Muthr was in sleep mode, standing stationary in the shadows of the room with her eyelids closed. Eva’s jackvest and satchel were next to her. Rovender’s rucksack was still in the room, but the lanky creature was nowhere to be seen.

I’d love to get some holos of Lacus before we leave, Eva thought.

As quietly as possible Eva slipped on her thick socks and reached for her sneakboots.

“Walking distance traveled: thirty-four kilometers,” the shoes announced. Eva shut off the odometer in the sneakboot’s heel. The ever-vigilant robot awoke.

“Good morning, Eva, dear. Did you achieve restful sleep?” Muthr asked.

“Good morning, Muthr. Yes, I slept great,” Eva said as she pulled on one of her boots, feeling it contract around her foot to hold it snug. “Where is Rovee?”

Muthr rolled to the window and peeked out. “Mr. Kitt departed early this morning to secure our ferry to Solas. He said he would return shortly to bid us farewell.”

Eva slipped her other foot into its sneakboot. As she did so, she felt the Omnipod still tucked inside. She removed the Omnipod, snuck it into her tunic pocket under her blanket, and then put the sneakboot back on.

“And where are you off to?” Muthr turned toward Eva. “Mr. Kitt specifically told us to remain here.”

Muthr is not going to let me explore at all. I’ll have to think of a good excuse.

“Oh, I just have to use the . . . um, comfort station.” Eva pointed to the shoulder patch on her tunic as she walked to the door. “You know, before AnatoScan kills me.”

“Of course. Let me come with you.” Muthr rolled close.

“I’m okay. Seriously—you don’t have to come with me,” Eva said.

Muthr stared at her, her eyelids clicking with each blink.

“Besteel’s not here, remember?” Eva wrapped her blanket around herself and pushed the door open. A misty morning chill swept into the room. “Hold on to my stuff,” she said, pointing to her jackvest and satchel. “I’ll be right back. Okay?”

“Very well. Hurry right back,” Muthr said with a sigh.

“I will. Don’t worry. I’ll see you in a sec.” Eva smiled as the door closed.

I’ll have to be quick, she thought.

Standing at the outdoor walkway of her room, Eva watched the morning light paint Lacus in a golden varnish. The rings of interwoven globular huts that comprised the village rose up toward the dawn sky like a gigantic bowl. Stretched across the diameter of the structure were strings full of long colorful pennants, waving and twisting in the day’s early breeze. From every residence Eva could see the citizens of Lacus emerging as the village came to life. A shiver ran up her spine, and she trotted over to the neighboring hut where the comfort station was located. Eva pushed the door open, and spied two Halcyonus locals inside, chatting to each other.