Only then do I notice that the streets are empty. Not nearly empty, as they were right after the workday began, but utterly deserted. Wind howls down the empty street and rattles against the closed doors and shutters, which should both be open during the Gaian workday. Perhaps it’s just the weather, but something about it makes the hair rise on the back of my neck. The whole city is eerily quiet.

Once I catch my breath, I force myself to my feet and move deeper into the city streets, pressing myself against buildings and keeping my eyes peeled for Gaian law enforcement. The interior of the city is no different than the outskirts: deserted, shut down, empty.

“Citizens of Levian—”

I jump as the voice booms through the rain, flattening myself against the closest house. But the streets are still empty; it’s an automated message coming through the city’s public service speakers.

“This is a warning for a quarantine lockdown in immediate effect,” the recording continues, in the crisp and level voice that I recognize as Talulah Leonis, the Gaian president. “Please stay inside your homes, avoid face-to-face contact, and follow Code Blue guidelines while awaiting further instruction.”

In the silence afterward, an incredulous guffaw escapes my mouth. I slap a hand over it to hold back a full-on fit of laughter. A lockdown. The whole city of Levian is on lockdown because of me. This may be the proudest moment of my life. If Corvus were here, he’d laugh for days about this.

My mood sours immediately at the thought. If Corvus were here, he’d be taking the deed to my ship right about now, I remind myself, and head toward Thudana’s facility to find my family. I need to salvage this situation before I face Momma. This mistake can’t cement my uselessness in her mind and determine the rest of my life.

Small patrols of officers wander the city, but they’re easy to avoid considering how well I know the backstreets. I make it to Thudana’s without a hitch, and wait for the nearest patrol to move away before knocking.

After a few seconds of continuously rapping my knuckles across the door, I stop and sigh. Of course she’s not answering. The city is in a damn lockdown. I squeeze the bridge of my nose and try to force my exhausted brain to think of something. After a moment, I clear my throat and knock again, this time delivering three heavy thuds with my fist.

“This is Gaian law enforcement. Open up!” I yell in the gruffest voice I can muster.

The door slides open. I squeeze my way inside, pushing past Thudana and scrambling to the back of the room, leaving a muddy trail across her carpet. She scowls and slams the door shut behind me with one hand.