Part 5

Riley had been thrown in a transport van. Literally thrown like a sack of potatoes. She must've really irked the guards. She was still a little giddy about her stunt in there. She knew she had scrambler cuffs on and they will scramble her if she used her legacies.

That's why she wasn't doing the stupid thing and trying to break out. Because that would really hurt and she didn't need to be in pain currently. Suddenly she heard screaming and the doors flew open.
A girl screaming insults at the officials was tossed in.

"Nice to see you, Kat." Riley greeted.

"Don't get used to me. I'm getting outta here." Kat huffed.

Riley watched her concentrate on using who knows what legacy but a second later the cuffs discharged. Katarina's whole body seized and she screamed again. Riley sighed. She waited for Kat to stop seizing to speak.

"Yo superwoman. It's a very basic concept. You use your legacies." Riley demonstrated by using her telepathy.

Calm yourself. Riley smirked to hide the growing migraine in her head.

"You're gonna get punished." She finished simply.

"Why don't yours shock?" Kat gasped for air.

"Because unlike you I've been classified as mostly harmless. Just basic scramblers." Riley explained. "Although you my friend must've seriously ticked off some agents. High-grade shock cuffs. Reserved for the especially nasty teens. The ones that are considered high-level threats." Riley casually explained.

"Gia's gonna be furious." Kat sighed.

Riley watched as the girl tried to fire herself up again. Just like before the cuffs shocked her sending her body into convulsions.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Riley asked after the third time.

"Shrink my way outta of these things." Kat snapped.

"Kat it won't work. No matter what legacy they're gonna shock you and eventually your gonna probably pass out." Riley wearily replied.

How stupid did you have to be? This girl was gonna kill herself. Katarina did it maybe once or twice more before finally, her body gave out and she flopped to the ground. Her body still slightly jerking. This is gonna be just wonderful. Hopefully, Katarina was in a more logical state of mind when she woke up.

If she woke up.

Just to reassure herself that Kat was still alive she crawled over and awkwardly checked her pulse. Her heart's still beating so obviously she'll live. Riley sat back against the opposing wall to wait. Since she was obviously the only sane person currently she needs to plan out the next few stages.

They had one day until the celebration ball. She highly doubted they'd be prepared by then. They'd have to hatch their own escape plan. Luckily Riley knew escaping the academy had been done before and her father knew all the ways. Escaping the academy isn't as impossible as it sounds. You just gotta know the ins and outs.


Eventually, the van stopped and they were hauled out. Well, Riley walked and they carried Kat out. They went into a large office like building. Riley was trying to determine the game plan.

Of course, they'd be treated just like any other case. Taken to a processing center for the basic test and examination and then shipped to the academy. She'd like to watch them make her father or even Kat's parents sign them over to the UN. She thinks both Six and her father would have some choice words for the UN.

If they let the poor agents live that is.

She and Kat were separated into separate examination rooms. Only one guard stayed with her and it was a woman. She looked about mid-forties if she had to guess. Her hair was a dull brown and pulled back in a tight bun. Steely blue eyes seemed to be constantly keeping an ever so careful watch of her. Another younger woman in a lab coat walked in a few minutes later.

"Good afternoon my name is Lydia York. I'll be conducting your examination today. It'd be in your best interest to not try to escape during this. Guard. Uncuff her please." Lydia spoke in a calm yet authoritative voice.

She had light brown hair in a braid and cheery green eyes. The guard stepped forward and undid the scrambler cuffs. The guard then slipped out the door.

"Okay, first we shall test your telekinetic strength." Lydia decided. She grabbed a plastic device that had what looked like a quarter inside. No, it was one quarter at the top of a tube full of a gel-like substance. Lydia handed it to her.

"Try to push the quarter as far as you can." She instructed.

Riley put everything she had into moving the quarter. She didn't mean to break the tube. The quarter shot down the tube and broke through the bottom. The quarter even shot across the room. Lydia stared in amazement.

"Excellent." She managed to say.

Riley smiled on the inside. It's like no one has ever broken her toy apparently. Riley was glad to be the first.

"Now for the less exciting part," Lydia replied.

