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Red and the gang made it out and are now safely away from the agents who were chasing them.
They catch their breath and try to figure out what their next steps should be, while trying to keep their recent mission quiet.
The Transfer Student Volume 2, Part 23.
After catching their breath behind the convenience store, reality hits.
They need to actually get home without looking suspicious.
They're sweaty, covered in dust, and their hearts are still pounding.
Charlie's the first to notice the problem.
My mom's picking me up from the movie in 20 minutes.
I can't show up looking like I crawled through an air vent.
He gestures at the dirt smeared across his shirt.
Alexa immediately switches into problem solving mode.
This is what she does best.
Okay, everyone.
Calm down.
There's a park three blocks from here with bathrooms.
We clean up there, get our story straight about which movie we supposedly saw, then split up and head home separately.
At the park.
While they're brushing dust off their clothes and trying to look normal, the adrenaline finally starts wearing off.
Rachel's hands shake as she wipes dirt from her jeans.
That was really close.
Like, really, really close.
Hey, at least we got our cardio in, Kurt tries to joke.
But even she looks rattled.
Ventilation shaft gymnastics should totally be an Olympic sport.
Charlie's cleaning his glasses for the third time, talking way too fast.
Did you see how close that agent got to grabbing Red's ankle?
Like inches, actual inches.
Blue's been unusually quiet, staring at his dirty sneakers.
Red notices and pulls him aside.
You okay? she asks quietly.
Blue takes a moment before answering.
That was different than the quarry.
Those guys really wanted to catch us.
Red squeezes his shoulder.
But they didn't.
We're okay.
This time...
Blue says, and Red realizes her little brother is genuinely rattled.
Before she can respond, Alexa calls everyone over with her phone out.
Okay, cover story time.
We supposedly saw the new superhero movie.
Showtimes match up perfectly.
We sat in the back.
Charlie spilled popcorn, which explains any mystery stains, and we all thought the ending was just okay.
Everyone got it?
They practice their story, and despite everything, Charlie manages a weak smile.
At least we can agree on what movie we saw.
That's more organized than our usual group projects.
The joke helps.
They're kids who just had a scary experience, but they're also friends who can still make each other laugh.
They split up with whispered promises to meet online later.
Red watches her friends head off in different directions, each one carrying the weight of what they just experienced.
Red gets home right on time, thanks to Alexa's precise planning.
But her mom is waiting in the kitchen with that look, the one that says she knows something's up.
How was the movie?
Her mom asks, too casually, not even looking up from the vegetables she's chopping.
Good, fine, the ending was just okay, Red says, repeating her practice lines perfectly.
Her mom sets down the knife and pulls out two mugs to make hot chocolate from the cupboard.
It was going to be the good kind with the little marshmallows.
This is never a good sign.
Sit down, Red.
We need to talk.
Red's heart sinks.
Does she know?
Did someone see them?
Is Torres working faster than they thought?
But what her mom says surprises her.
I know you've been investigating something important, something to do with Dr. Hart's work.
Red freezes mid-reach for her mug.
How do you... Because I knew Dr. Hart, her mom says quietly, finally meeting Red's eyes.
Not closely, but I knew her.
I knew what she was trying to protect.
She pauses, stirring her own hot chocolate slowly.
And I know there are people who want to find what she hid.
This is huge!
Red's mom never talks about her work on Mars, never mentions anything about the integration program or the AID.
Her mom continues, her voice careful and measured.
I can't tell you much.
There are rules, protocols, things I'm required to keep confidential.
But I can tell you this.
Be very careful.
Very careful.
The people looking for Dr. Hart's archives aren't just interested in old research.
They want technology they can exploit for profit.
We're being careful, Red says, trying to keep her voice steady.
I know you think you are, her mom reaches across the table and takes Red's hand.
But careful for a 12-year-old and careful for people who play these kinds of games professionally are two very different things.
If you're doing what I think you're doing, you need to be smarter.
Don't go alone.
Don't take unnecessary risks.
She hesitates.
And there are good people in the AID, people like your father, who are trying to stop the corruption.
If you find something important, you need to get it to them, not try to handle it yourself.
Red wants to tell her everything about Meridian, about Torres, about the water plant and how close they came to getting caught.
But something holds her back.
Not distrust, exactly, but caution.
Her mom might feel obligated to tell her dad, and her dad works for the AID.
What if he's required to report it through official channels that Torres monitors?
I promise we're being careful, Red says finally, and we're not doing anything alone.
