{Earth}

“And we know from this anonymous Verse that there existed planets in the Vast Collective that lived in peaceful communal harmony. We can follow that example. In three days, I plan to visit a few refuges. I’m sorry I can’t say which ones in advance, but I’m sure those listening can understand why. I’ll take account of any grievances in our current system and prepare measures to address them. Please, have patience. This world we’re building is new. But it’s first and foremost yours. Thank you.”

Chris gripped Jack’s slumped shoulder as the young man disengaged from the comms device. “Great announcement, kid.” Iron Hope, the Iona network’s train, rocked and pitched the tall black man until he gripped a handle. He whistled, signaling a change of subject, “Tracks through Mexico are kind of rough.”

“I don’t like that we can’t tell them in advance.” The seventeen-year-old planetary monarch looked up at Chris with earnest, hazel eyes. “Every time we visit a community, they’re upset they weren’t prepared. No matter how much I explain that we don’t care about provisions or the state of lodgings, the people still feel inadequate.” He angrily shoved a tan, white hand through his short dark hair, as he sighed and leaned back in the booth. The scenery outside the cafe car took his attention, then.

This argument got harder with every visit. “After Imminent’s last attempt on your life, we can’t be too careful. And you need to give people more credit. They look forward to your visits. Lack of preparedness only disrupts things initially. After the first day, everything comes together.” Chris patted the back of the boy’s booth. “Have faith, your royal pain-in-the-ass.”

“Hey! It’s our two favorite boys,” Karter called through the noise of the train as the door closed behind her.

The sight of her sent Chris’ blood traveling to so many places. Tall, strong, fierce. Her gray skin darker than most Icari. Her voice a deep, sinful melody. She braided back her rainbow-colored hair recently. He loved it now, and he loved it when she styled it as a mohawk. He mostly just loved her.

There was a goofy grin stuck on his face. Slapping it off, he greeted both her and the young human lady in her company. “Hey girls, how was the mission?”

Judging by the forlorn look on Ross’ face, he hesitated to guess. The Story Taker’s own sister spent the last two years following Cult of Night leads to locate the youngest sister, Bethany. Karter accompanied Ross on every mission at Jack’s request.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The teenage boy sure perked up in the brunette girl’s presence. “I can send more assets with you next time. I’m sure we’ll find her soon.”

Chris almost blew the air out of his cheeks. He glanced up at Karter. Over Ross’ head, the Icarean female’s eyes went tight. This was a mess.

“Fuck it. Let’s retrace our steps again, starting with square one.” Chris hunkered down and drew circles and squares on a nearby notebook like a playbook. “We know the Icarus that attacked your residence took her to the local CoN compound—”

“The same one Lucy and Matt worked in,” Karter pointed out with renewed optimism.

“She’s gone.”

The entire car turned to Ross.

“I’ll never find her. I—” She hiccuped and tears fell from her soft hazel eyes. She hung her head and sobbed. “She was only twelve.”

Jack knelt and put his face in hers. “We will find her. I will never stop looking for her.” He brushed thick wavy hair back from her face. “Can you hold out a little longer for me?”

This qualified as the closest thing to a romantic act from him so far. Jack ruled an entire planet from a train. And he did it pretty well. But with his crush on Ross, the boy seized up. Floundered like a fish out of water. With this, there might be hope for him, yet.

The girl nodded with a sniffle that broke Chris’ heart.

“Okay. So, let’s do this. Please, continue, Batman.” Jack nodded to the diagrams.

“Like Karter—” Chris didn’t bother to control the wink in her direction. It got a giggle out of Ross, so job well done. “…explained, Matt and Lucy were at the same compound but saw no one matching Bethany’s description.”

Karter picked it up from there, “So we know they transferred out. Two Enforcers we interrogated told us the underage girls went to the Utah compound.”

“We went there and found nothing but a burnt city,” Jack began and rubbed the back of his neck. Both women stared at the boy—codenamed Robin—captivated by his speech. Freaking twenty on charisma. “There was a trail of girls taken, but not by Icari. It led us here.” He gestured to the area. “Hey, I’ll get in touch with Matt. I think I have an idea.”

The eighteen-year-old girl shook her head. “I don’t know. He’s nice and all but—”

“He and Lucy incinerated eighty CoN compounds in the last two years. Alone.” Chris raised his eyebrows. “That’s not just efficiency. That’s fucking savage.”

Karter grinned. “I like ’em just fine.” Her Valkyrie muscles bunched as she fiddled with the chain on her neck.

Damn.

Jack licked his lips. “I’ll admit they’re two crazy characters that standout in an already hard-to-believe story. But my sister and the Progeny trust them. So do I.”

Ross took a harrowing breath that shuddered. The room turned to her. “I need to see my brother soon.”

“We can absolutely arrange that,” Jack offered.

She smiled warmly at him. “Thank you.” Her gaze swept over each of them. “Thank you, all.”

Karter pulled her in for a side hug. “This is what it means to be one of us. We take care of each other.”

Chris chuckled and threw them all in a group hug. Emphasis on getting Jack close to Ross. The kid needed a healthy distraction from post apocalyptic clean up. Ross needed a healthy distraction from her worries. A little dating couldn’t hurt.

Karter whispered in a sultry voice against Chris’ ear, “Para’s coming to visit this week.”

Nope. Couldn’t hurt a thing.