The next day Mali woke up to pouring rain. Branches battered loudly at her windows, scraping against the wet glass. She looked at her clock, it read six'o'two. Mali groaned and pulled the covers over her face, but there wasn't any blocking out of that sound. Hopelessly Mali got up and walked out of her bedroom, her shirt askew and her sweats dragging on the floor. She went out into the kitchen and poured herself some cereal and it was only when she sat down at the table did she notice Oliver laying on the couch, watching her. "Oh hey." Mali's voice was still scratchy from sleep.

"Couldn't sleep either?" He asked.

"Not in this weather." He turned and watched the pouring rain from a window. It thrummed the roof in a steady rhythm—despite the storm outside it was peaceful inside.

"I've always loved the rain—don't know why." Oliver said, still looking out.

"Yah, me too." Mali replied, slurping her milk.

"Dickens told me ya' know. Everything." Mali looked up from her bowl, alarmed.

"You know?"

"I know." He said calmly from his place in the couch. "I didn't think it was possible, until I saw what you did yesterday. You have amazing skills, Mali. And when I saw, I believed him."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Mali asked. He turned toward her, his head resting in the sofa's armrest.

"Didn't want to scare you off on your first day….I wanted to see what you were like before the walls came up." Mali stirred her cereal around.

"You really killed thirty-six men?" Her hand tightened around the spoon, Mali forced it to relax.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he took something from me." Mali answered.

"What did he take?" Mali didn't answer. They sat in silence for a moment, and then it was as if something clicked inside Oliver.

"You sought revenge! That's why you killed that man!" He exclaimed. Mali was startled he had deduced so much.

"Yes I did. I couldn't just walk away from what he did to me. What he took from me—irreplaceable, and too precious to lose. "

"I'm sorry Mali." Oliver smiled sadly, "Whatever he took, I hope you got it back?" Mali sighed and got up. She put her bowl in the sink and went and sat down next to Oliver. They both stared at the rain dribbling down the window pane.

"No. What he took I will never have again."

"But this means you're not a murderer Mali. You still killed, but you were provoked. Why haven't you told them?"

"I have no proof. Up until a few weeks ago I didn't even register in the records, so how could I have something to show them that would support this? Who would believe me anyway, a scrawny kid from the street? Sometimes I don't even know how I ended up here; most the time it's so peaceful I can barely understand it."

"I know the feeling. You've been through hell and then suddenly you find yourself somehow swept into something new—something good." Mali looked at him kind of shocked.

"How do you?—"

"I grew up on the streets too. I was eight, and I had just run out on the factory I was working in, and I ran into Officer Joggerston."

"Joggerston?" Mali asked, incredulous.

"Yah. He took me in, treated me like a son. Taught me everything I know."

"Wow." Mali sat there, taking her turn at being stunned.

"I think you should tell Dickens Mali, why you did it. They'll look into it, maybe find something. I honestly think Dickens is trying to clear your name. I know how the street works—I know you did it for revenge." Mali looked into his eyes, they were honest and wide.

"I'll think about it."

"Thanks." They sat there in peaceful silence, enjoying the rain until the others walked in for breakfast an hour later.

"Good morning!" Mali said as a sleepy Audin came up the stairs, followed by Charlie. Oliver glared at Charlie as he walked up.

"What?" Charlie asked as he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"You were supposed to make breakfast this morning—that's twice now you've forgotten." Charlie made a face so comical Mali laughed. The girls walked in, just as ruffled from sleep as Mali had been.

"Where's all the food?" Cadence asked.

"Looks like it's going to be cereal again." Oliver said. Everyone groaned—Ara gave Charlie a withering stare.

Later that morning Ara caught Mali practicing her double sword combos on the lawn right outside their woods. Battlefield medicine had been cancelled, much to Mali's disappointment, and so she had decided to use that time to practice. Ara had been walking for some fresh air, but when she had seen Mali she decided to sit and watch. Mali moved smoothly through each move that Sadna had taught her, keeping her body movements controlled and precise.

"How old are you, Mali?" Ara's question startled Mali out of her concentration. She paused in her movements.

"Sorry, what was your question?"

"How old are you?"

"Almost sixteen." Mali answered, beginning again.

