HARE: Yes?

Taban: Tell them my will’s with Nova United. All my shit can go to Harpa.

HARE: The planet?

Taban: My ex.

HARE (processing): . . .

Taban (after a moment): (shaking his head) Goddamn it. If he hadn’t gone crazy—we could have gone home.

HARE: Yes.

Taban (bitterly): I told him—I told him I just want to go home.

[Taban drags himself up into a sitting position, moving away from Daley’s body with revulsion as he props himself up against a dark wave. He folds his hands over his lap and closes his eyes for a moment. Then he turns his head away from the sight of the frozen fields, which are brightening with a strange strip of color just appearing on the horizon.]

Taban: Okay, so. I guess it’s off you go. I’ll just be waiting here for you to come back.

HARE: . . .

Taban (slurring a little): I’m tired, anyway. I need to rest. I haven’t slept in a long time. Too many weird dreams.

HARE: . . .

Taban: What are you waiting for? Go.

HARE: I should wait.

Taban: For what? More light? (looking up) The suns are rising.

[The HARE doesn’t answer him. Almost imperceptibly, the night’s storm has died away; an aurora has begun to play against the milky-blue dawn instead. It looks to be a geomagnetic storm, enhanced by the presence of Eos’s two suns. Liquid light leaks across the sky, blues and greens mixing with pinks and golds.]

Taban: Does this happen every day?

HARE: Yes.

Taban: I never saw it. Never woke up for it, I guess.

[The HARE sits down beside Taban. In its camera’s view, his suit looks large and dark against the sudden fiery display that the ice has flung up in response to the aurora. His breathing has eased a little.]

[After a few minutes Taban tries to fold his arms behind his head, but the shoulder joints in his armor restrain him. He folds his arms over his chest instead. He begins to tremble.]

Taban: What are you doing, HARE?

HARE: I think I should stay with you. For a moment.

Taban (laughs): Why?

HARE: It feels like I should.

Taban: You’re going by feeling now? Maybe you learned something from me, after all.

HARE: Yes.

Taban (looking at the aurora): It’s so beautiful. Have you ever seen anything like it?

HARE: No.

Taban (breathing slowing): Do you get it now? What I told you before?

HARE: What?

Taban: How there’s always something bigger out there, with you. Even when it feels like you’re totally alone.

HARE (processing): . . .

Taban: Do you get it now?

HARE: I am sorry. I am unable to answer your query at this time.