Connor blipped onto the plate and gave a quick thumbs up to Stephanie, signaling that the ceiling was attached.

"Great, now we just need to work on the hard part," Stephanie said.

"What's the hard part?" Connor began taking his suit off.

"Another wall around that, pressurization, oxygen, a new room for an exit, setting up supplies like oxygen tanks, and a terminal to send text messages," she said. "Do you mind getting Teresa in here? I wonder if I can work out a deal with her suit."

He stumbled over, getting his last leg out. Imagining Stephanie in a skintight suit was, to him, a good image. Though his fatigue took over, and he rubbed his eyes to keep them open. "Yes, boss."

"I'm curious about how it's pressurized. I think we could use it," she said.

"Ah, I see, I see," Connor said. "Where is Teresa?" he asked her. After speaking that out loud, he realized he hadn't seen Teresa much lately, not since Stephanie took him to France. She never made eye contact with her or said hello, only passing glances.

Joules shook and trotted to the garage door, and the hybrid stood and began scratching the wood, wanting to get in.

"What?" Surprised, he hurried to Joules and calmed her down before walking into the garage. He tiptoed around clutter and tools, as somehow the garage was messier than the living room. Joules hurried to the middle and circled around a large saucer, it reminded him of something he'd seen in old sci-fi comics.

"Whoa, Joules," Teresa slid out from under the saucer. Debris powdered off her coveralls, and she leaned up to catch Connor checking out her work. "Hey, need something?"

"How did Joules learn your name?" Connor said.

She raised a brow. "We're friends now."

"No, you're not." Connor picked up a piece of curved glass and looked through it.

"Where's Connor?" she said, and Joules ran to him. "Where's Teresa?" and Joules ran back to her.

"I don't fucking believe this."

She laid back on her roller seat and swerved around. "I've been taking her for a W-A-L-K when you've been going to Mars, as I figured I needed to get on her good side."

Joules perked up and ran back into the living room.

"Really?" Connor said.

And Joules ran straight to Teresa, gripping the leash in her mouth. "Yeah, I have," she said.

"I did not know," he said. "Sorry, I may have overreacted."

She gave a half-smile. "How can I help you?"

"Stephanie wants you to give me your anti-grav suit."

Her eyebrows perked up. "I don't think you have the right figure, but I'll pay to see you wear it."

"No, no, not for me."

"For Stephanie?" she said.

"Yeah."

"I bet you'd want to see that now, wouldn't you?" Teresa said.

"What?"

"Nothing," Teresa dismissed the thought of Stephanie wearing her suit. "But I think she might be too tall for it."

"No, no, not for wearing. The pressurization."

"Oh," Teresa drew. She spun in a circle and tapped the sides of her head in thought. "Sure," she put her feet down and stopped spinning. "But under one condition."

"What's that?" Connor picked up another piece of equipment and examined it. It was thin and metallic, like a non-see-through version of the piece of glass he held.

"Walking Joules takes a couple of hours, and I've been doing it for a while now," Teresa said. "I'd like you to do something for me. It is just one night and one night only. I'd say I've earned it."

"And what's that?"

"I'd like to take you to the dance."

"Fuck no."

Jarred and stunned, she stared at him in silence. She leaned back and rolled under her saucer. "I'll lend her the suit tonight," she said as she started fiddling with something out of Connor's view. "Let her know Dr. Rodrigues helped with the pressurization, she knows who that is."

"Great." he stepped into the corridor that leads to the living room. "Joules." She trotted to his side—leash still in her mouth—and he closed the garage door. Stephanie stared up at him without moving her head.

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"So she'll lend it to me tonight?" Stephanie asked.

"Yeah. She mentioned some doctor."

"Rodrigues, I'm sure, great."

Connor grabbed Joules' harness and put it on her. "I'm taking her for a walk, or she's going to throw a fit."

"Teresa already did that today," Stephanie continued typing.

"Today even. Didn't know." Connor began petting her.

"Every day."

He groaned, unsure whether to be mad about Joules sneaking in multiple walks a day and acting like she hadn't gotten one or that maybe he shouldn't be so mad at Teresa.

"Well, she'll still freak out, so I'll be heading home," Connor yawned.

As he leashed her up and was about to leave, Stephanie swirled her chair in his direction. The fatigue was evident on Connor's face. He hasn't been sleeping, and even Stephanie can tell his anxiety has grown. It's a look she saw in herself not too long ago. And considering he was okay while still being abused by Axel at home, she knew he was thinking of Teresa.

"Connor," she emphasized, "it's a lonely world without forgiveness."