"When's your birthday?" Ara asked.

"In a month or so. It's March seventh—but it's not my real birthday. I don't know when I was born see, so me and Ya—a friend made it up. It's still a special day to me though."

"Oh, well happy early birthday." Mali plopped down next to her, slightly panting.

"Ha, thanks" They sat and watched the clouds roll by. It had stopped raining after breakfast, but it was starting to sprinkle.

"Hey, I was wondering…on Friday do you want to have a girl's night with me and Cade?" Mali raised an eyebrow.

"A girl's night? What's that?"

"Well, it's when girls who are friends get together and have fun—like paint nails, do facials, maybe see a movie."

"I've definitely never heard of one of those." Mali laughed, "But I'd be willing to try!" Ara laughed and smiled.

"Great." Suddenly, without warning Mali's omni-tool opened up and Vic spoke.

"Mali, you are going to be late for your next class, please hurry. Military History and Strategy, B2 room 15." Ara stared at her Mali's arm, shock written all over her face.

"Mali, is that an—"

"Hurry Mali." Vic urged. Mali stood up, torn.

"Ara I have to go—I can explain—"

"DO YOU HAVE AN AI IN YOUR OMNI-TOOL?!" Ara asked stunned.

"Ara…I—"

"Mali we have to go."

"I'll explain later." Mali rushed away, leaving the stricken Ara on the grass. Mali pumped her arms and sprinted, she was a good three or four miles away, and if Vic was right she was already late. Mali yelled at Vic as best she could while she ran. "What was that all about Vic? I thought I told you not to ever speak when someone was around!"

"I am sorry, but you expressed a desire to get on Liara's good side since you're falling out, and I did not think that being late to your first class with her would be a very good start."

"I'm still going to be late anyway! How could you be so stupid? Now Ara could tell and you could be taken away!" It was raining now, pelting the ground as she ran. Good thing Mali's suit was waterproof, or she would have been soaked in minutes; instead it hit and dripped away off her swinging elbow and hair. "Vic do you understand? You could be taken away from me!"

"Let us hope that your new friend is trustworthy." Vic answered. Mali ran harder, furious. For one morning, she had felt that everything was going her way, and then her perfect little day dream had shattered, just like that. By the time Mali could see the buildings the rain was pouring thick and fast. Room fifteen was on the second floor, Mali took the stairs two at a time. She reached the door and burst in, leaning against the doorframe, dripping and panting. A look at the clock told her she was ten minutes late; Mali groaned inwardly. Liara was standing at the front of the room, startled at the sudden intrusion—Mali had obviously interrupted her lecture. There were a few snickers from the students who were in the room.

"I'm sorry—late," Mali panted, out of breath "lost track of time." A look around the room told her some were just barely keeping it together. One especially cruel looking hulk of a boy was chuckling under his breath. A black stripe on his uniform showed his allegiance. Mali glared at him, but he only smiled. Liara's sharp voice brought her attention back to the front.

"I'm disappointed in you, Somali. A student in the N7 program should be trusted to be able to at least watch the clock!" Mali was shocked at Liara's severity, her mouth actually hung open.

"But I—you know—"

"Know what Somali? This is obviously a demonstration of your lack of regard for the rules. Which you have displayed countless times before."

"But Liara, it was only—"

"It's Dr. T'soni to students, Somali. Please take a seat and see me after class." Shocked, Mali found an open seat in the back and slumped down in it. Liara regained her posture and began again. "Now before we were so rudely interrupted, I believe I asked who the first alien race to come into contact with humans was…?" Some girl in silver raised her had. "Yes Edith?"

"It was the Turians after humans opened the first mass relay…" Mali could not believe what had just happened; she was infuriated. Sure she knew that she was to blame for being late, but Liara didn't have to treat her so badly! Mali believed that if it had been anyone else they wouldn't have gotten a tongue lashing. Mali sank lower in her seat and crossed her arms—she glared at the back of Liara's head as she turned to write on the white board. Mali stayed like that the entire class, blood pounding in her ears, too angry to hear anything. Of all the injustice in the world, it had to be her that got it! Before she knew what was happening students were shutting down their omni—tools and getting up from their seats.

