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His voice had a light tone No hint of concern, and Skyler felt grateful for it Tania sighed with relief

A long minute passed

"I think we’re clear," Zane added

A chorus of cheers went up froed one another, an aard gesture in zero-g

Skyler watched Tania Her face remained contorted orry "Let’s focus, everyone," she said "There’s no tirew quiet again

"I want to hear ideas," she said

Someone from the back asked, "Could they send another clied to hide the parts for six climbers aboard this station A tea five, but that takes time Then we’d still have to load the supplies I don’t know if it would reach you, uh, in tiroup

Skyler racked his brain for soht help An idea formed, and he spoke up "What about the farms?"

Tania turned to him "What do you mean?"

"Can we descend? Dock somehoith one and--"

"Of course," Tania whispered Others were nodding "Of course, yes"

"But can we connect with one?" Skyler asked "Link the air and water with our systes are all standard," Ti would it take to descend to the nearest farood enough, Skyler thought He could tell froathered faces that everyone else had the saht

Ti platform up," he said, "to meet us halfway"

"Perfect," Skyler said "Do it"

Tania turned to hiree, Ms Sharma Tania Dr Sharma"

Zane’s voice ca?"

"Skyler Luiken, sir"

"I’ll explain later," Tania added

"Decisive action is needed here," Zane said over the speaker "I look forward toyou, Skyler"

"Likewise"

Tania winked at him "Tih the speaker again "I’ll send another climber up e can, Tania I think you should return on it; we have a lot to discuss"

"Agreed See you soon, then, Zane"

"There’s one last thing"

Skyler heard a tension in Zane’s voice

Tania said, "We’re still here"

"Russell Blackfield is alive" Zane paused When no one said anything, he continued "We picked up a transmission from Gateway A bleak situation back in Darwin, from the sound of it"

"I see," Tania said, a quiver in her voice The room had fallen silent

"You did what you had to," Skyler said, loud enough for just her

"Don’t … don’t say that" She closed her eyes "We’ll discuss it when I arrive, Zane In the e a comm chat with the council?"

"I’m not sure there is a council anymore," he said "But we’ll work on it"

The speaker went silent Gradually the scientists began to exit the s themselves

"Skyler," Tania said Her voice had a sudden tone of authority that caught his attention

"Yes?"

"I want you to explore the ground belohere the Elevatorpeople in the roos Resourcefulness is your job"

"Was ht It makes sense"

"When we reach New Gateway, you can take the climber down"

He nodded As Tania started to turn back to the monitor, he said, "Hold on …"

"Hainst SUBS?"

She frowned at that "Why wouldn’t it?"

Skyler shrugged "I don’t think we should take anything for granted, after those … pods … went down"

"Then it o, since you’re immune"

The statement drew sonored it "Actually, no Sending me won’t answer the question I think soave a single, slow nod, letting the words sink in

"Canary in a coal mine," Tim muttered

Tania’s mouth became a hard, thin line "I can’t order anyone to do that"

"Put out the word then," Skyler said "We need a volunteer"

Chapter Forty-nine

Darwin, Australia

24FEB2283

His office in Nightcliff no longer felt co for the connection to bea clied like a stormy sea The damned woman had bested hi hat churned his stoot it," said Kip, sitting at Russell’s terminal "Yes Connection established"

"About time Will I be able to see her?"