What could defrost him? Sex, she supposed—but he would never be one of the ones who had a liaison in the escape pod. She nearly laughed at the thought. Then briefly found herself imagining leading someone—the eager Fulbreech, she tried not to admit—down into that unlit, buzzing space, thrumming with the warmth of the ship’s whisper engines. Undressing each other’s bodies in the dark.

There was a mirror bolted into the far corner of the room. Park peered into the fogged glass and examined herself. Small, severe body. Harsh cheekbones, harsher eyes. Dark hair cut raggedly short. Not much to inspire interest, aside from perhaps her small nose, which she liked, and her long eyelashes. Better for him to pursue the svelte Natalya, or even shy and sweet Elly Ma. Despite the accompanying palavers, sexual encounters were generally encouraged for the health of the crew. Only she and Keller were exempt.

Objectivity is key, Park told her reflection.

“Dr. Park,” someone said through the steam.

Park jumped, whirled; nearly slipped on the anti-slip floor. Hunter, Boone’s lieutenant, was standing there at the entrance of the shower, watching her. Park resisted the urge to cover her breasts and said calmly, “What is it?”

“I think you need to come back to the room. There’s something wrong with Ma.”

Park wrapped herself in her thermal towel and followed Hunter out of the shower. The other woman walked with long, brisk strides; Park found herself jogging slightly to keep up. Her feet left wet prints against the icy floor.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Hunter said. She was a hard, ropy woman, with a shock of curly red hair. Park often found herself wondering if she was related to Boone: they looked so alike. But nothing in her file indicated it. And unlike Boone, who loved to jeer and slam his way around the ship, Hunter was famously laconic. Park had heard there was a running bet on who was more close-mouthed, herself or the combat specialist. Hunter said, “I just woke up and Ma was going crazy.”

Define crazy, Park wanted to say, as if Hunter were an android that she could command—but she knew that the other woman wouldn’t answer.

From down the hall they could hear the sounds of Elly Ma screaming. It was a sound that made the back of Park’s teeth ache; her eyes prickled. She saw Hunter flinch. All along the dim-thrumming corridor, doors were opening and tousled heads were poking out. They glanced at Park as she passed; she wished she had taken the time to dress in her decksuit. When they reached their door, Hunter stopped and said, “Why haven’t you turned on the lights, Natalya?”