ORION: That’s where the probes were. After all the ones the Plague Eldest sent, every Eldest after that sent down another probe. They’ve all come back with warnings, that we can’t live on Centauri-Earth without a fight. A fight we’ll probably lose. A fight the frozens will make us fight.

“That’s when he decided to kill them,” Amy says. “All the frozens, after I woke up—that’s why he unplugged them. You were getting close to the truth, even if you didn’t realize it, and he was afraid of what they’d do.”

I meet her eyes. “That’s what he told us. That’s what he told us all along. He wasn’t lying.”

Amy scowls. “He was lying about some of it. I don’t care what he says, my father wouldn’t—”

“Shh!” Bartie shoots us angry looks.

ORION: We ran out of probes a couple of gens ago. I don’t know how long the engines will last now, how long we can stay here, in Godspeed. This is the contingency plan.

He raises both hands, indicating the cryo level’s bridge.

ORION: If the engines fail, if life support falters, if Godspeed can’t protect us anymore, then—and only then—we can leave the ship.

Orion’s eyes stare directly out of the screen.

ORION: Amy, I could tell from the start: the thing you cared most about was the truth. When I first met you, you were crying at the wall, remember, and I told you everything was going to be okay, and I could tell—you weren’t going to just accept what I said. You were willing to face the truth, even if it hurt.

I glance up at Amy; she’s even paler than usual.

ORION: Well, this is the truth. What you do with it is up to you. I don’t know what choice should be made—Eldest thought I knew too much; he was scared of what I would do—and I was scared too. Still am. That leaves you. Now that you know the truth, Amy, you have to decide.

Orion takes a deep breath. Amy holds hers.

ORION: Is the ship so bad that you have to face the monsters below? Is it worth the risk of your life—of everyone’s lives? If the answer is yes, then begin the planet-landing. Use this shuttle if you have to. But. But if Godspeed can still be your home, if it’s possible to stay on board—do so.

Amy lets out a long, shaking breath. Almost as if he heard her, Orion glares down. She bites her lip, her whole body focused on Orion’s next words.

ORION: This is the last resort.

The screen fades to black.

<<end video feed>>

Chapter 64

64

AMY

I LET THE FLOPPY SLIDE FROM MY FINGERS AND WATCH AS IT wafts to the floor.