Publisher's Synopsis
For those of us who had never been to Garvey, an attendant from the Ivan shared a short holographic presentation. As the blue shapes flickered before a semi-circle that included me, Alf, Maddy and another boy about our age, I willed moisture into my mouth. Even through the image, I could feel the dryness of the planet. Only a breathable atmosphere made it better than a giant asteroid. Solar panels, dizzying and blinding, covered all of the squat, hexagonal buildings. There were no bodies of water discernible from space, so all drinking water came from small subterranean streams. The temps at the mines would be at or below freezing most of the time. By the time the holograph faded, I wanted to apologize to everyone on the Arxon for ever whining about wanting to go to the Surface. Caren had been beautiful and lush, but this terrified me. Nerves cracked my voice as I thanked the attendant, himself a native of Craggy. Fortunately, he credited this to a pubescent vocal changes. "Voice drop. Good. Means beard grow soon." At least I'm passing for a boy. Turning back down the corridor, I whispered into Maddy's shoulder, "Why would anyone civilized want to live in such a barren wasteland?" "Because no one civilized would want to live there." "That makes no sense." Alf poked me from behind. "No one civilized means no rules, yeah?" "Oh, there are rules," said Maddy. "Only two, though. Don't get caught, and don't kill anyone who covers for you." *** Caz, Alf and the alien creature named King continue the quest to "cycle" a Gypsy Pearl inside of Caz's body. To do so means untold power for her and freedom for the fanep species. But there are several leaders throughout the Granbo System who will do anything to make sure she doesn't get to her next destination alive.
