Sidekick is smart

  “I’m looking for friends who were kidnapped with me from Outside,” Cole said. “And we’re trying to find Constance Pemberton.”

  “Wait a minute,” Sidekick said. “As in the Constance Pemberton who died in an accident decades ago? One of the High Shaper’s daughters?”

  Cole nodded.

  “Hold on,” Sidekick said, his six legs fluttering so quickly it looked like he was trying to tap dance. “No way. If Constance is actually alive . . . that means . . . it can’t be.”

  “What?” Cole asked.

  “Secret is another of Stafford’s daughters,” Sidekick said. “I couldn’t figure out what target could mean so much to the High Shaper. She’s just a young girl. But now I get it. Their deaths were a sham, maybe all five, but at least two. Judging from Secret’s appearance, the girls have barely aged. And now the resistance is rounding them up.”

  Cole was astonished by his accuracy. “You got all that by knowing we’re looking for Constance?”

  “Reconnaissance is one of my primary duties,” Sidekick said. “I piece things together. Secret is too young to be Honor or Elegance. So she must be Miracle or Destiny. You slipped earlier, and started to say Secret’s real name, which began with ‘Mir.’ The resistance knows that these daughters have a real claim to the throne, and have been wronged by their father. A powerful revolution could take shape by rallying the populace around them. These girls could be the key ingredient the resistance has lacked all along. And Stafford knows this. You’re right. Under the present circumstances, he would burn down all of Zeropolis to find his daughters.”

  “You’re a scary-smart machine,” Cole said.


Chapter 18