“We have a few children whose parents gave them up to the Judiciary voluntarily,” the woman said.
“So find me one of those,” she said, clapping her hands together. “I want a young one. And not one of these snotty brats,” Meer pointed to a boy of around eight tickling a younger boy.
The young woman walked ahead to inspect some of the children. “This one might be of interest.”
Meer looked towards a child of around three-years-old. “What is it?” she snapped.
“It's a little boy.” The young woman turned to the scruffy blond boy. “What's your name?” she asked gently.
Meer frowned as the boy looked up at her, turned, then ran. “Boys,” she tutted. “I must have a girl - boys are simply ridiculous.”
Meer followed as the young woman wove her way through the children.
“There!” Meer pointed to a little girl with short black pigtails who looked up at her with a broad smile. “That one. I want that one.”
Meer strode over to the girl. “Can you talk? Do you have a name?” she said shortly.
The little girl laughed.
“What's so funny?” Meer asked.
“You're funny,” the girl said.
“Tell me your name little girl,” Meer demanded, folding her arms.
“Riko,” the girl said. “Where's Mummy?”
“I'm your new mummy,” Meer said. “I'll take this one,” she said, turning to the young woman. “Where do I pay?”
Efans Household, Insularum 5, Lunar
Natsuki paced as water to boiled for another pot of tea. “I'm going insane, Wynn,” she said. “You know I appreciate this, but I need to get my life back. I need to get Riko back.”
“Have you seen the patrols?” Wynn asked. “It's too dangerous. Luckily, I'm an Affiliate, so I'm offered some protection, but Ozu's not going to let that stop him if he wants to get to us. We need to be very careful.”
Natsuki sighed, raising her hands in a helpless, frustrated gesture. “I know; I just feel so trapped in here.” She poured the teas, handed Wynn a cup, then slumped onto the sofa. “I've lost Hayao. I've lost Riko. And now I feel like I'm losing my mind.”
“I know,” said Wynn, leaning forward on his chair. “Hopefully, Dumi will have some news on Riko soon.”
“I can't stand the thought of her being looked after by anyone else.” Natsuki bit her trembling lip. “I can't stand the thought of just sitting here. All I do all day is drink tea and complain. You must be sick of me - I'm sick of me.”
“We can beat this,” said Wynn. “You need to be strong.”
“I'm done with being strong. Where has it got me? I need to start doing something. I need a plan.”
Wynn shook his head. “I understand your frustration, I really do. But one false move, one wrong turn and that's it. You're no good to anyone if you're back in custody.”
Natsuki sighed a deep long sigh. “So I just sit here and wait?”
“No. We come up with a plan, we get you off Lunar. We need everything to be right. Something's got to give with Ozu - he's completely out of control.”
Natsuki shook her head. “I don't want to get off Lunar. I want to rebuild my life with my daughter in my own home. Is that too much to ask?”
“Realistically? Yes.”
Natsuki scowled.
“I know it's hard to hear, but you're wanted for treason,” Wynn said. “You, more than anyone, know only too well what that means. And not only that, you're a fugitive. You escaped from the Judiciary. If you even attempted to go near your residence, you're going to be arrested.”
“But Lunar's my home,” she said. “The bed I shared with Hayao is my home. The place I raised Riko is my home.”
“You need to stop thinking of that building as your home, and stop thinking of Lunar as your home. There are some good orbiters - there's even Mars if you're willing to take up farming.”
Natsuki grimaced. “Do you not see how hard this is for me?”
“Of course I do, but it doesn't change the facts. We need to work with what we've got.” Wynn sipped his tea. “I can arrange for a Boeki ship to smuggle you away. It won't be easy, but it can be done. In the meantime, you need to sit tight and wait to hear word about Riko.”
Natsuki felt tears well up in her eyes. “I'm sorry Wynn - I know you're right.”
Efans Household, Insularum 5, Lunar
“I've got some good news and some bad news,” Wynn said, munching on an apple. He took off his outdoor coat, draping it over the back of a seat.