After testing reflexes, eyesight, hearing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, height, and weight they did even more testing.

Lydia went to take a blood sample but just at that moment, Riley's externa flared up. Her hands had been gripping the metal examination table so hard her nervousness must've triggered it. She became as solid and hard as metal. The needle broke right off.

"Can you control that?" Lydia asked.

Riley shrugged. She wasn't going to admit she really didn't know how to control it.

"Alright how about we go out and see if what they want to do with you next."

Riley got off the table and followed her out. Next thing she knew the externa had gone away and she was human. Three guards met them at the entrance to the waiting room.

"This girl is to be contained until the transport is ready." The one spoke.
Another slapped a pair of scramblers on Riley's hands again.

"What did she do?" Lydia asked.

"This is a wanted escapee." The third one coldly responded.

Riley gave them a cheesy grin. "Wanted by who? Definitely not my family."

"She escaped officials at her school with another wanted escapee." The first guard answered sternly.

"What another escapee? What do you think I'm not capable of escaping on my own?" Riley huffed.

"Her chart?" The second one gruffly inquired. Lydia handed it over to the guard.

"You're still practically a baby compared to others. Apprehension of the target was simple. Although one agent has a concussion and another one has minor chemical burns." The guard continued.

"I'd watch what your tongue if I were you. One of these days one of the so-called babies might put you in your place." Riley casually spoke, but her voice was laced with a threat or maybe a promise.

A woman in full military uniform came down the hall. She walked with absolute authority in her high heeled boots. If Riley hadn't grown up around officials she might've been impressed. If she didn't recognize the woman she might've been worried. But the woman didn't impress her and Riley was very familiar with her.

"How'd I guess you'd someday be like him?" The woman coldly replied.

"How'd I know you'd be just as condescending as always?" Riley sharply answered.

"You know her?" One the of the guards asked incredulously.

"Why of course. Although last time I saw her she had I think green streaks?" The woman seemed to be scolding her.

"Since when were you moved to Michigan? Get in trouble in California again?" Riley smirked. Her voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

"I'd show some respect if I were you alien spawn. Daddy isn't here to protect you." She warned. Her eyes the color of slate.

"Cut to the chase Silvia. Am I your ticket back to the big times?" Riley taunted.

She got a sharp slap to the face.

"Where's the other one? The more dangerous girl." Silvia demanded.

"She's giving the doctors a hard time." One of the guards replied.

"Well hurry them up! We got places to be!" Silvia barked.

The one took off down the hall.

Great. Commander Silvia was in charge of all human Garde caught in the state of Michigan now. This plan was just going downhill faster and faster. At least she could spend the rest of the trip taunting Silvia. She can't truly lay a hand on Riley or her father will have Silvia's badge in a heartbeat. One of the perk to being his daughter.


Riley just sighed and shook her head when Kat finally was escorted into their transport van. Kat had a nice purple bruise forming underneath the bandage on her arm. Her one cheek had a handprint on it like someone smacked her. She was now fully shackled, hands and feet. Riley crawler over to whisper to Kat.

"Care to explain?" She inquired, trying not to sound as annoyed as she was.

"Since you seem to know all you try to figure out a legacy that's in all limbs." Kat huffed.

It was the first one that came to mind because she'd seen it at work before.

"Liberum, gravity doesn't apply to you."

Kat looked at her. "How'd you get out of having your blood drawn?"

"Externa decided to help," Riley whispered. Kat rolled her eyes.

"Your fathers gonna be livid."

"Yep. I fully acknowledge this." Riley nodded. Kat chuckled. They spent the rest of the ride in silence.

They'd arrived at the Human Garde Academy around seven. Lexa and Malcolm greeted them as they walked across campus to Malcolm's lab. Well, the one in the gym at least.

"Honey I'm home." Riley quipped.

She got both of them to chuckle, Kat looked lost.

"Now I presume you wouldn't like another wrench in your lovely plan but we got one for you," Lexa whispered.

Kat was still rubbing her wrists from where the handcuffs had left marks, possibly bruises.

"Such as?" Riley inquired.