I have friends helping.
Her mom looks like she wants to say more, her mouth opening and closing like she's fighting with herself.
Finally, She just pulls Red into a tight hug.
I love you, sweetheart.
Both you and your brother.
More than anything in this world or any other.
Don't forget that.
After her mom leaves the kitchen, Red sits alone with her cooling hot chocolate, processing everything.
Her mom knows about Dr. Hart.
Her dad knew Dr. Hart personally.
There are good agents in the AID.
But who are they?
And can she trust them when Torres seems to have so much power?
Too many questions.
Not enough answers.
And only seven days left to figure it all out.
That night after Red's mom goes to bed, the gang has an emergency encrypted video call.
Everyone's in their pajamas, speaking in whispers, looking exhausted but also wired with leftover adrenaline.
Charlie goes first, his face close to the camera.
Okay, so we downloaded something from the water plant, but what exactly did we get?
And what do we do with it?
Dr. Hart's hologram said it was evidence.
Communications between corrupt agents and corporate buyers, Alexa said.
We should probably actually look at it before we figure out what to do next.
Good point, Red says, pulling out Meridian's device.
Let me see what's actually on here.
She connects it to her laptop while everyone watches their screens.
Files start appearing.
Spreadsheets, documents, and what look like encrypted communications.
Okay, there's definitely a lot here.
Red says, scrolling through.
Financial records, names, dates.
This is proof.
Real evidence of who's corrupt and what they're doing.
So what do we do with it?
Rachel asks practically.
We can't just email it to the police.
They'd think it's fake or wouldn't understand what it means.
Kurt leans into her camera, her usual energy dimmed by tiredness.
What about Meridian's parents?
He said they're good agents, right?
But Meridian got relocated because his parents were worried about him being in danger.
Blue points out from his spot next to Red.
If we contact them, wouldn't that put him at risk again?
Red takes a breath and shares what her mom said, carefully leaving out the most personal parts.
My mom knows about Dr. Hart.
She told me there are good agents trying to stop the corruption, but she couldn't tell me who they are.
Why not?
Charlie asks, confusion clear on his face.
Rules?
Protocols?
Or maybe... Red hesitates.
Maybe she doesn't know who to trust either.
The group falls quiet, the weight of that settling over them.
Rachel, who's been taking notes as usual, speaks up thoughtfully.
What if we don't need to find the good agents?
What if we can make the evidence public somehow?
Put it online where everyone can see it?
That's too dangerous, Alexis says immediately, shaking her head.
If we release it publicly, Torres will know it was us.
We're the only ones who accessed the water plant archive.
He already knows it was us, Kurt points out, flopping back against her pillows.
Those agents saw Red's face.
We're not exactly anonymous anymore.
But our families?
Charlie says nervously, pushing his glasses up.
If we go public with this, won't people start asking questions we can't answer?
My parents don't even know I was there today.
Another silence.
The weight of what they're carrying is finally sinking in.
They have evidence that could stop corruption, but they need to be really careful about how they use it.
Blue, who's been uncharacteristically quiet, finally speaks up.
What about the third cache, the subway tunnels downtown?
Meridian said there were three locations total.
Maybe there's something there that tells us specifically who the good agents are.
Or maybe Red says, slowly thinking it through, there's something there that's so important, so undeniable, that we won't have a choice about going public.
Something so big that the good agents will have to act.
Alexa nods slowly, understanding.
You're saying we need more evidence before we make a move.
I'm saying we need the full picture, Red clarifies.
Right now, we have puzzle pieces.
But if we can get everything Dr. Hart hid, we might finally understand the whole game.
Rachel looks worried, biting her lip.
But Torres knows we're onto him now.
Won't he be watching the subway location extra carefully?
Probably, Red admits, which is why we need a completely different approach.
No more sneaking in after school.
No more close calls in ventilation shafts.
We need a real plan this time.
Charlie pushes his glasses up again.
His nervous habit is working overtime tonight.
So when do we go?
The refugee transport arrives in six days.
Not this weekend, Alexis says firmly.
Torres will definitely expect us to try something this weekend after what happened today.
We need to be smarter than that.
Monday, Red decides.
Monday after school.
Torres will think we're lying low after almost getting caught.
He won't expect us to move that quickly.
They spend the next 30 minutes planning, each person contributing their unique skills.
Rachel volunteers to research the subway system's history and access points.
Charlie promises to borrow better equipment from his dad, flashlights, maybe walkie-talkies.
