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  Dace pops on his helmet, flipping up the visor so he can speak. “Is that a threat?”

  “Not from me. Others … ” I shrug before donning my own helmet.

  Slamming down his visor, Dace throws the bike into gear. He speeds off before I can even mount my bike.

  I doubt he’ll get lost, as the windmills’ blades are clearly visible on the horizon. But I don’t want him to arrive back at the compound too long before me. Despite his promise, I plan to keep a close eye on Dacian Keeling.

  In the small mirror that hangs above our bathroom sink, I examine my face. I look perfectly human of course. There’s nothing in my appearance that betrays the fact I may harbor a snippet of alien DNA.

  “May” being the operative word. I’m still not convinced Dace’s theory is sound. I stick out my tongue. My mirror image mimics me, down to the blemish that reddens the side of my distinctive nose. Yeah, beautiful, that’s me.

  I wrinkle my nose at my reflection and turn away. It’s time to track down Dace and make him run that data again. I just don’t believe simply being conceived and born on this planet is enough to alter anyone’s genetic code. It’s not like we eat produce grown in its dirt.

  The water. We drink the water.

  I mutter obscenities as I yank a brush through my loose hair. I fling a light jacket over my T-shirt and spare the mirror one more glance.

  Alien. Not entirely human. No—that isn’t me. That can’t be me.

  My dad’s camped out in our living area, hunched over the dining table, examining some digital plans.

  I take hold of his arm as I peer over his shoulder. “Terraforming machines, huh? Looking for some parts for Captain Patel? I thought most of that stuff was already torn apart and dispersed.”

  “Most.” Dad reaches up to pat at my hand. “We kept that one digger together. You know; you’ve seen it. At the back of the storage shed.”

  “Oh, the old rusted thing?”

  Dad swipes one finger across the monitor and the plans bloom in three dimensions. Hovering above the monitor, a digital replica of the huge excavator spins at my father’s touch. “Your mother thinks we should sacrifice the fans from the digger, but I disagree. It’s still operational. I don’t think we should tear it down. Who knows when our wells might run dry? We may need to excavate for additional water.”

  Water again. I almost mention the underground lake, but bite my tongue in time. “What about all those other junk parts lying about the shed? Surely there’s something in that jumble Captain Patel can use.”

  “That’s my thought as well.” Dad glances up at me with a smile. “Going to hang out with your friends? I imagine they’re over at the rec hall, since it’s well past the dinner hour.”

  “Maybe.” I can’t help but smile in return. “You should take a break too. You’ve been staring at this stuff all day.”

  Dad touches one part of the holographic plans, zooming in on a particular section. “Not much else to do at the moment. Everyone’s deserted me. Your grandparents are out taking a walk. You know how they love their evening walks.”

  “Yeah.” I push back the hair that’s tumbling over my shoulders. “Where’s Mom?”

  “Don’t have any idea.” Dad’s tone is nonchalant, but I’m not fooled. “She disappeared as soon as the dinner table was cleared. Which, by the way,” he gently bumps my arm with his fist, “you didn’t offer to help with.”

  “I know. Sorry.” I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll do better tomorrow, I promise.”

  “Your promises, chica … ” My dad shakes his head. “Anyway, don’t stay out too late. You’re supposed to escort Patel’s nephew again tomorrow, right?”

  “Yep.” I step back, fiddling with a strand of my hair. “He’s all right. Very serious and kind of … young for his age. One thing’s for sure, Papa—you don’t have to worry about him. Trying to take advantage, I mean.”

  “I’m not—he seems like a rather reserved young man. Not like your granddad’s apprentice.” Dad shakes his head. “Him, sometimes, I worry about.”

  “Raid? Oh, he isn’t so bad.” I move toward the hall, but pause in the open doorway. “Anyway, I thought everyone had already married us off.”

  “Not me.” Dad pulls his hand through the holographic excavator, crumpling it into a ball of light that melts back into the monitor. He turns to look at me. “I’m not ready for you to marry anyone.” He studies me for a moment, a shadow flitting across his face. “You’ve grown up so fast. I can’t believe you’ll be eighteen next year. Anyway,” he turns his attention back to the now two-dimensional plans, “there’s plenty of time for you to decide who you want to marry, or if you want to marry at all. Don’t rush it, chica.”

