"Honey! The train will be leaving in thirty minutes. We have to be leaving now!" my mother yells up the stairs.

I sigh and take one last look at my room. My bare walls, my bookshelf with only school books and my empty, pristine desk. Nothing here is mine. Nothing here claims to be mine or shows who I am. Maybe that's a good thing.

I zip my suitcase up and heft it off my bed before rolling it to the stairs. As I'm pushing down the handle to grab the smaller one a deep voice speaks behind me. "Need some help there?"

I turn and smile. "I'm good."

My dad smiles, his teeth bright against his dark face. "If you say so, kiddo."

I thump the suitcase down the stairs, almost surprised when mom doesn't yell at me for doing so. But she's too distracted. She doesn't want to mess up the first step of the plan. Not that it's much of a step, or plan for that matter.

She paces in front of the door, her hair trailing behind her. When she notices me she smiles, but it doesn't reach her worried eyes. "Do you have everything?" she asks, rushing over to me.

I used to wish I looked more like her than my dad. I love my dark curls, don't get me wrong, but there's something about mom's appearance that means business. And me and my dad don't look like that. If I looked like mom here I would stick out like a thumb, and I already do. So, it would have made it worse. But right now? I wish I looked like mom so I don't feel out of place at my new home for who knows how long.

"I have everything," I finally answer.

She sighs, relief flooding onto her face. "Good." She backs up and straightens her shirt. "We have to leave now. Say goodbye to your dad."

I frown and turn back towards him. "You're not coming to drop me off?"

He tries to smile but it's weak and we both know it doesn't hide his disappointment. "Wish I could kiddo, but the office needs me."

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Yeah. I'm sure the office really needs you."

He grimaces. "I know you don't like that I'm in the field but you have to stop talking about it like that. Especially now that you're in the field too."

I nod. "I know," I mumble.

He puts a hand on my shoulder. "Can I get a hug?"

I nod before tears can shine in my eyes. I don't know when I'll see him next. The future's so uncertain, but right now it isn't. So, I wrap him in my arms and hold as tight as I can before mom is sighing and pulling us apart.

"I'll see you on the other side," he says as we pull apart.

I nod because if I speak my voice will crack and tears will roll down my face.

Mom has my suitcase beside her as her foot taps impatiently. "Let's go."

I nod and follow her out of the house. I don't look back.

***

"I'm sorry that was rushed," she apologizes as we stand on the train platform.

"We were rushed for time. I know."

Something shines in her eyes and I have to stop myself from hoping it's pride. "Right. When you get off the train your aunt will be waiting for you. She looks-"

"Just like you." The jealousy slips into my tone.

She frowns. "Don't start that now. You looking different only makes your part more believable. Now, do you remember everything I told you?"

I sigh and nod. I hold out my hand and tick my fingers as I recall the list. "Don't stand out, keep your head down. Act like I miss home, don't let anyone realize my aunt is my aunt. Focus on getting the information we need."

"And what do you do when you have that information?" A smile sits on her face.

"Contact Aunt Val as soon as I can."

She nods and runs a hand through my hair. "That's right."

The train pulls into the station.

She sighs and her smile drops. "This is it. Are you sure you can do this?" She turns to face me, concern dancing in her eyes.

I nod. "I've gone through all the notes and information I need to play the role perfectly. I'll be fine."

She nods. "Just don't put yourself into too much danger, okay?"

"I'll do what I have to do."

A small smile slips back onto her face. "That's my girl." She leans forward and places a kiss on my forehead. "See you on the other side."

"Goodbye, mom." I grab my suitcase and head onto the train. I turn around right as the doors are sliding close and look at her through the glass. She smiles and waves, but I can't bring myself to do the same. So I turn around and head to my seat right as the train starts moving.

This trains are meant to travel at high speeds. I mean, they have to get around the world in an hour. I've never been on one before so I'm surprised to find that the high speeds don't make it hard to walk in here.

I hold my arm up to a scanner and let it scan my chip, which holds my ticket. Once it's scanned it the floor lights up with green arrows pointing away from me. I regrip my suitcase and follow the arrows down to my seat. Thankfully I got a one seater, so no one will be with me. It'll give me some peace and quiet before I arrive.