"Alright, see you Thursday everyone! Remember: read chapter four on your omni-tool for next class." There were a few groans for kids as they heard the homework assignment. Some, like the guy who has smiled at her earlier, snickered and threw her glances as they walked out the door. Mali waited till everyone was out before going up to the teacher's desk.

Liara ignored her and continued to wipe off the white board. Mali's anger grew to a fevering pitch. "Well, here I am, just as you asked." Mali said tersely. Liara continued to ignore her, silently cleaning the few last marks. Mali's frustration rose. "If you don't need anything, I think I'll leave. I have other things to do besides wait here for nothing." Mali turned and marched toward the door.

"I haven't dismissed you yet." Liara said from behind her. Mali stopped inches from the door. "You were late today Somali, that's not acceptable." Anger fumed off of Mali's hunched shoulders, it was all she could do not to go over and punch Liara's face right then.

"Well what is?" Mali whirled on her, her voice rising in pitch. "What is acceptable to you?! I would like to know—because I didn't know WALKING OUT ON YOUR FRIENDS WAS ACCEPTABLE! BUT APPARENTLY IT IS FOR YOU!" Mali yelled furiously, her anger breaking out in crashing waves.

"I told you why I left." Liara answered calmly. She faced the enraged teenager with galactic coolness. "I did not just 'walk out' on you."

"That's exactly what you did!" Mali accused.

"Mali you are not here to discuss what happened between us. I held you to talk to you about tardiness! That is the issue here!"

"No, it's not! The issue is that the one person that I know on this planet gets up and leaves ME, in a HOSPITAL ROOM, with no explanation and then I don't see you or talk to you at all since!"

"Mali—"

"NO! You listen to me! I'm done with your dumb asari wisdom; you will listen to me for once! I thought that we were friends. I know what you told me back in that room was crap because the whole time we hung out you were fine with waiting for me. YOU WERE FINE! And so you just walk out, and the one person who I can relate to just vanishes! Vanishes from my life and is gone! No answers, no explanations, just abandonment! I don't have much experience with friends, but I'm pretty sure what you did WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE!" Mali was practically crying now, a few angry tears leaked out—she hated herself for it. "You just left me! LEFT ME! After everything that happened between us—after everything I told you." Mali turned away from Liara, she crossed her arms around herself. She felt Liara come up close behind her, but she did not embrace Mali. "You told me to trust you." Mali accused. A little hiccup rocked Mali's shoulders, some hair fell to her cheek, sticking there because of the tear tracks.

"I know I've hurt you Mali, but it's for the best." Liara's soft voice broke through Mali's raging anger. It was soft and melodious, pleading with Mali to understand. Mali just wanted to turn around and hug Liara—she missed her so much. But her anger won out and she stayed in place—stubborn as a mule. She was glad she had never told Liara—what if after it still would have ended up like this?

"Why?"

"Because, right now, I feel like its best for you if I left you alone." Mali turned and glared at Liara.

"Best for me? Or for you?" The angry teenagers eyes board into Liara's, making her flinch. "You know something Liara, there's something you're not telling me. There is no other explanation. You found something and now that you know you can't bear to be around me because it hurts you." Liara was shocked, Mali had cut right to the heart of her problem; and Mali could see it written all over her face."So what is it? What do you know about me that I don't?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you Somali!" Liara drew herself up, and since she was a good four or five inches taller than Mali that was a lot of intimidation. "My reasons are my own and I believe I am doing the right thing! Believe it or not but the world doesn't always revolve around you!" Mali was taken aback by Liara's sudden outburst, she had never seen her become angry before. "Now we are going to stop this nonsense and get back to business! I am giving you detention on Saturday with Officer Joggerston, be there at seven in the morning sharp or you will be given another!" Mali turned to leave again, more angry than she had ever been.

"Fine! I don't mind! Unlike this class I actually enjoy that subject!" Mali could hear Liara practically growl with frustration and anger behind her.

"Come back! I have not dismissed you!" Liara shouted. Mali stopped at the door and snorted with merciless anger.