  Like I did. I know that’s what he’s thinking, though he’ll never speak those words. My parents married when they were only eighteen, and while I’m almost sure my father still loves my mother, I suspect there are many days when he questions why.

  “I’m in no hurry.” I blow him a kiss before I leave the room. “See you later, Papa.”

  “Have fun,” he replies, his attention already captured by his work.

  ***

  I make my way outside, jogging across the quiet yard to the gate that opens to the landing strip. The Augusta Ada sits on the tarmac, dark and hulking as a hibernating beast. Before I head to the recreation hall I want to check in with Dace, to see what he’s up to. Just to make sure that he isn’t blabbing our secret to everyone in the colony.

  I trudge up the steep ramp that leads into the belly of the Ada. One of the crew, obviously on guard duty, eyes me as I step into the cargo hold. His unnaturally blue eyes betray his status as a cyber, a human whose body’s been substantially enhanced with implants or prosthetics. I’m always startled by his kind. Their otherness sets something fluttering in my stomach. Logically I know this is foolish—they’re still human, mostly. I also know cybers don’t choose to replace original body parts with digital implants and prostheses. Most are former soldiers, severely injured during their stint in the military. The restoration of their bodies is a reward for their service.

  But they never receive the restoration of their full human status.

  I stare at the man as this realization slams into my mind. Emie makes this point often enough, but it never really sank in until now. “I’m here to see Dace. Is he anywhere about?”

  “Dunno.” The man gestures toward a tall woman standing in the shadows. “Calla might have some idea.”

  The woman steps forward. Her pale hair, streaked with green highlights, is cropped short, and her features display the inhuman perfection of a doll.

  I gnaw on my lower lip, wondering where and how this woman’s original face was destroyed. A fire, perhaps, or an explosion. Not an uncommon danger for a soldier or any other spacer.

  “Haven’t seen the boy,” says Calla. Her voice is artificially enhanced as well.

  I shiver, envisioning the horror of an accident that could inflict such damage. It must’ve been hell—the pain of the treatment on top of the original injury, the terrible sense of loss. “Do you mind if I check his quarters? I’m his guide around Eco, and I’d like to chat with him before tomorrow.” I slowly extend my arm. “Ann Solano.”

  Calla makes no move to take my hand. “I know who you are. Had to vet you, didn’t we?” She looks me over. “Guess it’s all right. Move along, then.” With a flick of her gloved hand she motions toward the back of the cargo bay. “Through there. Down the hall and make a right. First hatch.”

  I walk past the two cybers without looking directly at them.

  Stepping into the narrow hall is like entering a drainage pipe. Dull metal plates cover the sides and curve to form an arched ceiling. I shake off the sensation that the walls are pressing in on me. If I’m lucky enough to get passage on this ship I’ll have to get used to the close quarters.

  The first hatch stands open, blocking the view into Dace’s berth
. I peer through the sliver of space between door and frame, then step back.

  Mom is standing in Dace’s room, next to a built-in shelf. She’s balancing something in her palm, turning her hand this way and that to examine the object. It looks like the mineral sample Dace brought back from the cave. That’s strange enough—my mother on this ship, in a young man’s quarters, fondling his belongings. Even odder is she’s not alone.

  Captain Connor Patel is standing beside her. Standing very close.

  I position myself where I can watch without being seen.

  “So, you think it might be worth further study?” Patel lays his palm over the rock sample, covering my mother’s delicate fingers with his large hand.

  “Oh, definitely.” Mom glances up at him, flashing a smile as bright as Eco’s sun. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I’d like to examine it in more detail, with some of my parents’ equipment. Do you think your nephew would mind if I borrowed this piece? Just for tonight, you understand.”

  “I’m sure he’d be fine with that.” Connor Patel stares into my mother’s hazel eyes as if he’s just sighted the lost moon of Arias.

