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Chapter 10

Butch, the girls, and Bieber fought their way through the crowded streets to a bistro, decorated with sidewalk banners and an awning to shade diners from the light generated by an artificial sun high above. The girls ordered hamburgers; the clone ordered a fish sandwich.

Butch opened his welcome packet and fumbled through the materials, mostly brochures outlining the adventures and diversions available at the Collundrome, information about where to go to find the pulse of the asteroid city’s night life. He laid a map out on the table. He looked up and read the sign above the bistro: Space Rockets.

“We’re here,” Butch said, pointing at the bistro’s spot on the map. He looked at their surroundings and aligned the map as best he could to get a scope of the entire underground network of walkways, narrow streets, and buildings.

He found the Collundrome main offices, the largest building in the network and pointed at it. “Arrowheart will be there, probably in the penthouse.”

“This is an excellent fish sandwich,” Bieber said around an enormous bite of bread and fish.

“I tried real fish once, you know,” Mindee Lee said. “My dad is loaded. He managed to get a permit and we were able to catch two actual fish. We had to hike forever before we got to the fishing spot. We grilled them right there and then, at lakeside. At the time, I thought it tasted yummy. But then my dad left me and my mom flat so now I kind of remember it tasting like dirt.”

Everyone looked at each other, none of them knowing exactly what to say.

“Well this fish,” said Bieber, “fake may it be, tastes delicious. Here, have a bite.” He offered the edge of his sandwich to Mindee Lee. A lazy smile grew on her face as she leaned forward and took a bite.

“We need to see Slink Arrowheart,” Twana said.

“I will do my best to get us in,” Butch said.

The four of them finished their sandwiches and left the bistro. Butch led them along a series of boardwalks. He remained oblivious to distractions, alluring creatures, shopping, recreational diversions, exotic food and drinks; the asteroid city was a constant party. But this was no vacation. He had to get Bieber up on that stage; his sister’s life depended on it.