Malcolm sighed. "We haven't exactly informed your father of this. We haven't even told him about the first plan that was shot down by the wonderful Cecilia."

"Wonderful, now he has two reasons to raise his blood pressure," Riley answered with false joy.

"What's the second one? I was only aware of one." Lexa questioned. Riley looked at Malcolm.

"What's the legacy my father hates above all other legacies?" She asked.

"Energy blasts?" Lexa suggested.

Malcolm thought about it but then enlightenment lit up his face.

"Impossible. The last time someone thought they had it it was when we discovered molecular manipulation." Malcolm argued.

Riley rolled her eyes and picked up a stray rock for the path. This time she actually willed her hand to copy it. Her hand turned to stone. Then she dropped the stone and waved her hand at Malcolm.

"That's how it works right? You become whatever you touch." Riley questioned.

Malcolm winced and then sighed. "That's textbook externa. Lexa where is Nine at this moment?"

"There are no classes in the gym after dinner are there?" She inquired.

"Last I checked no. Everyone should be doing homework I'm pretty sure. So I don't really know where Nine is actually. Give me a moment." Lexa answered. She started typing away on her tablet. "He's in his office right now and Taylor is in her's in case you want her as well," Lexa announced.

"Eh, I don't think we'll need her. Although keep Nine distracted as long as possible. Let's give them some time to relax before letting him know." Malcolm suggested.

"Making him wait might make it worse." Lexa pointed out.

"Give me at least half an hour before you let him loose on us." Malcolm his old hazel eyes seemed tired as he pleaded with her.

"Will do." She nodded before running off to one of the other buildings, black hair trailing behind her. Riley already knew she had run off toward the main office. That's where her father's office was.

Malcolm lead them to the gym and up to his lab on the observation deck. Once he shut the door he pulled Kat into a hug.

"You've grown my little warrior." He greeted.

"Hey, grandpa." Kat smiled.

"So what we got for legacies. I promise this is all off the books and Lexa disabled all monitoring equipment in here almost two decades ago." Malcolm explained.

"How about the why did you feel the need to try to electrocute yourself to death?" Riley asked Kat rather annoyed.

"Relax, I'm fine now. I just need my stone to help heal my wrists." Kat huffed. She reached for something on her backpack and frowned.

"Oh no. I didn't really lose it did I?" Kat groaned. Kat punched the table in irritation. "I lost them."

"I'll have Lexa get word to your cohorts and see if any of them found it after you were captured," Malcolm reassured.

"Here, I still have my trinkets," Riley suggested.

She pulled the pouch out of her pocket and retrieved the small black stone.

Riley gently placed the stone on Kat's right wrists. Kat hissed in pain while Riley held the stone there. Then she moved on to the left wrist.

"When'd your father give you his inheritance?" Malcolm questioned, gesturing to her pouch.

"Same day I was found out by the officials," Riley answered casually.

"Well feel free to relax here until Nine and Lexa get here."Malcolm shrugged.


Malcolm had let Riley and Kat go beat up the dummies within like five minutes after he told them to relax. Riley had discovered the purpose of the green ball with metal spikes, hopefully.

She retrieved it and threw it with all she had, using telekinesis to deploy its spikes right before it hit the dummy. It tore through dummy number four.

"Think fast!" Kat shouted.

Suddenly Riley's ball was flying right back at her, spikes out. Riley dodged and went flying back to Kat.

"Oh, so we're gonna play this kind of game are we?" Kat chuckled, stopping the ball.

"Why not?" Riley challenged.

"Bring it." Kat dared.

Riley got in a defensive position and motioned for Kat to bring it. Kat launched the ball back at her and Riley twirled and sent it back. Kat flipped right over it and smirked at Riley.

The ball kept its dangerous trajectory and came to stop right in front of the gym doorway. A man stood in the doorway with a stormy look on his face, his brown eyes in a scowl. He was tall and muscular with his shaggy black hair tied back in a low ponytail. His one hand shot out and the ball just hovered in the air. Suddenly the spikes retracted and the ball landed in his hand. Lexa came in behind him. She had a guilty look on her face.

"Where's Malcolm?" Nine questioned, his voice incredibly terse.

