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the channels. Maybe try something controversial to grab people’s interest.”
    â€œReally?” Ali assumed an expression of interest. Most of the time her father’s discussion of his work bored her. But as long as he thought she was interested he continued to get her invites to the celebrity glitzfests that added to her social standing in the eyes of her friends and, she hoped, would some day gain her important contacts in the entertainment industry.
    Bob was still musing over his difficulties, tapping the side of his glass with his fingers.
    â€œTell you what, sweetheart,” he suggested. “Why don’t you talk to your friends for me, see if they have any ideas for the channel?”
    â€œSure, Dad,” Ali agreed. “I’ll talk to them today.”
    â€œYou do that.” Her father was still frowning. “I’ve got to get some kind of hook before the party this weekend. Something to announce to people. It is a working event, Ali. They’re not all coming here just for fun, you know.”
    â€œI know,” Ali replied consolingly, thinking silently that for her the party would be anything but work. She intended to have a totally ultra time, playing the hostess to her father’s celebrity guests.
    Ali didn’t have to listen to her father’s work problems for long. A few minutes later a skimmer drew up in front of the apartment. She said good-bye to her father and headed outside, passing through three sets of security shielded doors to reach the outside. It was a bright, cold morning and far above her Ali caught a glimpse of the sun in a pale blue, cloudless sky. To compensate for any shadow from the towers and bridges above, the streetlighting was set to simulate daylight. As she crossed over to the car, a sleek, streamlined vehicle, one of its back doors hissed open and she climbed inside to join Caitlin and Zircarda. The door hissed shut behind her as they exchanged casual greetings.
    â€œSo, Ali,” Zircarda began, leaning back against the cream seat cushions. “Tell us more about the party. The whole gang’s coming, right?”
    â€œDefinitely.” Ali smiled, completely in her element. “But not Carol, she’s way too freaky.”
    â€œShe couldn’t come anyway,” Caitlin informed her, shaking out her luxuriant chestnut curls. “Didn’t Mira call you last night?”
    â€œCarol’s dad got dumped by his company,” Zircarda interrupted. “They’re moving out of Belgravia. So she won’t be in the clique anymore.”
    â€œAnd you can’t invite anyone who’s not one of us,” Caitlin chimed in automatically.
    â€œGod, no.” Ali shuddered and it was not entirely fake. The conversation served to remind her that she could not afford to fall out of favor. It hardly took any effort for her to laugh. “So Carol’s out of it, is she? Thank heaven for that.” As the skimmer sped across the bridges, Ali was careful not to look out of the windows, unwilling to catch even a glimpse of the darkness far down below.
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    Kez sat awkwardly beside Raven, his hair still damp from his shower. She was hacking into the network, her fingers flying over the keypad faster than he would have thought possible as information scrolled up the screen. She was in a good mood, willing to explain some of what she was doing and to let Kez watch her. But his enjoyment was frustrated by the presence of Wraith behind him. He had said nothing for the last hour, and was only a disapproving presence as he checked and rechecked his laser pistol as if preparing for battle. It was a comment on Raven’s decision to move higher up in the city and Kez was not entirely sure that Wraith was wrong.
    He might have ambitions to live in the heights but the reality of such a move scared him. At best all he could hope for was embarrassing himself, at worst the Seccies would be