The words "Vote No" flashed on the screen. Volunteers rarely viewed broadcasts outside of mission briefings so Maddie watched, transfixed.

Other Volunteers riding in the bubble-shaped train car looked outside at the massive city unfolding. This was Maddie's first time so far into the Inner City but she didn't care—this broadcast mattered more.

She didn't let the ooh's and aww's ruin the interview.

"Why should we foot the bill? Why should we pay so that lazy Vagrants get good air. I say we should do the opposite—we should cut back."

Maddie didn't recognize the blond man but she knew his name—Ray was a big supporter of his political party.

"And it's heartless," a brunette woman interrupted. "Rather than think selfishly, we should take one step further and increase the donations. Offer up vaccines, the K-drops to counteract the cancers as well as top quality air." She continued as the panel of men and women got rowdy. "And Yes, even sweet air if that's what they choose. Closing the market to them is cruel. Children are dying in the streets daily, most in pain—pain we could relieve."

"And where should the money come from?" The blond man exploded out of his seat. "Where?"

Back and forth they went. A heavyset man at the end of the semicircle table was the only one silent. Maddie expected nothing less from a Vagrant turned folk hero.

The blond was on his feet again, gesturing to said Vagrant as an example to plead his case.

"If it was skewed against the people of the Outer Limits then how do you explain Mr. Popoa here? He's made it. He worked and crawled his way here. Fight after fight, facing certain death. Is it fair that others who sit on their duffs doing nothing get a handout? And what about me and my family? We've worked hard all our lives. Is it righteous to take our hard-earned money and give it away? Are we being punished for our success? It's Ludacris."

The blond man's name was Richter. Something Richter.

His opponent—the brunette—kept her measured tone. "This bigotry—"

"There's that word again. People who can't argue throw out labels."

The screen went blank, disappointing Maddie who was more than a little curious how it would end.

"Arriving in five, four, three...."

"You all right?" Priest got the bags. "You don't feel sick again, do you?"

He patted Maddie's stomach, a gesture that made her cringe inward. She herself hardly acknowledged it.

Five months along, three since she'd found out. Why did she wait so long?

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Priest asked. "I don't remember much about that mission—was too drunk, but maybe it's okay. The baby probably didn't get contaminated."

Maddie took the helmet offered to her without regarding him. She paused before putting it on.

"Volunteers aren't really.... Well, lately there's some tension. Best not to go noticed," Priest explained.

He dragged on his own all blue helmet. Maddie's was white—she missed her black one.

A tap of the smooth surface changed the color. She kept tapping until she got dark purple. It wasn't black but it would do.

Everyone emptied the car; they were the last to leave. Sentinel 666 was a wonder. He was a terrible drunk, and he didn't drink to socialize. His temper was unpredictable at those times, but he was a good man.

Maddie wished she'd never paired with him. Thoughts fell to Daniel and the last thing she asked him. His answer reverberated even now. It was wrong to compare the two men but she did, anyway.

"Why'd you pick me?" Maddie asked. "Because our numbers were similar?"

Priest shrugged. "For a lot of reasons." He hefted the bags and followed her. "After they remove this one, let's try again for another. Especially if we can get permission into the Inner City again. I don't know how we landed this cushy place for our birthing needs but we should use it."

It wasn't a suggestion. As was custom, once they left the vehicle, Maddie fell in step behind him. A quick survey of the civilians showed how strange that was—most women walked side by side with their men or even in front of them. But Priest's ranking was higher—Maddie had to follow.

The dome that surrounded them was breathtaking. Maddie paused in her stride to look at it. Most civilians walked helmet-free. The thought would have been thrilling five months ago but now it made her curious.

Priest did the honors of taking off his helmet to test the air. The tribal design of his hair drew the attention of passersby. That wasn't why he had to abandon the air and seek refuge in his own helmet again, coughing.

"Air's too good, I guess." Priest complained, "Bet we look right outta place in here. Turn your filter down so we can adapt quicker. It's humiliating being one of the few with a helmet."

Maddie nodded. Instead of turning the filter down, she heightened it. The people of the Inner City surprised her—they were heavy. And not just a little. Those were the most popular civilians. Food meant money.

