Lukas sat back in his chair and let the other students file out of the classroom. Rena had been the first one to leave, followed closely by her friend Dal. The two were inseparable as far as Lukas could tell, confirming what he'd read in the documentation from Director Terrell.

To date, Rena was the most interesting assignment Lukas had been given. She wasn't the typical ignorant citizen, blindly following the rest of society. She'd put some thought into her questions. But there were gaps in her logic. Her position wasn't fully developed. If she was an Outlier spy, she hadn't been indoctrinated thoroughly. On the other hand, she had the passion of someone who'd been influenced by Outliers. She'd become agitated during the course of their discussion, indicating this wasn't the first time she'd considered this topic. And in Lukas's experience, citizens rarely ever considered the why of their beliefs unless someone forced them. So what other explanation could there be?

Perhaps she represents a new level of subtlety. Outlier spies who are able to influence others with ideas not yet fully-formed? Perhaps her questioning is a way of undermining the system without it coming across as a direct assault.

It was possible. But Lukas had a difficult time believing the Outliers were capable of such sophisticated psychological warfare.

"Great input today, Lukas." Mr. Yan was smiling.

The classroom was now empty.

"Thanks," Lukas replied, getting up from his chair. "I'll see you Monday."

"Have a good weekend."

Lukas walked out into the hall and headed toward the main entrance with the casual, undisciplined gait of the typical teenager. Unlike previous operations, playing this part gave him ample time to think about his assignment. No split-second decisions. The puzzle of Rena's identity was going to take time to assemble.

I think I'm going to enjoy this one!

o   o   o

"I can't stand that guy!" Rena growled.

Dal tilted his head forward. "I believe we have reached consensus on that point, Ms. Waite," he said in his best, mockingly authoritative voice.

Rena took a deep breath as soon as she stepped outside. Buildings always made her feel smothered. The front of the school campus was crowded with students heading toward the street. She threaded her way through several groups before finding a pocket of open space.

"He said agreement and truth are the same. But if truth has to be discovered by consensus, then at least some people have to change their perspectives in order to conform to it ... which by definition means it's something outside of us, not within us."

Dal shrugged.

"And if it's outside of us, how can he say it's whatever we agree on? What if we're wrong? Lots of people can agree on something and still be wrong."

"Yeah. I suppose."

"That's what I should have said," Rena realized. Then she dodged another group of students and turned onto the sidewalk. As soon as Dal caught up, she continued. "What if I did something and then lied about it to a bunch of people? You could ask all of us what happened, and everyone would answer the same way. If I repeated the lie, I'd be with the majority. But if I told the truth, I'd be alone. Right?"

Dal nodded.

"So consensus is not necessarily interchangeable with truth."

"I guess not."

"You guess?"

"I haven't really thought about it before."

Rena realized she was taking out her frustrations on the wrong person. She was also walking way faster than normal. "Sorry. It's not you. It's just ... I wish I could have said what I meant."

"I thought you did."

Most of the time, Rena's thoughts moved so quickly through her brain that trying to vocalize them only caused them to crash into one another, bringing the whole operation to a grinding halt. Maybe it was smarter to just keep quiet in class. And maybe it was better for Dal if she kept quiet now too. But after walking a block and a half in silence, her lips started moving again.

"I didn't get a look at his number. I bet he's a highrate."

"Twenty-five," Dal replied.

"Figures. He probably spends all his time voting."

Dal looked up at the Canopy and his pace slowed. He obviously wasn't interested in talking about Lukas.

Rena took the hint. "The reason the Outliers don't opt for Reentry is probably the same reason they left Esh in the first place. That's what we should be focusing on. Instead of automatically assuming they're criminals, we should be asking ourselves—what's so wrong with our society that people want to leave?"

"I can think of a few things ..." Dal said, now at a stop and looking back toward the school.

Kirti was a half-block away and walking in their direction.

Rena frowned at Dal. "That's mean. Why do you say things like that?"

"Because she's a snob."

"No, she's not. She's just ... Kirti."

"Why do you always defend her?"

Rena had to think about it. "I don't know."

"You two have nothing in common."

"It didn't used to be like that. When we first met, she was more ..."

"Like a normal person and less like a snob?"

Rena tried to ignore his comment. "Like she needed a friend."

"Trust me," Dal said, his voice quieter now that Kirti was close enough to hear. "She has plenty of friends."

"Now who's being a snob?" Rena whispered, leaving Dal and walking back toward Kirti. When they met, Rena turned to walk beside her. "Hey."

"Hi," Kirti replied with an awkward smile.

"I meant to talk with you yesterday. I wanted to apologize again for taking you out to the Barrens."

"That's OK."

"No. It was stupid, like you said. And it was dangerous."

Kirti eyed Dal as they reached the place where he was standing. "I didn't have to go with you. That was my choice."

Rena glanced down at Kirti's rating, which was now 001. "Your parents didn't replace your credits?"

"No. My father said I needed to learn this lesson once and for all."

Rena nodded. "That sounds familiar. My parents are having me go to counseling again. But it's good. It's healthy. I'm going to start applying myself and turn—"

"Look, Rena. I don't know how to say this."

All three of them came to a stop on the sidewalk.

"I was so scared. And you saved my life out there. I'll never forget that."

"OK?" Rena replied with a frown, waiting for the next part of Kirti's confession, which sounded like it wasn't going to be pleasant.

"But ... I can't hang out with you anymore."

"Oh."

"I need to focus on my future. My conversion is coming up ... and hanging out with you—"

"I know," Rena said, not wanting to hear the rest. "Me too. But things are going to be different. I'm going to start voting and ... applying myself."

Kirti was shaking her head. "No. You don't understand. My parents are making me delete our association. I can't be friends with you anymore, Rena."

Rena couldn't believe what she was hearing. They'd been friends for over five years now. This seemed so drastic.

"I'm sorry," Kirti offered. She had tears in her eyes, and it seemed like she was genuinely upset about her parents' decision. But not so upset that she would defy them.

Rena couldn't think of anything to say. Nothing that would change the situation. But she opened her mouth anyway, just in case the right words might fall off the tip of her tongue.

"I have to go," Kirti said, wiping the tears from her eyes. Then she turned and walked away.

Rena watched her go, stunned by how quickly their relationship had fallen apart.

"See what I mean?" Dal said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Snob."

Rena wanted to smile, but she couldn't manage it.

"Are you going to be OK?"

Rena nodded slowly.

"You want to hang out?"

Now she smiled. "I wish I could. I have another appointment with Dr. Mallory."

"Well, come on then. I'll walk you to the transit station."