He didn't respond immediately, as it didn't feel like she wanted a response. "I hear ya," he acknowledged and went out the door, tossing his hood up to block the wind, and they started their usual neighborhood walk. Joules's eyes shone with each passing street light, and a small flurry floated in front of them. Feeling the snowy night, he felt that lonely world.

He breathed into his hands, took his phone out, and opened a new text message window. Other than texts from Stephanie—unfortunately, work-related—he has received none in months.

"Sorry about what I said earlier. I'll take you to Sadie Hawkins," he texted Teresa.

"Awesome," she wrote, "I look forward to it." Followed by a few hearts and kisses.

That doesn't mean I forgive you, Connor thought, and he realized something. "When is the dance?" he texted.

"Haha," she also added a laughing emoji.

"?"

"Oh, you're serious. It's tomorrow."

Oh, Connor thought. Guess I'll have to get a tux in the morning.

It got windier, and Connor picked up the pace and got home. He repeatedly exhaled once inside as if to eject the cold air. Now it was homework time and then some video games. At least he was feeling good about his evening, better than average. Yet, something caught his eye. Something on the couch with long dark hair was about to ruin his relaxing evening.

"Olivya?"

Taken aback, she responded quickly, "I was wondering who that was. You're supposed to be working."

"The heck? ‘You're supposed to be working.' You don't even live here. Get out."

Olivya crossed her legs on the couch. "Axel invited me. You don't own this house."

"Where is he?" Connor walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.

"He said he had a job interview and gave me the garage code to get in and wait for him."

Whoa, Connor thought. There's no way he's suddenly gonna start working unless Tabitha forces him to. "Axel? A job interview? Did Hell freeze over?"

"That's what he told me."

He pointed up the stairs, and Joules followed the command. "Whatever. Just keep it quiet while you swap STDs."

"See! Right there," Olivya blurted. "Those little comments get to Axel."

"Don't give me that. You took his side after spending two hours with him."

"He's sweet," Olivya defended Axel's honor.

"The dog bite," Connor said. "You seriously think I commanded Joules to attack him?"

"Yes."

"Why would I harm someone so sweet?"

She dug to find an answer but couldn't. "Because you're a dick," she finally said, feeling good with more of a smack talk response than a proper answer to Connor.

"I'm glad he's nice to you, Olivya. I hope it stays that way." Connor went up the stairs to his room and tried his best to do his homework.

***

"There are ten scientists in this world who are above everyone else. Like Einstein before them, if their work became public, it would change everything. How we think, travel, believe, and govern. All different. E equals M C squared was discovered in 1905. A population of one point seven billion." Mr. Furyk said. "Our population has grown, along with the number of Einsteins, all hidden from the public. Your neighbor behind you is one of those Einsteins. She has the power to assassinate anyone she wants at any moment. Imagine America, your country, defeating its enemies before the war was even declared."

It's a modified speech that only the privileged hear, but it resonated with those people—Mr. Furyk to the president, again to Stephanie and Teresa, and Stephanie to Connor. Now again to Axel.

Axel remained silent in the chair in front of Mr. Furyk. It was intimidating, even for Axel. Gray walls, no posters, no desk, just cameras, and many personnel watching through a glass window in a similar room.

"You will not repeat this."

Axel nodded.

"Your brother is working for Stephanie Saunders," Mr. Furyk said. "Has he said anything about his work?"

Axel nodded no.

"Nothing at all?"

No.

Mr. Furyk looked a little upset. Teenagers not blabbing about their work or day was unexpected. Even after spying on Connor's phone nonstop, Connor revealed nothing. But it showed that Axel was telling the truth.

"We know what she's capable of but unsure how. Even while she worked under us, we still don't know how her technology works. The Aeon Switch, she calls it. Our second-best can't figure it out either. Anything, a joke, a remark, has he said anything?"

Axel nodded no.

"It's a delicate situation. She could kill us all instantly if she thinks we're up to something. We won't even risk spying on her devices. Do you understand?"

Axel nodded yes.

"We'll give you thirty million dollars for any clue or information about what they're doing. How she's doing it."

"Holy—"

"Not a word," Mr. Furyk stopped him. "And it's nothing obvious. There's a large plate that glows in her living room that you can stand on. It's not the plate, in case Connor mentions it. We need something else."

Axel nodded.

"Do not break in, I repeat, do not break into her house unless you're suicidal. It's safe to knock and walk in if she lets you, but you won't learn anything that way."

Axel nodded.

"We've thought about approaching Connor himself, but we don't think he'd comply, and Stephanie might consider it an act of aggression and end us. Frankly, he likes her too much and doesn't behave like a normal teenager. Just figure it out from your brother. He's your best bet. Try to do so without Stephanie knowing. "Any clue will suffice, and you will be paid."

Axel nodded.