Puffs of dust skittered away from a flat stone as it skipped along the dusty road. Johnny let his arm fall from the sideways throw as he counted the puffs of dust. ?Ya bea? seven yet, Cal?? He glanced over at his friend with a grin. At fifteen, Johnny was well on his way to his full growth, but Caleb wasn?t far behind. Hot sunshine had turned their skin dark, cut lighter streaks in the blonde of Johnny?s hair, and brightened the red undertones of Caleb?s brown hair significantly.

?Ya just watch me, Johnny-boy. Ya just watch me.? Caleb swung his arm sideways and released the flat stone with a snap of his wrist that sent it skittering far down the road. ?Tha?s seven, eigh?, nine! An? speaking ?a watchin?, ya seen Rosalyn Witt lately? I just abou? broke m? neck t?other day. Riding out along th? fenceline looking for downed wire and there she was at th? watering hole comin? from th? other direction.?

Johnny bent to pick up another stone, turning it over and hefting its weight carefully before he answered. ?Rosalyn Witt? weren?t she th? one flat?s a board tha? was pesterin? me all las? year? Brown hair, pretty blue eyes, an? no more brains ?r dreams than ta stay here an? grow babies, righ??? He released the stone with too much force, and it spun and cracked into one of the boulders off the side of the road without bouncing once.

Looking over at his friend with a grin, Caleb slugged him on the shoulder. ?Well, she ain? flat no more, le? me tell ya, an? I bet she?s still sparked fer ya. Can?t speak fer th? brains growin? ta match th? body, but th? body?s nothing ta sneer about. Anyway, if?n ya wan? brains, there?s always that Ellen Jameson. More brains than ya an? me put t?gether. Now let me show ya how this stone-skippin? goes.? Caleb walked a few steps further down the path to find a suitable rock before he skipped it out for a decent five puffs of dust.

?More brains an? nothin? in th? way of looks. Ya have a real knack fer pickin? out th? winners, Cal. Don? she have history an? math with ya? Why don? ya give her a smile an? a wink ? bet she?d fall all over ya.? Sweeping shaggy blonde hair from his eyes, Johnny grinned over at Caleb before he bent to pick up another stone.

?Eat yer words, Johnny-boy. I got history, math an? chem with her, an? she?s topping out th? rest of th? class without tryin? an? that?s makin? all of us look bad. Teacher can?t hardly say a sentence withou? mentionin? how well Ellen?s doing. Nah, if?n I was goin? ta go fer someone it?d be Juli ? she?s go? her head on straigh? an? she?s pretty even if she does look like ya. Or maybe li?l Katie in another year?r two, once she shapes up. Ya goin? ta throw that stone?r jus? hold onta it?? Swiping the back of his forearm across his forehead, Caleb left dust smeared with the trails of sweat.

It had been a long, hot summer ? nothing new for Hope, but even the monsoon-like rainfalls were late to begin. Streams and gullies that should have been flowing were gone entirely, or down to nothing more than trickles. Hard work kept the fields growing and the horses fed, but it was rare that the best friends had this much time to do nothing. They had claimed they were going out to look at the levels of the watering holes to see if the families would have to begin manually filling them. Now they ambled from one of the wide-spread locations to another, and sent rocks skipping in the dust.

Johnny had looked sideways at Caleb when he mentioned Juli, but when Cal said Katie?s name, Johnny stopped in his tracks and doubled over with laughter. Words came gasping out between the laughs. ?Yer? thinkin? tha?? Katie-kat?s yer kinda girl? Ya? ya can?t even? spend five minutes t?gether? withou? fightin?! She tried ta claw out yer eyes las? week!? He staggered back to lean against one of the boulders and whooped with laughter, the stone in his hand forgotten.

?Yeah, well?n, I said in a coupl?a years, din? I? Anyway, who d?ya think fer me, then? Six? seven again!? The last as Caleb sent another stone skittering down the road. After a few more whoops of laughter, Johnny managed to straighten and shake his head as the pair began to amble down the road again. He was grinning fit to kill as he thought the options over.

