CHAPTER 2

Book insisted on seeing Alegra, Wei, and Tyler off. Wei was shiftily checking out the quiet town as the sun peaked over the horizon. Tyler, having woken up on the way, complained of hunger, not getting to say goodbye, and his untied shoelaces. The shuttle seemed to tremble and loll in the same tired way Tyler did, but Book attributed that to his own mediocre flying skills. Once down, the four headed directly for the spaceport.

“It may not be good for you to be associated with us on security cam,” Alegra whispered as they approached the ticket terminal.

“You can’t just walk in there and buy passage,” Book told her.

“We can’t have been flagged already?”

“We have,” Wei said ominously.

Book motioned the three to stay back as he approached the ticket counter and checked the registry for ships taking passengers. Only three ships were leaving world today, offering limited destination options and an easy trail for any fed to follow.

“Three tickets, please,” Book told the attendant.

“I need to see some ID,” the attendant replied disinterestedly, in a rough Irish accent.

Book reached for his ident card.

“No, I need to see their ID.”

Book ignored the man and handed over his ident card. Irritated, the man scanned the card. Suddenly, his whole demeanor changed. Standing straighter, he nodded respectfully, almost fearfully, at Book.

“How many tickets, sir?”

“Three to New Melbourne. And no names.”

“Yes, sir,” the man said compliantly, handling the transaction.

Book accepted the tickets and ushered the three toward the appropriate space dock.

“New Melbourne?” Tyler asked, bleary-eyed, tripping over his untied shoelaces. “Can’t we go somewhere with less fish?”

“We won’t stay long,” Alegra assured him. “We just didn’t have much of a choice.”

“From New Melbourne, you should find port to just about anywhere. I recommend you go to Haven . It will be safe for you there.”

“Haven?”

“Find a disreputable ship,” Book told her. “They all know the way.”

*~*

River sat at the edge of S