Maybe Houston was right to call the knot “aliens”—maybe they were different from the Earth humans. Romy kicked up a cloud of red dust, earning a disapproving glance from Elara. She ignored her and stomped after Tina.

The people were at once the same and different from what she’d always dreamed. They ranged in all colours, heights, and dress. Their skin was more weathered than any of the knot, but Romy guessed that was due to the harsh conditions and higher temperatures.

When they were going about their daily chores, the people weren’t so bad. In time, Romy might consider approaching them. For the moment her “sacrifice” experience and the knot’s uncomfortable lunch in the Hull was putting her off.

“Do you think Atlas is the leader here?” Romy asked the others when Tina dismissed them and left for her office.

“No idea,” said Phobos. “I’m trying to figure it out. The dynamic between him and Tina doesn’t add up.

Knot 27 made their way through the settlement towards their bungalow, doing their best to ignore the stares.

Romy’s eyes widened as a large four-legged creature streaked past, obeying the whistle of a young boy.

“What is that?” she breathed. She’d never seen an animal like it. And it wasn’t because Romy only liked cute animals. It was kind of like a dog, but much larger.

“Hybridization?” Thrym asked.

Romy covered her mouth with both hands. “Do you really think so?” She squealed and moved a little closer.

It was just one more effect of warming. As the temperature rose and the habitat changed, it allowed animals to widen their spread—into climates that were previously too cold or lacking in certain foods. Species previously unknown to one another came into contact and mated, forming a blend of the two. Where two weaker species could not endure, one stronger species might.

“What animals do you think survived?” Romy asked, not removing her eyes from the dog-wolf thing. “Just insects?”

Elara stood behind Thrym, not seeming too impressed with the hybrid.

“It would explain the 90 per cent drop in population.” Romy brushed at the red dust on her trousers, hardly aware she was talking to herself.

“Warmer temperature, further spread of insects and therefore disease,” Thrym added.

Romy wondered if he’d directly quoted that from one of their lectures on the space stations. “It must have been devastating. Imagine, 9.9 billion people.”

Grim faces acknowledged her comment.

“And so is what they’re doing to us,” Thrym said.

“I feel so useless,” Phobos said loudly. “I wish we could warn them somehow.” He stared up at the blue sky.

Romy craned her neck to follow his gaze. They couldn’t see the orbitos from here. Even if they wanted to warn the other space soldiers, how could they reach them? And if they did and were caught, would the knot’s actions secure the death of the eight orbitos and the Earth humans?