Chapter 33

“Maybe?” I ask. When she shrugs, I

prompt, “But what? Tell me.”

“But they had a hundred people,” she

whispers. Nowshe looks up at me, her eyes wide and scared.

“They’re down to what, forty-two? And Conlan made a point to tell

us ten women are pregnant, like he was proudof the fact.

Like it meant something special. What happened to the other

colonists, Neal?” she asks. “If it’s been twenty years, you’d think

a hundred people would have multiplied, the colony would have

grown, but it didn’t. What happened to the others?”

I don’t know. And I don’t have to say that,

she can see the answer in my eyes. I just don’t know.

* * * *

“I see it,” Milano says, her voice

hushed over the intercom. Vallery and I exchange a quick glance and

she turns up the volume, the open channel a loud hiss around us.

“Small planet, possible moon, I’m not sure. There appears to be an

atmosphere cover. No defense systems in place—none that I can see,

anyway.”