Sheena walked proudly behind her mother, almost strutting, because, after all, science club was her idea. And now, just like she had said, they were going to actually do science. Not on the algae—that was a secret after Toni had spilled it all over—but on something the adults called a “tube.”

Felix had overheard Michaela telling Vik Lawrence, “Can you take the kids up to your lab? Give them something to do except dwell on the situation?”

“Sure. I’ve got one of the tubes Casey netted. Been meaning to dissect it, get a first look at the anatomy. Maybe it will take Breez and Felix’s mind off their parents.” A pause. “And I think Kevina needs time alone.”

“Odd that Felix isn’t as torn up over his father’s death.”

“He’s a kid. It’s probably still not real,” Vik had answered.

Was that it? It still wasn’t real?

Felix made a face. Something in the night had taken Father, flown off and eaten him. Something terrible like the cannibals on Deck Three. As the welling grief had started, the Voice just made it go away. That was all.

And then they got to do science club.

Vik led them to a door, tapped in a code too fast for Felix to see, and ushered them into the lab. The room was large, dominated by a central island full of all kinds of equipment, scopes, boxy-looking machines, lots of glass jars and test tubes, stuff made of pretty glass piping, and shiny metal gizmos. Each wall was packed with cabinets, desks, counters, monitors, and all kinds of fascinating things.

“This is the most zambo room I’ve ever seen,” Felix whispered, feeling the Voice’s assent.

“It’s my mom’s lab,” Sheena told him with authority. “It’s where microbiologists work.”

“Yes, it is,” Vik told them, turning and lacing her fingers together before her. “The first rule in microbiology lab is that you don’t touch anything. Do you understand? If you want to see a piece of equipment or a specimen, I will explain it. All you have to do is ask. But first rule is keep your fingers to yourselves.”

Felix and the rest all nodded. That wasn’t a hard rule to follow. They’d had to live that way the entire time on Ashanti.

“Good. The second rule we have to follow is that we all stay together. No wandering around the lab by yourselves.”

They nodded.