Sure enough, three suited figures appear within the dome not long after. They high-five the other juvies still gathered inside before continuing towards the gate.

  ‘Is that Alice leading?’ asks Chayse.

  Quest nods. ‘No chargers, they’re running low.’

  Holt glances at Chayse. Alice was a close friend of hers, but then Greve was supposed to be her friend too, and look how he turned out. And all that high-fiving …

  Pellin talks to them by the gate, gesticulating wildly. They catch a few words, like ‘Others’ and ‘traitors’ and ‘dangerous’. ‘Kill them’ and ‘end this’ and ‘or else’.

  Holt gathers himself, ready to fight or run. And then gasps. Because Alice shakes her head at Pellin.

  ‘You don’t get to make us attack our friends anymore,’ she says, and she and the other two juvies run out whooping and grinning.

  Chayse recovers from the shock first, racing forward to embrace them.

  Holt whooshes out a breath, turns to Dee and hugs her. ‘There are no more suits,’ he whispers in her ear, relief a heady rush. ‘No one else will come out. We’re safe.’

  He’s grinning as he steps forward to greet the new juvies.

  Alice is chatting to him and Dee, and she gestures to his mouth. ‘So, no issues taking the mask off?’

  Holt shakes his head. ‘All it’s good for is filtering out dust. It’s not stripping toxins, because there are none.’

  ‘And if the air was really bad out here, you’d think your Leader would be standing further away from the gate,’ says Dee.

  Alice turns around. Spots Pellin shaking his fist at her from the still-open gateway. ‘An excellent point,’ she says. Turns to Holt. ‘They taught us lies?’

  He nods.

  She strides towards the gate until she can be seen and heard by everyone still inside. Yells it. ‘It was all lies!’

  She takes her mask off. And stomps on it.

  Everyone is frozen, staring at her. The people inside. The juvies outside.

  And then the other rogue juvies start to copy Alice, ripping off their masks and throwing them away. Somebody pushes past Pellin and races towards them, but they don’t have a charger; they’re crying and smiling, and it’s his mum.

  It’s his mum.

  He runs to her, and having her arms around him after all this time – not just the time he’s been missing, but the long orbits before that, when he was pushed and prodded into the mould of a juvie – it’s like landing safely on solid ground after an endless fall. His cheeks are wet and his grin is wide, and he’s never felt stronger.

  Holt is jolted back to the present by the sound of Pellin, screaming from the gate. ‘Come back! You can’t survive out there without a mask!’

  The crowd inside the dome parts, allowing one person to stride through. And even with the dome between them, Holt shivers when he recognises her. High Leader Ryte.

  She strides up to Pellin. ‘Please explain why my people are Outside?’

  Whatever Pellin says is inaudible, but it makes the crowd ripple. Pellin’s face is pasty.

  ‘Well, go out and make them come back!’ snaps Ryte. She grabs a charger off a nearby guard and thrusts it at Pellin.

  He doesn’t take it. Looks like he’s pleading. Ryte switches her handhold until the charger is pointing directly at Pellin. There are cries from within the dome. A few adults – Holt recognises Greve’s dad among them – come to Pellin’s defence. But Ryte just spins so her charger is covering the entire crowd.

  ‘This is the impact of the Others,’ she cries. ‘Death and discord. This is why they must be exterminated!’

  The whole scene is frozen for a moment. Then another wave of movement begins within the dome, hard to distinguish through the distortion of the ancient radiation panels. First a few, then more, and finally all of the remaining juvies walk away, further back into the dome, abandoning this tiny spark of resistance. Holt’s heart shrivels a bit. He’d hoped he might get through to more of them.

  ‘If no one else is brave enough to fix this, then I will,’ Ryte says. She steps back from Pellin like he’s made of vomit. Then, in a flicker of movement, she swivels and runs outside. Towards them. Charger out in front.

  And then Holt spots Dee again. She’s way too close to Ryte.

  He screams her name, but it’s too late. Too late.

  CHAPTER 46

  Dee was having an interesting time even before Ryte dashed out to her. With her Davincian clothes, she stuck out among the pale-clad juvies in their uniforms and suits. She was feeling gangly and awkward, and annoyed at herself for that. Once Holt ran to his mum, she found herself alone and slowly being moved out to the edge of the exuberant group of kids.

