One:

We begin in the middle of a chase. I logged into the system for the first time while Xandi is in hot pursuit of one of the Coalition, lucky me. I thought for sure she’d have been sleeping because it’s around midnight.

Note: Midnight is a term Earth people use for Hour 0 of their 24-Hour cycle. In most locations on the planet, it is dark and the middle of the night cycle of the sun. Mid-night. Get it?

The person she chases is male, and I know he’s a member of the Coalition because he’s got the uniform on. Those are unmistakable. They’re not like Earth clothes in style, and there is no mistaking that shiny silver for the vibrant colors we choose to wear in the Alliance. I can make out that this guy is close to her age, seventeen or eighteen. He seems average in height, and lean in build. The only distinct thing about him is the bright orange streak in his otherwise platinum blond hair. I feel like I should know him, but the name escapes me.

“Laken, please!” Xandi pleads. She is short on breath. Her vibrantly colored hair falls in front of her eyes as she leans over and clutches her stomach.

Random Fact: Ah, Laken, now I remember. He was my first crush back when we were twelve. I never stood a chance because he isn’t interested in guys, but we were close up until he left two years later. Puberty changed a lot of his appearance, and he had more colors in his hair when he was younger. The sharp jaw line and those ever changing hazel eyes are still the same, though. Seeing him under the street light makes him easily recognizable.

She sighs heavily. Her gaze goes so dark then. I remember seeing it at the Academy back in the day. Laken is pushing a bad button.

“Maybe if you were willing to talk, or listen to reason, I wouldn’t have to resort to violence in the first place!” Her voice is tight. I know her well enough to know she is holding back. A lot.

He laughs. Guy is either bold or dumb as a rock. “We both know there isn’t going to be any reasoning. I have a job to do, and you got in the way of that.” His laughter grows. “And you’ve clearly bitten off more than you can chew.”

“Because I just arrested your friend, Mal, ten minutes before I found you!” she seethes.

“Spreading yourself thin.” Laken wags a finger at her.

She growls. “Why are you doing this?”

“It’s fun to tease you. It’s always been fun to tease you!”

“No, I mean, why are you a part of the Coalition!” She squeezes her eyes shut, and I know my girl is holding back tears. Xandi is quick to feel. It’s part of what makes her so good and so dangerous all at once.

Laken glares at her, though it only lasts a moment. By the time she opens her eyes again, he is back to his cool, expressionless self. “I don’t feel like telling you, nor am I going to let you stall me further.” He waves a hand at her and starts to walk away.

For a moment, she stares at him. Her eyes hold something that reminds me of horror mixed with shock. I can practically see the gears turning in her head. She’s thinking about running after him and trying to arrest him again. In the end, she stays put and sits down on the hard concrete beneath her. Whatever fight I missed, whatever previous arrest occurred, it’s clear both wore her out.

Laken is right, she’s spreading herself too thin.