The campsite that night was the familiar submerged entryway into an underground Sanctuary. With the door long gone, the stairway leading down was packed full of desert sand. Even so, the lone covered entrance provided some shelter against the chilly windswept desert plain and the preponderance of hunting sand-snipers clicking outside in the night.

“Definitely tomorrow,” Rovender said as he looked at the beamguide map. “If we get an early start, we should be there by midday.” He tucked the guide in with the other items packed in his large rucksack.

“We have made good progress, despite this afternoon’s setback,” Muthr said as she looked over at Eva in the lantern light.

Eva was placing all of the contents from her satchel out to dry, as the bag had gotten soaked in the skirmish at the oasis. She glanced outside at Otto, who was sleeping soundly next to the Goldfish.

“I believe we shall have plenty of fuel to get us to our destination as well,” Muthr continued. “Once there, we can locate a water source that does not contain such malevolent plant life.”

Rovender chuckled, then rubbed his swollen neck. “Yes, let us hope so.” He saw the reflection of his lanterns dance and flicker in Muthr’s large orbs. “Mother Robot, it is no secret that I am not one who is fond of machines. To be truthful, there have been instances when I have even questioned your upbringing of Eva with such mechanisms as the Omnipod, and even your Sanctuary.”

Muthr nodded. “Well, I think we have all seen that these machines, myself included, do not have all the answers. I do not believe anyone does, Mr. Kitt.”

“You are right,” Rovender replied. “I am also the first to say when I am wrong about something, and I am wrong in judging the makeup of one such as you. Please accept my sincerest apologies for such small-minded notions.”

“There is no need for an apology, Mr. Kitt,” Muthr said. “You have taught Eva and me many things about this world that could not be contained in a program or simulation. It is I who should be apologetic for ever doubting you.”

“Fair enough,” Rovender said with a grin. “Fair enough.”

The two sat quietly for a moment, huddled in the abandoned Sanctuary entryway. Eva savored the reconciliation. With her back still turned to them, neither could see her face beaming with pleasure as she traced her fingers over the damp image on the WondLa.

“I think I am really getting the hang of this,” Eva said the next morning as she piloted the Goldfish over dark rippled dunes.

“You are doing very well,” Muthr replied. “Make sure you adjust the roll a little when we get over this open, flat area ahead. The wind can get quite gusty.”

“Why didn’t we practice driving hovercraft back home?” Eva said as she focused on the instruments projected on the windshield.