"Up here!" Malcolm called, completely oblivious.

"Alright everyone upstairs now!" Nine commanded.

Riley and Kat raced each other upstairs. Lexa filed in behind them. Nine was the last one in and shut the door behind him. Kat and Riley sat on the one empty desk while Lexa moved to stand next to Malcolm who was sitting in a chair.

"Now, can someone please care to explain what in the name of Lorien is going on around here?" He was calm, too calm for the situation and the others edged back from the man.

"Well, we…" Kat found herself at a loss for words and leaned back against the table as if she was trying to get herself further from the furious man.
Lexa grabbed the back of the chair and nervously bit her lip, "It's not what you think-"

"This morning I get a report about five targets possibly working together near a shopping plaza on alpine in Belmont Michigan." Nine cut, his words slow and deliberately unforgiving as he turned to look at her, "Then another report came shortly after that- two females were captured and neutralized. Half a squadron of agents was injured in the process. Then one of the doctors at the processing center is in the hospital for several broken bones and concussion."

At this point his knuckles were white and any and all patience had smoked away against the heat in his eyes, "This evening Commander Silvia saunters into my office and informs me with the biggest grin plastered on her face that my daughter is one of the captured targets." He took a steadying breath and his jaw clenched as the words viciously spat from his mouth as if he couldn't believe what he was saying, "Last I checked, my daughter had escaped the officials at her school and was safe in sound with Casey in the refugee camp. Care to explain?"

Nine's tone was unyielding and it was clear that no matter what they said, his mind was already made up.

They were in trouble, big time.

Riley knew to keep her mouth shut because he seemed pretty pissed.

"Anyone care to explain all this?" He snapped.

Lexa looked at Malcolm and Malcolm looked at her. Riley knew neither of them was gonna talk currently.

"Kat please tell me I'm not going to have your mother come pounding on my door tomorrow morning." Nine sighed, running a hand over his face.

"My mother is well aware of the situation as is my father. My grandfather is also aware of the situation but apparently, he's forgotten to let you in on the plan." Kat answered, giving Malcolm a look that could curdle milk.

"Lexa? Why don't you tell him the plan since you're truly the one who knows the most." Malcolm suggested, squirming under his granddaughter's fierce gaze. Lexa gave Malcolm a withering look as well. Riley couldn't decide if he should feel bad for the man or laugh at the horrible situation he'd put himself in.

"It involves Sidney." She sighed, running her hands through her long black hair.

"You guys couldn't pick another time to do this? This week is quite possibly the worst one. There's way too much going on right now for y'all to be scheming." Nine argued.

He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. Well, one was a muscular arm at least while the other was metal.

"The celebration ball won't be a problem because from what I understand there will not be a twenty-four turn around on this." Lexa cautiously explained.

She released Malcolm's chair and clasped her hands together. She gave Kat a look as if asking if she was right.

"So you're telling me my daughter and Malcolm's granddaughter are both here for who knows how long to rescue Sidney from us? Am I on the right track?" Nine sharply questioned.

Riley could still feel his anger bubbling just under the surface.

"Yes, sir." Lexa nodded.

"Why them? Why suddenly decide to save one girl from the academy?" Nine questioned casually.

Riley knew better though. His suddenly calm tone concerned her, he was going to yell again pretty sure. Lexa seemed to pick up on it too.

"I can't answer why them but," even with her dark skin tone she looked awfully pale. Her knuckles were turning white again.

"So you don't truly know everything which brings me to ask who's cockamamie idea was this?" Nine demanded.

Everyone seemed to freeze in place. Anger just seemed to radiate from him.

"Not us," Lexa mumbled.

"That isn't an answer." He snapped.

Riley found her voice first. "It was Cecilia. She didn't like the original plan proposed by Malcolm and Lexa. She thought it would be more reasonable to infiltrate the academy and smuggle Sidney out."

Nine threw his hands up in complete exasperation. "And why pray tell is Cecilia in on this?"

"Because contrary to popular opinion Cecilia didn't just fall off the face of the planet three years ago." Kat quipped. Kat instantly regretted her outburst and stared at her lap as Nine glared at her.

