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Raid waves his hand at Emie. “Bring over the med kit, would you?”

She hurries over to him, bag in hand. “Scissors?” She pulls a pair from the bag. “Or a knife?”

“Scissors will do.” Raid sets about cutting through the ’lastic while Emie watches, fingering the handle of a gleaming surgical blade.

With one last glance at Calla’s still face, I cross to Dace. “You hanging in there?”

“Sort of,” he says. “But we shouldn’t linger. Really.” His face is streaked with tears.

“She was brave,” I say, crouching beside him. “She saved Kam, even though he didn’t deserve it.”

“A human impulse.” Dace’s dark eyes search my face. “Even if the laws claim she wasn’t exactly human.”

“Those laws are crap.” I realize how deeply I mean this as the words leave my mouth. “Total crap.”

Dace’s full lips curve into a faint smile. “Now you sound like Emie.”

“Not a bad thing.” I stand and meet Emie’s determined face as she, Raid, and Kam approach. “Being more like Emie is a compliment.”

“For sure,” says Dace, giving my friend a smile that makes her stop in her tracks.

I look from Emie to Dace. Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t worry so much about choosing between Raid and Dace. I may not be the only girl Dace finds interesting. This thought slams into my head almost as hard as the Selk’s silent communications.

“Time to go,” says Raid, as another drift of dust showers us. He leans over to assist Dace to his feet. “Kam, help me. Between the two of us, we should be able to lift him over those rocks.”

Kam obeys without a word. He and Raid link arms to form an impromptu chair while Emie assists me in making sure Dace is securely cradled in their arms. As they carry Dace toward the inclined path, Kam casts a final glance back at the stone burying Calla’s body.

She saved his life. Even though she didn’t love him—didn’t even like him. She saved him because it was the right thing to do. Because she could.

“Emie,” I say as we scramble over the fallen stones on the path, “I think I’d like to help you with that mission of yours.”

She pauses, catching her breath. “To defeat the genetics laws? To open Earth to the cybers and others?”

“That’s the one,” I say, as we turn the corner and walk toward the bright light that lies beyond the passage.

Connor Patel runs toward us, ignoring Kam’s uncle and the detonator clutched to his chest.

“Dacian!” Connor reaches out with both hands as Raid and Kam set Dace on his feet. “Are you all right?”

“I’ll be okay.” Dace sways slightly.

“I was so worried … ” Connor pulls Dace into an embrace. After a moment, he pushes his nephew back, still holding onto his shoulders. Lifting one hand, he brushes Dace’s thick hair away from his forehead. “That’s quite a bump. You need medical attention.”

Emie holds up the med kit and Mia Lin rushes forward. While Raid’s mother checks out Dace, my mom and dad step out from the cluster of people gathered behind the rovers.

“So—everyone else is okay?” asks Dad, examining me with concern.

“We’re fine.” I move into his proffered hug. The feel of his strong arms around me is more comforting than any words.

As if freed from a stun beam, Emie runs to her parents while Raid moves to his mother’s side. Dad kisses my forehead before he releases me. I watch Kam stride over to his uncle and father.

“Disarm it,” he says. “We’re done here.”

His father wordlessly grips Kam’s hand and Doug Frye exhales a gusty sigh, switching off the detonator. He hands the small box to Kam, who stares at it for a moment before tossing it to the ground.

“We’re done,” he says again, and smashes the dead detonator under his boot. He turns to face the colonists who opposed him. “You can take us in, now.”

No one moves. Finally, my mother takes a few steps toward Kam and his supporters. “This is a matter for the Council. Go back to the compound.” She casts a commanding glare upon all present. “No one will harm you.”

As she finishes speaking there’s a roar—a cascade of rock sliding and crashing upon rock. Everyone stares at the cavern entrance, now blocked by a tumble of great stones. Dust rises from the rocks like smoke from a dying fire.

Connor Patel, his arm about Dace’s shoulder, glances from Kam to me, Raid, and Emie, and back to Kam again. “Wait. Where’s Calla?”