When a heavyset woman walked by, giving Priest a smile and wink, Priest allowed his helmet to flash.

"Well, they're friendly. That's for sure."

High above tubes twisted so far Maddie couldn't discern where they disappeared. Small pods zipped inside those shoots. And then the advertisements. Countless colorful signs floated in the air.

Ray never told Maddie about any of this. Ray, the chatterbox, the bragger. Nothing.

They found the clinic in a fancy area. Priest held his breath for the longest while, fixing the patch of hair in the front that fell forward. When they finally went in, he only lasted five more minutes before he had to put his helmet on again.

In the entire waiting room, they were the only two with helmets.

"Why'd I choose you?" Priest asked.

Maddie'd all but forgotten the question.

"Well it's a lot of things," he repeated. "I like the way you fight, though. It's good form. You're by the book and efficient as all holy."

Without affording him a glance, Maddie nodded. "Thank you, sir."

Their turn came slow. As soon as Priest sat down in the private room with the interviewer, he explained the situation—as well as asked how soon before they could try again. Properly.

His right foot fidgeted as he spoke. Maddie wasn't all that shocked when Priest excused himself—a small pouch in hand. Sweet air filters. She started wondering just how many Volunteers abused it.

The nurse slid a touch panel toward her. "Here's the application. Once we finish the maternity and paternity test, we'll proceed.

"Maternity?" Maddie asked.

"Well yes. Surrogates need to inform the egg's owner of something like this. You might have to go to court to receive—"

"That doesn't apply to me." Maddie pulled the tablet close and filled in her information. When she reached the area marked 'father,' she left it blank.

The nurse maneuvered it back. "I'm sorry, ma'am. We're going to need the signature of the father as well. We'll just wait till he comes back."

Maddie bristled. "Why?"

"This requirement was put in as a safeguard against abuse. Don't worry if you feel in any way embarrassed about an unfortunate situation."

"I didn't think the father had any say in any of this," Maddie argued.

"Should a woman keep the child, he must provide support. Should she terminate it, he's given a notice of the termination. Should this result from a violation or forced pregnancy, we'll match the baby's DNA with that of everyone in our database. So no worries."

No worries, no, but total panic...yes. Daniel wasn't in that database. The betrayal Priest could probably forgive—but who with would be harder to swallow.

Maddie stood from her chair. "I think we came to the wrong place."

The nurse rose to her feet, too. "Ma'am, this is standard with all clinics."

Priest opened the door, his body relaxed. Maddie caught his arm before he could sit down.

"Ma'am, this is a very routine procedure," the nurse repeated. "Only those doing something wrong keeps secrets. This would be a rather silly one to keep, wouldn't it? Let me schedule you."

"No. Don't schedule me. Don't you dare."

Priest looked between them. "I'm confused."

The nurse explained what was necessary on her end, leaving Priest to blink before shrugging.

"Then what's the issue?"

"I don't know. This is my first time going through something like this." The woman's shaky voice sent panic through Maddie when she said, "I'll call the doctor."

Maddie's pulse raced. It was unlike her and she didn't mean to, but she caught Priest by the hand.

The Volunteer regarded her for a moment and then stopped the woman from calling up an interface on her desk.

"No, ma'am. This is a misunderstanding. I'd pressured her to do this," he lied. "I think I've made a mistake with that."

Tension receded from the nurse's face. Once again, her faith was restored in the 'standards.'

"This is why we try to make certain." She collected up several pamphlets and wished them luck.

Maddie snatched them and hurried away, helpless. She was helpless. In her distress, she nearly walked into the glass door. When it opened and she spilled out into the hall, Priest hurried to gather their things and follow.

"Volunteer," he called.

The word dragged Maddie back to her senses.

During Priest's approach, Maddie's eyes stayed fixed on the floor. The gentle nudge of the shoulder made her stifle a noise. The laugh was the very worst part.

"You've changed your mind? How lucky. Though...we have to get some tests run to be sure. If any come b—"

He let out a gasp and fell silent. Maddie looked up from the floor finally to see why.

