The next day brought yet more unanswered questions for Skylar. The previous evening, after his mother had returned from work, he told her about the strange outing with his uncle. He described the peculiar supplies they purchased and the bizarre encounter with the apothecary.

"Lasseter even ordered a cloak and oilskin for me. What would I need those for? Do you know what he's up to?"

His mother only answered that his uncle likes to be prepared.

"Prepared for what?" asked Skylar.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Sky. Your uncle has his own ways," she had said with a smile. But Skylar noted a touch of sadness in her eyes. There was something she wasn't telling him.

The next day at the Academy, his thoughts were still distracted by the previous day's events. He sat brooding over everything, waiting for professor Valenkr's lecture to begin, when Rolander hurried over to him, his red face beaming with excitement.

"Did you hear the news?" said Rolander, as he stumbled into his seat next to Skylar.

"About what?"

"The insects―the ones Arturo reported to the Council about. Remember, I told you they were really machines and not insects at all?"

How could I forget them? thought Skylar. His uncle certainly didn't want him to forget.

"What about them?"

"Well, yesterday my father was at Sansaya-the mining unit a few kilometers from here. He said the whole community was talking about the insects. Some of the people there claimed to have seen them. Some even claim they were stung. You know what that means, don't you?" he said, his eyes as wide as craters. "The insects are on Haladras. And they are likely to show up here before too long."

The news struck Skylar like a blow from Drake to his gut. He did not share his friend's excitement. It only made his uncle's warning all too real, and eerie. How had his uncle known they would come? And why did he want Skylar to avoid them?

"Was anyone hurt?" said Skylar. "I mean, the people who were stung...did anything happen to them?"

Rolander shook his head. "Except for a bit of hysteria, everyone was fine."

Skylar frowned. Things just didn't make sense.

"What do you think they are, Roland?"

Rolander leaned in a little closer, quickly glanced to either side, then whispered, "I think they are looking for someone."

The idea sent a chill down Skylar's spine. The things were creepy enough without also being on a mission to find someone. He didn't want to think about what they would do once they found whoever it was.

"But who would they be looking for, and who would send them?"

"Who knows," replied Rolander. "But I intend to catch one and find out."

"How-"

Skylar cutoff. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed some movement nearby. He turned to look.

It was Kendyl, smiling, and walking in their direction.

"Hi Skylar," she said, stopping in front of his desk.

She smiled at him and tucked a loose strand of hair behind one ear.

"Can I sit here?" she asked, leaning toward the seat next to him, her dazzling blue eyes looking at him expectantly.

A sense of elation coursed through Skylar's entire body. His fingers and toes tingled with it.

Of course. I've been saving it for you, he thought about saying. Or, wherever you want, as long as it's next to me.

All that came out of his mouth was a stammered, "uh, yes...yes."

He cringed inside at how pathetic he sounded. Why couldn't he say something smooth or clever?

As Kendyl took her seat next to him, he taxed his brain for some comment that would redeem him. Nothing came.

He was vaguely aware that Professor Valenkr was calling the class to order.

Later. He would talk to her later.

He had forgotten entirely about his conversation with Rolander. All his thoughts now swirled around the pretty little red-head seated next to him, and how he could impress her.

After school Skylar and Kendyl walked together. Now that Skylar had his jetwing again, he could fly home. Ordinarily he would have. Today, he happily walked.

The searing heat of the midday sun bore down on them as they went along. They wound their way down the southern face of the Gorge, Skylar taking furtive glances at Kendyl as often as he dared.

She wore a simple white tunic, with a sharp v-shaped neck line, loosely laced together near her slender neck. The hem of the tunic was midway down her thighs. Beige leggings, tall boots, and a broad leather belt around her waist completed the outfit.

"I don't suppose you've heard anything from Rasbus, have you?" she asked.

"No," said Skylar. "And I don't expect I will. Rasbus is not one to change his mind. When he said two weeks, I'm sure he meant it."

"That's too bad. You must be getting bored. I know I would be."

Skylar shrugged. "I do miss it. But I'm glad to at least be back at the Academy."

"I'm glad you're back, too," she said, smiling at him and blushing noticeably.

