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  Dace blushes as Marissa squawks something about “shriveled bitches” and jumps to her feet. She prances over to Raid and Kam, who studiously ignore her.

  “Anyway, since Marissa was pretty much monopolizing you, I thought I’d better head over and do the official introduction thing.” I stick two fingers in my mouth and whistle. “Hey, space-rats, listen up! We’ve got a guest.”

  All eyes in the room focus on Dace. “Hello,” he says, with a forced smile.

  “This is Dace. Well, Dacian Keeling, but he goes by Dace. He’s the nephew of Captain Patel of the Augusta Ada.”

  “Yeah.” Trent slaps his gamer headpiece against his palm. “We heard that. Everyone already knows, Solano.”

  Of course they do. This is Eco, the small town of planets. I shoot Trent a silencing look. “Anyway, Dace is a scientist. A naturalist, to be exact. He’s studying the plants and animals of all the places the Ada visits.”

  Kam saunters forward, still wearing his gamer gloves. I glance over his shoulder, expecting to see Emie, but it appears she’s left the room. That’s odd. She must’ve slipped out the back door.

  “Will find crap-all here,” says Kam.

  Dace shakes his head. “Saw some pretty unique things today. Lizard-like creatures and some flying insects. That was interesting.”

  Kam sneers. “Those things? Damned annoying is all they are. Especially the bugs. Bet I’ve killed hundreds of them, working on the windmills. Give a slap and swat them up against the blades. Splat!” He spread his hands out as he stands over us, gazing down.

  I expect the younger boy to shrink away, but Dace sits up straighter. “How very brave.”

  Kam’s face turns almost as red as his hair. “Now look, spacer … ”

  I rise to my feet. “Anyway, if anyone has questions for Dace—you know, about other planets or Earth or whatever—now’s the time to ask.”

  “Chill,” says Raid, stepping up behind Kam. He grabs the redhead’s elbow and pulls him to the side. “Let nature boy talk. Might learn something.” He perches on the sofa arm. “Stop swearing and take a load off, Kam. Still plan to wipe the floor with your sorry ass later.”

  “You’re from Earth?” Trent breaks through the cluster of young people.

  “Yes, originally,” says Dace. He’s keeping an eye on Kam, who’s skulked off to the far side of the room.

  Trent plops into a pile of cushions near Dace’s feet. “Where’d you live?”

  “India. Mumbai. My mom still lives there. I’ll go back, eventually, when I can get into a decent university. That’s what the research is for, you see. To prove I’m worth a scholarship.”

  “Mumbai, really? That’s funny—you don’t look entirely Indian,” observes Marissa as she sidles up to Raid.

  I give her a warning look as I sit back down, but Dace answers with equanimity. “I’m not. My dad was English, or American. Not really sure. Never met him, so who knows?”

  “Your mom should.” Marissa’s displaying her usual lack of tact. Raid gently pushes her aside and she slumps into one of the gamer chairs.

  Dace shrugs. “She doesn’t like to talk about him, and I don’t like to ask. Doesn’t matter anyway. Bastard disappeared before I was born. On the other hand—my uncle, he’s always been there for us. Even when he was in the military, and then crewing on other traders, he sent us money and visited. More than my so-called father’s ever done.”

  I study Dace as he delivers this information, recognizing the bitterness lacing his tone. He’s not as resigned to these facts as he likes to pretend. Glancing over his head, I catch Raid’s eye. His serious expression isn’t a surprise. Raid’s father died many years ago after a minor accident led to a major infection that no medicine on Eco could cure. The fact that his mother is one of our medics only makes the situation worse, since she still blames herself for her husband’s death.

  “So, it’s really as hard to get into a university as we hear?” asks Trent.

  Dace nods. “Yes. Unless you’re wealthy. Or your family went to a particular school. Which, of course, they couldn’t have done unless they were wealthy. So, yeah—easy for the rich. The rest of us are pretty much screwed.”

  “Well, that leaves us out, too,” observes Raid, giving me a significant look. “Even if we lived on Earth, we wouldn’t have the credits to go.”