I take a deep breath, but before I can speak Raid steps forward and tells the others of Calla’s sacrifice. His words are simple and straightforward, but when he stops talking tears slide down several cheeks.

I look at my mother. Her eyes are dry, but there’s a curious look on her face. Almost as if she is, for once, uncertain. Almost.

“Ann,” she says, moving to take my hands. “You and your friends have been very brave. But now we must get back to the colony.” She glances at Kam and his group. “Things must be decided.”

I grip her fingers—perhaps a little too tightly. Her golden eyebrows arch up over those beautiful eyes. “You need some rest, my dear,” she says, giving my arm a little pat. “And some more clothes, perhaps?”

We must explain, then, where and why Raid and I discarded our other clothing.

My dad and grandparents propose to go and recover our rover.

“We can also climb down into that other cavern to find your boots and such, if you want,” offers my father.

“You may encounter the Selk,” I tell my grandmother when she slips in close enough to give me a fierce hug.

“Could prove quite exciting,” she replies. “I think I’m up for it.”

“You’re always up for anything.” I press a swift kiss to her cheek. “But be careful.”

She tweaks the tail of my braid. “I’ve dealt with far greater dangers for more years than you’ve been alive, nieta.”

“And conquered all,” says Grandfather. He grins as he evades Grandmother’s slap at his arm. “You’re quite a bit like her, you know.” He throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close.

“Am I?” I gaze up into his dark eyes. “Really?”

“Mucho. Sometimes when I look at you, I see her when we first met. And the same stubborn, glorious spirit … ” Grandfather coughs and releases me. “Now—off you go with your mom. We’ll meet you back at the compound.”

I nod and follow my mother to one of the rovers. Raid and his mom are already inside, bracing Dace between them.

“No room.” I back away as Connor Patel jumps in the front seat next to my mother who—no surprise—is driving.

“Sure there is,” says Raid, flashing me a grin. “There’s my lap.”

He looks so odd—one eye closed to just a slit, the purple bruise discoloring the skin from his left temple down his jawline—and yet, there’s that devilish smile. As if none of it matters. As if he’s still just as handsome as ever.

I have to admire that confidence. That lack, if I really think about it, of ego.

“It might be a bumpy ride. You’ll have to hang onto me.” I climb into the back seat and settle on his lap.

“Not a problem.” He wraps his arms around me, accidentally elbowing Dace in the process.

I catch Dace’s eye. He smiles wanly and gives a little jerk of his head toward Raid.

“Boyfriend,” he mouths silently at me. Fortunately Raid’s distracted by something on the horizon.

“Friend,” I say quite firmly, and out loud. “Who’s a boy.”

“Hey!” Raid tightens his grip. “What’re you two talking about?”

“Oh, nothing,” I say, patting Raid’s bare knee.

Dace doesn’t speak, but I catch a smile spreading over his face before he lowers his head to examine his splinted arm.

***

Our medical clinic appears deserted except for Mia Lin, who’s slumped over a desk in the front room. Her head rests upon her crossed arms, her dark hair veiling her face.

I tiptoe past her. No sense in waking her—she’s earned her rest. Once we returned to the compound, she set about checking those of us who were in the cavern, even Kam. Of course, most of her attention was focused on Dace’s concussion. Not surprising that he has one, but a concern.

I know Dace is resting in one of the tiny exam rooms despite his uncle’s protests that he’d be better off on the ship. Mia Lin and Boris, the other colony medic, had prevailed, arguing that since the Augusta Ada’s best first-aid officer was no longer available, Dace had better stay at the clinic for observation. At least overnight.

I frown, remembering how this mention of Calla silenced Connor Patel.

Slipping though the half-open door, I spy Dace in one of the clinic’s narrow beds. He’s lying on his back, his face turned to the ceiling, eyes closed. Boris, who’s leaning against the corrugated metal wall, puts a finger to his lips as I move close to the bed.

“Can I sit with him for a bit?” I whisper. “Give you a break. I’ll call you immediately if I think he needs help.”

