The Lofties (The Echelon Book 2)

a way to be happy.
Outside, Ona laughed. I sank to my knees. If I ran, she’d be lost to me. Sky would swallow her up, and I’d never know if she lived or died.
Fifty Decemites. All fifty.
I buried my face in my hands. For all I knew, they’d shipped out already. I could run all I liked and still be too late. Ben would die, then Ona, and where would I turn? I could never come home. I’d be an outcast, a wanderer, drifting from camp to camp. I couldn’t settle, couldn’t feel for anyone, knowing I’d just lose them.
“Myla? Where’d you get to?”
“Just a minute.” I heaved myself upright and stripped off my wet shirt. In or out—I couldn’t choose. I grabbed a fresh blouse instead, one Mom thought looked nice on me, and buttoned it up to the collar. For now, I wouldn’t choose. For now, I’d smile and celebrate, let Mom and Dad remember me happy.
Tomorrow, I didn’t know.

Chapter Six
Ona was up and dressed, clomping about the kitchen in her boots when I emerged the next morning. She started when she saw me, and the tips of her ears turned red. I smirked, amused.
“What are you doing, stealing leftovers?”
“Not stealing. Just eating.” She snagged a hunk of cornbread and stood eating it over the sink. “I didn’t mean to wake anyone. I thought I was being quiet.”
“I was up anyway.” I took some cornbread for myself, though I’d lost my taste for it. It wasn’t as savory as I remembered, or as rich. I took a bite anyway, chewed and swallowed. Ona finished hers and ducked past me.
“Where are you going?” I snatched at her sleeve. “It’s moving day, remember? We’ve got to help pack.”
“I know. I’ll be back for that. I’m just dropping by Sky Station.”
“Sky Station? Why?”
“To say goodbye.” Her face fell. “It just hit me, I’m Ascending, but my friends... it’ll be five years till I see them again. I’ll be a whole different person. What if they don’t like me?” A note of panic crept into her voice. “What if they hate me already? I only went on one mission, and now I’m jumping the line. What if they won’t even talk to me?”
“They’re your friends, right? You’re being paranoid.” I grabbed my coat off its peg and shimmied into it. “Wait up. I’ll come with you. I’ve got some folks to see too.”
Ona bounced impatiently as I pulled on my boots. She looked like she had to pee, and I told her so.
“Just hurry,” she said. “There’s some exercise today, some big training thing. I heard they might be out all night. If we don’t make it now—”
“O-kay.” I finished lacing my boots and got to my feet, scowling to hide my unease. Out all night—all of them? Was this Ben’s death, already? I jogged after Ona, feeling sick. “That training thing—”
“I don’t know. I’m off duty. No one’s given me any details.” She bounded up the stairs, boots pounding on the metal. I could hear her frustration in the hiss of her breath, sharp little huffs through her teeth.
“Could you find out? Ask around, maybe, if—”
“What do you care? It’s a training mission. But if it’ll make you happy...”
“It will.”
Nobody challenged us as we charged past the refinery and the sorting station, all the way to the surface. I braced myself for the glare of Sky Station, but no sunlight greeted us as we pushed through. The sky above was dark, just the palest flush of dawn along the horizon. It was earlier than I’d thought, but still, the platform was crowded. The remnants of A-team had congregated by the exit, B-team and C-team along with them. The bench by the wall was elbow-to-elbow Decemites, some chattering, some eating, a few trying to sleep. One of them clocked us and peeled away from the rest. She was E-team yellow, same as Ona. I spotted fresh blaster burns on her vest, shiny patches where she’d had it mended.
“Hey, Ona.” Her gaze darted to me, and she frowned. “Is that your sister?”
“Yeah. I’m Myla.”
“You can’t be up here.” She shooed us back, away from the others. “Not to be a jerk, or anything. Just, if Prium sees you—”
“I know. I get it.” I turned to go, but Ona grabbed my wrist.
“Come on. She’s Ascending. Just this once?” She pooched out her lower lip. “C’mon, Nina.”
“I can’t.” Nina’s tone turned pleading. “It’s different for you. You’re a hero. I’m still earning my place, so please.”
Ona’s grip tightened on my arm. I shook her off, as gently as I could. “I’ve got my own friends to see,” I said. “You two have fun. I’ll be downstairs when you’re through.”
Ona looked torn, but she didn’t try to stop me. The rest of E-team clustered around her, peppering her with questions. I hurried back the way I’d come, catching my breath as I passed the big Outside door. The guard was the same, regular watch, half-asleep. It was the door that had changed, cutting off any hope of escape. A shiny new panel gleamed in its frame—a biometric scanner, like Lock had used to get in. I’d have to force the door if I wanted out, or force some Decemite to let me out. Either way, it wouldn’t be quick or discreet.
The stairwell was the same, now I was looking, cameras at every landing, freshly installed. They swiveled to follow me, gears whirring. I didn’t speculate on who was watching, but I found out anyway, halfway down.
“This floor’s Lofties only,” said Miron. He blocked my path with his body, elbows jutting wide. “Well, Lofties and Decemites, and I know you’re not either.”
“I’m just leaving.” I waited for him to move, but Miron stayed put. He licked his lips, shuffled his feet, and I realized he was nervous. Had Prium rebuked him for rubbing gum in my face? Or had our positions reversed, somehow, now I was Ascending? I glanced at the nearest camera, and back at