“Based on the absence of return transmissions from sibling Sanctuaries, what do you suggest?” Muthr asked while looking at holograms of charts and maps floating in front of her.

“Remain in Sanctuary for thirty days. If retrieval does not occur, then begin shutdown process and send ward to the nearest settlement, HRP underground facility fifty-one.”

“Remain?” Eva yelled. She fastened her satchel straps to her jackvest. “That’s ridiculous, Muthr. I will not do that. You will not do that. Rovee and I will get you out of here.”

Muthr was silent. Unmoving.

Eva pulled her hair up in a wad and wrapped it tightly with one of her braids. “Come on. I will help you up the stairs, and we’ll go to Sanctuary number whatever together . . . okay?”

Muthr spoke. “Eva, listen to me—listen!”

Eva stopped and looked at Muthr’s face, hoping for a sign of real emotion in the silicone rubber and circuits. She blinked back the tears that burned her eyes. Muthr was just a robot, but she had also taken care of Eva since birth. Trained her. Protected her.

“Eva.” Muthr’s voice was low. “I cannot come with you because I am not supposed to. My programming prevents it. You see, I am only meant to live here to instruct you on how to survive and prosper on the surface. Once you are ready, and of age, then you no longer need me. That’s the way the program works.”

“But I’m not ready.” Eva sniffed. “I need you.”

“But you are ready, dear. Look—you exited prematurely and you survived.” Muthr brushed away Eva’s bangs. “Do as the Sanctuary instructs and you will be fine. I wish I could be there with you, but my place is here.”

“Here? In this mess?” Eva wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Once again the Sanctuary—her Sanctuary—was not cooperating.

It was puzzling.

Eva pulled out her Omnipod and handed it to Muthr.

“Why are you giving me this?” Muthr asked, taking the device. “You will certainly need it where you are going.”

“Omnipod,” commanded Eva, “please open Identicapture and show Muthr, and the Sanctuary, the life-forms living on the surface.”

An array of holograms flickered in front of the robot’s glowing orbs. Many-winged birds. Wandering trees. Weeping bird-catchers. Giant water bears. Sand-snipers. The Dorcean huntsman.

Eva addressed both Muthr and the Sanctuary: “Please identify these organisms and advise on how I should interact with them.”

There was a long pause. Finally the Sanctuary spoke. “All said organisms are classified as unidentifiable because of insufficient data. Interaction cannot be deduced at this point. Proceed with caution.”

“Now do you think I am ready?” Eva asked, taking the Omnipod back.

“I—I do not know,” Muthr replied. For the first time ever Eva heard hesitation in the robot’s voice.