“So where’s the generator?”

“It was probably destroyed when the orders were given to close down the labs.” North studied the quicksilver river. “I’d like to see where that energy stream is coming from.”

“I don’t know about you but I’m hungry.” Sierra reached for her bulging pack. “I vote we eat.”

“Good plan.” North opened his own pack. He rummaged around for a moment before producing a bottle of vitamin water and a couple of energy bars. “Save some of your emergency rations for breakfast.”

“Sure,” Sierra said.

He watched her open her pack. The first item she removed was a neatly folded square of red-and-white checkered cloth. She spread the fabric out on the glass floor.

“What the hell?” he said. “You brought a tablecloth?”

“Don’t be silly. It’s just a big napkin.”

She reached back into her pack and took out a plastic baggie. There was a large wedge of cheddar cheese inside. Next came a foot-long baguette. The bread was followed by a plastic container of mixed olives.

North stared at the food, stunned. “You were buying those things at the grocery store while I was stocking up on nutrition bars?”

She raised her brows. “Got a problem with my food?”

“You call those emergency rations? It looks like you packed for a picnic.”

“Just because people are trying to kill us doesn’t mean I have to eat boring food.”

Annoyed for no discernible reason, North ripped off the wrapper of one of the nutrition bars and took a bite. It tasted like sawdust.

Sierra pulled off a chunk of the baguette and used a small knife to cut a slice of the cheddar cheese. She took a bite of each and then opened the container of olives.

“I don’t believe this,” North muttered. “Next thing I know you’ll be taking out a bottle of wine.”

“Of course not,” she said. “Glass bottles are heavy, plus they break easily.” She reached back into the pack and removed a carton. “Wine in a box is so much easier to transport. It’s not the finest cabernet on the market, but it’s a surprisingly drinkable red blend. They’ve made a lot of progress in the quality of boxed wines.”

North gazed, floored, at the winery label on the box. “You brought wine.”

She glanced at the plastic bottle that he had taken out of his own pack.

“Beats vitamin water,” she said. “Besides, I need a drink. I deserve a drink. I lost my beautiful little SUV this afternoon. It was brand-new.”

“Damn.”

“I’m going to put it on the bill that I send to Victor Arganbright.”

North felt the rush of laughter rise up from somewhere deep inside. It burst forth, echoing off the black glass walls of the cave. It was, he reflected, the first time he had laughed in a very long time.

“Here, help yourself,” Sierra said. She thrust the box of wine into his hand. “Sorry, I forgot the cups. That’s the problem with shopping in a hurry. I should have made a proper list.”