Skylar swallowed and laughed awkwardly.

"So," he said, not knowing how to respond to Kendyl's flirtatious comment, "what do you do for your apprenticeship?"

Kendyl's expression immediately changed, and she let out a little grunt of annoyance.

"Uh, did I say something wrong?"

A faint trace of Kendyl's smile returned. "No...no. It's just a sore topic for me. I've always wanted to work in the mines. I love the idea of exploring immense caverns hidden deep underground, digging deeper and deeper into the heart of our planet. It seems so exciting."

Skylar was taken aback. Kendyl looked too delicate, too feminine to do a job as grimy and labor-intensive as mining.

"But," she continued, "females aren't allowed in the mines. We're not allowed to apprentice as dockhands-for that matter. It's so unfair. All that a girl can do on this miserable planet is learn to weave, sew, bake, wash, or grow food. Which is fine enough. But I'd like a little excitement, too-some adventure."

She sighed heavily. "I suppose there is not much I can do about it, though."

"I didn't realize you weren't allowed to do those things," said Skylar. "I just thought girls weren't interested in things like mining."

"Hmm! Well, not all of us are the same, Skylar Lancewright," she said. "You probably think I couldn't handle being a miner, don't you? Too weak."

She turned her head away from him with a jerk, her hair lashing out like a whip, and halted in her tracks.

"You're as bad as my father. He won't let me do anything."

Skylar stopped and turned to look at her, baffled at how the conversation had suddenly turned him into the enemy. So much for trying to impress her.

"I didn't mean it that way. It's just that you're so..." He wanted to say beautiful.

She cast a glare at him while he fumbled with his words.

"...well," he stammered on, "I mean...I don't think it's right. You ought to be allowed. I would let you."

Kendyl eyed him suspiciously, one brow raised slightly. Then the tight line of her lips slowly twitched into a playful smile.

"Well, that's very sweet of you to say. I'm afraid you can't do anything about it, either."

Skylar breathed an internal sigh of relief. He had managed to say the right thing-or at least avoid the wrong thing.

They were nearly to Skylar's cave now. He didn't want their walk to end.

"Can I walk you to your home, or wherever you're going?" he ventured.

She smiled in a way that made his stomach knot up.

"Maybe another day," was all she said.

With that she waved goodbye and dashed off, her fiery hair streaming behind her like a victory banner. Skylar watched her until she disappeared around the first bend, then he turned and entered his cave.

Inside, Skylar peeked around in all the rooms. Satisfied his uncle wasn't lurking about anywhere, he went to his bedchamber to study. He'd scarcely opened his geology book when he heard a call at the entryway. Annoyed at having to get up so soon, Skylar went to go see who it was.

On the landing outside their cave, stood a man with a squat stature and rubicund face. He wore a Haladrian military uniform. He was not a ranked officer, Skylar could tell that much. The man stood erect, his arms straight at his sides.

"Are you Skylar Lancewright?" the soldier asked.

"Yes," said Skylar tentatively.

Mechanically, the officer reached into his lapel, drew out a yellow envelope and extended it toward Skylar.

"I have been commissioned to deliver this summons to you."

Skylar took the envelope.

"Summons for what?"

But the officer had already turned his back to Skylar and showed no intention of saying or doing anything beyond his commissioned duty.

Skylar returned to his room, where he tore open the envelope and quickly read the enclosed letter:

The Incident Investigation Committee for the Bureau of Interplanetary Trade and Travel hereby issues this summons to Skylar Lancewright to appear in a court of investigation on the sixteenth day of the Orven moon, year fourteen of His Majesty King Tarus' reign. He shall appear before the court at the Cloud Harbor space port, prepared to give testimony concerning the events of the eighth at a quarter after sunrise. Failure to appear will result in legal punitive action.

The letter was signed and bore the bureau's official seal: a ring of seven spheres superimposed on an image of a shuttle, all underscored by BITT.

At first Skylar did not fully understand the letter. What had he done that he should need to appear before a court? He re-read the letter, paying closer attention to the details.

"Concerning the events of the eighth...," he repeated to himself.

