“I hope so. In the meantime, I intend to get as much use from them as I can, though I admit, I’m a little nervous about the Machinehood.” She paused at the door. “It’s strange… after a month, I’m almost used to not having the stellas or my visual or my agent. If you’d asked me before everything happened, I would’ve said I couldn’t live without them. Even our daily pills! It was so scary at first, but we’ve survived. It’s silly, right? People used to live like this all the time. I feel stronger to know that it’s possible.” She sighed. “I only wish we knew about Welga. I hope she’s okay.”

“God is with her, whether she believes it or not. I have faith that he’ll look after her.”

Nithya emerged from the bathroom. A low buzzing noise had filled the flat. What was it? Were they hacked already?

“The CC is on!” Carma cried.

As her daughter ran to close the doors and windows, Nithya exhaled. Of course, the sound came from the climate-control fans. She’d forgotten about it after so many days of silence.

“Good afternoon, Nithya,” said Sita’s voice.

Nithya’s visual leaped to life. Her usual information blocks appeared: weather forecast, news headlines, live feeds for Carma, Luis, Oscar, and the front doorstep. All remained transparent circles, empty of content, except for the weather forecast, which showed clear skies and a high of forty-two Celsius.

“Sita, can you access the climate controls?”

“Yes. It’s at factory default, not your house program. Would you like me to change the setting?”

“Yes, apply our usual program. Can you order a kitchen resupply?”

“Three local grocers indicate that deliveries won’t be possible for two more hours. Their systems are being restored. They anticipate a high demand and longer than usual service times.”

“Place an order for double our usual amounts.” Likely everyone else was doing the same thing and that was why the delivery would be late.

Luis emerged from the bathroom, with Bhairavi Chitthi going in next. Zeli stood by the door with an expression of long-suffering patience.

“Sita, are the stellas live worldwide? Can you call Oscar?”

“His agent appears to be off-line. Current information indicates darkness over the western states of the USA.”

Zeli whooped. “We’re back!” Two seconds later, “Look at that mess! What have people done? Hey! Another nasty note from our fine manager at Synaxel, who doesn’t currently show up on any stellation. I’ll write Peter a reply so it’s ready when he is.”

Nithya found it as she reviewed her messages. “He sent it before the blackouts. I think we can ignore it for now.”