  Dee had never been around this many new people. She felt like a kite in a storm.

  Which, she figures now, is probably why she didn’t notice what was going on with Ryte until it was too late. Holt’s cry still echoes in her ears, and she’s got Ryte’s arm around her neck. Too tight. Too harsh.

  Ryte’s zapstick sears into her forehead.

  This is happening more than she appreciates.

  Her blood is slamming a beat in her skull.

  ‘Get back inside, or the freak dies,’ shouts Ryte. She drags Dee back so they’re facing both the juvie group outside, and the adults still inside the dome.

  ‘Let it die,’ calls out one juvie. Sure, Dee knew they wouldn’t win everyone over straight away; it still hurts, though.

  But the girl gets a glare from every one of the kids around her. ‘If you’ve got that attitude you can leave,’ says Quest.

  The girl blushes bright red – no smoothface gene here – and shuts up.

  ‘Back! Inside!’ Ryte yells.

  Dee finds Holt’s face in the crowd, pale and horrified-looking. She shakes her head at him. She doesn’t want to die. Of course. But she also doesn’t want all their wins to be undone. His jaw goes tight. He shakes his head back at her and steps forward.

  ‘What are you doing in the Outside, High Leader?’ he asks.

  ‘I go where I want.’

  ‘Isn’t it dangerous? Isn’t that what you teach us? Shouldn’t we all be dead or dying without masks out here?’

  There’s a murmur from the adults within the dome. ‘Hey, the juvie’s right!’ calls out someone.

  ‘He’s not a juvie anymore!’ snaps Ryte. ‘I fear he’s an Other now.’

  ‘If I am,’ says Holt with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, ‘it’s a good thing to be. Free and well-fed, with a whole planet to explore.’

  The zapstick presses harder and Dee smothers a whimper. She hopes Holt knows what he’s doing. He looks set and strong, but he’s not meeting her eyes; maybe that’s good, because this hurts and she’s scared.

  ‘I am disappointed, Holt. I thought you understood what was best for Newton,’ says Ryte. Dee can feel Ryte’s whole body shaking.

  ‘I’m sure there was a time when staying in the dome was best for us,’ Holt says, ‘but we don’t need to anymore.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ says Ryte.

  ‘Based on what evidence?’ says Holt. ‘We’re taught to test and observe, but when was the last time anyone checked if the planetary conditions were okay now? Just look at these radiation meters.’ He gestures for the suited juvies to show their arm panels, steady and green.

  ‘He has a point.’ It’s a new voice, coming from the dome. It sounds like Maksim. ‘And they’re all breathing the air out there, and no one’s falling ill. Maybe it is safe now.’

  ‘It is,’ says Holt. ‘Look at the evidence. Look at Chayse, and me. And these Davincians. I’ve never eaten better in my life than in these last months.’

  ‘No, you listen to me,’ yells Ryte over the sudden buzz in conversation. ‘Your High Leader! This planet is not our home. We are only safe if we stay inside.’

  ‘And yet you’re out of the dome right now,’ says Chayse.

  There’s a moment before Ryte answers. ‘My role involves many sacrifices, which I’m happy to endure in order to keep my people safe.’

  A woman steps through the gate, although she wears a mask and her exposed skin shines with that strange sizzlescreen cream Holt used to use. When she speaks, Dee recognises her – Leader Hira. ‘We medics dedicate our lives to keeping Newton healthy, and I’ll admit I’m surprised to see people unprotected out here, suffering no obvious ill-effects. Perhaps we do have it wrong. I propose we do what Juvie Holt suggests, and what I originally intended. We study the Others, plus these returned juvies, to determine if they have been negatively impacted by the Outside.’

  The zapstick is burning Dee. Holt’s eyes flick to hers and they’re trying to communicate something important. It better not be goodbye.

  ‘Ridiculous!’ says Ryte. ‘That was never the reason I permitted you to examine the Others.’

  Hira squares her shoulders. She looks at Ryte and then turns to the rest of the adults. ‘It was, however, my motive in requesting a stay of their execution. I think the presence of two very healthy Others – who we’ve always believed would be extinct or mutated beyond recognition by now – is reason enough to review our risk rating for the rest of the planet.’

