Redemption

Redemption Part 4

Sym's face popped up in front of me and hovered, translucent, over the dashboard. Her blue-purple eyes sparkled in surprise.

"Jet? Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Not a holomask."

"You never know."

Could she have heard about the operation? "What do you mean?"

"I hardly got to know the real you."

"Sorry about that. I wasn't acting any different than normal—just...not showing my face."

"Yeah, a lot of people do the opposite. I could see the real you was the same no matter what face you wore. One reason why I decided to rescue you."

"Thank you, Sym."

"Felt good putting Dazzle in her place. She thinks she's all that, but really, she's pretty average as Nobility goes. Although...she sure is giving the Powers the runaround."

"Powers?"

"That's what we call you. The Royalty, I mean, not you personally."

"What do you call me?"

"Jet. Well...Flyboy, sometimes."

"Oh." I had to wonder whether they had more unkind nicknames for me...although I was still a celebrity among them, for some reason I couldn't fathom. Why would I be well-loved, and not my father? Well, he was the one who had put them in Q....

"I was wondering whether you'd forgotten about us."

"I'd never forget you! You don't really know me very well, but I'd never forget someone who saved me, and I never go back on my word."

"That's what I thought. But when we didn't hear from you...."

"I was grounded. I couldn't even go out of my room."

"Your dad imprisoned you?"

"Yeah, basically. I...would've still been trapped in my room, only Dad gave me a second chance. I'm coming down to Q, and I'm going to help look for Dazzle."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful!"

"I...have something else to tell you. To ask you. Is it okay if I...stay over at your house?"

The car skimmed low over the trees, and a soft beep indicated the car had homed in on Sabra's location.

"I'll have to ask Euphoria. It's okay with me—in fact, it's more than okay. Despite the move, we're kinda going crazy in here. Because of the crackdown, we're basically staying in the house. And everything's strewn all over, and I'm always tripping over stuff, and the little girls practically went feral as soon as we arrived, and I have no idea where they are most of the time." She smiled wryly and swept back a strand of golden hair from her face. "I mean—thank your dad for giving us the new house. It's saved our sanity.... Even though it's caused some chaos, if we didn't have this space, the pressure would just be too much. For me, anyway. And we all could use some hope."

"We... just might have to wait to find Echo. Till all this dies down."

Disappointment spread over her features, and I felt a pang of remorse. "I know...it's probably not the best time. But then again—it might be."

"What do you mean?"

"I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Why don't we wait till you arrive." She looked around, as if someone might be watching. I took the hint. I wanted to tell her about my idea too, but it was probably best I didn't do it over a com. Especially not with Aura present.