?Thinkin? ya should go fer that Rosalyn, if?n ya like th? way she shaped up so much. I sure don? want her. Anyway, I though? ya were doin? good in math. Getting? ready ta run yer own ranch an? all, I know ya were workin? hard on th? book-keepin? an? what-not.? Johnny jerked his head off the road slightly, where a faintly-worn path showed the way to the next watering hole. The two turned towards the promise of water with some relief ? they had been out there for most of the day, and this was the next to last place to check. Their own water-bottles were almost empty.

Caleb shook his head as they reached the edge of the watering hole. Cracked and dried mud around the edges showed how much its level had fallen. ?Ya sure about Rosalyn? Shiny. This ain?, though. Thinkin? we?ll need ta set up somethin? ta keep it filled. Anyway, I?m doin? all righ? in math, jus? tha? Ellen?s showing up ev?rybody. I?m learnin? enough ta do m?own books, save th? money?a hirin? someone.? Caleb knelt to refill his water bottle, and Johnny passed down his own for the same.

Johnny frowned as he studied the watering hole and then looked back up at the rather steep and very rocky path. ?This?n?s goin? ta be troublesome ta set up fillin? fer. We ain? hardly usin? it, so hard ta get th? beasts down here. Migh? not be worth th? doin?. Leave it ta James ta decide. So when ya think yer goin? ta be set ta start yer own ranch, anyway? Yer da?s plannin? ta help ya with th? startin? of it, ain? he?? Johnny reclaimed his water bottle and took a long swig before he replaced the cap and latched it back onto his belt.

?Yeah, m?da?s helping me with th? plans an? everything. Going ta be another few years, but I been savin? stakes from riding an? th? pay m?da?s giving me fer helping ta break in his stock. He?s goin? ta give me coupl?a foals, too.? Caleb took the lead heading back up the path, talking back over his shoulder excitedly, with the passion that speaking of his plans always brought. Johnny followed and listened, grinning. At least Caleb had the chance to do what he wanted with the rest of his life.

The dry ground had long since absorbed the remnants of the storm which had run rampant with such violence over the land. The only evidence remaining of the tempest two days prior was the high, fast-running level of the wash in the gully, and the ticket and packed bag that rested inside the door of Caleb?s family house. Johnny was sitting on a bale of hay behind the barn, absently turning a scrap of clay around and around in his hands while he looked at the clear blue sky.

As soon as Katarina caught word of Johnny's whereabouts, she started running without looking back. Even now when riding would have been easier, her long legs carried her from her farm to Caleb's ranch. Limbs longer and limber from dance, her dress gathered around her knees without pause. Finally reaching her destination, her legs slowed, moving around the house as if it was her own and heading immediately behind the barn to spot her cousin. She said nothing at first, her breath slightly heaving from the distance of her run.

Seeing Katie wasn?t too much of a surprise, really ? it was more surprising that anyone had taken this long to call her, when Johnny thought about it. But as she stood there and caught her breath, he rose and sent the bit of clay winging as he had so often sent stones skipping. It fell flat on the dirt. He ignored that to look at his cousin with a strange expression on his face; resentment, anger, relief, a pleased welcome ? he wouldn?t be surprised if she couldn?t make sense of it, since neither could he. After a moment he found words. ?So ya heard th? story, did ya? Surprised yer pa let ya come an? look fer th? ungrateful whelp.? The final, self-descriptive words came out bitterly.

She was glad that he spoke first, because she was not sure that words would come to her. She caught a few of his expressions, particularly the negative ones, and felt anger rise to the challenge. It was not a surprise that James and Johnny had a blow-out fight, it was not so rare. There was a tension in all of the surrounding air, indicating that something was very different and very wrong. Her hands went to hips, and the only defense she had against any fear was attitude and anger. "Now when hav' I eva lis'ened ta wha' was told ta me? An' dun eva call yerself tha' in fron' o' me." It was with control of every muscle that she was not quivering with anger, "I dun know all tha' happened, Cal jist called me an' said ya were stayin' here afta a figh' wit Uncle James."

