by Ryan Dunlap
“It doesn’t look like a wind merchant ship,” Emma said.
“It’s not. I don’t think I’m a wind merchant anymore,” Ras said. “The Winnower is gone, and as soon as the rest of Atmo finds out that The Collective has been using Knacks to make their fuel, there’s going to be an uprising. Callie and I are going to have to clear the ground of Convergences before the cities can land safely once they run out of fuel.”
“The Collective has been doing what now?” Old Harley exclaimed.
“We’re going to need someone who knows the surface,” Elias said, wrapping his arm around his shocked wife, “and I can only think of one person I want to guide us.”
“How many crew members are you going to need?” Old Harley asked, raising his eyebrows hopefully.
“I’m still trying to figure that out,” Ras said. “Can you think of any candidates?”
“A few,” Old Harley said. “Not everyone has someone waiting for them back on Verdant, and some of us might jump at a chance to save the world.”
Save the world, Ras thought. That’s a far cry from trolling for Twos.
Elias put a hand on Ras’ shoulder. “I’ll take Harley and your mother back to Verdant to see who we can find. You kids are going to need your rest…it won’t be long before we hit more turbulence.”
Ras looked back at Callie, who squeezed his hand, prompting a reflexive smile. The girl who dreamed of seeing the world now had to do just that in order to save it, and he would fly her anywhere.
“I’m ready.”