Atlas’s jaw ticked. But he assessed her and gave a long sigh. “I will tell you what I can. But you need to accept that there are reasons I can’t tell you everything. Very good reasons.”

“Will you tell us one day?” she asked.

He didn’t answer—not her actual question, anyway. “The Earth was changing at a rapid rate and the population was dwindling just as fast. Trillions of dollars were poured into technology to ensure humankind's survival. You have been told that when the Critamal were first spotted, all environmental research halted and all resources were then poured into nanotech. This wasn’t true. By the time the Critamal arrived and began their siege, climate stabilisation had reached the final stages of testing.”

Atlas stood in a relaxed pose, wide shoulders drawn back and hands hanging loosely at his sides.

Romy’s mouth went dry. “Then why did they send us up?”

“The threat to Earth was doubled. The world faced attack from the inside, and attack from the outside. Earth couldn’t abandon global cooling, but the threat from the Critamal was just as severe. After lengthy debate it was decided that there was too much risk in allowing the Critamal to reach Earth. It was a fragile time for the planet. The destruction of the climate stabilisers could have destroyed the balance we had only just achieved.”

Elara interrupted. “But Earth had its own military. Its own astronauts!”

“The world was still in anarchy at this point; many countries no longer had communication in place. The military were occupied in calming the civilians across the globe and it was decided they could not be spared,” Atlas said. “Make no mistake: global warming did happen. And only 10 per cent of the world’s population survived.”

Thrym’s voice shook. “How many perished?”

Atlas’s grey eyes clouded. “Just under 9.9 billion people.”

She couldn’t even visualise that number. So many. Of course, it was better than what they’d always been told—that all Earth humans were destroyed.

“But why continue to lie about it?” Romy asked. This was the part that made her want to follow Elara’s example and give in to tears. The betrayal.

Atlas ran a hand through his hair. It reminded Romy of their time in the bush. It seemed so long ago, though it was merely days before. “That’s not such a simple answer,” he started.

Romy waited for him to go on.

He saw she wasn’t going to let it slide and a shadow of laughter softened his face. It faded as he replied, “Have you never started a lie which you then wished to take back?” he asked.

Romy folded her arms. Was he making excuses for his own deceit?