Alexa starts mentally mapping escape routes and safe meeting locations.
Kurt offers to keep close watch on Torres at school, track his movements.
Blue says he can try hacking into city records to find official subway tunnel layouts.
Before they sign off, Red catches everyone's attention.
Hey, thank you, all of you, for being brave and smart and just... Thank you for being my friends.
Are you getting sappy on us?
Kurt teases. but she's smiling warmly.
Maybe, Red admits, but seriously, we're really doing this.
We're actually protecting people.
Like a team, Charlie adds.
Like friends, Rachel corrects softly, and everyone nods.
They end the call, screens going dark one by one.
Red lies awake for a long time afterward, staring at her ceiling, thinking about her mom's warning about Meridian's relocation, about 47 families arriving in seven days.
They have until Monday to figure out their next move.
But first, they need to get through the weekend.
Saturday morning arrives with an unexpected surprise.
Red's eating breakfast.
Her mom's experimental Mars-Earth fusion pancakes that taste weird but not terrible when the doorbell rings.
Her mom answers it, and Red hears an unfamiliar voice.
Hi, I'm looking for Red.
We go to school together.
Red peers around the corner to see a girl standing on their porch.
Emma Vasquez, an eighth grader, Red recognizes from the hallway but has never actually talked to.
She's carrying a messenger bag and looks nervous, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
Can I help you?
Red asks, coming to the door, suddenly very aware she's still in her pajamas.
Emma glances at Red's mom, then back to Red.
Can we talk?
Outside maybe?
Red's mom gives permission with a small nod, though her expression says, be careful.
And Red steps onto the porch in her slippers.
I know about the water plant, Emma says quietly the moment they're alone.
My older brother is an AID agent, one of the good ones.
He told me some kids broke into a secured facility yesterday and retrieved data that could be really important.
Red's heart pounds so hard, she's sure Emma can hear it.
I don't know what you're talking about.
It's okay, Emma said quickly, holding up her hands.
I'm not here to get you in trouble.
I'm here because my brother wants to help.
He's been working with a small group, trying to build a case against the corrupt agents.
But they need evidence.
Real, undeniable evidence.
She pulls out her phone. shows Red a text message.
If these kids are who we think they are, we need to make contact safely.
No official channels.
Torres and her people are monitoring everything.
Why should I trust you?
Red asks carefully, studying Emma's face for any sign of deception.
Because my brother's partner was relocated three months ago for asking too many questions.
Emma says, her voice getting quieter.
Because my family came here from Mars five years ago and we've seen what happens when the wrong people have too much power.
She hesitates, choosing her next words carefully.
Because my brother said if kids are brave enough to risk themselves for this, the least we can do is give them proper support.
Red wants to believe her.
Everything about Emma seems genuine.
The nervous energy, the way she keeps glancing around like she's worried about being watched.
The slight Mars accent she's trying to hide.
But after yesterday, Red knows better than to trust too easily.
I can't tell you anything, Red says finally, but hypothetically...
If someone did have evidence, how would they get it to your brother safely?
Emma smiles slightly, relief crossing her face.
Hypothetically, there's a bookstore downtown, the Page-Turner.
The owner is part of the network.
Someone could leave a package there addressed to Mr. Hart.
My brother checks for messages there twice a week.
She pulls a small piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to Red.
Monday evening after 5 o'clock, that's the safest time.
Before Red can respond, Emma's expression turns serious again.
And tell your friends to be careful.
Torres requested backup yesterday.
More agents are coming to town.
Whatever you're planning next, you need to move fast.
She walks away quickly, not looking back, leaving Red standing on the porch in her pajamas and slippers, holding a piece of paper that might be their salvation.
Or a trap.
Red looks down at the address written in neat handwriting.
The Paige Turner Books, 847 Main Street.
She immediately pulls out her phone and texts the group using their code.
Emergency meeting.
My house.
Noon.
Tell your parents it's a study group.
Emma's warning echoes in her mind.
More agents are coming.
Whatever you're planning next, you need to move fast.
They had even less time than they thought.
And now they have to decide whether to trust a complete stranger with everything they've risked so much to find.
Red heads back inside, the pancakes suddenly forgotten.
Her mom looks up from her coffee with a questioning expression, but Red just shakes her head.
Some things she needs to figure out with her friends first.
In four hours they'll decide whether Emma Vasquez is an ally or whether they've just walked into Torres' trap.
That is the end of this part.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