  Ryte’s hold on Dee tightens so much that Dee can’t help but sob.

  ‘I’d be happy to be tested,’ says Holt, and Chayse nods as well.

  A man steps through the gate and stands next to Hira: Leader Cris, no longer looking as devastated as he did in the Leadermeet, and completely maskless. ‘As a Foods Leader, I’m very keen to look into anything that can provide more food and better nutrition for our people.’

  ‘You’re no longer a Leader, as of right now!’ says Ryte.

  Maksim exits the dome as well. ‘Hold up a moment, I think what I’m hearing here makes sense, High Leader. Just imagine the possibilities if we can safely go outside.’

  ‘This planet is safe for us,’ says Holt. ‘The Davincians are no longer warlike. We don’t need to hide in this dome.’

  Another adult steps out of the gate, followed by another. And another. Eyes wide, looking at the wild wide plains.

  ‘No!’ says Ryte. ‘I forbid this! All of it!’

  Maksim gestures towards the juvies around Holt, to the adults and Leaders beside him, and those stepping forward to bravely join them. ‘I don’t think you’re in a position to do that anymore.’

  Hope is trying to twist free of the fear and pain inside Dee.

  Ryte only presses the zapstick harder into Dee’s temple. ‘Don’t move, I’ll kill it! And anyone else I find out of this dome!’

  But they are moving, more and more every moment, faces set as they step out of the supposed safety that’s imprisoned them all their lives. The zapstick starts to whine by Dee’s ear and she closes her eyes.

  It looks like Holt won.

  But Dee’s still going to lose.

  And then a voice. From behind. Like the most beautiful thing Dee’s ever heard. ‘Don’t you dare threaten my sister.’

  Ryte is ripped away from Dee with a muffled shriek, and her stick zaps safely into the sky. Dee staggers a step away, turns.

  Ryte’s head is caught and twisted up. In a cricket net. Maksim running to restrain her. And behind her …

  ‘Aram?’

  ‘Hi sis. Just in time, hey?’

  Dee totters over to her flush-cheeked, rough-clothed pridesister. And gives her the biggest hug.

  And then there are more arms around her. ‘Aram, you absolute star,’ comes Holt’s unsteady voice.

  And a thump as Chayse joins them. ‘Mate, was I glad to see you sneaking up!’

  Shouts pull Dee back to reality. And back to fear. Because it’s not over. A whole group of kids is charging at them from behind.

  ‘They must’ve come from the juvie gate,’ says Chayse, her legs moving into a solid wrestling position.

  But these juvies are grinning and celebrating, and none of them wear masks or suits.

  ‘That looks like almost all of them!’ Holt says, and he and Chayse trot forward to meet them with cheers.

  Dee just holds on to Aram. The juvies have abandoned the word of the Leaders, and taken this chance for a better future. And the adults continue to stream outside.

  ‘What exactly is happening here?’ Aram says.

  Dee watches as Holt and Chayse clap shoulders and shake hands, as Maksim and Hira escort Ryte and Pellin to the pokey. ‘Something big. Something good, I think. But … how are you here?’ Dee says. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy to see you. But they said you were going back to Davinci?’

  Aram’s face goes even pinker where her scarf isn’t covering. ‘Yeah, I was. But the first night alone I realised I’d made the wrong choice, that without an actual Davincian with them it would be so much harder for Holt and Chayse to convince Newton we weren’t monsters. And if we couldn’t get Newton on side, it would be all over for us all anyway. But I couldn’t find Holt and Chayse and I didn’t really know where the dome was and … well, it took a while to get here.’

  Chayse comes up and gives Aram another hug. ‘Brilliant. You were brilliant. To take on a charger with a net on a stick. So brave.’

  Now Aram’s face is burning red. ‘I didn’t actually know she had a … whatever it was. It was a bit full on when it went off, hey? And your face, Dee. Ouch.’

  Dee resists the urge to touch the burn. ‘It’ll heal, you’ll see.’

  ‘And how are you even here?’ Aram asks. ‘And looking so well? I thought … the Others …’

  Someone clears their throat. Marte. Aram’s jaw drops. ‘I thought you’d be dead.’