"You gotta be freaking kidding me! Someone, please inform me what in the name of the elders she has to do with all this?" Nine exclaimed. He started pacing back and forth.

"Cecilia is the other leader of the refugee camp. She helps Casey run the place. Does the paperwork and such. Keeps things running smoothly." Malcolm quickly answered. He seemed to quickly interest himself with his left hand.

"So it was Cecilia's brilliant idea to send you two here to snatch Sidney? Not that I disagree with removing Sidney from the government's clutches but why would Casey agree to such a thing?" Nine argued.

"Casey didn't agree to it you idjit! He and her had a huge argument about it he only agreed to it because he doesn't want the government to use Sidney against us!" Kat exclaimed in frustration. Riley sighed. Nine focused his undivided attention on Kat.

"What do you do in the refugee camp? How do you know more than Lexa who I've been lead to believe is the mastermind." He inquired, full fury focused on her now.

Kat shrunk back from him a little bit, his cool tone spooked her.

"I help plan all the missions. Casey and I plan every mission." She answered quietly.

"Still haven't told me why you two were selected." Nine scowled.

"Because we volunteered, five volunteered and it was whoever were the first two captured would be the two," Riley answered sternly.

"And why did you volunteer when you know I don't want you here?" Nine demanded.

"Because it's Sidney! She doesn't deserve this! None of us deserve any of this! None of us ever asked for any of this! Someone had to volunteer and I didn't want to leave it to the three stooges to decide how, why, when, and where!" Riley exclaimed in pure frustration.

She didn't mean to, she definitely didn't mean to do it this time but her stupid externa kicked in and she turned into same material as the table, her whole body. This was becoming annoying.

Nine stared at her in awe, confusion, and maybe some disgust.

"Well isn't that just the icing on the blasted cake." He grumbled.

Nine scanned all there faces for answers.

"Nine, Commander Silvia is waiting for you in your office." Lexa quipped. Nine sighed.

"This isn't over." He spoke harshly, pointing at all of them.

"Watch where you're throwing that next time." Nine casually said, tossing Riley the green ball. He walked by her and smacked her upside the head before leaving. Lexa sighed in relief and collapsed into a chair.

"That definitely could have gone better," Malcolm spoke slowly.

"Kat do you have a death wish?" Riley inquired turning to face the girl.

"Why?" Kat looked confused. She raised an eyebrow at Riley.

"You never insult or yell at my father when he's mad like that. That's just asking for trouble." Riley explained.

"I lived didn't I?" Kat smirked. Riley sighed and smacked herself.

"Malcolm? Explain it to her?"

"Waste of oxygen, she is her mother's child through and through." He chuckled.

"What's your father's deal with your externa acting out again?" Kat questioned.

Riley sighed and ran her hands through her lanky black locks. "Because when there were six Garde left to fight the mogadorians his arch enemy number five had externa. He and Nine went round after round fighting each other. My father has hated the legacy externa ever since."

"No control?" Malcolm asked.

"The only legacy I can really control is telekinesis so that's a no." Riley huffed.

"Well, maybe we can work on that. Give your father some time to cool off." Malcolm suggested.

"Christmas will come before that." Lexa joked.


Riley and Kat had settled into their dorm and were in the common room watching tv. Sharing a bag of Tostitos, courtesy of Malcolm. They were in the middle of watching a movie called divergent when someone knocked on there door.

"We aren't buying anything!" Riley called.

"Very funny. It's me Ri." Nine answered.

"Me who?" Kat quipped.

"Me open the door or I'm breaking in." Nine retorted.

"Geez, you're touchy." Riley chuckled, getting up to let her father in.
Kat turned off the tv and folded her legs under her.

"What's up, Stanley?"

"Your father's dead meat next time I see him." Nine grinned.

"That would be my mother who told me that," Kat smirked.
Nine rolled his eyes.

"Ya know people I'll start talking if you continue to visit us." Riley teased. Nine chuckled. "Lexa's got this room covered and the hallway cameras on a loop. I'm pretty sure I'm safe."

"So how's Silvia?" Riley mischievously inquired.