And then it hit him. That was the same day he had been injured at the docks, the same day as the incident. Not in all his dreams did he imagine anything so serious would come of that. Was he in more trouble than he realized?

He cast the letter onto the floor. Whatever flicker of hope he had of returning to his apprenticeship at the harbor fizzled out in that moment.

* * *

The day of his court appearance arrived. Skylar slumped in the passenger seat of Kindor's speeder as it blasted across the barren landscape toward Cloud Harbor. The morning sun hung low in the sky. Though already scorching hot, it seemed dimmer than usual, gloomy.

Skylar had had three days to prepare himself for the court. Three miserable days. The more he had thought about the court, the gloomier he felt. Some awful doom awaited him-he knew it.

Kindor had done little to assuage his worries. He too had received a summons to appear before the court. Kindor did his best to convince Skylar that he had nothing to worry about-being an apprentice, Skylar's actions were not punishable by the Bureau. Still, this investigation would bring unwanted attention and scrutiny to the harbor. And there was nothing to prevent Rasbus from terminating Skylar's apprenticeship because of it. Neither Kindor nor Skylar could stop him.

And so the pair sped onward to see what fate held for them, a whirlwind of arid dust swirling in their wake.

When Cloud Harbor finally became visible on the horizon, Skylar's palms began to sweat and his pulse quickened.

"I'm not excited to see it, today," said Skylar.

Kindor made no reply.

As they came nearer and the docks began to take shape, Skylar's mind flashed back to the day of the incident. He pictured himself lying like a dead body on the lower deck. A shutter ran through him.

The harbor was unusually calm for that time of day. A few dockhands were scattered about, engaged in some mundane task. More than the lack of men at the docks, the quietness struck him. Rasbus was not standing at his post, barking out commands in one breathless stream. Skylar wondered if he would see Rasbus. He realized for the first time that he actually missed the iron-lunged harbor master.

Kindor brought the speeder to a stop just outside the harbor's main entrance. The two climbed out and entered the building. Inside, Kindor led them toward a mechanical lift, which they used to ascend to the top level. Exiting the lift, they walked down a lengthy hallway, their footsteps echoing loudly. A soldier stood guard just outside one of the portals. They halted in front of him.

"Name?" demanded the guard.

"Come on, Wes, you know my name?" said Kindor.

"Name?" repeated Wes in the same serious tone.

Kindor sighed. "Kindor Nightstar." The guard checked his list, nodded, then rigidly moved aside for Kindor to pass.

"Thank you" said Kindor and walked through. Skylar made to follow, but the guard extended an arm to bar the way.

"Name?"

"Skylar...Skylar Lancewright."

Wes lowered his gaze to check his list again. Skylar hoped that somehow his name would be absent from it. Of course, it was not absent, and the guard let Skylar pass.

Inside, Skylar found a room of unimpressive size and appearance. A single aisle ran through the middle of numerous rows of benches, which filled most of the room. These were nearly brimming with persons in uniform. At the head of the room stood a platform and a wide desk. A row of six men sat behind the desk. They wore gray robes and gray caps. Several of the men had long gray beards. All six wore stern faces. On the wall behind these men, hung the banners of Ahlderon and Haladras.

"Don't worry," whispered Kindor, as he ushered Skylar toward the front row, "they're probably all asleep up there."

Skylar secretly hoped it was true; that those six were merely senile old men-harmless as children.

Once seated, Skylar breathed a little easier. He took a moment to glance around at the others in the audience. Rasbus sat on the other side of the aisle from him and Kindor. Next to the harbor master sat Captain Arturo.

Skylar moaned inaudibly. Of all the people he didn't want to know about the incident, Captain Arturo was first on the list.

The court proceedings commenced shortly thereafter. One of the six men stood and called for attendance. Each name called received a "Here, my lord," in reply from the corresponding member of the quorum. When Skylar's name was called he echoed the same phrase, but he was so nervous his voice cracked.

Great start, he thought bitterly.

