Overton’s rough voice distracted Sophie, and she forgot Emanuel for the moment. “Gear up, Marines. We have a job to do!”

Sophie smiled. She was beginning to like the sergeant.

Biome 4 was full of commotion. Finley and Bouma scurried about, packing up last-minute gear and grabbing freeze-dried meals and bottled water from the kitchen.

“You don’t have to come with us, Dr. Winston. It’s much safer if you stay here,” Sergeant Overton said, jamming a magazine into his pulse rifle.

“With all due respect, sir, I’m not the type to sit back and watch. I didn’t get to where I am today in my career by taking the backseat.”

Overton smiled. He liked that about her; it was something they had in common. But he couldn’t chance bringing her back into Colorado Springs. She would be a liability.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t risk losing you.”

Sophie sighed, and tried not to notice Emanuel eavesdropping from a corner near the kitchen. He’d wanted to see the Marines off before they left, and had managed to do so without his wheelchair. His skin had regained some of its pigment, and his eyes were brighter. He was healing more quickly than Sophie had predicted. But although she appreciated their concern, she didn’t need him or Sergeant Overton looking after her; she could handle herself.

“If you and your men want a base to return to, then I’m coming with,” Sophie said, offering the ultimatum in her business voice. She’d pitched enough grants in her career to know the exact tone her opponents just couldn’t refuse. “Besides, if this signal is coming from NTC, then I’m your best link to any sort of rescue.”

“Have it your way, Doc, but if you put my men’s lives in jeopardy, I won’t hesitate in booting your ass to the curb and leaving you behind.”

“Deal,” Sophie said. “We leave at dusk.”

Sergeant Overton retrieved a cigarette from his chest pocket and wedged it between his dry lips. He went to light it when Alexia’s voice sounded over the com system.

“Sergeant Overton, this is a nonsmoking facility.”

Damned artificial intelligence.

His nostrils flared as he put the cigarette back and threw the strap of his rifle over his back. “Women robots,” he muttered. Worse than women, and almost as bad as kids.

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

IT wasn’t that Sophie was afraid to die. She just really didn’t want to.