?Stayin? an? leavin? t?morrow, on th? post run ta th? satellite station, an? from there wherever I can get a lift ta. Been disowned, Katie, ain? no son a? James no more ta hear him tell, an? don? really wan? ta be. Ain? stayin? ta put up with everythin? no more.? She was defensively angry ? he was just as angry, though not at her, and the frustration and resentment came out with his words. He left the ?everything? without detail ? she had seen enough of their fights to know what ?everything? meant. Putting his own fisted hands on his hips, he set his jaw with determination as he looked at his cousin.

"Yer leavin' tamarra? Biscui' Jo, ya kin't jist git up an' leave." Though she usually did not mind creating a scene, she closed much distance between them in hopes to control any raised voices. It was almost a certainty that it was only a temporary solution. "How kin ya leave yer sista's an' cuz's? Whay kin't a jist stay wit Cal, er somethin'? Hope's big 'nough ta stay ou' o' Uncle James' way." This might not be entirely true, but Katarina was not unaccustomed to exaggeration.

When Johnny responded his voice was flat. ?Can an? will jus? up an? leave, Katie. Ain? got any skills but farmin? an? m?twiddlin? with metal an? stone, an? tha? means if?n I stay here I?ll be farmin? m?whole life. Whether it?s fer James ?r someone else, still jus? diggin? holes in th? dirt. I don? wan? ta be trapped like tha?! Stay with Cal an? work th? horses an? be jus? a hired hand tha? only got hired ?cause I?m a friend? Ain? takin? no charity, tha?s fer sure. An? b?sides, ya know there ain? no way ta really avoid James less?n I made way off ta th? places where it ain? even been settled yet.? He avoided her question about his sisters, his cousins ? the rest of the family. It was a weakness in his argument and he wouldn?t let that sway his decision now. But covering the weakness led to a defensively raised voice and a tinge of scorn for her suggestion in his last remark.

"Yer nah 'n no position ta see thin's as charity! Wha's gonna happen when ya run ou' o' funds? When ya dun hav' no where ta go an' ya dun know a soul ou' there?" She began to pace now, the volume of her pitch matching his. Her initial reaction was to panic, but everything was fueled and channeled into anger. "Ya kin stay as a hand here till ya kin a' least research otha places an' dun leave 'n such a rush. Ya kin't be so rash wit yer life!" She wanted to take him by his shoulders and shake him, but she had enough self control for now to just pace.

Her questions might have been fueled by concern, but Johnny heard them as the same kind of derisive doubt James laid upon his abilities and lashed back. ?See ya think tha? I can? make it, neither. Ungrateful an? incompetent ta boot ? James mus? be happy ya think so highly of his opinions ta parrot ?em back at me like tha?! I been savin? fer three years, Katie, an? if?n I run out?a funds b?fore I can make a livin? doin? wha? I wan?, then I?ll keep workin? my way ?til I find a place tha? ain? so filled with narrow-minded tempers!? She was pacing, and he was gesturing wildly as his voice raised another notch closer to full-blown yelling.

Her hand moved before thought - right across his cheek with her open palm. The contact stung her hand in the same fashion that tears stung her eyes. Anger and insult brought a deep flush to her face, and she stood completely still in front of him except for the quaking of anger. Her voice pitched low, in an almost dangerous growl, "Duncha dare. Dare, compare me ta tha' hateful man tha's blood runs through ya veins. Do ya really thin' tha' I feel like tha' towards ya? After everythin' we've been through? If ya dun know how much I care 'bout ya, then damn ya fer being a fool. Bu' there's nothin' ya kin do ta make me nah worry." She appeared to be debating if she should just turn on her heels and leave.