  “You never know.” I twirl a strand of my hair about one finger. “It sure would be a lot easier there. At least there are universities. All we have are holodiscs”

  “And the ’sphere,” adds Trent.

  “Which we can’t even access half the time.”

  If Emie were here, she’d call me on that comment, since part of her job involves maintaining our connection to the galaxy-wide web of communication satellites, space stations, and ship-to-ship relays. Of course, even though she takes it personally, it isn’t Emie’s fault our system doesn’t always work, leaving us without access to the ’sphere for months at a time. Just another consequence of being stuck on Eco.

  “Don’t kid yourself—that’s all most people on Earth have.” Dace turns to me, his dark eyes shadowed by thick lashes. “Like I said, not much chance for anyone who isn’t part of the upper echelon.”

  “So, what’s it like?” Lily flops down beside Trent. “Earth, I mean. We’ve seen the holodiscs, and movies, and other stuff, but that doesn’t really show the way most people live, I bet.”

  Dace leans into the sofa cushions. “No, it doesn’t.” He tilts his head back and stares at the metal ceiling. “Most people live in crowded cities, sharing tiny apartments with lots of other people. Sometimes family or friends, sometimes whomever they can find to help pay for a place. They work at any job they can find, or—if they’re lucky—take over the job they inherited from their parents. They watch holodiscs and play games, just like you. Pretty much live through their computers most of the time. There are some sports, but you have to be pretty good to get onto a team, even an amateur one.” Dace drops his head and gazes at his now rapt audience. “No one moves around much. Too hard, with all the laws. You have to have documents for everything. Most people have them implanted.” He points to a tiny scar on his right forearm. “Easier. You just get scanned when you go anywhere that requires docs.”

  “That doesn’t sound very nice,” says one of the youngest girls.

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still love the Earth. It’s my home. But it has its problems. Mainly,” Dace glances over at me, “there’s no real opportunity for anyone who isn’t already wealthy or powerful. Whatever social strata you’re born into, you’re pretty much stuck there.”

  I meet his gaze with a frown. Everyone’s always telling me my dreams of life on Earth aren’t realistic. Bien, so what? I dig my fingers into the fabric of the sofa. I know Earth is not a paradise, but hell, neither is Eco. At least it will be different. At least on Earth I may have a chance to break free of a future that feels like it’s all done and decided. Maybe Dace thinks no one can rise above their beginnings on Earth, but Dace doesn’t know me very well.

  And he doesn’t know my mother at all. If anyone can soar beyond a social barrier, she can.

  Raid kicks at the sofa frame. “That’s why so many join the military, or sign up with the companies looking for space rats, I guess.”

  “Yeah.” Dace looks around the room. “Like your grandparents did, I suspect. Bet there’s not much of the upper echelon out here.”

  “None,” says Raid. “We’re all mongrels.”

  I shoot him a glance. “Speak for yourself.”

  “Oh yeah, Ann.” Sarcasm sharpens Raid’s voice. “Your grandparents were rich, were they? Nah, didn’t think so. My family might hail from the Himalayas but yours were mountain people too—the Andes and Appalachia, right? Not exactly Rio or Paris.”

  I refuse to look at him. He’s right, but I can’t believe it’ll mean that much on Earth these days, despite Dace’s obviously prejudiced opinions.


  “But what about all the wilderness and parks and things?” asks Trent. “There’s still lots of unspoiled land on Earth, right? I mean, that’s what I’ve seen on the ’sphere.”

  “Still there.” Dace frowns. “But most people can’t visit those places. Restricted access. Have to be part of the right groups to travel there, and most of us aren’t. There are holo cams and viewing facilities, of course. You can feel as if you’re traveling to certain spots, for a price. Some people do that if they have a bit of extra credit. Of course, if you have enough, you can buy huge estates or entire islands. Or even a small country. But most people,” he shrugs, “just live in the same neighborhood, in their little apartments or shacks, all their lives. Not many ways to get rich unless you’ve already got some credits to start with.”

  “Maybe we’re better off on Eco.” Trent’s beautiful face grows pensive.

  “Sure.” I scoot forward until I’m perched on the edge of the sofa. “Because we have so many options here.”

