Page 62 of Spark Transform

“You can’t take us,” she declared loudly. She circled a finger to indicate her group. “None of us seventeen age or free-range.” Her volume dropped to half. “They’ll warrant you for hostile pickup.”

Soleil nodded. Most of the kids’ families hadn’t even missed their absent offspring when they’d moved into the studio. She knew because she’d asked Josh and Tuzan to check.

Fish could only go home to her family’s miserable rooms when her brother wasn’t there, or she came to class with rage and bruises. The other four kids had already been on the streets for months or longer, cribbing in firebombed buildings and moving often to stay ahead of predators.

Unfortunately, their families were just the type to claim heartrending suffering and loss if they saw a chance for a percentage of the restitution fines levied for kidnapping.

Soleil sighed. “You’re right. But you deserved to hear the offer from me, not from rumors. I’m looking for a safe—”

Fish interrupted. “We be on the ship.” Her low tone held solid conviction. “You just blind. You leave system, then surprise.” She gestured her fingers like a fireworks display. The other kids nodded. “Did Mags and Devonner clear?”

Soleil had the feeling she was looking at a future High Marshal or a top crew chief. “Yes.”

“Ace. Her now-crib’s a storm drain ‘cause her fa’ killed her ma’ and tried to kill her, too. Dee’s cousin wantin’ to sell him to a slice-and-haul crew ‘cause he flash monkey. Bet they like bein’ in surprise parties, too.”

Soleil hid a smile. If Fish didn’t like regular military or a life of crime, maybe Josh would take her on as an apprentice spy. Following instinct, she made Ridderth’s universal trade sign with her fist and splayed her outer fingers. “Deal.”

Fish made the answering gesture to seal the deal.

Dozens of things could go wrong and probably would, but Jumpers didn’t leave Jumpers behind. Or kids.

Soleil removed the glossy civilian percomp she wore as a mugger donation and handed it to Fish. “Carry this for me. I might break it, and it’ll have valuable information.”

Fish grinned as she took it. “Cert!” She pocketed it as she turned to her friends. “Split and jet. Rig for the downbelow.”

They sealed up their coats and headed for the door, where Josh was already letting others out.

Soleil made herself stay in the chair to give the adults an opportunity to ask questions, but none did. A few lingered for a moment in quiet conversations with each other, but the rest just pulled up their hoods and left.

The room was all but empty by the time Rustom dragged a bench closer and sat next to her. “Kids comin’?”

“Not that you or I know of until after we go transit.”

“Got it.” Rustom’s mouth twitched in amusement. “I need an hour to grab my kit. Where do you want me?”

Thank the gods of chaos that her friends were do-it-now Jumpers. “Spaceport. I’ll ping you with the location and entry codes. We’ll need to secure the airlock. Will your Base Supply contact sell us more toys tonight?” They still had the gear acquired for Haseem’s rescue, but she’d like more options.

Rustom grinned. “If the price is right, they’d sell us a crate of fully-charged planetfall mech suits and railguns.”

Soleil grinned back. “I’ll send you a list and the auth keys to a fat payment account. Use your judgment on what to buy at what price. We don’t want them suspicious enough to want a piece of the action. Not looking for a fight, but will if we have to.”

“Sync that.” He rose from the bench and stood. His torso turned, but his legs didn’t move. He looked down at his feet. “Fecking hell.” His hands balled into fists.

Soleil stood and stepped to face him. “Rustom, look at me.”

He looked up, but his eyes were tight with frustration.

“Hands.” She held up fists of her own between them and opened them slowly, letting the tension go with a deep breath in and out.

He mimicked her, then took another slow breath on his own.

“Any red from your processor?” She doubted the implanted processor that controlled his cybernetic legs was throwing error messages, but it was easy to check.

“No, just the low battery warning like always.” Despair crept into his expression. “This is the feckin’ waster’s, wantin’ attention.”

The battery would take time, but this, she could help him with now. “Just like in class. Visualize turning your foot, then again. Then do it.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment, then looked down. His foot turned. He shifted his weight and sidestepped, then followed with the other foot. Concentration etched his face as he took several more smooth steps. “That’s done it.”