Case came up behind me, grabbing my hand, leading me toward the end of the street, which butted into the harbor. “What was that about?” he asked.

  I shook my head, feeling a little overwhelmed. “Claire uncovered a bunch of documents. She wants me to take a look at them tomorrow. Seems like she thinks I should recognize the name Kane. Right now, I have no recollection. Maybe I said something to her as a child?” I shrugged. “I guess I’ll know more later when I look over the files. Maybe it will trigger something.”

  We came to a stop next to Lockland and Bender, who were waiting with Daze and Knox. “They’re coming across on skis now.” Lockland gestured toward the water.

  Sure enough, I spotted Ari and Jake piloting, Paris and Hector behind them.

  Excited to see his aunt, Daze began to bounce, one of the seed packets he held shaking loose. Case snatched it before it hit the wet ground. I knew Walt had given Daze extras, but we couldn’t risk losing even a single one.

  The kid looked embarrassed as Case handed him the packet. “Sorry,” he squeaked. “I’ll be more careful. I promise!”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I told him. “Walt sprayed those packets with sealer so they wouldn’t get wet.”

  Ari and Jake efficiently directed their skis to shore, hooking their anchor cables to the two platforms that had been modified for this very purpose. Paris and Hector got off first, helping to facilitate the securing of the death machines. Once everything was settled, the four of them made their way up a short incline to greet us, albeit a little wobbly. It always took them a little time to shake out their sea legs.

  Hector’s eyes went wide as he scanned the tops of the buildings next to us. “Man, I’ll never get tired of seeing this. Paris wants to stay on the atlas, but I think we might get a place here, too. So much to explore.”

  Paris grinned. “After years of living in a cramped space below the sea, nothing really beats the openness of this city. I might actually be talked into living here…eventually.”

  “After you see my residence, you’ll definitely want one of your own.” I chuckled.

  Once Ari had a firm footing on land, Daze went in for a hug. She obliged, giving him a kiss on either cheek, careful not to upset his seed packages.

  The kid blushed to the roots of his hair. “I’m going to the farm to help Walt plant stuff,” Daze said. “Knox is taking me. I won’t be here for the tour, but Holly will show you everything. This is her city. She knows it the best.” The urchin was right. It was my city, and it seemed I was finally ready to share it.

  The plan was for Case and me to take the four of them around and show them every nook and cranny of importance, including our residence, Bender’s shop, the government buildings, the places to get food and clothing, the Emporium, and finally the barracks. It was going to be a full day.

  Knox held his hand out to Jake. “It’s nice to see you again,” Knox told him. “Holly said you’re interested in joining the new security task force.” Knox gave a nod in Lockland’s direction. “We’re definitely looking for well-trained men and women. It seems you fit that criteria. Welcome to the group.”

  Lockland and Jake had forged a bond while on New Eden. It seemed Jake had been more than well trained. Jake’s father had also passed on vital tactical measures as the head of security. We could learn from Jake.

  “The security group is coming along nicely,” Lockland agreed. “We’re still trying to get Holly on board, but she’s insisting that scavenging is the only way to survive in this place.”

  “Damn right,” I said. “We still need supplies, and honestly, having a few of us on the outside of the government will provide much-needed perspective. Wouldn’t you agree, Lockland?”

  Bender grunted his approval, crossing his arms.

  Lockland grinned. “If you say so. But I think taking Ari along with you is going too far. She’s as well trained as Jake is—an asset to the group. She also has direct influence with the militiamen from New Eden we’re training.” He turned to Ari. “I hope you’ll consider at least stopping by once in a while to give us some needed instruction.”

  “I will.” Ari smiled. “But scavenging, at least for now, sounds fun. I’d never done it before yesterday, but Holly swears I’m a natural.”

  I shrugged. “You found a pixie motor on your first try. That’s saying something. I haven’t found one in years.”