The words spit out before he could retract them when his hand went to the stinging mark of her hand on his cheek. ?Why no? compare ya when ya both seem ta think tha? hittin? me?ll make me change m?ways?? That was going too far, and he knew it as soon as the words left his mouth. He reached out, then, and his expression turned miserable for just an instant. ?Nah, Katie-kat, I din? mean tha?, ya know I din?. I don? mean ta make ya worry, I really don?, bu? I got ta leave. I can? keep on stayin? here on this rock, lettin? James take away everythin? I wan? ta do an? watchin? m?dreams jus? vanish.? Conversations he'd had often with his twin before, but rarely with Katie.

The shock and hurt paled her complexion and her mouth parted open and wide. Only then did she turn around to make her leave, but his quick apology kept her from taking any step forward. Keeping her back to him, a few tears escaped her eyes and she was quick to wipe them away. "Dun ya thin' I feel th' same? An' Jules too? Hope ain' mean' fer people like us, I know tha'. Bu' fer ya ta jist pick up an' leave withou' us...?" She was speaking over her shoulder, arms folded tightly across her chest, "Ya jist gonna leave Cal, Jules, Meggie... me." Her voice cracked, and her weakness angered her to make the tears fade for now.

The miserable expression reappeared on his face as he stood there awkwardly, and the expression echoed itself in his voice. Juliane had seen the final argument, had always understood Johnny better than he did himself ? when he told her that he was leaving, she had half-way expected it and not argued. This was much harder. ?Ma an? Gabby an? li?l Tali, Meggie an? Cal an? ya an? Juls. Ain? no jus? abou? leavin? y?all, Snowflake. Goin? ta miss ya so hard it hurts, an? I?m goin? ta be savin? an? tryin? ta find a place where we?re righ?, where we can reach fer th? stars an? grab hold. I?m settin? up th? ladder, tha?s all.? He couldn?t figure out what to do with his hands, and so after an aborted lift to touch her shoulders, he left them to fall helplessly back down.

"Ya thin' it hur's?!" She all but whirled back to face him, her complexion flushing again. "This is yer choice, Jo. Yer hurtin' yerself an' everybody else." It might have been Katie's younger age, or her absence during the several progressions of the fights with James that made it so much more difficult for her to understand. "Yer nah gonna be there ta watch no more ballets, yer gonna miss everyone growin' up an' doin' wha' they love. An' ain' none o' yer family's gonna be there when ya finally make yer dreams come true. Seems ta me tha's no dream a' all." She took a deep breath, and a large step backwards. "Yer gonna be stars away fra wha's importan' ta ya."

The step away she took was enough of a wound without the words added in. He just looked at her, and the misery of his expression, after a brief flinch, eased away. He wiped his face clean and when he spoke his voice was slow and sad. ?Only a physical distance less?n ya make it more, Snowflake. Ain? sayin? this?s th? best way, but it?s th? way I?m takin?. Juli?s promised ta send me all th? recordin?s of yer shows, an? she an? Cal will know how ta get ahold of me. I?m goin? ta miss y?all, Katie-kat, but I?m still leavin?. Lovin? y?all ain? enough ta make livin? miserable th? rest?a my days worth it.? He stood fast, not following her retreating step, but not backing away, either.

"I kin't pretend like yer here, Jo." She had finally given up on her anger, and tears made lazy trails down her cheeks. He was truly going to leave, and this would the last she saw of him, maybe forever. "I kin be mad a' ya ta bits an' it ain't gonna matter. Ya promised me ya'd be here fer me an' Cal, an' ya jist kin't. I hope ya fin' happiness, Jo, I really do. Bu' I kin't follow ya no more."