“About Riko?” Natsuki asked, jumping to her feet.
Wynn nodded. “Dumi said he's managed to track Riko down. Well, sort of.”
Natsuki's arms dropped to her sides. “Sort of, how?”
Wynn dropped his bag behind the door of his bedroom. “Is there any tea in the pot?”
“Yes.”
After a few moments, Natsuki returned from the kitchen with a fresh cup of tea.
“What a day,” he sighed, slouching into his chair.
“Riko?” Natsuki asked, placing a hand on her hip.
“Right. Dumi said she was taken the Judiciary's orphanage.”
“Orphanage? She's no orphan.”
“It's just what they call it - they have kids there who've been given up by their families.”
Natsuki's face turned sullen. “I don't like it,” she said.
“So, she was taken there, then she was sold to one of—”
“Sold?” Natsuki snapped. “Sold? Like a piece of meat?”
Wynn squirmed. “Well, sold might not be the right word exactly, but—”
“Where is she?”
Natsuki loomed over him, her eyes bright with rage.
“That's what I'm saying,” said Wynn. “We're not entirely sure. It seems that it was one of the V5 refugees.”
Natsuki sniffed incredulously then shook her head as she sunk onto the sofa. “They sold her to a stranger,” she said in a low tone. “They sold her to a stranger who only just turned up on Lunar. What kind of system sells a three-year-old? How do they know what that person is even like? I can't believe it.”
“We'll find her,” Wynn said, taking a sip from his tea.
“Where? Where will we find Riko?” she said, her voice short, angry.
“Dumi's going to look at property transactions since the V5 lot arrived. Based on their wealth, I'd say Riko's going to be somewhere in Insularum.”
“And what if she's not?”
“We'll deal with that as it comes,” Wynn said.
Garrett knocked the door and waited. Although he had washed and his clothes were clean, he was a complete mess. Perhaps it was the journey from V5, or perhaps it was the shock of the sight of armed guards patrolling the Lunar streets - the checkpoints, the security, the undignified searches - but he was ill at ease.
“Garrett Priddy,” Wynn beamed as he opened the door.
Garrett embraced Wynn with a big hug, Wynn's hand patting him hard on the back.
“It's so good to see you,” Garrett said.
“Come in, come in,” Wynn gestured. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Garrett sat down on the sofa, his eyes widening as Natsuki emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
“Garrett, this is Natsuki Kurosawa - I'm, erm—” Wynn scratched his head. “She's in trouble with Secretary Ozu, so she's staying here while we clear everything up. I'm sure you understand.”
Wynn whispered something to Natsuki.
“Nice to meet you,” Garrett said.
Natsuki gave a half smile and stepped back into the bathroom.
“She's having a really difficult time of things at the moment,” Wynn said in a low voice.
“That's fine. It's difficult for everyone at the moment.”
“Tea?”
“Please. I haven't had a decent cup since—” Garrett clenched his jaw and blinked. “Ifan said he was going to teach me about teas - about the best blends, you know?”
/> Garrett stared ahead as listened to the clinking of cups and the pouring of tea - it was a sound he found comforting him, that took him back to his childhood. “I couldn't have done anything,” he said. “This kid just came out of nowhere.”
“I know,” Wynn said beneath a furrowed brow. “Ifan was a good man. He really was.”
Garrett took a cup from Wynn, cradling it in his hands, feeling its warms against his rough skin. “If the Muedin had just helped.” He sniffed at the steam rising from the tea. “This smells great.”
“Did I ever tell you about when Ifan and I were coming up?”
Garrett shook his head.
“We had this mentor called Daffid. Big guy, he was - massive hands. Probably died before you were born.”
Garrett felt a smile creep onto his face at the sparkle of Wynn's eyes. It was the first time he'd smiled since Ifan's death.
“We hated the guy. In his later years we got on really well, but when we were green, we thought he was a complete prick,” Wynn said. “On our first proper shift, he asks Ifan if he can find him a left-handed dolly.”
