Equinox by Lara Morgan

wasn’t exactly shocked by the MalX revelations or the tests they were doing up on Mars. His response to the number of Ferals Helios kidnapped and killed was that they would have died here on Earth anyway, and at least they got to see Mars.”
    Rosie wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t exactly an unheard of reaction for a Central type. “Do you really think your dad could be involved with Helios?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Have you ever, you know, looked through his stuff or anything?”
    He stared down at his guitar. “Once, but that’s not the–” He stopped and Rosie got the idea he was debating whether or not to tell her something.
    “Have you told Riley?” she said.
    “Nothing to tell – yet. But if I find something …”
    “You’ll have to do something about it,” Rosie said.
    Dalton held her gaze for a moment, then looked away. “Yeah, well, anyway.” He began to pick at his guitar again and made an effort to lighten his tone. “So, why do the Senate want you?”
    She cleared her throat. “Someone – I don’t know who – sent them some information. The Senate think I might know something about how my dad recovered from the MalX.”
    “Do you?” he asked quietly.
    Rosie couldn’t answer.
    She could feel the weight of his stare, but all he said was, “It’s okay. Later, eh?”
    She nodded, then scooped up the last of the noodles and spoke around them. “Riley says it’s better if I turn myself in rather than trying to hide – or run away. Personally, I’d rather run – if I knew some way of disabling men twice my size.”
    “You mean like self-defence?”
    “My aunt’s been saying she’s going to teach me, but she never has the time.”
    “I can show you, if you like.”
    “You?”
    “Sure.” He smiled. “You got something better to do? We’ve got a fully equipped gym here.”
    “Of course you do.” She pushed her empty bowl away. “But I’ve already got enough aches and pains, thanks.”
    “I promise to go easy on you.”
    Rosie sighed and thought about it for a minute. It was better than sitting around stewing. “Okay.” She got to her feet.
    Dalton’s gym was a separate bungalow. It had every new piece of high-tech training gear, from AI running pods that made you feel you were running on a beach or in a forest, to hologramatic trainers and AI fighting programs, but what Dalton showed her was all simple, hand-to-hand defence.
    After an hour of practising, Rosie was tired and sore and her shoulder was aching, but she didn’t want to stop. Dalton was a good teacher. She had managed to throw him off his feet and was trying to pin him down, with one arm locked around his neck, when the security alarm suddenly chimed loudly. Startled, she tightened her grip and he wheezed.
    “Sorry.” She loosened her grip.
    “It’s the gate alarm,” he said. “Your aunt must be here.”
    Rosie let him go, pushing against him to regain her feet. “How did I do?” she said. “Were you really disabled or only pretending?”
    “Oh, I was disabled,” he said and rubbed at his neck. “I think you’re a natural. Your reflexes are pretty good.” He headed out of the gym.
    “Seriously?”
    “Yeah. Christ, it’s hot out here!” He squinted in the sun as they crossed the deck and went back to the house. The generated wall of glass dissolved as he waved a hand at the outside sensor and they went back into the kitchen. “Help yourself to a drink. I’ll go let your aunt in.” He spoke over his shoulder as he walked down the hall.
    “She’s going to be mad,” Rosie called.
    “I hope you’re not expecting me to solve that problem. My Prince Charming act doesn’t extend to rescuing you from relatives.”
    “Just let her in.” Rosie laughed.
    He disappeared down the hall with a parting shot. “If you hear cries for help, just run, save yourself.”
    Rosie chuckled and went to get some water. Her smile faded though when Aunt Essie came down the hall. She looked like she was