  “Anyway, it is what it is.” Dace taps me on the arm. “But, enough about Earth. I’m happy to have landed here on Eco, collecting lots of great data, thanks to Ann.”

  “So you work for a corporation already?” Marissa stares at him with renewed interest.

  “No, but all this research will win me a spot at a major university. Once I have a degree, I can get a job with a great company and then … everything will open up for me.” A sheepish smile crosses Dace’s face. “That’s the plan, anyway.”

  “Sounds like a load of crap to me.” Kam steps out of the shadows. “Like some kiddie science project’s gonna win you a spot at one of the rich brats’ finishing schools. Yeah, that’s freakin’ likely. They don’t want our kind there, spacer, no matter how smart we might be.”

  “There are scholarships.” Dace doesn’t wilt under Kam’s bitter smile.

  “For their friends. Or maybe if you screw the right people.”

  “Shut it, Kam.” I muster my most threatening expression—the one that mimics my grandmother’s glare. “Young kids present.”

  Kam snorts. “Like they never hear such crap in this tin can colony. Okay, Solano, I’ll shut up. I’d like to get back to crushing Raid, anyway. Enough of this shit.” He turns and strides over to the game console. Flipping the switch that restarts the game, he shoulders his laser tag rifle. “Ready to get some action going, widget-maker?”

  “It’s on, power-jockey.” Raid leaps to his feet and strides to the middle of the room, facing Kam. Marissa and most of the others follow and surround the two young men as they prepare for battle.

  I shake my head. “Boys and toys.” I glance at Dace. “Sorry. Didn’t mean you. You seem more sensible than most.”

  Dace smiles. “I don’t know. I like my virtual games too. But I wouldn’t take on those two. They’re pretty bad-ass.”

  “So, you think what you’ve found on Eco’s really going to help with your research?” Trent slides his cushion a little closer to the sofa.

  Dace’s face lights up. “Oh yes, especially with what we saw in the cavern … ”

  I press my foot over his instep. Dace grunts and shoots me a surprised glance.

  “What cavern?” Trent looks from Dace to me and back again. “There’s a cavern?”

  “No, I … ” Dace’s eyes widen.

  I grab his flailing hands and pull him close to me. “Cavern? You mean that tiny cave under the rock pile? Where you spied those lizards?”

  Out of the corner of my eye I observe Trent’s stubborn expression.

  “Lizards are everywhere,” he says. “And Dace said cavern. You talking crap, Ann?”

  “No, of course not.” I yank Dace forward until we’re nose to nose. “Dace is disoriented. Must’ve gotten too much sun today. Scrambled his brains.”

  Dace jerks my hands. “Wait a minute, there was a cavern … ”

  Before Dace can say another word, I lean forward and kiss him, full on the lips.

  I make it a good kiss—a long, lingering kiss that will shut him up for the foreseeable future.

  “Damn,” says a familiar voice. “That was fast.”

  I pull away from Dace and stare up into a pair of flashing dark eyes. Raid’s standing in front of the couch, still holding his laser rifle.

  “Mierda,” I mutter.

  Dace drops back against the sofa cushions, his face a study in confusion.

  “Game over,” Raid yells to Kam. Tossing his rifle to Trent, who clutches it to his chest in astonishment, Raid strides toward the back of the game room. He sheds his headpiece and gloves as he goes, dashing them to the floor.

  “What was that all about?” Dace is staring at me, his brown eyes very wide in his narrow face.

  “Nothing.” The back door slams. I toss my hair over my shoulder. “You were sitting there, looking all serious and scientific and stuff and I just had this urge to kiss you. Mind?”

  “No, I mean, I’m not sure … ” Dace jumps to his feet. “I think I’ll go back to the ship now.” He speaks with exaggerated dignity, tugging down his rumpled shirt. “I’ll meet you tomorrow, at the front gate. What time?”

  “Eight, if that’s okay.”

  “Fine.” Dace strolls off, exiting through the main door.

  I catch Trent staring at me. “What’re you looking at?”

  “You kissed him. I thought you and Raid … ”

  “People around here are too freakin’ interested in other people’s business.” I stand, looking about for Emie. There’s still no sign of her, which is weird, especially since Kam hasn’t left the room. “See you later, kid. Need to find my friend.”