  “I’m heading back to the shop,” Bender announced. “I’ll see you there in a couple hours. I’m calling a meeting in The Middle. We’re going to start changing the way we do things, whether they like it or not. Claire is trying to open up residences, and things have gotten physical. They need the space, and we have it.”

  My eyebrows rose. “Good luck with that. Your neighbors aren’t exactly flexible.” A huge understatement. “You want some backup? We can change our plans around and be there in thirty.”

  Bender shot me a look, half exasperation, half amusement. He shook his head as he headed toward his craft. “The day I need backup in my own neighborhood is the day I fucking die. I’ll handle it. See you in a few.” He shot Hector a glance. “I’ll expect you tomorrow morning. Early. If you’re going to be working in my shop, you better show up with your expertise front and center. I don’t teach. I do.”

  Hector grinned. If Lockland and Jake had struck up an unlikely friendship, so had Hector and Bender. The boy was beyond talented when it came to fixing stuff. He was a natural. Bender had never offered to work with anyone. So it was kind of like Earth had stopped rotating on its axis. “I’ll be there, old man. You don’t got to show me nothing. I bring the knowledge you need,” Hector challenged good-naturedly.

  Bender grunted, but I spotted the ghost of a smile as he closed his door and took off. Or maybe that was a stain from aminos. Hard to know.

  Knox rested a hand on Daze’s shoulder. “We should get going. Staying most of the day. I’m bringing Walt and Darby back with us.”

  I nodded. “We’ll meet back at the Emporium at dusk. Daze wants to join us at the barracks. The seven of us will likely stay there for the night.”

  “Celia is expecting you,” Ari told Knox. “We have landing pads linked in a row on Habitat One. People will be there ready to secure the craft once you land. New handrails have been installed.” She shot me a look along with a smirk. “You’ll also receive a flotation device. Keep it on at all times.”

  “Hey, blame me for installing better safety,” I groused. “Those things you live on are accidents waiting to kill. I can’t believe you’re choosing to stay out there when land is finally within your reach.”

  “Once we manage to get you inside an atlas, you’ll see why,” Ari said. “There’s serenity there. No rain. No sound. Just pure contentment.”

  “I’m pretty solid staying right here,” I said. “But I’m betting once we get you into a sleeping pod, you’ll change your mind.”

  “See you later.” Knox gave us a nod.

  Daze looked as though he might want to give everybody a parting hug, but his arms were full. Instead, he stuck his chin out in his way, managing to gather three fingers at his forehead to give us a salute. It was adorable. “I’ll see you when I see you,” he said, his smile showing teeth.

  Case replied, “Not if we see you first.”

  We watched Knox and the kid get in the craft and take off. Then we began to walk toward our rides. I headed for Tilly, and Case headed for Seven. I shook my head. “Not again. We can’t have this argument every time.” Exasperation seeped out, so did a half giggle.

  Instead of putting up a fight, Case settled a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Take care of her. She’s yours now.” He made a sweeping gesture to encompass Seven as Jake’s mouth fell open, along with my own. Case had been giving Jake flying lessons since they’d arrived last week.

  “Are you serious?” Jake asked. “I can have this?”

  “Of course,” Case replied, walking backward toward me and Tilly. “How else are you and my sister going to get around the city?” He reached into his pocket and tossed Ari a tech phone. She snatched it out of the air with zero effort. “We’re on channel seven. Use our real names. Try to keep up. Holly is a less-talented pilot than I am, so don’t blame me if you get lost.”

  I snorted. “The actual term is better pilot. It’s a good thing Maisie’s not here,” I muttered as I popped Tilly’s door, “or I’d have her repeat it for everyone.”

  Maisie was coordinating efforts on the cruise ships and helping to keep the people under control. They were completely in awe of her, and we’d found fairly quickly that nobody could quell the masses like she could. Surprisingly, Mary had elected to join her, handing some of her seeker-rehabilitation responsibilities to Ned.

  Mary and Maisie made a good team.