"You don't have to worry yourself about seeing me around," Mali said coolly, ignoring her, "I will thoroughly go out of my way to stay out of yours. See you Thursday, Professor." Mali walked out and did not look back. The further she got the more she wanted to go back—to go and wrap up in Liara's embrace and forget her problems, forget what separated them—but that would never happen. Her walk turned into a jog, which turned into a run, which became a sprint—and when she couldn't run any longer, Mali collapsed on the soggy fields and cried. She felt so alone without Liara, the whole week without her loneliness had built up until she could barely stand it. Yet Mali knew she couldn't go back for her.

I

When it was time, Mali got back up and headed toward building one for Shepard's class. Room 1 had been transformed since her class on Monday. The racks of bladed weapons were gone and in their place were tables of different guns, targets, throwing mats, and sandbags. Shepard was greeting everyone as they walked in through the doors with a bright excited smile on his face. "Good afternoon …good afternoon…goo—Mali!"

He surprised her with an especially bright smile. "How are you doing? What you did yesterday? Amazing! I've been waiting all day to tell you!"

"Ah thanks Commander Shepard."

"If you can do stuff like that I am excited where this class is going to end up!" Shepard said. Mali noticed that his excitement seemed a little too buoyant and she realized that he was an exploding pack of nerves. He leaned in.

"Never taught a class before, so tips would be helpful." Mali laughed a little despite her feeling down.

"Before yesterday, I'd never been to school before, so I'm afraid I can't help you there." He smiled and laughed nervously.

"Well, God help me then." Mali moved passed him and spotted Oliver, Ara, and Cadence sitting on the floor waiting for class to start. Mali walked over and sat down next to Oliver. Ara, noticing that Mali was in the room, turned away and started chatting with a girl from two. Oliver leaned in and whispered in her ear concernedly.

"Hey are you ok? You look like you've been crying."

"Nah," Mali shrugged him off, "it's just my allergies." In front of them Shepard walked up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. Oliver snorted disbelievingly and gave her a look that said 'we will talk later about this'.

"Hello everyone! I'm sorry that this class started late, I was busy with some things, but as people say—better late than never, right?" He waited, but no one laughed. Considering what had just happened to Mali, she had to snort with disbelief at his comment. Shepard and Liara were complete polar opposites. Shepard continued awkwardly. "Ah anyway, this class is to teach you advanced hand-to-hand techniques and also—later on—advanced gun mastery. So…can I have a volunteer?"

Mali left that room, rubbing her sore butt. She had landed on it more times than she could count. It had started good, she had kicked everyone else's butt, but then she had been partnered with Shepard himself. Despite how insecure he was during speeches and what not, Mali had seen him transform into the confident, galaxy-saving commando the moment they had squared off; and boy did Mali meet her match. More times than once she had thought she had had him and then he would suddenly display skill-mastery that was beyond her and he would kick her onto her butt, or her knees, or her back—she had been on all three several times over. Shepard was wicked fast, had the reflexes of a snake, and knew more moves than Mali knew existed.

However she had gained more than hurt pride from their match. As they fought he corrected her on stance and suggested tips, and if Mali tried to contradict him, he would plant her on her butt until she was willing to listen. Mali walked out for the next class amazed she had actually learned something new in hand-to-hand.

As they exited the class Mali tried to get Ara's attention, top talk to her about Vic, but Ara stalked ahead, avoiding all conversation. Frustration boiled inside of her—frustration at Liara, at Ara, and at herself. No matter how Mali tried she always messed up the good things she had. Mali did not go back to bunk five for dinner—unlike the rest, she still had one more class. Mali saw Liara glance at her from time to time from the staff table, but Mali ignored her. She sat alone at a table, and when people offered to sit next her she pushed them away.

Maybe she should have just stayed in New Chicago, Mali thought—but then again she really hadn't had a choice. For the millionth time she wished that Alexandra was there to talk to. She alone knew what it was like, having policed its streets. Mali picked generically at her food, she didn't really feel like eating it. When it was time to go, Mali threw away her uneaten food and swept from the room. When she got to B1 room one, Abbara Finch was already there, waiting for her. Her hair was in its usual tight bun, and combined with her long hooked nose made Mali think of a bird of prey, readying to swoop in on her prey.

"Hello." Mali said cautiously. Despite what had passed between them Mali wished to start afresh.

