Megan stared at her. Does that mean youre going to try and stop me?

Im not sure theres anything I could really do to stop you taking one of these trucks if you really wanted to, said Stiles, and besides, this isnt a prison. Gabrielle told me you were going to try and make it to Aguirre, so you could try and arrange safe passage for all three of you off of Redstone.

Thats all true, said Megan.

You know, said Stiles, you strike me as the kind of person who attracts trouble, even if youre not looking for it.

Megan shrugged. Sounds like a pretty fair assessment of my whole life so far.

Stiles stepped closer. Didnt you consider just telling me the truth earlier, about why you needed to leave?

I didnt think youd believe one word.

Youre right, I wouldnt have, but hearing it from Gabrielle is another matter. I do believe her, but thats at least partly because of who she is. And thats one reason Im letting you go because you need to find some way to get her off Redstone.

I will, Megan promised, then hesitated. So what are the other reasons?

All the people in this station are my responsibility, said Stiles. I care about them really, genuinely care about them. Theyre smart, dedicated people, and my hope is that the further away from here you are, the better chance the rest of us will have of avoiding any of that trouble.

Its Gabrielle they want, said Megan, not me.

Yeah, well. Stiles shifted her balance. We both know she isnt going anywhere, the state shes in, but youd better swear on your life youre coming back for her. Then her tone became angry. Tell me Im not just a stupid old fool whos being too goddamn trusting.

Youre not, Martha. I swear, on my life, Ill be back for them both.

Stiles looked at her hard for a long time. Then she shook her head and muttered something under her breath, before turning to the truck beside her.

Dont try and keep pushing on once the weather turns bad, she said, slapping one hand on the side of a tread. Thats the main rule. Find somewhere low and sheltered, and stay put if or when it worsens. The onboard AI is preprogrammed to locate shelter when things get rough, so more than likely all youll need to do is sit back and let it do its thing.

Megan nodded slowly. Stay put for how long?

As long as it takes, said Stiles. Head out too soon, while the weathers still bad and, believe me, it will get very, very bad you could get yourself killed. Got all that?

Okay, said Megan.

Just remember, Stiles added, Im not doing this for your sake. Its for Gabrielles. Got that too?

Got it, said Megan.