Lost Planet 01 - The Lost Planet by Rachel Searles

“Actually, I’ve never met him.”
    â€œWhat?” Parker had already told him that Asa didn’t live in the compound, but wouldn’t he at least want to see his ward, to check in on how he was doing? “But he’s your guardian.”
    â€œHe funds my existence and makes the rules, but I don’t know anything about him—where he lives, what he does, what he looks like. I know he’s got a lot of money, but that’s it.”
    â€œSo you grew up with…?”
    â€œJust Mina, yes. I was raised by a robot.” Parker said this like it was funny, but there was an underlying bitterness. “Dr. Silvestri only comes by every once in a while.”
    Chase considered what this must have been like, and wondered whether he’d grown up in similar circumstances. “Why did you tell me you lived alone?”
    â€œBecause she’s not alive.”
    Chase opened his mouth to argue, but at that moment the waitress reappeared and set two glasses of foamy red liquid on the table. She turned and began to walk away.
    â€œHey!” Parker shouted. “What is this?”
    She stopped and turned, placing her hands on her hips. “Two Nevnas.”
    â€œI didn’t order this. Bring me a Lyolian ale!” Parker commanded. A deep flush was rising in his face.
    â€œYou can order Lyolian ale when you’re of age to order Lyolian ale. Until then, you get a Nevna.”
    â€œThis is ridiculous!” Parker rose to his feet, puffing out his chest indignantly. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
    â€œSure, you’re the kid who’s about to get thrown out of my pub,” she snapped.
    â€œI’m sorry, is he giving you trouble?” said a polite and familiar voice on the right. Chase looked over with surprise. Mina stood beside him, a calm smile on her face.
    Parker roared in frustration and swept both glasses to the floor with a crash. Red liquid spread out on the floor and ran under the waitress’s feet.
    â€œParker!” Mina stepped forward, placing herself between Parker and the waitress. “Please take this with our apologies,” she said, extending a handful of chips.
    â€œGet him out of here,” said the waitress, shoving the money into an apron pocket.
    Mina seized Parker by the arm and dragged him out into the street. Chase rushed after them, feeling every pair of eyes in the pub follow him. Parker tried to jerk his arm away from her, but she kept her grip on his wrist.
    â€œLet me go, let me go, let me go,” he hissed through gritted teeth.
    â€œBravo, Parker.” She released his arm. “This was your best escape yet. All the way to Mircona—very nice! I knew you’d figure out how to hack the cruiser eventually.”
    â€œStupid robot!” he spat, rubbing his wrist. “I can’t even get five minutes without you breathing down my neck!”
    Mina smiled at him and turned to Chase, who stood off to the side, embarrassed by the scene. “Dr. Silvestri’s been trying to contact you,” she informed him. “I’ll take you to see him, and then I’m going to place you in a different facility. After this incident it’s apparent you need to be in solitary confinement.”
    Chase glared at Parker, who kept his eyes trained on the ground. This was all his fault—he’d wanted to take Chase on his stupid joyride, and now it was Chase who was going to pay for it. He lunged forward, shoving Parker in the chest. “Idiot!”
    â€œHey!” cried Parker, although he still avoided making eye contact.
    â€œYou stupid, selfish jerk!” Chase shouted.
    â€œAlright, let’s—” Mina stopped abruptly and her eyes widened the tiniest bit. She turned her back on both boys. “Can I help you?”
    The two soldiers in dark gray materialized out of the crowd, wearing matching grim expressions.
    â€œID check, ma’am,” said one of the