own.

  “Got the day off,” Raid says. Since he works with my grandfather, I suspect this is a lie. Grandfather never takes a day off during the week, and I know he demands Raid follow his example. He claims it will take Raid a few more years to master the intricacies of the 3-D copiers used to replicate certain machine parts and small household goods.

  “And you never work if you can help it,” I say to Kam.

  The redhead motions upward, toward the tall windmills spinning in the steady breeze. “No need. Turbines working just fine. Anyway, it’s none of your biz, Solano.”

  “So all your energy comes from wind and solar?” Dace’s tone conveys a serious interest in the answer.

  I glance at him, impressed that he displays no signs of being intimidated. “Yes. That’s why it’s important,” I make a face at Kam, “that the energy jockeys responsible for the collectors don’t crap out on their jobs.”

  Kam snorts. “Like you’re always slaving away in the greenhouse? Nobody buys that, Solano.”

  “Now Kam, be fair.” Raid’s dark eyes are fixed on me with a gaze that makes heat rise in my face. “Ann takes her work seriously. Just not anything else.”

  Dace looks from Raid to me and back again. “Right now,” he says, his voice devoid of emotion, “Ann’s going to be my guide while I do some research on your planet’s plants and animals.”

  “Oh? So she can take your uncle’s offer to jet off Eco, I suppose?” Raid drops his arms to his sides, but his fists remain clenched.

  “That’s the idea,” says Dace. “So if you don’t mind, we need to go and get stuff together for our first expedition. I don’t want to waste any time. Not sure when the ship will be repaired, and I know Connor won’t want to hang around here any longer than necessary.”

  Raid’s eyes narrow. “Is that right, Ann? You’ll be leaving us soon?”

  “Could be,” I reply, giving him a warning look. As Dace glances back at the windmills, I mouth, “He doesn’t know,” at Raid.

  Raid’s black eyebrows rise to meet the swoop of black hair falling across his brow. “Interesting. Well, let’s hit the kitchens, Kam, and see what we can scrounge for breakfast.”

  I shak
e my head. “You haven’t eaten yet?”

  “Just got up. Late night.” Raid shoots me a significant look.

  This might bother me if I thought there was another girl, but I know all about his limited choices. One of the many reasons I can’t take his desire for me too seriously. Who else is he going to pursue? Emie is off-limits, and his other options are Karla, who’d be uninterested even if she wasn’t already in a relationship with Caroline, and the fifteen and unders. It’s me by default. Somehow, being the only option doesn’t thrill me.

  Raid pulls an exaggerated yawn. “Yeah, didn’t get much sleep. How ’bout you, Kam?”

  “Me neither. Or Emie.” Kam gives me a wink.

  Of course, there are the older women in the colony, but they’re all matched with someone. Although, as I study Raid’s face—with its heavy-lidded eyes and self-satisfied smile—I wonder.

  “Well, I certainly don’t want to keep you from … food.” I lift my chin and refuse to look away from Raid’s intense gaze. “Dace and I will just get our stuff together and head out while you guys chow down.”

  “See ya later, losers,” says Kam. “Come on, Raid. Let the kiddies go exploring.”

  “Sure.” Raid flashes one of those smiles that always catch me off-guard. “Have fun, Ann. I’m sure it’ll be a blast.” He nods his head toward Dace. “Beautiful scenery, stimulating company, and all that.”

  Dace turns to me, his expression clearly indicating confusion. “I’m sure Ann will be a great guide.”

  “Hell yes.” Raid leans in and pats Dace on the shoulder. “She’ll be terrific. She’s got the proper scientific mindset. Detached and analytical—that’s her.”

  Kam laughs. “You should see your face, Solano.”

  “Hijo de puta,” I mutter, before turning to Dace. “Don’t worry about them. They have nothing better to do than tease. Makes them feel superior, I guess.”

  As I turn to leave, Raid grabs my arm. “Be careful out there,” he says in a very different tone of voice. “Remember what happened to your grandparents.”

  I look back at him. “I’m always careful.” Shaking off Raid’s hand, I stalk away, not bothering to check if Dace is following.