“But why?” he demanded. “I understand they want to send us back, but why are they not even letting us leave the ship? Do they think we will run and hide somewhere?”

“No. It’s nothing like that,” said Hutch. “They don’t want people to see you, because they’re afraid they’ll start sympathizing with you.”

“Is that why we made the video? Because you knew they wouldn’t let us actually speak?”

Hutch sighed. “It was a precautionary step.”

He looked directly into her eyes. “Our entire world is going to be left to die, isn’t it?”

•  •  •

The security team consisted of six members. They were waiting in the access tube when Hutch opened the hatch. They’d blocked off the far end of the tube. There was no crowd, no media, nothing. One of them, a tall, bored-looking woman wearing sergeant’s stripes, ordered everyone out.

Hutch sighed, put on her baseball cap, and went first. She signaled Arin to follow. The security team stepped in. They stared at him, and a couple of them had a hard time restraining laughter. Finally, they shook their heads. They showed no inclination to hide their reactions.

“Wait.” The sergeant turned ominous eyes on Hutch. “You the captain?”

“I am.”

“Tell him to go back inside.”

Hutch looked at Arin. He hesitated.

“Do it,” said the sergeant.

He went back in. Hutch turned and tried to follow him, but the guards seized her and pulled her away. “The rest of you out,” said the sergeant.

Nobody moved.

“Beth,” said Kwylla, “I never thought that I would say this, and it’s not your fault. But I wish you had never come. At least we’d have had these last few years in peace.”

It was the last Hutch heard as she was escorted away.

•  •  •

They picked up her bags and took her through the connecting tube, coming out into the concourse to find, as she had expected, more security. It was otherwise empty. They’d sealed everything off. Shops and restaurants were closed. Lights were dimmed.

One of the guards, a heavyset guy who looked annoyed, carried a scanner. He signaled Hutch to move to one side. “Over here.” He pointed at the wall. “You have a commlink?”

She produced it for him. He took it. “Any other devices?”

“There’s a notebook in my baggage.”

They opened her bags and went through them. He took the notebook. “That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Lean forward, please. Put your hands on the wall.” She complied and he turned the scanner on and aimed it at her feet. Satisfied she had nothing hidden in her shoes, he went behind her. She could hear the soft hum of the instrument rise and fall as it checked legs and arms, front and back. She remained quiet, unmoving. Then the guard was signaling for her to lower her left arm.

She did.