  “Hundredths of degrees don’t count,” Case argued as he got into the passenger seat as I fired the craft up. Before I could tell him how wrong he was, his lips were on mine. The kiss was searing, his hand sliding behind my neck, bringing our foreheads close together. “Did you plant that pixie motor for my sister to find?”

  I kissed him again, enjoying his taste. “I may have. Do you have a problem with that? She has a gift. I can see it in her eyes. You know, eyes tell a lot about a person. They give us a glimpse into the soul. Or something like that. Cozzi used to spout stuff like that all the time. All I know is your sister is smart, and she’s got a keen eye. She’ll do well for herself here. But you don’t have to worry. She won’t be scavenging for long.”

  “Why not?” Case asked, letting go reluctantly and settling back in his seat as I lofted us into the air.

  “My guess is Claire will take her under her wing sooner rather than later,” I told him. “Groom her for a future in politics. Ari’s a leader, not a follower.”

  “That she is,” he agreed. “She has a lot to learn, but she’ll do it quickly.”

  “Yes, she will,” I said. I checked to make sure that Jake was following us.

  Case noticed my brows were knit. “What’s up?”

  “Something is scratching at the back of my brain about the name Kane, but I can’t pinpoint the memory,” I said as I cleared the building next to us, heading west. First stop was my residence. If that couldn’t persuade Ari and her friends to leave their atlases, I didn’t know what would. It felt weird exposing myself after so many years of staying hidden, but we were entering a whole new era. One with fewer secrets and more resources, better health, sustained longevity, and hope right there for the taking. Based on what we’d discovered in New Eden, there was solid evidence that we could begin to function as a real commerce again. Resources could be produced, coin reinstated. It was a wonderful thing, and in response to all this, Claire had decided to christen this time in our world as the ReGenEra. Regenerating our losses, to rebuild New Atlantic. That was the slogan for this new era, and New Atlantic was our city’s newly christened name.

  “I’m pretty sure my mother told me a story about a woman with the name Kane who’s related to us. It’s right there, making a face at me.”

  “Do you think it’s the same Kane Claire is talking about?” Case asked, his hand comfortably settled on my thigh. His warmth permeated me, making me happy. “Surnames were common back then. It could be a coincidence.”

  My gaze met his. Eyes really did tell the whole story. His were full of love, commitment, and something I couldn’t name at first. Fierce loyalty coupled with a kind of permanency I’d never felt before. He was my partner in all things. I could count on this man, whatever happened. He was my family and I loved him. “It could be a coincidence, but somehow I think not. If the memory is there, I’ll retrieve it at some point. Claire said this woman might be alive. If that’s true, we’ll have to track her down and make sure.” I banked Tilly, easing back on the throttle, coming in for a landing on my roof—our roof. “Finding her suddenly feels very important.”

  “If you share a surname, then she could be your—”

  “Grandmother,” I finished.

  His hand tightened on my thigh. “We’ll do our best to locate her.”

  “I know. But right now, we have more important things to do, like showing your sister and her partner and their friends what it means to be residents of New Atlantic.” Saying that felt strange. I set Tilly down. “Can we talk for a second about you giving Seven away? You didn’t have to do that. Lockland has access to crafts that were left behind down South. We could’ve given Jake one of those. You love that craft.”

  Case shook his head, reaching for me. His lips brushed mine. “No way. I’ve finally succumbed to the mercy of the superior pilot. No more craft wars. Wherever you go, I go.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  The next installment in the Danger World hits retailers fall 2019.