?Then it mus? be time fer ya ta see where all tha? leapin? aroun?s goin? ta take ya, Snowflake.? He stepped forward then, to catch her up in a fierce hug before he stepped back and put his hands on her shoulders. ?Talked ta Cal already, an? he?s goin? ta try an? keep an eye on y?all fer me, best he can. Ya an? Juls an? Meggie especially. An? ya keep an eye on him fer me, too, righ?? Make sure he don? drive himself too hard with tha? ranch?a his he?s settin? up.? It was harder to find words to face her quiet resignation than it had been to face her anger.

Katie returned the hug with its fierceness, mastering her performance face enough to avoid more tears or outbursts. In her mind, he was already gone, a million stars away. At his request, she could only give a short bark of a laugh for expected failure. "Ya know Cal - he dun listen ta me an' kin't stand me 'lone fer mo' than five minu'es. I'll do mah bes'."

Johnny?s nod was all he could manage for several long seconds. Finally words came out thickly. ?Take care?a yerself, Katie-kat. I?ll be lookin? fer yer name in th? headlines, one?a these days.? Finally he stepped back again, as awkward with farewells as he sometimes still was with his motions. ?I better make sure everythin?s packed an? all. Flight?s leavin? b?fore sunrise.?

"Yeah." It was said lamely, and Katarina finally lost steam and words. She studied his face long and hard, knowing it could possibly be the last time she looked at his face. There was no retort for her name being in the headlines, or any comment about his flight. With one last deep breath, she nodded. "Take care, Johnny." She made sure to be careful with her accent to say the words in their truest form, before she turned on her heels and ran in the same manner as she arrived.

I, Johnathon David Smith, do hereby consent and agree to undergo the following experimental procedures for the purpose of modification including but not limited to?

?Doin? it, Juls. Ain? saved enough fer th? mods I wan?, bu? there?s a company tha?s doin? experimen?s with a coupl?a new ways ?a integratin? nano-mods. They?re even goin? ta pay me some fer bein? a test subjec?.? At twenty-one years old, Johnny looked somewhat younger. His expression was serious as he looked at his twin?s pale face in the com-link.

After a long moment caused by the delay as the words were routed through relays, Juliane?s voice came clear through the link. ?Ain?t going ta argue with ya about it again, Jo. Good luck, an? ya call me as soon as ya can after. Katie made th? Hope Academy troupe, ya know? Had a party an? all th? other day.? Johnny grinned and let the conversation be turned to the happier news.

Moments of triumph that Johnny was worlds away from seeing, and every now and then Katie?s angry words from the day before his departure rang back in his mind in hollow victory.

Nano-replicators to integrate with cerebral, visual, skeletal and neuro-muscular systems as well as?

Some would have expected a surgery room for modifications of the extent Johnny was receiving. In fact, it looked more like a sophisticated office filled with computer equipment. What gave the lie to that was the comfortably reclining padded chair in the center of the room. Johnny took the seat ? it was a few inches too short for him ? and got comfortable. Once he was settled, a nurse stepped forward and strapped his arms and legs in place before deftly inserting an IV drip into the bend of his left elbow.

Emerald eyes shut as the anesthetic took effect. The nurse examined the read-out on the series of machines arrayed near the chair, nodded with satisfaction, and stepped back. It was the doctor?s turn. The older man with the sad-looking gaze picked up a small container with a regulator and a contoured face mask. Fastening the face mask in place on Johnny?s unconscious body, the doctor carefully sealed any crevice between the mask and skin.

A sharp twist of the regulator dial, and Johnny was breathing in air contaminated with a fine mist of nano-replicators. Meticulously programmed and calibrated to Johnny?s system after over six months of extensive testing, the nanites were inhaled, absorbed and immediately set to work. The sad-faced doctor watched computer read-outs as they flickered and changed, and the nurse watched Johnny?s vital signs as he began to convulse in the chair.

Possible side effects to modifications may include death, paralysis, coma, disability, genetic consequences including but not limited to?