Having confirmed the attendance of all requisite parties, the gray-robbed figure sat down and another stood. He had one of the long gray beards, the longest of the bunch, and sallow skin, which clung loosely to his angular face. He appeared to be the senior of the six inquisitors-the head inquisitor. With a voice weakened by age, he spoke:

"This court of investigation is hereby in session. We are here to probe into the incidents of the eighth of the Orven moon. The claims are thus: that an unauthorized personal aviation device was used in a no-fly zone; that said device was used to perform an illegal release from the anchor point of Captain Arturo's ship, the Supernova; that the aforesaid infractions were committed by one Skylar Lancewright, an apprentice dockhand; that said apprentice was ill-advisably assigned to operate a winch station; that the aforesaid conditions put many lives in jeopardy and ultimately caused severe injuries to said apprentice.

"Captain Arturo, are these charges correct?"

"Yes, my lord," replied Arturo.

Kindor leaned closer to Skylar and whispered, "Looks like Arturo's the reason for this investigation."

This realization stunned Skylar. The captain apparently already knew more than Skylar had believed and obviously took the incident seriously.

"Very good," continued the long-bearded figure. "We shall proceed with the investigation. We will first hear the testimony of Harbor Master Rasbus."

At this bidding, Rasbus stood and walked forward, coming to halt a few feet in front of the platform of judges.

"You are the harbor master of Cloud Harbor, are you not?" questioned the head inquisitor.

"Aye."

"The boy apprentice, Skylar Lancewright, has been under your supervision?"

"Aye."

"You were aware that he was among your dock crew on the day of the incident in question?"

"Aye."

"You authorized it?"

"Aye."

"Did you authorize the said apprentice to operate one of the winches?"

"Nay, my lord. I had no intention of him doing so."

The old inquisitor raised his eyebrows. "Then how came he to be posted there? Do you deny that he operated the winch on that day?"

"I do not deny it. I placed him under the command of one of my deck officers, Kindor Nightstar. He was responsible for assigning Skylar a task fitting his experience."

Hitherto, Rasbus had subdued his powerful voice. But it rose slightly, revealing a hint of suppressed anger, when he mentioned this last fact.

"I see," replied the inquisitor. "In which case, we have no further questions for you at this time. You may be seated."

Rasbus proudly turned and walked back to his seat.

The head inquisitor called for Kindor next.

"Wish me luck," whispered Kindor out of the corner of his mouth.

The old inquisitor asked Kindor a series of questions similar the ones they asked Rasbus. All of which only served to clarify the events prior to the incident. After the head inquisitor had finished, the figure next to him asked his own questions.

"You claim that you knew this boy was an apprentice," he stated matter-of-factly. "Why then, did you assign him to operate one of the winches? Were there no other experienced dockhands available?"

"No, my lord, though we had no dockhands to spare that day, there were others who could have manned that winch station."

"Then why did you not assign one of them?"

"Simply because I believed Skylar every bit as qualified as any other dockhand."

Here one of the beardless inquisitors chimed in.

"And do you still hold this high opinion of the apprentice now that this mishap has occurred?"

"I do."

A murmur of voices followed this affirmation, and several of the gray figures seemed to rouse, as if they were statues come to life, and began scribbling notes on parchment. The beardless figure merely smiled insidiously in reply.

The head inquisitor dismissed Kindor.

"They'll call you next," Kindor whispered as he sat down again. "Don't let them intimidate you-stand your ground."

Though nervous, Skylar's anger was already mounting. He had begun to sense that the inquisitors had already chosen Kindor as primary culprit in the matter. They would question Skylar, find him inadequate, and thus prove Kindor's judgment lacking. He felt determined to prove them wrong.

"Skylar Lancewright," called the head inquisitor. Skylar inhaled sharply and rose to his feet. As he approached the interrogation spot, he found his legs wobbled as he walked. Just stay calm, he told himself. Closer up, the six inquisitors looked even more menacing. They stared at him with their cold eyes, their brows frozen in perpetual scowls.

"You are the apprentice that has been mentioned today, are you not?" questioned the old inquisitor.

"I am, my lord," replied Skylar.

"You concur with the events thus far presented?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now I want you to provide us with a detailed account of all that proceeded from the time the docking procedure commenced until the accident occurred."