Papa Perez finally looked at the young, eager Runner. "Thank you for this information, Mex," he said. "It is more valuable than you know."
He leaned forward with an intense gaze. "I want you to continue this. Find out more about your new friend, and his people. Learn their history. Understand their nature. The arrival of the 'Sparkborns' is an anomaly, and anomalies in the Nexus are rarely a good thing."
"Okay, Papa Perez!" Mex agreed readily, thrilled with his new, important task. "Should I go see him now?"
The old Normat gave a weary smile. "Let them breathe, child. They have just had their world turned upside down. Give it time."
***
Adrian, meanwhile, had just stumbled upon a realization that changed everything for them.
In the Mall, he had walked up to one of the council interfaces and selected a single nutritional pack, preparing to make his first, painful purchase.