Garrett smirked. “I had that.”
“And I'm sure you'll do the same when you've got your own apprentices,” Wynn said. “So anyway, Ifan spent ages asking around for a left-handed dolly and even roped me into looking for one. We searched for hours. Finally, Daffid told us in front of the crew. They found it hilarious. And do you know what Ifan did?”
“What?” Garrett leaned forward.
“Nothing.”
“Oh.” Garrett's smile dropped.
“Well, nothing at first,” Wynn chuckled. “Ifan kept that with him for months. Once we passed our apprenticeship and were put on new shifts, he came into my room and woke me. He'd waited for all those months for Daffid to be on a different shift so he could return the prank.
“So, we got a dolly and wheeled it to his room. Obviously, a dolly wouldn't fit through a standard door, so we spent half the night taking it apart and then reassembling it in Daffid's room.
“As a final touch he added some grip tape to the left-hand-side of the handle,” Wynn smirked.
“It was jammed in his room for days before he managed to get in a take it apart. Daffid fumed for weeks after that, but he never knew it was us.”
Garrett laughed. “I never saw that side of Ifan.”
“Well, we all do daft things when we're young.”
Garrett leaned back and took a long sip of tea. “Did you hear what happened on V5?”
“With the exodus? It's pretty bad.” Wynn said. “I hear there's a lot of people in limbo on L2.”
“Not that,” Garrett looked into his tea. “The Molotok.”
Wynn shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“I was in a bad way when they found me. V5 has gone to complete ruin - it was crazy. The Molotok saved me, but they also killed a lot of citizens. It was a massacre.
“I didn't see what happened, but all I know is that anyone who wasn't an Affiliate didn't make it.”
Wynn rose from his seat. “Are you sure about this?”
“As sure as I can be - definitely in the docking area at least. They had weapons, and they used them on citizens. I get that some of them were up to no good - they were desperate. But there were people still on there who were just trying to survive.” Garrett leaned forward. Resting his elbows on his knees, he held his head in hands and sighed.
“This is why I'm going to go into politics.” Garrett turned to see Natsuki dressed in a brown rough wool tunic. “I mean it,” she said. “The system is rotten to the core and I want to be there to make that change.”
“One thing at a time,” Wynn said. “We've got more pressing matters to deal with - clearing your name for one thing.”
“I know,” Natsuki said firmly. “But I've spent my adult life being a wife and a mother and waiting around while other people do things for me. I know what goes on in that Assembly, and who it really works for. If we have a government run by self-serving factions, then is it any surprise that we're in this mess?”
Wynn gave a grim smile. “You're right, but what can you do?”
Natsuki folded her arms and lifted her chin. “You'll see what I can do.”
Vin Ranghi household, Insularum 2, Lunar
“For goodness sake child, will you please stay still,” Meer said as she pulled Riko's new leather tunic over her head.
“I said I don't like it,” Riko said as she stomped her feet.
“I'll take you back to that ghastly orphanage. Would you like that? Because that's what I'll do.”
Meer looked on in horror as Riko wriggled free and dove onto her bed. “Do you have any idea how much those covers cost? Get down from there this instant,” she said.
Riko bounced on the plush bed sheets, intricately decorated with fine strips of leather and lace. Meer clenched her jaw and cursed under her breath as Riko tore off her tunic and giggled.
“I don't like it. I don't like it. I don't like it,” Riko sang.
Riko's right foot caught in one of the leather strips, cringing as it tore. Meer marched over to Riko and yanked her hard by the wrist.
“I told you to stop it, you little shit,” Meer said through gritted teeth. “I can't believe I wanted a child.”
Riko wailed, a loud, uncontrollable squeal.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Meer said. Riko flailed on the floor, her arms and legs flapping wildly. “I'll send you back. I will.”
“Mummy!” Riko wailed.
“I'm your mummy now. Shut up.” Meer scooped Riko up and dropped her onto the bed.