In another room, identical to the one with the nurse, Ray-Lyn sat behind glass doors of her own. She looked meek and small there, two words that in no way suited her.

Maddie thought to call out but then she remembered. Whatever Ray was doing here—it didn't involve an abortion. When that came to mind, Maddie thought to run and hide instead.

"Five, five, five," a voice called.

This helmet Maddie wore bore no such markings, yet someone knew her on sight.

Andy.

The smiling doctor closed in. "What time did you schedule it for?"

In the room, Ray caught sight of them and rose to her feet. Maddie felt trapped, and that helplessness became palpable.

One whooshing sound came when the doors opened and yet another when it closed.

When Andy finally neared, it was Ray's turn to feel uncomfortable.

Andy barely regarded her—his focus was on Maddie.

"I'll be performing the procedure personally," Andy assured her. "You look nervous, though. I can't wait to show you my skill. Fastest reaper around."

At his chuckle, Priest tried to humor him with a weak laugh of his own. Maddie could only blink.

"It was a joke," Andy said, gesturing to Ray. "S'what she used to call me." He took Maddie by the arm. "It's painless and easy. Come."

Helpless. That grip on her arm was feeble, as feeble as it could get but there was no safety. One glance at Ray to find her equally petrified for whatever reason meant Maddie had no escape.

"That's all right, sir." Priest stepped between them, holding Maddie at his back. "We've decided to keep it, if it's all the same."

Andy repeated the words but could barely make sense of them. "But...after all the fuss she made at the border. I pulled a lot of strings to get you all down here." After an awkward minute, he shrugged. "Well, that's fine. But I wished you'd have said it sooner. I rescheduled quite a few appointments in order to do this personally." He disappeared into the room Ray once exited and returned with more pamphlets. "Well here you are. Make sure and read up. There's even a coupon for the day spa...."

He went on and on about other perks provided by his establishment. The last thing he did was schedule a delivery date.

"Now don't go changing your mind on this one," he joked with a wink.

This time Priest's laughter was genuine. "Doubt she can do that." When he caught sight of Maddie's face, something about her expression had him hesitating. He was good enough to refuse Andy's offer. "It's very generous of you, but we intended on a birth in the barracks."

"Nonsense." Andy's twisted smile turned serious. "I wouldn't dream of letting someone I work so closely with do anything further regarding this pregnancy anywhere but here." He told Priest, "I've locked in her name with my facility. No one else'll take her. Besides, it's no accident that LOLA routed you here. Only the best for you two," he attested.

Maddie's heart stopped. A glance from Andy said it all—there was no leaving his clutches.

Andy asked, "Is there anything else I could get you...?"

But Maddie was already in motion. She understood why—Ray prompted her.

Once they exited into the waiting room, Ray let out a sigh of relief. Maddie wasn't far behind.

"Of all the places to come. What'd you do to spook him into monitoring you like this? You're at his clinic?"

Maddie wasn't having it. "You're one to talk."

"He's assigned me here long time ago. Got nowhere else to get a check up." A blush didn't come to Ray easy—today she couldn't fight it back. "Three months along, Maddie. This is the longest I've ever gone," Ray confessed. "Ain't we lucky as all holy?"

Lucky wasn't how Maddie felt.

Ray read her expression well. "I know it's not Priest's. Laura told me. So being the good friend I am, I ran it against the samples from that mutt we found."

Maddie's throat felt dry—she couldn't swallow.

"I get that maybe you don't want anything to remember him by, but hey, at least you're not going through this alone. Right?"

To remember him by.... Maddie barely knew the mutt—the man. Still, what she remembered, even from what created this child, wasn't easy to brush aside.

"Gah, how many more pamphlets do we get?" Priest complained as he finally joined them.

"I have to talk to you," Maddie insisted.

Priest walked past her and into something unexpected—a crowd.

A handful of twenty people held up signs. They took Maddie by surprise, and even Priest. One person didn't pay the people any attention—Ray.

"Just keep walking," Ray said.

Maddie did as she was told but a familiar face in the small group made her plant her feet. The brunette, a long sash draped across her body, reading, "Privacy for all." She met Maddie's gaze and her face lit up. "Volunteers...."