I knew she was trying to manipulate me with the "no more soccer" threat, but that one wasn't going to fly. Losing her would hurt the team, but on the ...avens, unlike the Strikers, there were no irreplaceable players. But I did feel a little sorry for her. She was a goofy teenager, with a face and body that were more mature than her brain, and she was obviously headed for trouble if she didn't get her act together. But when I had told her I would be there if she ever needed someone, I hadn't. Unless she must be taken to the base hospital.” He looked me straight in the eye. “Girl push-ups will not do. Do you understand?”“Oh. I understand, come on Zo, Cyn, Malcolm. Let’s go,” I said. “Mr. Nakamura, I’m seeking guidance. I already know how to be a bully. We’ll be looking for other lodging. Good Day.”“Congratulations, Mr. Flintkote. You have passed your first test.”“What?”“Protect the weak from the strong.”“What?”“You would not allow me to belittle a woman,” he said. “I will teach. “Dad, I kept waiting for you to fall over, but you made it — old man!” Michael said.“Come on everybody, let’s do the autograph thing,” I said. That was Rosie’s cue to get our pens from my travel bag.We walked out to see the entire crowd still there. I took our group, and we sat on the edge of the stage as they brought some posters from our new batch to be autographed. We each got a pen from Lily, who sat next to me.Annie was so impressive that she had almost as many autograph requests as my. He sent out tendrils of Blue and found no contact with other people either. Nonetheless, he was a novice and was not sure he would recognize pursuit until it was nearly on top of him. He wanted to talk to Gilly, but she was kept away from him for their safety. The orders to move quietly were still in place. Kanji trotted alongside but did not disappear as often into the growth as she had when first they traveled to the city.As the light began to leak out of the sky, the captain turned the squad.