The greater hazard below the bridges were the flocks of waterbirds that had taken up residence there, streaking the concrete supports with yellow-white droppings. Under the third bridge a roosting flock was disturbed by their passage and flew away, first diving down before swooping away from the water and soaring high into the air. Afa flailed at them, startled by the sight and sound of a hundred swarming birds, almost toppling the boat, but Kira was able to calm him. She handed her oar to Samm and focused her attention on keeping Afa mellow. The river was long, even longer than they had expected, and Kira started to wonder how accurate their map had been. Right as she was ready to turn them around, certain they’d somehow missed their turn, they passed the ballpark Heron had seen on the map. Kira announced that they were close, and listened and nodded reassuringly as Afa told her about the technical specs of the data center.

The road rose above the water only once, an overpass in the final interchange before leaving the highway and entering the city. They carried the boat over it, scanning the city as they did, and Kira pointed out the building she guessed was the data center—a fat brick building with two square towers. They walked down the other side of the overpass and got back in the boat, though they could only row for a few more blocks before the depth became too inconsistent to bother. They waded the final mile, probing the ground before them with sticks to keep from falling into any sudden sinkholes. There were two, and they had to go a full block out of their way to avoid the second one. When they arrived at the data center, Kira smiled proudly—it was the same building she’d spotted from the hill. The water level reached almost to their knees, and Samm looked up at the multistory building.

“I hope the computer you’re looking for isn’t on the first floor,” he said. “Or in the basement.”

“I won’t know until we get them turned on,” said Afa, splashing toward the corner. “The emergency generator should be outside somewhere. Find some paint thinner.”

Kira glanced at Samm, then immediately looked away, aiming her question at Heron instead. “Paint thinner?”

Heron shook her head. “Maybe he’s doing some home improvement projects.”