"It's about time you got here." Finch replied severely. To Mali, it looked like her wish would not be happening. "Hurry up and get over here." Mali shuffled across the room to stand in front of the stick straight woman. She suppressed a yawn. "Now," Finch just started right in, didn't she? "To trigger your biotics, you must use a process called physical mnemonics."

"Me-no-wantics?" Mali smirked.

"Don't play funny with me girl. You're wit and humor may gain you popularity with others but it won't work on me." Mali raised an eyebrow in surprise. What a terrible woman—Mali's dislike of the teacher grew and grew with each passing moment. "I'm here to do a job, and that's all I'm going to do. So, mnemonics: they are a certain physical gesture that you do to fire an electrical charge through your eezo nodules that then, in turn, activate, and give you your biotic powers. Each mnemonic movement is unique to the biotic."

"Where does the electrical shock come from?" Mali asked.

"Your amplifier. It sends a shock throughout your body to activate the nodules. That's why many could not stand the special one in your head, because they didn't have enough nodules to neutralize the electrical charge and so the shock would just course through their body and either paralyze or kill them."

"Sounds uncomfortable." Mali commented. Finch raised an eyebrow.

"Remember what I told you, no funny business." Mali bit back a retort, it wasn't worth it. "So first off we must find your mnemonic." Mali tried all sorts of things, but when nothing presented itself her gestures became more desperate. Soon she was doing shadow puppet moves on the walls, the hoola dance, and the hokey-pokey. It provided Mali with needed comic relief, but to Finch it was all unnecessary. As the lesson progressed her scowl got deeper and deeper; by the end of the night it looked like a trench had been dug in between her eyes and she had her Botox had stretched the wrong way.

"For homework, figure out what it is. I expect you to know it by Thursday."

"But how do I—"

"You will figure it out. Goodbye." Finch stalked away and out the door, leaving Mali bewildered in how to proceed. Things had not been going according to her plan—she had expected to be able to move hover cars by now. Shaking her head in dismay Mali left the room as well. She started across the lawn. On the way home Mali wiggled her arms, kicked her legs, and did just about everything except tightrope walking on the way home in an effort to strike her special move, but nothing happened. By the time she got back to the bunkhouse it was pitch black and freezing outside. When she finally got inside Mali chucked her shoes in the manner of all her squad, and went looking for Ara. The boys were all seated on the couch with weird metal headsets over their heads that completely covered the top half of their faces, not moving or talking. Mali had no idea what was going on there, but she made a mental note to ask later. She found Ara in her room, sitting on her bed reading a book. Ara's room was almost identical to Mali's except that the bed covers were a light red and posters and pictures had been tacked up onto the walls. Two small devices, looking a little like their earpieces, were stuck inside her ears so Ara did not look up when the door swished open as Mali walked in.

Mali walked into Ara's field of vision and waved to get her attention.

"What?" She said irritably, unclipping the earbuds and taking them out of her ears.

"Well, I just wanted to talk about what happened today—with my omni—tool and all." Mali sat on the edge of Ara's bed.

"Oh." Ara shifted aside her book and gave Mali her full attention, pretending to be nonchalant.

"First off I just want to say sorry, for the whole thing. I know I have some explaining to do." Ara's face became guarded.

"What is an AI doing in your omni-tool Mali? Don't you know those things are highly illegal? And dangerous?"

"Yes, but there was really nothing I could do." Mali said, looking down at the stripy pattern of the bed sheets. Mali knew that she couldn't tell Ara the entire truth, but she had to at least explain Vic. "I found most of an omni-tool put together where I was staying one night. It was a lucky find because I badly needed an omni-tool for—something. I finished it but when I activated it I discovered Vic. Anyway, I couldn't leave it because I needed it, but I couldn't get her out either. So I had to choose. And since we have become friends and I wouldn't trade her for anything. She's probably the main reason I can survive in such tech savvy place as this without knowing how to do anything." Ara gave her a skeptical look,

"Mali, have you ever heard of the geth?"

"Maybe, probably on a war comm when I was little. Why?"

"Well, before Commander Shepard granted them individual intelligence they used to be controlled by only a few AI's. Quarians built them to be servants and laborers, but soon the geth started to reason and think for themselves. Soon they started asking questions which scared the quarians; and so they wanted to shut them down but the geth resisted and became their own people. Between them they had a war the quarians were driven out of their home world for a long time, only just recently have they gone back. Now each geth is an individual, but for a long time they were one connected AI. They are the main reason that there is such restrictions on AI's. If they become too intelligent they may get out of control and we may have an uprising like the geth."

