Versus (Parts I and II)

Chapter 6- Hacking the App

Happy Easter! God bless you all <3

Catalina knew she was taking a huge risk. She could get arrested for this. But she didn't see another way. She thought that Calista would be inspired to apply after last week, even more when the extra spot opened up. But she threw all her digits in one basket, relying on this scholarship to a dying school.

"Are you sure this will work, Sati?" Scaaskal asked. All Catalina's friends were there, keeping watch for SECURE. They were in a hacking lab in The Nebula, another space station, which was a bit closer to the prisons.

Catalina had resumed her job yesterday, taking a 'sick week' off, though her boss didn't really care about absences. It was an illegal workplace, after all. Now that Calista knew, she had to be a lot more careful.

"Our AIDA is junk. A baby could hack it," Catalina replied to her friend. She soon accessed her house's security system, finding her sister in her room. She'd consulted their mother for help two days ago, preparing herself for the application.

"That's kinda creepy now that you say it." Carter sat off to the side, wearing an Ilamikoan Mask, given that he was only nine years old. Ilamikoans were the only species with a permanent childlike appearance. "If you make anyone mad at your job, they can just hack into our house."

"It's easy for me because it's our own house and I know its code," Catalina told her brother. "It's not as easy for other people. Besides, I'm smart enough to not make anyone mad."

"Yeah, right. You probably have a secret boyfriend, too." Carter rolled his eyes, bringing out his KidPet to play a game.

"Why did I bring you again?"

"Because I'd tell Mom and Dad everything if you didn't."

"Ugh. Our deal was you stay quiet. That includes when you're here with me. Don't talk." She returned to her hacking. "And put that thing away. SECURE will find it."

"I'm bored."

"Could someone take his Pet away?"

Alina casually grabbed the sphere out of the air and put it in her pocket. "Hey!" Carter punched her arm, immediately regretting it when his small knuckles scraped against her rough, rocky brown skin. Mercurians were usually black or red, but being half-Earthian, Alina had a different skin color.

Carter curiously picked up one of Alina's long black braids. "How does your hair not burn?"

"Carter, stop being rude."

Alina laughed. "It's fine, Cat. My body doesn't get as hot as full Mercurians, so my hair doesn't burn."

"Even then, you are quite hot," Scaaskal's brother, Temmen, said. He wiggled his blue brows flirtatiously. Alina tried to punch him in response.

"Stop being such an idiot, Temmen," said Jaylo. He was half-Martian, so he looked mostly human, except his skin was paler than most and his eyes were black marbles like Scaaskal and Temmen's.

"I'm just saying the truth."

"Guys, you're distracting me," Catalina scolded.

"You're just watching a screen," said Carter, who still played with Alina's tight braids.

"I'm waiting." She perked up when Calista finally started the application. "Start recording... now." A red dot started blinking in the corner.

"Welcome to the New York Women's School of Social Arts application. Please note that this application is for the Spring 2350 semester. The Fall 2349 semester applications have closed."