Boris looks me up and down before nodding in reply. “Immediately,” he mutters as he walks by me. “Be right outside.”

“Of course.” I wait for the medic to leave before pulling the room’s lone chair closer to the bed.

Dace’s eyes fly open. “He’s gone?”

“Yes, but you’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“Too much on my mind.” Dace tilts his head to look at me. “Where’d you go, after we got back? Saw Raid’s mom check you over, but then you guys were out the door.”

His damaged arm is now encased in a soft plastic pressure cast; his other arm is draped limply over his chest. I press my fingers over his good hand and feel the steady thump of his heart.

“Raid and Emie and I—we went to the rec hall to talk to the other kids. Raid rounded them up. He’s pretty good at that.”

“Like the Pied Piper,” mutters Dace.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, old Earth story. You never heard it?”

“No.” I stare at Dace’s face for a second. His eyes are half closed, but I sense he’s watching me closely. “Anyway, we talked to all the colonists between the ages of ten and twenty, or thereabouts. Wanted to give them the real story—about Promissium, but also the Selk. And what the mining might do, for good or bad. Wanted to see what they thought.”

“What was the consensus?”

“Well … ” Keeping my fingers curled about his, I pull Dace’s hand closer to the edge of the bed. “It was weird. Raid talked about the Selk and how he felt around them. That we needed to protect them somehow. And Emie brought up the whole business of the genetic purity laws and how none of us would probably be allowed to travel to Earth anyway. And I … ”

“You?” Dace gazes at me from under those impossibly thick lashes. “What did you say, Ann?”

I cover our joined fingers with my other hand and draw them to my chest, pressing them over my heart. “I said I’d realized, finally, that Eco was my home. No—our home. And I wasn’t about to let our home be destroyed just so we could collect a few credits.”

“So—no mining? What about the benefits of Promissium?” Unless I’m mistaken, there’s a sparkle of devilment in Dace’s dark eyes. “Not that I want the Selk harmed, you understand. But scientifically … ”

“Hah! See, even you’re torn.” I lower our clasped hands to the bed.

“I am. I admit it.” Dace examines me, his lower lip rolling out into that familiar pout. “But you’ve a suspiciously smug look about you, Ann Solano. I think you have more to tell me.”

“That’s the great part!” I don’t realize I’ve raised my voice until Boris pokes his head in.

“We’re fine.” Dace waves him aside.

“Should be sleeping … ” Boris’ voice trails off as he walks away.

“Great part?” Dace clenches my fingers tighter.

I squeeze back. “Hang on, I’m getting there.” Straightening in the chair, I lift my chin and look down my not inconsiderable nose at him—with any luck, just as my grandmother would. “You, Dacian Keeling, are looking at one of the most brilliant people on Eco.”

“One of? Not
the
?”

“Oh, now, I can’t claim that. There’s Emie, you know. And my family. And … ” I can’t keep a grin from spreading over my face, “ … you’re here.”

He laughs—a loud, full-bodied guffaw. We have to wave Boris off again before we can continue talking.

“Anyway, the thing is—Raid and Emie led the discussion, but as they were talking, it occurred to me maybe there was another way to handle the situation. So I made a proposal, and everyone immediately jumped all over it. They’re going to take it to their parents and the other adults this evening.”

“Way to drag out the suspense. This isn’t story hour, you know.” Dace releases my hand and grabs the opposite bed rail. “So what’s the deal?” He struggles to pull himself into a sitting position.

As I lean in and adjust his pillows to prop him up, he uses his good hand to draw me close. “Spill.”

I stare into those dark eyes. Not only beautiful, but also brimming with intelligence. “Well, we’ve decided we
will
mine Promissium, but not on a grand scale. We’ll do it manually, or with light equipment. Just take a bit here and there, from all the caves we can find. That way, we can all collect some extra credits and share the mineral with those that need it without destroying the Selk’s habitat.”

“And who’s going to do this mining?” Dace’s lips are only inches from mine.