I plop down in the seat and close my eyes. I let my body slump and relax, it'll be the last it gets before I'm on alert for who knows how long. I wish this mission had a deadline. It does, just not one we know. If we had known when The Mars new robot was being announced then we'd have a deadline. But we don't. They've being keep any and all details on their new robot under lock and key. And it's my job to learn as much about it as I can.

When I open my eyes I find a screen popped up in front of me. It must be from the chair.

"Hello."

I jump back in my seat as robotic eyes pop onto the screen along with a mouth. "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

I shake my head and sigh. "All good. I just didn't realize the train had AI helpers."

"I see it is your first time on the TGT-12, can I do anything to make the trip more comfortable for you?"

I sigh. Of course it's an automated message. "Just some water. And maybe dim the lights in here?"

The face attempts a smile. "Of course," it says before popping off. Right as it does a bottle of water pops out of the arm rest and the lights dim.

I relax back into the chair. Maybe New Merica won't be so bad after all. How can it be if they've come up with AI like this and a chair this comfortable?

But before I can really enjoy my time alone and truly be myself for the last time in awhile the train pulls to a stop and announces the name I'd been dreading.

"New Merica stop will be in twenty minutes."

I exhale in relief. Not yet. I don't have to put the act on yet. I can let my mask fall for a few more minutes. But I can't. My shoulders are rigid with tension and my foot taps the floor in a not correct pattern. I go over the rules again and again, repeating them until it's the only thing I know.

Don't stand out. Keep you head down. Act like I miss home. Don't tell anyone who my aunt is. Don't let them see through me. Get the information. Inform my aunt, and get out. Don't let them see through the lies. Keep your head down. Keep my secrets close. Get the information, get out...

"Now arriving in New Mercia."

I stand on shaky legs, my hand grips the handle of my suitcase so tightly that my knuckles are white. Why am I nervous? It's just my aunt. But as I make my way to the door of the train I know that isn't true. She's my aunt, but also my boss, but also my principle and my only life line. If I screw anything up she'll be there for me. But I won't screw up.

I step off the train.

I don't spot her right away. It's been years since I've seen her, and the last time I did she had red hair like mom and looked like someone who knew how to rule the world. I'd been six at the time. But when I spot her I can tell it's still true. Her hair is now brown and held up in a bun. Her hazel eyes light up when she sees me. Always the same color. The one thing she never changes.

I take a deep breath as she gets closer. The same jealousy I had earlier returning. I wish I could change my appearance as easily as she can. Slip into someone new, someone who fits in.

Her arms are around me before I can stop her. My whole body stiffens, and if she notices she doesn't seem to care. She pulls away but keeps her hands on my shoulders. "Emma," she says sweetly.

"Hi, Aunt Val," I croak like a frog.

She grimaces. "I hope that isn't how you plan to introduce yourself to the Mars family tomorrow."

I shake my head and cough to get the frog out of my throat. "No, of course not." There, now my voice is normal. "I'm just getting the last of my jitters out now."

She raises an eyebrow. "As long as they're out by tomorrow." She looks around the station. It isn't filled but there are a few people. Mostly adults or families who seem to be visiting each other. "We should get out of here," she says, glancing at the families.

I nod. We don't need my cover blown. "Where are we going?"

"A hotel a few blocks from here. I didn't think taking you back to my place would help keep your cover."

I shake my head. "No. It would probably look suspicious if anyone saw."

She smiles, a glint flashes in her eyes. "You're a smart one, aren't you?"

I nod and try not to seem to pleased that she noticed.

"That'll be useful to keeping your cover."

"I learn from the best."

She smirks and chuckles. "Second best, sweetie."

I roll my eyes. "You only say that because you're her sister."

She loops her arm around mine and starts leading me out of the station. "Of course. I can't let my dear sister fool her child into thinking she's the best."

"And whys that?" I ask as the glint from the biodome hits my eyes. The streets out here are busier. More people and hovercrafts floating by. My aunt drops my arm.

She throws her arm out and a hovertaxi instantly stops. I frown. They wouldn't do that for me. Only for my aunt. As we hop in her smile turns sharp. "Because then there wouldn't be room for improvement."

The hovertaxi throws me out of my seat before I can understand what she means.