She sat back down next to Kat but waiting for an answer.

"She is just wonderful. You are not her big ticket by the way because she lost the other three targets including Casey Raya. If she was to catch him she'd be golden. Since he's seen in a lot of your group's stunts my associates have been led to believe he might be the leader of the runaways." Nine explained, clasping his hands together. Riley could sense he was still hiding something.

"Out with it. What is it? Don't make me dig in that thick skull of yours." Riley inquired.

"You both are aware the biggest and most important political ball is tomorrow night right?" Nine raised an eyebrow.

Kat groaned and pretended to have died. Riley chuckled and nodded.

"Kat I presume your mother and father will not be coming since her excuses become more and more creative each year." Nine smirked.

"I wouldn't expect either of them. But I presume you can't get out of it Professor." Kat answered, cracking one eye open.

"I've got a meeting tomorrow morning but Lexa would like both of you up by nine to go dress shopping for tomorrow night. When you come back depending on the time you might get to spend some quality time with Susan." He cracked his knuckles almost absentmindedly.

"Kat you have an eleven o'clock appointment with Dr. Linda Matheson Friday morning." Nine spoke and it looked like he was trying not smile or laugh.

Riley laughed so hard she fell onto the floor.

"What?" Kat questioned. Riley was laughing so hard she couldn't get the words out, she could barely breathe.

"She's the school therapist. I had nothing to do with the making of the appointment." Nine slowly spoke with the most innocent look on his face.

"Why do I need a therapist?" Kat demanded.

"Because they… they consider you….a vio-vi." Riley couldn't stop laughing. She hugged herself to try and help but she just kept laughing.

"What my daughter is trying to say is they consider you a violent teen. A problem child who needs her head examined." At this Nine cracked a grin.

"You gotta be kidding me." Kat snapped.

"Nope completely serious. If you can beat Cecilia's record I'll let you prank the board." Nine offered.

"Cecilia's record? She also had the same woman?" Kat sat forward, looking surprised.

"Five minutes. And then informed her some very nice words." Nine gave her a mischievous grin.

"Pfft. You're on." Kat scoffed, she crossed her arms and smirked.

"Good. Now can I please talk to my daughter alone?" He questioned, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"This therapist lady is on the board right?" Kat asked, standing up.

"She can be a target if you beat Cecilia's record." Nine nodded.

"Deal." Kat agreed. She pumped her fists in the air as she went to her room.

"You just opened Pandora's box I think." Riley chuckled.

"There are no rules against students harassing the staff." Nine readily argued.

Riley leaned back against the couch and laughed.

"So is now when you yell at me privately?" Riley stretched her arms above her head. Nine came and sat down next to her.

"Can't I just come check on my little girl?" Nine softly questioned. He put an arm around her and Riley snuggled into his side. She rested her head on his muscular shoulder.

"I'm sorry for coming dad. It's just I heard who the target was and I instantly said yes. It was a gut reaction." Riley sighed.

"I understand Ri, you followed your heart. That's an excellent characteristic to have. You are willing to give yourself to save another." He reassured. "If Johnny boy was here he'd give some long beautiful speech about how heroic that is of you but luckily he isn't in the room currently." Nine teased.

Riley chuckled.

"I see you're practicing with your inheritance already. Those trinkets are what's left of my inheritance from my chest. That stuff is from Lorien and it's irreplaceable. You may not realize it but I gave you a piece of your inheritance when you were ten." Nine told her.

Riley remembered for her tenth birthday he gave her the necklace she still wears to this day. Riley reached for it cautiously.

"Yes. Your necklace isn't really a necklace. It's a string of green crystals. Really cool weapon when used."

"What does it do?" Riley looked up at her father.

"Say anyone was to throw something at you. It will suck up the projectile and launch it back at that person. Sounds cool right?" Nine inquired.

"Sounds awesome." Riley corrected.

"I've heard you already know how to use the healing stone And you seem to already understand the concept of the green ball pretty well. So what about the small red stone I gave you?" Nine smiled at her.

"It's your X-ray stone. I accidentally saw Casey's facial bones and screamed when I was playing with it." Riley admitted, she looked her lap almost in shame.