Blink. Emerald eyes opened slowly, to the sight of the nurse adding a medication to the IV drip. Cloudy vision, grayed out around the edges ? he couldn?t quite focus. Blink. Everything changed. From clouded but normal vision, suddenly everything was black and white. He flinched, and the colors and shades inverted, wavered, and then snapped into impossibly clear focus. Blink. No longer black and white. Too many colors instead, too intense. Blink.

His eyes didn?t open again. The nurse jerked as one of the monitoring machines let out a shrill tone. The vial shattered on the tile floor when she dropped it; she didn?t notice it in the rush to reach the alarm.

Hereby waive all rights of claim against Invotech, Inc. on own behalf and all interested parties, heirs or assigns?

Cal?s face in the com-link was serious. ?Look, I ran th? contract through th? lawyers like ya asked. They said th? contract?s solid, bu? yer taking an awful big risk with it. Lot?a risk for th? return is how they said. Said ya should ask fer somethin? ta pay ya back fer that. I don? like it, Johnny.? With his own ranch established, Caleb was a bit more cautious than he had been as a boy.

Rubbing a palm over the scruff of stubble on his jaw, Johnny frowned at Cal?s words. Not in anger, but in thought and resolve. ?I know, I know. Ain? shown anyone else th? whole contract. Tol? Juls it was risky, din? tell her how much. Been arguin? abou? doin? it with her fer months now. But I ain? good enough at th? sellin? or makin?, not ou? here. Need th? edge?a somethin? like this.? His jewelry and sculptures sold, but at bare minimum prices, just enough to cover costs. He wasn?t earning enough to support himself that way, much less anyone else. Cargo work covered the gaps.

The delay as words were relayed was barely noticeable. The moon called Ankara where Invotech was based was relatively close to Hope. Caleb nodded acknowledgement of Johnny?s resolve and then turned the subject. ?Katie?s trying fer th? Hope Academy. She?ll make it, too. Ya should see her dancin? now, Johnny ? I?ll try an? send ya a holo from th? last show she was understudy fer.? Johnny?s eyebrows rose just a bit at Caleb?s tone of voice, but he let the question pass for the moment.

No sense in starting an argument now.

Will receive in the event of?

Johnny strode into his small living unit on Dirty Deeds with a jaunty bounce to his step and a grin on his face. He?d been on the moon almost seven weeks, and with the last paycheck he had enough to buy a ticket back off-world. No plan for where to go, yet, but a quick search on the ?nets would turn up something. At twenty-four, he had gained quite a bit of confidence in his travels through the ?verse. Among other things, he had learned that a smile and willingness to work were welcome on any planet.

Crossing the room to the computer screen, he tapped in a quick query on ships leaving port, availability of passenger space, and a side query to filter against places he had been before. The computer hummed and set to work while he peeled off his collared work shirt. Tossing it over a chair back, he started to whistle to himself ? as badly off-key as ever ? while he hunted for a clean and more casual replacement. The computer chimed softly, and Johnny crossed back over to the screen while pulling on the new shirt.

Snagging up the silver clasp he?d made for himself a few months before, Johnny began to rake back his hair from his face. The list of ship names, destinations, cargos and passenger spaces blinked in the center of the screen. Grinning, Johnny moved that to one side and then brought up the com-link, dialing a code that he knew as well as he knew his own ? better, in fact. Cal?s com-code hadn?t changed since he got his ranch. Caleb had told Johnny weeks before that he was planning to bring his relationship with Katie into the open on the previous day. More than in the open, Cal was planning to ask Katie?s parents for permission to marry their daughter.

Crafting a ring had been time-consuming, but for his cousin, Johnny worked for perfection. Now he fastened the hair clasp and grabbed the small jewelry box that rested on a near table. Flipping it open, he studied the band. Polished platinum showed an almost liquid-seeming surface around a circle of garnets inset in nested square settings. He?d find out how things went with Katie?s parents, give Cal a last chance to approve the ring, and then send it out. Somewhere along the way he?d decide on a destination and a ship and get off of Dirty Deeds.