  He shrugs.

  But she steps forward and hugs him. ‘I said so many mean things to you. I’m sorry. You’re my little brother and I’m going to try harder. I promise.’

  Dee catches Chayse’s eye and she makes a face like, I know, right.

  ‘Well, that was unexpected,’ murmurs Holt from behind Dee.

  And Dee turns to grin at him. Because Ryte is gone and most of Newton is outside the dome, breathing fresh air and willingly sharing space with three dreaded Davincians. ‘We did it.’

  His arm squeezes her shoulder. ‘We did.’

  ‘Now, to go infect all of Davinci with the Others,’ says Chayse.

  ‘I’m sorry, what?’ says Aram.

  Dee laughs. ‘We have so much we need to tell you.’

  ‘But first,’ says Marte, ‘I’m starving.’

  ‘What a surprise,’ says Dee. But she’s grinning as wide as the rest of them.

  CHAPTER 47

  It takes a few sols for a new kind of interim order to be established at Newton, enough to stop the place dissolving into fights and fear. But not enough, Holt knows, to change everyone’s opinion of Davinci.

  ‘It’s easier for people to accept the High Leader Ryte was wrong about the Outside, love,’ says his mum. ‘It’s harder for them to overcome a lifetime of hate and fear. That’s why this trip is important.’

  The last four sleds are all ready to fly, their nets out waiting for passengers. Chayse, grinning and proudly wearing her Davincian clothes, sits in the cockpit of the double sled, Clime behind her. Holt’s wearing every warm thing he could find. Dee warned him how cold it’ll be. Hanging in a net beneath a sled for hours and hours and then some more. It’s a long way to Davinci.

  Dee waves at him from the net beneath the sled Quest will be flying. He grins back, overheating in the still air of the dome, impatient to be off. The interim leaders have finally stopped talking, and the six who are coming to Davinci head over to the nets. Holt’s mum climbs in next to Dee, just as Greve’s dad climbs in with Holt. And Holt knows it makes sense to even out the weight distributions, but if Maksim is anything at all like his son this is going to be a very long journey.

  Aram and Marte wave from the platform. They’re staying behind for now. Staying together.

  The four sleds whine and one by one the nets lift. They’ve rigged a structure, so at least he and Maksim don’t end up lumped together in a pile. Still, it’ll be a long ride.

  They sweep out the exit portal, permanently open now, but the air outside is still sweeter. And they start to climb. The sun is just touching the tops of the surrounding outcrops, while the lower plains stay wreathed in pink-tinged fog.

  Maksim turns to him, eyes alight. ‘I haven’t flown since I was a juvie. It’s just as beautiful as I remember.’

  Holt can’t not smile. Maybe an entire sol stuck in a net with Maksim will be okay.

  ★

  When he recognises the dead dome ribs in the distance, Holt thanks Mars and the stars and every adult who has ever worked on this sled’s engine. Every part of his body is numb and sore.

  Maksim whistles when they get closer. ‘This crater looks different. Greener.’

  Holt peers down at the Davinci food meadows. There’s a figure on the ground looking back up, and Holt hopes they’re not freaking out at this mini-invasion. ‘There’s a lot down there that’s different. But the important stuff’s still the same.’

  The sleds touch down gently near the orchard. Every one of Holt’s muscles is screaming to be stretched and yet also unable to move from its frozen position.

  Maksim groans. ‘I’m too old for this.’

  Holt decides he’ll kite next time.

  The figure is running towards them. There’s Dee, hobbling out – and how she’s managing that, Holt’s not sure, but his pride is pricked so he forces himself to clamber out of his net too.

  It’s Herdesher. She embraces Dee like she never expected to see her again. Holt thinks about what it would’ve seemed like, the five of them vanishing out into the dark underground lake and never coming back. How long would Herdesher have waited, hoping?

  He staggers over to them. Herdesher sees him, her smile widening on a tear-streaked face. ‘Holt, how lovely!’ And then her face goes slack. ‘Dee, are those … are there … are they adult Ys with you?’

  Still with the Y thing. How long will it take them to get over that?

  ‘What does she mean, exactly?’ says Maksim as he limps up.

 

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