“Me?”

“Yes. You’re a natural leader, Trella. You united every one to fight the Pop Cops. They told us to convince you of their benevolence. They want you to get everyone excited about them. That’s why Jacy wanted you out of the way. He knows about the Outsiders and is trying to prevent them from coming inside.”

“Oh.” A twist I hadn’t been expecting. “Did they contact you?”

“Not me. Hank. He’s believed that the Controllers live Outside and have been instructing us on how to live better lives. Though his beliefs were shaken a bit when you found Gateway and it lead to Outer Space and not to them. He’s been searching the computers since your rebellion. He never gave up faith that they existed.

“All that nonsense about the Controllers being operating parameters and fail-safes was just that. Nonsense. When you think about it, there had to be a higher authority than the Captain and Admirals. The Travas followed the Controllers’ rules, and we should have as well. A mistake that Hank and I are going to fix. And now you can help us.” He leaned toward me. “We’re not going to let Jacy win. We’re going to have an ordered society again, but this time you and I and Hank and all our supporters are going to be the leaders.”

Bubba Boom closed the gap between us. He wrapped his arms around my back and drew me in for a kiss.

For a second, I froze. Then, remembering my mission, I returned the kiss. It wasn’t the same as when I had kissed Riley. Riley’s zipped through my body, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Bubba Boom’s made me nervous. I wouldn’t be able to do more than kiss him, and I hoped I wouldn’t have to.

When he broke off, he pulled me tight to his chest. “Unlike Hank, you understand,” he whispered in my ear. “Understand what it’s like to be at the mercy of another. To suffer and be forced to make a choice between your friends.”

“Are you talking about Vinco and the Pop Cops?”

“Yes. He wouldn’t stop until I told him who the Tech Nos were, but I kept Anne-Jade and Logan’s names to myself, giving him the others. Every time I close my eyes to sleep, I see all their faces. Your mother understands as well.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way. Karla had threatened to recycle her husband and daughter if she didn’t cooperate. She had named friends in order to protect them…me. And then we were taken from her anyway. She had lost everyone.

Bubba Boom released me. “That’s why we need Controllers. They won’t torture or trick people.”

“Do you know why they wish to come in?”

Again his face shone with a fervent glow. “We’re their lost children. We have run away and made a mess of things. They’ve been trying to catch up to us, but Inside is faster than they are. But not anymore. We’ve stopped accelerating so they could join us.”

That’s why the Transmission had been targeted twice. “Then we better prepare everyone for their arrival.” I tried to sound like an avid believer.

His smile encompassed his whole face. “I knew you were smart. Hank said you’d be impossible to convince, but the logic is hard to ignore.” He stood. “Come on, we have lots to do.”

I hurried to keep pace with him as he headed back toward the infirmary. When we arrived in the crowded patient area, he said, “Go and get your things. I’ll talk to the doctor.”

“Why?”

“You can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous. We have an extra room for you and you’ll be protected at all times.”

Which also meant watched at all times. Not much I could do without blowing my cover. I collected my meager possessions. When I returned, Bubba Boom was talking to Lamont.

My mother met my gaze with a question in her eyes. I got the impression all I needed to do was signal her in some fashion and she would prevent him from taking me from the infirmary. Half tempted to see what she would do, I almost nodded in encouragement. But the need to find out all I could stopped me. Instead, I kept my expression neutral.

“Trella, can I have a word in private?” she asked.

“Uh. Sure.” I turned to Bubba Boom. “Be right back.”

Lamont led me to her office and shut the door. She motioned toward the chair and I perched on the edge. Remembering how Domotor and Bubba Boom both avoided talking to me in the infirmary, I guessed Lamont’s office probably had a hidden microphone somewhere inside.

“I understand he rescued you and saved your life, but don’t you think you should wait a few weeks before staying with him?” she asked.

“That sounds like a mother’s question and not a doctor’s concern,” I said.

She stiffened as pain flashed in her eyes. “You had a rough week. You’re not fully recuperated.”

“I’ll be fine. In fact, I can rest better surrounded by Bubba Boom and his colleagues. There’s no way Jacy can get to me there.” Unable to leave her without a better explanation, I took a wipe board and marker from her desk and wrote, It’s not what you think. This is part of a plan.

“Oh. Well…then…I just wanted to make sure you considered your health. You’ll come back if your headaches get worse?”

“Yes.” I erased the words from the board and wrote, Thanks.

Bubba Boom led me up to level five. Although it had been completed before the first explosion, the Committee hadn’t had time to decide who should move in. Bluelights lit the hallways and our footsteps echoed. The layout of the new level matched all the others so when he stopped in front of a set of double doors, I knew we were close to Quad A5.