Chapter 3

Studying wasn’t scary; it came very easily to me. So, just like last time, I could pass all my exams early and free myself from classes, using the remaining time for my own benefit. The orphanage’s rules allowed for that. When you have no one to hang out with or nothing to do, studying isn’t hard at all.

I didn’t feel like sleeping: I’d just napped and eaten. The fight was predictable, but right now, there were more important things to deal with. Approaching the locker with my personal belongings, I took off all the clothes I didn’t need. My city clothes were hidden outside. I also removed my augmented reality contact lenses. Now no one could find me unless I wanted them to. The emergency beacon implanted in my body would only activate in extreme physical conditions or if I chose to trigger it myself.

A year ago, I found a way into a restricted area off-limits to kids. The spaceport was a separate sector, and even station residents had limited access. Inside, no one bothered with inspections, but getting in was the hard part. At first, I stole goods and sold them on the lower levels, but when the dockers caught me and didn’t report me to security, I was a little surprised. Sure, their actions made sense, but things weren’t going the way I’d planned. As it turned out, security wasn’t covering up what I’d done, so I had to work off the cost of the damage I’d caused.

The first few months were tough, but now I was glad things had worked out this way. The dockers became the family I never had: strict, hardworking, fair. I learned everything they offered to teach me and took on any job they gave me. I wanted to pay off my debt as quickly as possible. And three months ago, I finally did. They even helped me set up an anonymous wallet online. Now I earned a little money for the work I did.

“Remember, in any fight with a stronger opponent, you need an advantage. Always. Stay in control of the situation.”

“What if there’s more than one?” That question mattered to me.

“Divide them, pit them against each other, make it so they can’t attack at once. Create your own advantage.”

“But how do I do that?”

“That’s your problem. When you want to, you’ll find a solution. Remember, there’s always a way out in any situation—more than one, even in the most hopeless cases.”

Galboa was an electrical grid engineer. He always gave good advice. I’d never tell him this, but quietly, I considered him my dad. He was exactly the kind of father I’d imagined in my dreams. I didn’t need a mother—I already had a family, and I could see my future here. The dockers had become what I’d been searching for.

“…”

“Never give up. There’s always a solution.”

That was another conversation during our daily work. Galboa was a communications electrician and the one who insisted I work off the losses I’d caused. He was of average build, with tan skin and a short black beard. His work suit and pile of tools made him look like a terrorist from old movies. He’d grown up in an orphanage too and had managed to become a specialist with third-level citizenship—three steps above my sixth.

Sometimes other teens tried to track me down, but I always knew how to shake them off. I’d never show anyone the way here. This was my home.

Galboa’s son, Finx, sometimes came to watch his dad work. We hit it off quickly. He was three years older than me. Only with him could I be a kid, only with him could I play. He studied unarmed combat, and that’s how we spent our time together. He’d show me new moves, and I’d memorize them. The next time we met, he’d demonstrate more, and we’d spar at half strength. Finx got me into the habit of exercising every day, gradually increasing the intensity. For us, it was fun; for Galboa, it was a joy to watch. I wasn’t good at feeling emotions, but I understood them perfectly in others. Galboa was happy in those moments when he saw us playing in the docks. Finx said I was a great learner, that I got things almost perfectly. But he didn’t get it.

For him, it was just fun; for me, it was a means of survival. Galboa probably understood but never said anything. Fights in the orphanage were frequent. I used the moves Finx taught me, practicing them over and over. I didn’t have talents or access to the infonet—just a really good memory.

Today was a regular workday. When I got to the docks, the foreman approached me. He looked grim, and all the workers fell silent as soon as I showed up.

“Hey, Anzhi. Listen and remember,” he said, lowering his eyes. “Galboa got caught in the flame from a plasma engine nozzle. His right arm burned off, and that side of his body is badly scorched. He won’t be working here anymore. There’s an inspection team here now, poking around and looking for something. You’d better stay away, at least for a while.”

For me, the world collapsed.

How could God allow such injustice? Everything I wanted, everything I had, everything I’d achieved—it was all gone. Without listening further, I changed and climbed back through the ventilation shaft. No tears… strange. When I emerged in our sector, local security nabbed me. They’d reviewed all the dock camera footage. There was no evidence I’d worked with the dockers, and I kept quiet. But sneaking into a restricted sector was already a crime. When the investigator stopped spitting threats, I looked him in the eye indifferently and said nothing. What did his threats matter to me? Then my supervisor, Vaalsi, showed up. After a short talk with the investigator, he turned to me.

“Six months without city visits. You’re restricted to the orphanage grounds. Step outside, and we’ll cut your network access for the rest of the term,” he said dryly, ignoring my indifference.

“…”

“Are you satisfied with the punishment?” Vaalsi asked the investigator.

“Quite. It’ll teach him a lesson.”

“Go back to the orphanage,” the supervisor said, turning to me.

When I got to the dorm, I climbed into my capsule and fell asleep. Sleep was the best medicine.