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plague.*
    *But you’re all still there.*
    *Still alive, but not on Olyanda.*
    *What do you need us to do?*
    *Get the first shuttle off-planet to a neutral station. I’ll meet you there.*
    There was a significant pause before she answered.
*Not going to happen. Ricky would love a trip off-world, but you think I could possibly get Rion off this farm?*
    Ben fought down rising frustration. His older brother might as well have been welded to the land.
    *I’m worried Crowder will try to use you as a bargaining chip.*
    *You think we’re in danger?*
    *I’d be happier if you all found a bolt-hole and kept your heads down in case someone comes calling. Can you find anexcuse to bring Kai home? He’s a sitting target in Arkhad. The university’s too close to the city.*
    *Kai’s on a field trip to one of the moon arcologies. He’s safer than any of us.*
    *That’s good. Warn him, but don’t trust the house’s regular comms links. Your line might be bugged already.*
    *Understood.*
    Ben saw Cara begin to sway sideways. The call had taken long enough.
    *That’s it for now, Nan. We’ll be in touch again as soon as we can. Love you.*
    *Love you, too, boy. Take care, both of you.*
    *We will.*
    He felt Cara close off the conversation and her eyes opened.
    â€œThanks,” he said. “You followed all that?”
    â€œI did. Will Nan be able to persuade Rion to leave the farm?”
    Ben thought of his brother. Stubbornness was his strength and his failing.
    â€œProbably not, but at least they’re warned now.”

    Kitty Keely pushed down panic. Had she overstepped her authority? Would she get a medal or a reprimand? Hell, she was so out of her depth her feet might never touch the bottom again. It had all started when Akiko Yamada, Alphacorp’s director, had called her into her office in Sandnomore, Alphacorp’s headquarters in the Saharan Rainforest, and personally instructed her to spy on Ari van Blaiden. She wanted to know all his dirty little secrets.
    â€œYou’re van Blaiden’s type. You’re ideally placed in his department. Get close to the man.”
    â€œHow? I mean . . .”
    Ms. Yamada had looked at her over her entirely unnecessary retro-fashion spectacles and said, “Use your initiative, Ms. Keely.”
    She’d swallowed. “You want me to sleep with him?”
    â€œNo, Ms. Keely, sleep is the last thing I had in mind. I want you to fuck him bowlegged if that’s what it takes. I don’t care how you do it, but win his confidence. My Telepath, Rufus, will contact you for a weekly report.”
    â€œBut you can’t order me to—”
    â€œYour reluctance is noted. Perhaps I can sweeten this for you a little. You mother has recently been diagnosed with Ren-Parry Syndrome.”
    Kitty swallowed and nodded numbly. It was curable, but the treatment was expensive and not available in Shield City. She’d applied for a loan—Damn, was that how Ms. Yamada knew? Weren’t those things confidential?
    â€œForty thousand credits,” Ms. Yamada said. “That’s the full cost of a course of treatment. Such a pity to lose a loved one for lack of a mere forty thousand credits.”
    Forty thousand didn’t seem mere to Kitty. “I’ve applied for a loan.”
    â€œWhich will be refused.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œBut I will personally make sure your mother receives the best of care at Alphacorp’s clinic in Switzerland. Keep the reports coming and your mother’s course of treatment will continue.”
    â€œWhat if I can’t get him interested?”
    â€œThat would be a pity. I understand that unless the course is one hundred percent completed the treatment isn’t effective at all.”
    Kitty had left Ms. Yamada’s office in shock. She’d taken the York flight from Sandnomore with her mind spinning in circles. She was the right size and shape