The com-link beeped and flashed an angry red. Johnny frowned at it. ?Wha?s th? matter with ya, now?? Perhaps he had accidentally dialed a wrong number, typed in the code too fast. He dialed Cal?s code again, carefully, watching to make sure every number was correct. The com-link blinked, trying to make the connection. Johnny snapped the ring-box in his hand closed. His hand tightened around the box as the status messages flashed on the screen. If Cal wasn?t in, his message service should have picked up.

Attempting connection?. Connection failed. Attempting connection?. Connection failed. Abruptly the message changed. Instead of the angry red disconnect he had received moments before, a message in bold letters scrolled across the screen. This number has been disconnected. Call routing to Mortuary Services. Johnny shook his head and took a half-step back. There was an error. There had to be an error. He had dialed the wrong number again. Thoughts flicked across his head in denial. The sick feeling at the pit of his stomach gave lie to the denials. Johnny knew very well he had dialed the correct number.

The com-link flashed again, and a pretty, dark-haired woman?s face appeared on the screen, her expression sober. Her voice was soothing, well-modulated, and there was no trace of an accent to it. She had been well-trained. ?Hello. My name is Lina Riley. My screen is showing that your call was routed from the residence of Caleb Ryan Miller. May I ask your name and your relationship to Mr. Miller?? Johnny?s knuckles had turned white in their grip on the jewelry box, out of sight of the screen.

?M?name?s Johnny, Johnny Smith. Cal?s m?bes? frien?, has been as far back as I remember.? Lina Riley?s expression softened slightly, and Johnny swallowed and went on. ?He?s abou? ta ask m? cousin ta marry him. Was askin? her paren?s permission yesterday.? He was speaking about Caleb as if Cal were still alive. In the present tense. The sick feeling in his stomach grew as Ms. Riley?s expression grew sad and she shook her head slowly.

?I?m very sorry to have to be the one to inform you, Mr. Smith. Mr. Miller was in an accident yesterday afternoon. He passed away at approximately three o?clock. There is a message in my system that a memorial service will be held in two days on his parent?s ranch and that anyone who wishes to attend is welcome. Shall I post a notice of your attendance?? Ms. Riley?s voice was a mixture of sorrow, regret, and professionalism as she lifted her hand, obviously about to make the notation.

Johnny?s emerald eyes appeared black with the fall of grief that had taken him. His voice was strictly controlled as he shook his head. ?I?m too far away. Wouldn? be able ta make it fer another week an? a half. Please post my regrets an? sorrow, Ms. Riley.? That was all he could manage before he abruptly disconnected the call. His fist, wrapped around the ring-box, slammed into the wall. The resilient poly-carbon blend that formed the wall wasn?t strong enough to stand up to the force of the blow. It dented, chipped, and a web of cracks radiated outwards until it met the embedded computer screen.

The blood from his knuckles stained the ring-box and he lifted it, hurled it against a wall where it bounced and landed on his bed, next to the luggage waiting to be packed. Tears gathered in his eyes, blurred his vision as he pulled up the list of available ships from behind the flashing disconnected com-link to Mortuary Services. The tears began to leak and crawl down his face as he scanned the names without true intention, until one destination caught his gaze. Perdition.

It seemed apt. He booked the space and went to begin his packing, with the stained white ring-box at the bottom of his bags.

?Wha? d?ya mean tha? ya weren? able ta sell anythin?? Then why ain? my pieces ou? there in th? case?? Johnny?s voice was raised in protest as he gestured out to the storefront. In this back office it couldn?t be seen, but it had been clear on the way in that none of the jewelry he?d given to the man for commission sale was left on the shelves. Emerald eyes glared at the man accusingly. Less than six months since he had stormed away from Hope, he didn?t exactly make an intimidating sight.

