Sophie glanced over at him. A single vein was bulging on his shiny forehead. She knew he wanted an excuse to go outside and not only find his team, but also lead his ‘offensive’. This was his excuse—this was the ammo he needed.

But could she blame him? If Owen had managed to survive and make it all the way to Cheyenne Mountain, then other people could be out there, too. Was it worth risking her team for? If someone had asked her a few minutes ago, she probably would have answered no. But the game had changed. A beacon, activated on an encrypted NTC channel—the only channel that was transmitting anything in the radius of their scanners—had been discovered. She knew it didn’t necessarily mean salvation, but it could mean answers. And that was worth the risk.

“I think you’re right,” Sophie said, pausing for everyone’s attention.

“Oh no, please tell me you aren’t going where I think you’re going with this!” Timothy interrupted.

“If Owen survived, that means other people did, too,” Sophie said.

“She’s right. There might be other people out there. Other people that need our help,” Overton said. He could feel the adrenaline racing through his veins.

“Timothy. You have family, right?” Sophie said. “A brother you’re close with?”

The programmer’s animated face suddenly reverted to the unemotional one everyone was used to seeing. “What does Casey have to do with this?”

“He could have survived, just like Owen,” Sophie lied. She knew the chances were slim, but she had to convince her team that it was worth leaving the safety of the Biosphere. If finding the beacon wasn’t reason enough, maybe human life would be.

“We have to save everyone that we can,” Sophie said confidently. She scanned the room again. It was time to take a vote.

“We’re all in this together now, and I believe everyone should have a voice. As team lead, I’m putting this to a vote. Those that think we should travel to the coordinates and look for survivors along the way, raise your hand.”

“I strongly object,” Emanuel said.

Sophie had had a feeling she would lose him on this one. After all, Emanuel was a man who required evidence; a signal and the possibility of finding survivors was simply not enough to warrant a yes vote from him. Surprisingly, though, the rest of the room was filled with raised hands. Even Holly, who was looking at the floor sheepishly, had her arm in the air.

“It’s settled, then,” she said putting her hand on her hips.

Emanuel shot Sophie a look from the corner and managed a smile. He knew at this point nothing he could say would convince her to stay. All he could do was mouth “Be careful” before he limped into the hallway and disappeared.