  I clamp my lips together to trap the swear words in my mouth.

  “Well,” Mom tilts her head and gazes into Patel’s face, “I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

  “Don’t you?” The captain’s voice takes on a teasing tone. “I’d have thought trouble was something you enjoyed.”

  Mom’s golden eyebrows arch over her wide eyes. “Now, whatever gave you that impression, Captain Patel?”

  “Connor.”

  “Only if you call me Tara. Ms. Cooper sounds so formal.” Mom slides her fingers from his grip and pockets the rock sample. “So, you think I like trouble, Connor?”

  “I think you may be trouble,” replies the captain.

  He’s got that right. I clench my fingers into fists.

  “And trouble concerns you?” My mom gives a little pout before those lovely lips curl into another smile.

  Connor Patel runs a hand through his thick, dark hair. “Let’s just say it confuses me.”

  “There shouldn’t be any confusion.” My mother leans into him and runs her fingers down his arm. “I thought I was being rather transparent, actually.”

  As I prepare to scream, I hear whistling behind me. Spinning about, I spy Dace stepping into the hall.

  I hurry to meet him, careful not to stomp on the metal floors. The last thing I want is for Dace to find my mother and his uncle in his cabin. Dace isn’t stupid. He might put two and two together. “Hey,” I say, reaching him before he can move farther down the corridor, “Just looking for you. Come to the rec hall—I want you to meet some of the other kids.”

  “I was headed to my room … ”

  “Hell no, that’s way too boring.” I usher him toward the large hatch. “You don’t want to just sit in your room. You’ll go bonkers. Besides, it’s early yet.”

  “I wasn’t going to bed,” replies Dace, shooting me an inquisitive glance. “I thought I’d run some more tests on my samples.”

  “Plenty of time for that.” I shove him into the cargo bay. “I want to introduce you to some of my friends. They’ll be thrilled. We don’t get many young spacers.”

  “Those two guys we ran into earlier didn’t seem too thrilled.” Dace jerks his arm to shake off my hand. “And I am not a spacer.”

  “Oh, I know. Just that you’ve been traveling from planet to planet. They’ll want to hear about that. I mean, we’re just stuck here on Eco. Not much to talk about.”

  As we stride past Calla, the cyber glances up from polishing her laser pistol. “Found each other, did you? Now what?”

  “Off to meet some other people, or so I’m told,” says Dace, with a jerk of his head towards me.

  A grin, macabre in its artificiality, splits Calla’s face. “Taking charge, is she? Well, enjoy it, little man. Not often you get to spend time with the young, pretty ones.”

  Dace straightens, the flush in his cheeks contrasting with his dignified expression. “Ann’s simply introducing me to some of her friends. No big deal, but it’s something different, you know?”

  Calla laughs, a mechanical trill that turns into a wheeze. “Yeah, I gotcha. Well, run along. I’ll clue in the Captain if he questions your whereabouts.”

  “We’ll be in the recreation hall.” Determined, I meet Calla’s direct gaze without faltering.

  “Sure thing.” Calla waves us away with one sweep of her gloved hand. “Better get a move on. Captain’s likely to show up any minute with a list of chores for the kid.”

  Knowing how my mother’s entranced him, I doubt it. I just pray the cyber won’t go searching the ship. That’s all I need—someone else discovering my mother’s little rendezvous with Captain Patel. Gossip swirls about the colony like a sandstorm. All it takes is one word, even from a cyber, and my dad and grandparents will hear all about it.

  “Come on.” I grab Dace’s hand and pull him toward the exterior ramp. “No time like the present to become the most popular person on Eco.”

  “Or the most uncomfortable,” Dace replies without enthusiasm. But he doesn’t yank his hand away.

  The rec hall is full of people. I lead Dace to the game room, threading our way through a cluster of chairs. I nod silent greetings to the adults who are gathered before a large screen, engrossed in watching an old film.

  “Classic movie night,” I tell Dace. “We stream them from the servers. One of the original colonists brought a digital collection of every film still in existence.”

  “2-D,” observes Dace, turning to stare back at the faces filling the screen.