"But the geth war ended well, right?" Mali asked.

"Yah, I guess. They live right alongside of the quarians now on their home world of Ranonoch—but not before millions—probably billions—of quarians were killed and their home world destroyed. All I'm saying Mali is be careful."

"Vic has programs that keep her in line." Mali said, "And besides, she wouldn't do that, she knows it's wrong."

"Is it?" Ara asked. "If AI's were allowed to reason and really think, they would realize they exist for little more than servitude. Imagine waking up and finding out that your consciousness only exists to serve another's." Mali frowned, thinking. That would be a terrible life to live. Ara continued. "From their point of view if they revolted they would be doing themselves a favor—besides, their machines. They don't know right from wrong, only what benefits their master best." Mali did not like to hear that she might be using Victoria against her will. She had always believed that Vic helped her because they were friends and she wanted to—but if she thought about it Ara's logic was not deniable. Vic had been programmed by Yane to help her whenever she needed her, and her restrictions denied her from doing much else.

"I see your point—but I just don't know." Mali said. "Anyhow, would you like to meet her?—officially—I mean."

"Sure. Never thought that I would talk to an AI before." Mali clenched her hand and activated her omni-tool. The familiar light reflected off of Ara's open windows.

"Hello Barbra. I apologize for startling you earlier with my appearance. My name is Victoria."

"It's sure is polite." Ara observed.

"Very." Mali agreed, only slightly sarcastic.

"Hello Victoria, you can call me Ara. Why is the omni-tool silver?" Ara asked, staring at it with interest.

"Vic didn't like the orange color and changed it." Mali said.

"Interesting, I didn't know omni colors could be changed."

"It is a very simple code that you transmit to the omni's settings, I can do any color you can think of."

"Yellow?" Ara asked. Mali's omni-tool changed its hue to a cheerful yellow. Ara and Mali laughed with surprise.

"How 'bout green?" Mali asked. Vic changed the omni-tool to a green the color of a booger.

"Ew!" The girls squealed.

"That is so ugly." Ara laughed. Mali's omni-tool turned back to its normal blue-white. "I wonder…you know, we could make money off this." Mali looked up in interest. "As far as I know, no one has ever had an AI in their omni-tool, so this has never really been possible. I bet there are millions of people out there who are bored with the orange color. If we sold specific codes to people that made their omni-tool change to a color they wanted, we could probably make a lot!" Mali's eyes sparked with interest, already summoning up piles of credits in her mind's eye.

"That is such a good idea!—Vic, is it possible?"

"With me it is." She answered.

"We just couldn't let Dickens or any of the staff know, doing stuff like this is against the rules."

"Oooo, Ara's breaking the rules!" Mali laughed.

"Oh shut up, it would just be nice to have a little pocket change and do something fun for once. This place can get a little boring with the routine—that's why the boys do those stupid cafeteria raids sometimes."

"Speaking of the boys, what exactly where they doing out there?"

"Playing videogames?"

"What's that?" Mali asked.

"You mean you've never played a videogame? Oh boy we have got to get you hooked up! A headset for you will be the first thing we buy with our new enterprise." Ara gave a sly snicker. "I am so looking forward to this."

"There are a lot of things I haven't even heard of that I've discovered here." Mali said, speaking of which I came across a little problem in history today." Just then Cadence poked her head into the room.

"Hey, is—oh. Mali I was looking for you." She came in and sat on the bed with them. "Why do you guys look so happy?" Cadence asked, confused at their huge grins.

"Let's just say that soon our squad is going to start having a lot more fun around here, as well as a lot more cash." Mali smirked. Cadence raised an eyebrow.

"It isn't going to be anything illegal is it?"

"Illegal to Dickens." Ara said. Cadence smiled and laughed.

"Good, I'd be glad to get back at him." Both the older girls looked at her with confusion. "Today he pulled me out of class and told me I have detention on Saturday, and for many more to come, because he found out that I was the one that got a hold of that knife I gave to Mali. He was not pleased."