  Sneak Peek of

  AN AGENT KANE NOVEL

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Hello, and welcome to The Spire, the tallest, most integrated megascraper in the city.” The woman cradled a clear, voice-activated superboard, no bigger than an antiquated piece of paper, in the crook of her arm. “My name is Suzanne. And you must be”—she squinted down at her device as if her luminous eyes had suddenly decided to play tricks on her—“Wilhelmina KandyKane?” A small snort escaped her otherwise unruffled façade. Her hair was an elegant twist of platinum, silver streaked to give it a subtle sparkle under the ultra lights that were spaced evenly across a lobby large enough to house an entire sport arena. Her irises were refracted a mystic purple, too dark for mauve, too light to be amethyst. Her cheeks shapers were almost undetectable, save for the fact that the upper portion of her face stayed firmly in place each time she smiled. “Wasn’t that the name of the children’s screencast back in the day? Wilhelmina Hover & The Candy Cane Adventurers? It was a quest program, wasn’t it? They hid items in hologram episodes and kids had to find them. It was before my time, but I know it was popular.”

  Extremely popular.

  Mina already had her identity chip out, passing it to the woman between two fingers, nails glossed, not dyed. Mina wasn’t an anti-enhancer, but she wasn’t full tilt either. Expectations for modified appearances were fueled by public opinion. Mina sat firmly in the middling range of acceptability for her income bracket, but wasn’t remotely close to diamond status like this rep. “Yes, it was the number one screencast twenty-two years ago.” She should know. “I was unnamed my first three years to avoid accumulating interest. When the time was up, my parents allowed me to choose.” Wilhelmina Hoover had been a heroine to an inquisitive young girl like Mina. A woman who could solve any riddle, defeat any obstacle, secure every prize without ever breaking a sweat. She was just the kind of person Mina’s childlike self wanted to emulate. So why not become her? At age three it made perfect sense. Now, not so much. “I go by Mina Kane. The identity chip reflects that. Please change it in your system.”

  “Will do,” Suzanne replied, her plum-colored lips curving as she tapped the two centimeter square against the edge of her board before handing it back. Mina slid it back into her wrist cuff. “I’ve come across a few like you before, but none with such an unusual moniker. You were certainly lucky to avoid accruing that interest. I’m sure if I’d had the chance, I’d be named something like TinFoot Tooty.” She tinkled with laughter, her perfectly aligned, micro-enameled teeth flashing.

  Assigning debt to a fetus in utero was commonplace in their world.

  Having a child was expensive. Cost accrued immediately. But if the baby didn’t have a name, it couldn’t be assigned a debt number. A loophole that’d been immediately expunged by the high banks almost as soon as it was discovered. The window of opportunity for self-naming closed quickly, but that hadn’t stopped thousands of parents from leaving birthing centers all over the country with nameless children the month of May, 2076.

  Most of those children, however, had parents with enough sense to guide their three-year-old into making a sensible decision. Instead, Mina’s parents had thought her choice brilliant and inspired. She was their perfect little Wilhelmina KandyKane, the spelling altered to avoid any intellectual property infringement. Mina loved her parents, but would never understand their indulgence. Now she was stuck forever explaining her toddler-inspired choice to anyone who had access to her identity.

  When Mina didn’t join Suzanne’s chiming, teeth flashing giggles, the mega-rep gathered her composure, resetting herself back into professional mode with a capital P. “It says here you’re”—her precisely drawn brows, no more than three millimeters wide at any given point, furrowed—“a tri-linguist?” She glanced up at Mina for confirmation. “That sounds…interesting.” The entire world had taken English as its first commerce language more than sixty years ago, but second languages had been deemed culturally important, but remained mostly overlooked.

  “It is,” Mina replied comfortably. “I specialize in second languages, teaching holo courses for those in the process of completing their advanced degree cycle.” Mina did no such thing, but it was her standard assigned back story. Mina had been exposed to second languages all her life, due to her parents’ lifelong mission to retain diversity in the world. Fluent enough to teach? Not exactly. In any event, Mina was well-versed if Suzanne decided to quiz her on her specialty. But she assumed the rep would choose to espouse the megascraper’s many selling points, rather than probe her on the finer points of linguistics. “Does this structure come equipped with virtual offices, hologram integrated?” Mina asked helping her along.