  “Well, yeah. I said they were classics.” I don’t mention that the colonist who brought the files was my grandmother. My mom’s mother, whom I never knew. But sometimes, watching her collection of movies, I feel as if I’ve glimpsed some part of her.

  The door to the game room’s closed, blocking the noise of the younger colonists’ immersive holo games from the main part of the building. I knock, loudly.

  The door swings back and I stare up into Raid’s face. “Hello. Thought I’d bring Dace by to meet everyone. You mind?”

  “Why should I?” Raid steps back to allow us to enter the room. Closing the door behind him, he turns and leans against its thick metal panels.

  “No reason.” I motion for Dace to take a seat on the low sofa. “So, how’s things?” I meet Raid’s speculative expression with a smile.

  “Things are fine.” Raid looks me up and down. “Dragged junior scientist all over Eco today?”

  “I did.”

  “Had fun?”

  “Not sure I’d call it that.” From the corner of my eye I see one of the younger girls plop down and press up next to Dace. She chatters and shoots him demure looks from beneath her fluttering lashes. He appears distinctly uncomfortable. “Maybe I’d better go to the rescue.”

  Raid takes hold of my wrist. “I’m sure nature boy can handle Marissa. Now,” his fingers glide up my arm, coming to rest on my shoulder. “Let’s talk. Things have been kind of nuclear lately—between you and me, I mean. You know I don’t wanna fight with you.” He caresses my shoulder as he turns me to face him.

  “You can start by dropping the rude crap around Dace.” I meet his intense stare with a steady gaze of my own. “He’s okay. A little obsessed … ”

  “Says the girl who only thinks about leaving Eco.” Raid leans in to press his forehead against mine.

  I could leap in and happily drown in those dark eyes. “And you don’t ever consider it?”

  “Mmmm … sometimes. But what’s the point in living our whole lives for the future?” Raid dips his head until his lips are almost brushing mine. “Live for now. Tomorrow may never come.”

  I should move, but I don’t. I allow Raid to kiss me—a slow, sensual kiss that forces me to grab his arms to keep from wobbling. “Everyone’s watching,” I say,
when he pulls away for a second.

  “Good. Maybe they’ll learn something,” Raid replies, and kisses me again.

  “Bien, enough.” I step back when Raid comes up for air. “I better check on Dace. I brought him here knowing he’d be assaulted by the younger girls. And Emie, if Kam ever steps away. Now, don’t give me that look. He’s my responsibility.”

  Raid frowns. “Your supposed ticket out of here, you mean.”

  “Yes, that too.” I study his glowering face. “Maybe, if the captain changes his mind and agrees to take us, you could come along. I’m sure we could squeeze in one more passenger.”

  “And leave all this?” As Raid throws out his hand to indicate the crowded game room, a holographic laser slices through his chest.

  “Score!” Yells Kam. “You’re dead meat, widget-maker.”

  “Not playing, asswipe. Clean your goggles,” replies Raid, with a glance over his shoulder. He looks back at me while Kam colorfully protests. “What the hell—go see what your new pal’s up to, Ann. But find me later.” He leans in and gives me a quick kiss before turning to Kam. “Now I’m in the game. Prepare for annihilation, Frye.”

  I gaze after Raid’s tall form for a moment then shake my head and make my way to the couch. I really shouldn’t allow Raid to kiss me like that, not when I plan on leaving. But I do love those kisses—they send a current zipping from my heart out to all my fingers and toes.

  “Ann!” Dace’s voice cuts through my reverie. He looks up at me with desperation.

  “Move over,” I tell Marissa, right before flopping onto the couch. The younger girl squeaks in protest as I wiggle between her and Dace.

  “We were talking.” Her lower lip pokes out.

  “No, you were talking.” I use my elbow to shove her toward the sofa arm. “So, how’re you doing?” I ask Dace.

  “Going deaf,” he replies. “At least in one ear.”

  “Yeah, Marissa likes to talk. And talk, and talk.” I ignore the daggers Marissa’s eyes cast my way. “But she’s kinda hot, huh?”