“Yes, but one more satellite has gone,” Sorrel said. “That’s where my mother was. Is.” She pointed to the roofs of the army camp. They were peaked, so there were no succulents planted. Many had solar panels. The camp looked cared for. Organized.

“Was,” Caroni said.

“No one ever wants to talk about her.”

“What’s the point?”

Sorrel turned to the PlAK and Caroni watched the images stutter and pixelate.

“Are we going to stay here then?” Sorrel said, waiting for the frozen screen to resolve.

“Depends what’s nearby and where those openings at the back lead. There’s shelter and water. Looks like the front can be defended. I can’t see how a feral can get up here.”

Sorrel nodded, thinking about Toplanders and Northerners. “Maybe we should take down the ropes?”

“Yes. But not before we find another way down. And food. Anything growing.”

“What about earthquakes?”

“We can’t worry about earthquakes.”

Caroni gathered the band together near to the entrance. Sorrel half listened to her instructions. They were to eat and drink sparingly. Calabash bowls were to be set under the dripping water. Bodily functions were to be done outside – Genus and Sarane were to look for a good place and excavate a trench, if possible.

“I don’t want to go outside,” Genus said.

Caroni ignored her. “Make sure the trench is downwind of the cave entrance, but not far away. Take Rashelope’s shovel – ”

“I’m keeping my shovel,” Rashelope said.

“Here, use mine,” Lunar said. “I’ll go with you.”

“Everyone, split into two groups and explore those openings with the torches. Take string and unroll it. Mark the walls as well. Stop when the string runs out. Look for light.”

“Why hasn’t someone already found this cave?” Emrallie said.

“It was all underwater, remember. Sorrel, you go with Lichen into one of the exits.”

“I want to stay and use the PlAK,” Sorrel said. “It’s day outside – it can be charged easily.”

There was a long moment before Caroni replied and Sorrel sensed that after the mention of Bibi, the Zorah was still assessing her trustworthiness – after almost a year. She glared at the Zorah. “You want to do the looking?”

Caroni didn’t respond right away. Then her gaze softened. “Look for food,” she said. “And yes, check out the army camp too. You’ll tell us everything.”

At dusk, they gathered for a meeting. The torches were lit, and the girls stared into the flames. The string had run out before an exit had been found.

“There are many different t-tunnels. It would be easy t-to get lost,” Lichen said, sounding defensive.

“Why didn’t you just follow the marks you cut?” Caroni snapped.

“The walls are very crumbly. We couldn’t find some of our own marks. It would be better if we had a piece of coal, something like that. Plus, you said stop when the string ran out.”