Haberan leaned back in his seat and laced plump fingers together over his substantial belly. Slightly piggy dark eyes were narrowed while he looked over the blonde youth. Farm-developed muscles on the lanky frame were still present, even if the boy did look like he?d been running a few meals short. While calculation was running through his mind, he put on a warmly affable smile. ?Now, Johnny. You misunderstood me. I didn?t mean that your work hadn?t sold at all, just that there wasn?t any profit to it. I barely made up my losses as it was.?

?Wha? losses? Ain? like I charged ya up fron? fer th? work, even th? materials.? Hope accent was thick with suspicion. Johnny eyed the salesman and leaned forward in his chair. ?Don? see how ya can say ya sol? th? pieces an? then say tha? I din? make anythin? off?a th? deal.? He?d used most of his savings to purchase the materials for that jewelry. Cargo loading wasn?t earning enough to pay for his bunk and keep him regularly fed; if he hadn?t made a fair piece on those trinkets, he?d be forced to return to Hope. Johnny?s jaw set stubbornly, an expression any of his family would be well familiar with.

?But I passed up commissions from some very reliable regulars because I didn?t have space in my displays. And do you think that a store like this comes cheap?? One beringed hand gestured to the cramped, rather dimly-let office space and included the outer storefront. ?On a station, they charge you the rent, for the air, water ? everything. Then I have to keep the counter girl paid, too, and still keep food coming for me and my own family.? Sincerity weighed heavily on every one of Haberan?s words. The gesturing hand smoothed back over slightly oily hair.

?Don? look like ya been missin? many meals.? Johnny mumbled under his breath. After a moment he heaved a sigh and raked long fingers back through his shaggy hair. ?All righ?, then. If?n tha?s th? way, tha?s th? way. Thank ya fer yer time an? fer tryin?, anyroad.? Johnny pushed back the chair and stood, offering his hand to the salesman. If his twiddlings weren?t selling and he didn?t want to return to Hope, he had to get back to work. It grated to think that James was right after all ? but Johnny wouldn?t go crawling back a failure.

Haberan stood as well, but he didn?t take the offered hand. ?Now, lad, don?t be too hasty there. I?ll tell you what. Since I like you, I?ll advance you something, enough to get a decent meal and restock your crafting materials. There?s been a swing up in interest for colony-produced jewelry over the last week or two ? something about the Stationmaster?s wife liking the raw feel of it ? and I might have better luck selling if you can get me some things in the next few days.? Smooth and sincere, that was his tone, warmly friendly. If he couldn?t keep this na?ve artist hooked into selling through Haberan?s Exotics, he didn?t deserve to keep the store, and that was a fact.

Now the salesman held out his hand, and it was Johnny?s turn to look warily at it. ?Ya really think tha? ya can sell somethin? an? turn a profit this time? I mean, if?n it all did so bad las? time, mebbe I jus? don? have wha? it takes. I can? afford ta keep takin? tha? much time from work if?n it ain? goin? ta brin? in some kinda pay.? Still, wariness was already turning to hope. Maybe his dream wouldn?t be cut short after all. The salesman reached over the counter to complete the hand-clasp before he could think any more about it.

?You just leave that worry to me, lad. After all, that?s my job!? Haberan?s laugh was hearty when he released the boy?s grip. Hook, line and sinker. Pulling open the side drawer of his desk, he removed a bag that jingled with coins and tossed it at the boy. Johnny caught it automatically, and Haberan didn?t give the boy time enough to realize that the bag had been ready and waiting, already pre-counted. ?Now you go get your materials and something decent to eat, and come on back when you have some more pieces ready to sell.?

Johnny nodded wordlessly, half-stunned at how quickly the transaction had taken place. But the thought of a hot meal with enough to actually fill his griping belly was enough of a distraction to carry him out of the shop.

Haberan sat back in his well-padded chair and laced his fingers over his stomach while a satisfied smirk grew on his face. Johnny hadn?t asked about interest or payment terms, or even the prices that Haberan was planning to charge for the new work. That ?advance? had been less than half of what the previous pieces had sold for, and the rest was pure profit. Oh, he had the boy, now.