“K-Force? The Mec vigilantes?” I laugh. “You’re dreaming. You’re just a teenager. When did you have time to join the space cops?” He shifts into a cross-legged position. “I was fourteen when I volunteered. Bron and I presented ourselves to Johnny as defectors in Melee. The K-Force knew that he wouldn’t turn down the chance to have two young Mecs for servants, but they didn’t know about what he would make us do.” Ben sighs. “We were supposed to subvert that first run so that the K-Force could intercept Imreas and rescue the Touched in his cargo. We failed. “We weren’t able to get in contact to regroup as easily as I hoped,” he continues. “And I didn’t even figure it out until the last run.” He holds up his wrist. “I’m routing the signal through this.” I remember the squealing sound that came from Ben’s com back on Earth City when we were above the smog in the hover cab. I get to my feet, and Ben follows, still waiting for me to say something. “So you’re a spy, and everything you do here .