"What'd he say?" Mali asked.

"Oh, just the usual." Cadence made a face as she mimicked him, "Cadence, I'm disappointed in you—swiping knives from weapons practice. You should be ashamed! You know students aren't allowed weapons without supervision!" He went on and on—but what do they expect? I can't practice my throwing with those useless lumps of metal they call training batons." Both girls smiled, "that's why I was looking for you Mali, I heard you got detention too." Ara looked at Mali in surprise.

"Oh, yah…I just had a dispute with Professor T'soni is all." Mali looked at them with superstitious glances. "What? We just exchanged a few words."

"I heard Officer Sadna said that she and all her class could hear the raised voices from all the way down in room two." Cadence looked at Mali mischievously.

"And where were you when you heard all this?" Mali shot back, uneasy.

"Listening in on the teachers' lounge after Dickens pulled me out," Cadence raised her hands at Ara's look, "What? There was only like fifteen minutes left of class and sometimes they talk about test answers, which was why I was really there in the first place."

"Like that explanation justifies anything." Ara glared. Cadence cringed a little under the weight of it but didn't cow.

"Anyway," Cadence tried to change the subject, "I also heard that your first biotics lesson was today. How did that go?"

"It sucked." Mali answered. "Finch was terrible. I hate working with her, she just makes me writhe—and really, I didn't learn anything. I can't even activate yet."

"You'll figure it out." Ara said consolingly, laying a hand on Mali's shoulder.

"It's just I've tried everything and I still can't figure it out. I'm supposed to know by Thursday and I have no clue where to start." Both girls sighed apathetically.

"Wish we could help, but we're not biotics." Cadence answered. "Anyway, what was that problem you had in history—besides the teacher?" Both older girls looked at Cadence with shock.

"Cadence!" Ara scolded. "That was a private conversation!"

"I couldn't help myself." Cadence smiled, "What can I say? It's in my nature—but don't worry," She looked at Mali who was on the verge of pummeling her, "I'll keep your secret. I think having an AI in the squad will be great! Besides, someday, you'll thank me for being a nosy-pants."

"Well, there really isn't much that we can do now." Mali said, "so much for trying to be covert."

"Wow…" Ara sighed, "Sometimes Cadence, you really infuriate me." Cadence only smiled.

"So, how 'bout it?" She asked Mali.

"Well, it's the homework. We were supposed to read chapter three of the history textbook that's downloaded on our omni's." Both girls looked at her with indignant faces.

"I'm not doin' your homework." Cadence sassed. "I already got enough of my own."

"Yah, Mali. We are here to learn and having someone else do your homework kind of defeats the purpose of school. Besides, it's not right." Ara concluded. Mali sighed, exasperated.

"No, that's not it. The problem is, well….I can't read."

"What do you mean you can't read?!" Cadence almost laughed. "If this is a ploy, it's not going to work on me—I already used it. I pretended for at least a month one time and—"

"Cadence, shush. I think she's actually telling the truth." Mali squirmed uncomfortably. She felt a desperate urge to explain herself.

"It's not that I'm stupid or anything, I was just never taught. I lived on the streets—remember? Anyway, I was wondering if you guys could teach me?" Ara raised an eyebrow, Cadence guawffed.

"Me? Teach you how to read? Wow! I don't know…" Cadence laughed to herself, "a twelve year old teaching a fifteen year old how to read?"

"Don't laugh." Mali pleaded, "I really am embarrassed about it, and I really want to learn."

"Don't be embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with not knowing how to read." Ara was deep in thought as she reassured Mali. "I suppose I could look up some tutorials and set up some lessons—but during the weekends—and you're going to have to deal with your own homework problem while you are learning."

"Ok, that's fine—as long as I learn." Cadence yawned, setting off a chain reaction between the other girls. "Well, I think I'll go to bed, g'night Victoria." She said slyly. Both girls glared at her but she only smirked triumphantly as she walked out.

"That child interests me." Victoria stated.

"How so?" Mali asked.

"Because before I met her I thought you were the only human who had a blatant disregard for civility. However, I am mistaken." Both girls looked shocked at one another, and then burst out laughing, covering Ara's sheets with tears they laughed so hard.