“I said I want Mummy!” Riko pushed out her bottom lip, folded her arms and kicked her legs. “I don't like you. I don't like you. I don't like you, I said.”
“Well, I don't like you, child.”
Efans Household, Insularum 3, Lunar
Natsuki awoke with a stiff neck. She looked around and realised she'd fallen asleep on Wynn's sofa.
“Morning,” Wynn said. “Sleep well?”
She rolled her eyes and rubbed her neck. “Is there any tea on the go?”
“Always,” said Wynn. “Considering how much cider I drank last night, I feel surprisingly great.”
“I feel awful. I can't believe I fell asleep.” She stood and rolled her neck and shoulders.
“Do you want any breakfast?” Wynn asked, pouring the teas.
“If you've got any eggs?”
Wynn fumbled in his jacket and pulled out a crumpled note.
“Akira told me to give you this,” he said, handing her the piece of paper.
“What is it?”
Wynn shrugged. “It's not my note.”
Natsuki opened it and read the name and address scrawled in scratchy handwriting. Her eyes widened as she read the final line: 'custodian of Riko Kurosawa.'
“Fuck.” Natsuki bit her lip. “Wynn,” she said in a low whisper. “We've found Riko.” Frantic, she pulled her boots on.
Wynn's smile turn into a frown. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“I'm getting my daughter back.”
“Natsuki, wait,” Wynn pleaded. “Do you think it's a good idea to be sneaking around? You're pregnant, you're wanted by the Judiciary and there are so many patrols and checkpoints around that if you go out there, you're going to be taken in.”
“But I need to find Riko,” she said, her mouth trembling.
“We'll get Riko back, but we need a plan. You can't just go running around out there, banging on doors and expecting to get caught. Let's have breakfast, then we'll work this out properly.”
“Damn it, Wynn,” she said. “Why do you always have to be right?”
“Can I see the address?”
Natsuki handed Wynn the note. He frowned.
“What is it?”
“It's one of the Ranghis. Don't know this one, but I've dealt with the family over the years. They own the lumber monopoly on Mars. Wealthy as anything, but not the easiest folk to deal w
ith.”
“Great, so my daughter's living with one of them.”
“I know what to expect. I can go and talk to her if you'd like?”
“While I sit here and do nothing?” she snarled. “Do you know how frustrating it is just sitting here when I know my daughter is in the same city?”
“I know,” Wynn said.
“I'm going stir crazy. I feel as much in prison in here as I would in the cells.”
“Except that you're still alive. Remember that.”
Natsuki grimaced. “I know. I'm sorry. You've already done so much for me.”
“I'm free all day today, so I'm going to call on this Meer Vin Ranghi and talk to her about Riko.”
“Do you think you'll be able to get her back?” Natsuki asked.
“No, but if I can get a sense of where she is, we might be able to get a plan together.”
Natsuki nodded. “Thank you - again.”
Vin Ranghi Household, Insularum 2, Lunar
“Why won't you just eat your steak?” Meer said, exasperated as Riko hid beneath the pine dining table. “Get up from there, you little brat.”
“I don't want steak I said, I want my mummy.”
Meer scowled and poured the steak and potatoes into the waste chute, grinding her teeth as they turned to mush, then disappeared. “Fine. You won't have anything then. You can starve for all I care.”
Riko crawled from beneath the table and stood to her feet. Meer watched with disdain as Riko folded her arms and pushed out her bottom lip.
“I don't like you,” Riko said.
“Well, I don't like you either, you little—” Meer turned as a knock came from her door. She brushed down her skirts then glared at Riko. “You'd better smile and be good,” she hissed in a low whisper.
Riko stuck her chin out defiantly as Meer strode to the door.
Meer opened the door and scoffed at the sight of an old Boeki trader. He wore brown overalls and a toothy smile.
“I'm sorry, I'm not interested in buying any wares today, thank you.” Meer began to close the door.
“I'm not selling anything,” Wynn said. “Are you Madam Ranghi?”
The Slip: The Complete First Season Page 16