{Earth}

“Reipon.”

Taken aback, Chris’s brows shot to his fantastic hairline.

Jack caught their surprised expressions and nodded. He asked over the comms, “Are you sure, Tumu?”

Ross held her breath and squeezed Karter’s hand.

“Yup. The vendor transferred her via conduit from Earth to Reipon. I promise I knew nothing about this secret economy or I would’ve stopped it. I have stopped it.” The Officer of the Third sounded sincere and a little ashamed.

Chris liked Tumu and wished the Tritan were worthy enough of the trust they kept having to place in him.

A sob broke from the teenage girl, and Karter pulled her in for a hug. “We’ve got a heading, Ross. We’ll find her.”

Jack’s face fell as he watched the girl lose herself in the Valkyrie’s comfort. Chris hurt for all of them.

“Your majesty, there are still some complications you need to be aware of before we send out a search party.”

The other shoe had to drop. Jack nodded as he ordered, “Go ahead.”

Tumu explained the current events like he grew tired of delivering bad news, “There’s an embargo preventing Progeny from entering Enki. That includes you and Ross.”

The girl croaked, “How can we get there, then? Sagan?”

They practically heard the Tritan nod in agreement. “I was just about to suggest that. However, there are other dangers. That nacre disabler that hit you earlier this week? Jack, it’s getting around. We’ve got ancient Seamswalkers stealing our prisoners and one intentions reader completely out of commission.”

They let the information sink in during his pause.

“If I might recommend… lie low for a while. I’ll send in an agent or two to feel around. It’s possible she went to Reipon for auction—”

“Auction?!” Ross cried out. Her face contorted in pain as she searched the room for someone to tell her she heard that wrong.

Chris cleared his throat and asked, “Officer Tumu. What sort of auction?”

As if it took him a second to consider how to answer, the Tritan fell silent. Eventually, he said, “There are laws in the Collective that protect her until she’s eighteen years old. The textile mills on Lukemore most likely employed her. The silk trade there always requires more labor. Don’t worry. I’ll send out some people to investigate. By the time they find something, the embargo will be lifted.”

Jack squared his shoulders and started sternly, “Tumu—”

“I promise. It will be lifted.” He meant it. The entire room relaxed at the certainty in his voice. “Wait some time before employing Sagan’s means of travel. I don’t like the situation here on the surface.”

The King Regent of Earth wet his lips with a glance at Ross before he asked, “How’s my sister? Have you checked on Rayne?”

The Tritan chuckled. “Don’t you worry about your sister. She’s the safest person in the entire Vast Collective. On my word. Over and Out.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Jack smiled across the device at Ross. “We have a lead.”

The young woman looked a little shocky, but then Karter smiled down at her. Chris grinned, too. Infected by the love in the room—because that’s what it was—Ross glowed. Her lips spread into a fantastic smile she must have kept hidden under all that practical, too-afraid-to-hope.

The device came to life. “Jack? King of Cinder? Kiddo that lost his tooth trying to peek at me changing clothes in his sister’s room?”

Oh, hell! Jack’s face flushed like a tomato. Chris doubled over and laughed until his eyes water.

“Tameka, thanks for calling. We needed that,” Karter answered.

Ross popped a brow at the mortified teenage boy who stared hard at the floor like it was the most important surface in the stronghold.

“I have Pax. We’re coming to see his daddy’s—” A slight hitch in Tameka’s breath clogged her voice. “We’ll visit the stronghold in a few days. Hopefully, we’ll have a better idea about the embargo by then, too.”

“Uh. Thanks, Tameka.” Jack still kept his hazel eyes on the floor.

“Aw. I’m sorry. Ross, don’t you worry. He got over me by ninth grade.”

Jack bolted out of the room. Ross, bewildered, stared after him.

“Haha!” Chris choked on his laughter. Until he saw the look Karter gave him.

That statuesque Valkyrie folded her corded arms in a stance that said, “We won’t be fucking tonight if you don’t make it up to Jack.”

Shit.

Chris nodded and left the room to the sound of Karter giving Fury a lesson in sensitivity. The woman apologized furiously. She didn’t consider for one second Ross was actually in the room.

“Jack?” Chris called up the glass stairwell.

The kid popped his head out of an archway. “I’m in the study, you traitor.”

Chris rushed up there, still fucked up over the stair mechanics. “I’m sorry. Tameka is very sorry. We’re all sorry. You know we’re all seeking a little light in all this dark. Jokes are comforting.”

Jack waved him away as he plopped on the couch. “It’s not that.” He looked at the fire a second before adding, “I talked to Ross. She’s aware I like her, but she needs to find her sister. And I respect that. Damn, do I understand. So… I’m giving her some space.” When he turned and locked his serious gaze on Chris, it sent the older man recoiling. “I’m trying to respect that. I’d like for you to do the same.”

Caught. “Okay. Yea. Of course. You’re both good kids. Karter and I just want you happy.”

“Happy doesn’t mean together like that, necessarily.”

Wow. Chris was watching Jack grow up before his very eyes. “You’re turning out all right, did you know that?” He ruffled the young man’s light brown hair.

“Yea. Yea.” Jack straightened it and peered toward the entryway.

Karter and Ross joined them. “Hey,” the Valkyrie called.

Ross went to the shelves and pulled down one of Xelan’s diaries. “I wonder if there’s any information on Reipon auctions or Lukemore textile mills?”

“That’s a great idea.” Jack hopped up and snatched a volume for himself. It was the perfect change of subject. Until the teenager frowned at the page he opened. “Karter, you’re in this one.”

“Oh, yea?” She smiled at the celebrity mention. With a skip in her step, she hopped over to him and glanced at the page. The color drained from her dark gray complexion.

Chris walked over with a frown. He didn’t like his girl upset. “What is it?”

“…And she refused to discuss her pregnancy with me. I care for her so much. Her lack of trust in me hurt. I endeavor to try again tomorrow…”

Jack met Chris’ eyes over the book. Then they both turned and looked at her. She’d hung her head and looked away.

In… shame?

No. Chris reached out to her. To take her hand and tell her, “It was okay.”

But Karter snatched back. First time for everything.

Ross watched the entire transaction. Her face tightened in concern. Gently, she reached out, “Karter. I think I speak for everyone when I say this is a safe place. For all of us. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to. Just know that we’re all here for you.”

Chris couldn’t have said it better, himself. He smiled cautiously. “Ditto.”

The Valkyrie smiled softly with a sniffle. Her voice hoarse with emotion, she said, “Right. It’s not something I’m ready to share. Not yet.”

Jack blurted out, “Who’s ready to play Twister?”

Slowly, they turned to him.

Chris also blurted, “I call Ross’ team!

After three heartbeats and a quick shuffle around the stronghold, they found themselves in a tangle of limbs and giggles.

“Okay, Jack. Right hand… blue.”

“Fuck.”

Sometimes things got too serious with the whole end of the world business. Sometimes friends just needed to play a game and ridicule each other. They needed to hug upside-down and cross-legged. It made the losses easier to bear. And the ones to come easier to face. Keep moving forward.

Together.