  “Which one?” asks Trent.

  I leave, but not before chucking a pillow at him.

  I walk through pools of light cast by our solar lamps, stepping from shadow to light and back into darkness. Near the front doors of the greenhouse I spy a couple lounging on a discarded crate. My heart slams into my ribcage, but of course it’s not my mother. She’d never do something so foolish. It’s just Karla and Caroline. Entwined in each other’s arms, they’re oblivious to my presence. I hurry on, not wanting to disturb them.

  I wander aimlessly. Emie’s probably in her family quarters, grabbing some rest after a long day. Her apprenticeship to Ivana, our computer and communications expert, is quite demanding, especially since Ivana doesn’t believe in things like breaks or lunch.

  Reaching the back gate, I climb its metal rungs and stare over the top rail toward the Augusta Ada. A light shines, illuminating the cargo hold. I identify Calla, her blonde head easily recognizable amid the clutter of dark boxes. Next to her, perched on a crate, sits Emie.

  “Your friend seems to have a fascination with cybers.”

  I turn my head to face my mother.

  “She thinks they’re victims of discrimination.” I jump off the gate.

  “Interesting.” Mom is backlit by the solar lamps, the light turning her fair hair into a halo. “She’s plotting a social revolution?”

  “On Eco? Not likely.” I grip one of the gate’s smooth metal rails for support. “You’re out late.”

  My mother’s gentle smile is more brutal than a slap in the face. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought I needed a bit of exercise. So,” she tilts her head to examine me, “where’s that boyfriend of yours? Or have you thrown him over for Connor’s nephew?”

  So she isn’t trying to hide their first-name basis. “Oh, Raid was playing some game with Kam.” I refrain from mentioning he stalked off before I left the room. “And I think Dace went back to the ship. We plan to head out early tomorrow.”

  Mom moves closer. “You know, Ann, I’m very grateful you took Connor’s offer. Of course, I’m aware you’ve always been as desperate as I am to get off Eco, but still—escorting the nephew about, I appreciate that.”

  “Dace,” I say, eyeing my mother with suspicion. “His name’s Dace, not ‘the nephew.’”

  “Right.”
She reaches me and leans against the fence, one slender hand curled about a gate rail, the other resting on my shoulder. “Dace. Funny name.” Her hazel eyes sweep over my face. “Anyway, I’m glad you managed to grab the opportunity. If I’m not mistaken, you manipulated things to your advantage?”

  There’s admiration, not accusation, in her words.

  “Maybe.” I stand very still as she lifts her hand to stroke my cheek.

  “You’re so much like me. Smart, ambitious, determined … ” The fingers trace the length of my nose. “Though you don’t really resemble me. Except perhaps about the eyes, and the mouth.” She taps her fingers against my lips. “Do you know the main reason I dream of leaving Eco? It’s because I want more for you, Ann. More than I had. I hope you know that.”

  “I know,” I reply, although this is the first time I’ve heard her say it.

  She drops her hand to her side. “Eco is such a dead end. What is there for you here, except to keep a greenhouse of plants alive and shack up with that admittedly handsome Asian boy?”

  “Raiden Lin.”

  “Yes, Raiden. Quite a looker. But still, just one more loser who’ll never be able to give you what you want, what you deserve.”

  “Don’t think I’d call Raid a loser … ”

  Mom pats my arm. “Oh, my darling daughter, consider. No plans to leave Eco? Would be perfectly happy screwing you, interspersed with playing holo games and tinkering with those machines your grandfather loves? Yes, I’m afraid ‘loser’ sums it up quite nicely.”

  I stare into her lovely face. “I have no plans to shack up with anyone. Not for a while, anyway. Not until we’re living on Earth.”

  My mother’s smile turns beatific. “Good girl. You just keep that in mind. Now come, let’s head back to our quarters. It’s late, and your father will be worried.”

  As if you care. But I don’t speak those words. Like the pathetic chicken-shit I am, I simply smile in return. Like I always do when she’s nice to me.

  When she shows me a smidgen of love.