"Casey got some handsome facial bones?" Nine wiggled his eyebrows.

"Dad!" Riley laughed, elbowing him.

"Do we need to have the talk?" He teased.

"Dad! Please stop!" Riley argued.

"I'm just making sure your safe. It'd be a shame if I had to cave in his handsome facial bones." Nine smirked. Riley rolled her eyes.

"So I hear ye old macrocosm system is up in running in their organization." Nine causally spoke.

"Yeah but from what I understand Kat lost part of it during her capture." Riley sighed.

"She did drop it but Casey had been paged to come help her but arrived too late. While no one was looking he scooped up her pouch of trinkets and returned it to Gia. But not just her mother has a red crystal ya know. And that's not even her mother's but that's another subject." Nine replied with a carefree smile. He pulled a red crystal just like the one Riley had seen Gia use the day she was saved.

"You can now go get Kat. I presume someone has to have the other half of the macrocosm. Johnny must've passed it on to the twins." Nine explained.

"How?" Riley started.

"Process of elimination. The other half of the macrocosm was in John's chest so if the refugee camp is using it as a means of communication someone has to have the other half or it won't exactly work for them. Since I know the twins are in that very camp I'd assume one of them has it." Nine casually explained.

"Katarina get out here!" Riley called.

As if she'd been listening to them the whole time Kat's door flew open and she walked back into the room.

"This is part of Riley's inheritance but use this to contact your friends." Nine offered, holding it out.

"You're sure it'll work for me? It is part of her inheritance she should use it shouldn't she?" Kat questioned.

"Riley do you know how the macrocosm works?" Nine inquired.

"You talk into the crystal and someone responds and you talk?" Riley guessed.

"You've seen them use it already haven't you?" Nine chuckled.

"Gia used it to contact camp when they rescued Riley," Kat answered.

Riley grabbed it from her father and held the crystal. It became warm in her

hands and she cautiously spoke into it.

"Hera. Come in Hera."

"Hera is a little busy at the moment sleeping off some pretty good pain meds. But this is Pittacus Lore 3.0." A voice replied.

"Hey, Henri. Everyone else there?" Riley asked.

"Pittacus Lore reborn is in the house!" She heard someone cheer in the background.

"Nice try Sam but you will never be him. That's John's position and I know for certain he ain't on the other end of this." Nine informed Sam. "Besides how'd you know I'd be on this end?"

"Because I could sense your presence, Stanley." Sam retorted.

"Or he knows Riley and Kat were calling from within the academy and figured there would be the chance you're on the other line." A female voice corrected.

"Hey, mom." Kat greeted.

"Your sister followed by me are going to have a discussion about not being captured later on." Six replied.

"Geez, we're like the only two that didn't have the don't get caught policy the twins? Casey couldn't get caught, apparently, Riley wasn't supposed to be caught, and now I'm not supposed to be caught." Kat huffed.

"Wait a second who's Riley?" Sam questioned. "Why is Nine on the other end? And where'd Kat get another red crystal?"

Riley heard laughter from her father and from the others on the other end.

"Sam, Riley is Nine's daughter no one knew about. Riley probably also has the red crystal in her inheritance from her father." Six slowly explained.

"I presume neither of you are gracing us with your presence tomorrow night?" Nine chuckled.

"I'd rather die at the hands of Setrakus Ra." Six bluntly answered.

"Can I take that option too?" Kat questioned.

"Katarina Sarah Goode you got caught so your punishment shall be attending the ball with your grandfather." Nine decided.

"Sounds fair." Riley chuckled.

"Anyone disagree?" Nine questioned.

"Send me pictures of that. I need a good laugh." Gia quipped.

Riley laughed while Kat looked furiously at the crystal.

"Traitor." Kat huffed.

"Good luck with them." Six chuckled.

"See ya." Nine smiled. Riley dropped the crystal onto the table.

"Goodnight ladies. Remember, nine a.m." Nine reminded before getting up and leaving.

"So we going to finish the movie?" Kat questioned.

"Duh." Riley laughed. She and Kat climbed back up on the couch and resumed Divergent.