> Non-citizens do qualify as link targets for the lesser AI used in the competition. I suppose they would be legal targets for Overmind links. Of course, no one would ever link them to an Overmind… If the Overmind really linked to Maffiyir contestants of its own initiative, I find that concerning.

>

> – Radio transmission from Voices for Non-Citizens

You’re sure you can’t give Gavin the ability to restore limbs as a Specialty? It’s all he’s wanted for so long. He’s been working so hard on it. He’ll take any abilities he needs.

Why?! Healing Touch can fix a pulverized leg. Why can’t any ability replace a completely destroyed one?

Well, tell me more about the restrictions. Maybe I can help you figure it out. Maybe we can find a way around them.

I considered the suggestion. Gavin still had a little while before he earned his Specialty. Once he got his 11th ability, I could always ask Ariel to elevate the priority. That’s fine, as long as you’re confident his 10th ability choice won’t ruin his options.

Well, that wouldn’t be a problem. We had tons of abilities lined up that fulfilled those criteria.

I’d vetoed several of Gavin’s initial suggestions, because the abilities either wouldn’t work the way he’d expected or had lackluster added capability at high synergy. I’d offered him a narrow list to choose from and was very pleased at the one he’d selected… if a little confused.

“I’m still trying to convince Ariel to give you a Regeneration Specialty eventually. She doesn’t seem to be budging, but I’m trying.”

“Should I not take an ability now?” Gavin asked.

“It should be fine,” I said. “But wait until-”

I cut off, sighing as my son slumped to the ground with a moan, clutching his head.

That had been a boneheaded move on my part. Even without my Eidetic Memories to back me up, the past twenty-four hours had been enough to show me how impulsive and excited Gavin was. He’d likely selected his ability the moment he’d heard anything like an “okay.”

I reached down and cradled him in my arms, speaking softly. “I wish you’d waited until we got back to our quarters. Sensory augments are always rough to acquire, and you probably had really high synergy on it, didn’t you?”

Gavin whimpered.

Thanks, Ariel, I told the AI silently. He’s getting data from all the vibrations he senses, yeah?

“Ariel? Anyone else? Suggestions on making things easier on Gavin?”

Ariel didn’t respond, and I grimaced. Typical: “ease of use” definitely wasn’t something she was good at evaluating.

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Pointy spoke up. “Perhaps we could rig a hammock in our quarters? That would limit his points of physical contact with the outside world to the greatest extent, especially if the rest of us remain in the Quarry. I would suggest someone take him flying, but the arrival of the twotwos makes that… risky.”

“That’s a good idea,” said Vince. “Micah, come give me a hand!”

“I’m gonna help too!” Cassie called, scampering after him.

That seemed doubtful to me, but I didn’t stop her. The fewer people I needed to interact with, the easier it was for me. Keeping up a facade of normality was exhausting, but I didn’t want to add to my family’s stress.

I looked down at Gavin in my arms. Even with his face scrunched tight in discomfort, he looked adorable and innocent. I brushed a curl off his forehead. “What had you so fired up about Seismic Sense, anyway?”

I didn’t really expect a response, and was surprised when Gavin murmured back. “It’s a vibration sense, Mom.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Micah said spiders sense vibration.”

“They do.”

“So that means Seismic Sense is really spider sense.”

“Spider sense?” I was mystified. “Spiders can see, too… they have lots of senses.”

Gavin’s eyes opened, angry and offended. “No, Mom. Not real spiders. Spider sense! Like Spider-Man!”

“Oh! Oh, of course,” I said. “Sorry.”

I remembered the name Spider-Man, and that the character was Gavin’s favorite superhero, but nothing else about him was coming to mind. Presumably we had some books about him somewhere? I’d have to do a surreptitious review. Spider-Man was clearly something I was supposed to know about.

Gavin seemed satisfied for now, at least, or else he was in too much discomfort to be suspicious. I walked through the hallways, carrying him and rubbing his back, trying to limit what he touched to only myself. Every misjudged brush against stone - of my own skin or his - made him jump and flinch like he’d touched a hot stove.

Ariel, I thought. You fixed access to my memories a little bit, by accident. I’m still missing a lot, though. You made a scan of my brain before you linked to me. Can you make more changes? Give my memories back?

I sighed. Will you stop telling me the exact numbers of every ruling and legislation? At least, unless I ask.

Thanks. So, you’re restricted in how deeply you can modify your linked users?

Okay… that’s not true for contestants, though. And… I’m one of those too. So please, fix me.

There was a definite pause before Ariel responded.

My heart leapt. Yes! Yes, please!

In my arms, Gavin began to gently snore.

I smiled. His brain would keep adapting while he slept, and he’d feel better when he woke up, and then he’d have an amazing sense that would warn him about ground-based or subterranean attackers before anyone else, and would even provide limited warning about aerial attackers and projectiles. We’d earn some more Points and get my family their Specialties and get me another “level,” and I’d get some of my memories back!

Well, hopefully.

But right at this moment, hope felt more tangible than it had in a long time.

I tilted my head back. The Quarry ceiling blocked my view of the sky or the stars, but it still felt right. Somewhere out there, aliens were watching me. Some of them were cheering me on, and others wanted my death more than almost anything else in the universe. I took a deep breath, savoring it.

“I’m still alive.” I kept my voice quiet, not wanting to wake Gavin, but I still felt the need to speak aloud. “I’m still here. The Maffiyir Company has done its best to ruin my life. I’m going to return the favor.”