Winter World (The Long Winter #1)(85)

When we land a second time, we’re forced to remain in our seats for thirty minutes. And when they finally open the door, there’s a massive canopy above us, formed into a tunnel that leads to the outer doors of a building.

They really don’t want us to know where we are.

An Asian man in a tailored suit is waiting inside the building, a wry smile on his face.

“Dr. Sinclair, I’m Soro Nakamura. We spoke during your approach to Earth.”

“Yes. I remember. Nice to meet you in person.”

He squints. “Let us hope, for your sake, that this meeting is filled with less deception.”





The Pac Alliance is a tough audience. Even tougher than the Caspians. They ask more questions, are more suspicious, and demand data to support every one of our claims. There’s a lot of supposition in what we’re presenting. We simply don’t have the answers. The meeting is long. Seven hours in total. And grueling.

When it finally breaks, they lead us through an underground tunnel to what passes for a hotel. It’s more like a dormitory with shared bathrooms and small bedrooms. But it’s clean and warm.

“When will we be allowed to go home?” Fowler asks Nakamura.

He flashes a smile. “When it’s appropriate.”





For three days, the Pac Alliance confines us. I’m worried. So is Fowler, I can tell—though we don’t talk about it. We know we’re probably being watched, that every word we say is being recorded and analyzed and played back for the people making this decision. So we play our part. We talk about the mission and our presentation and the importance of it.

I don’t say what I’m thinking: Has a war already started out there? Did we fail?





Chapter 43





Emma





The day James leaves, I get Oscar to help me move the exercise equipment to the rec center. It’s only fair. My progress has stopped, and others should be able to benefit from the equipment. Besides, I know James would continue to fight me on this, so it’s easier to move it while he’s gone. He’ll understand. And it gives me something to do other than worry about him.

The larger fight between him and me looms: the mission. That’s another reason for getting rid of the equipment. Soon, I won’t be here to use it.

Caspia is only a few hours away by helicopter. James will be home tonight, and I’ll break the news to him that I’m coming with him. I dread it. I’m nervous about it. But I have to do it.

Around noon, Madison stops by. It’s just her. Owen and Adeline are at the gym, playing.

She finds me cleaning the kitchen. I always clean when I have a lot on my mind or when I’m nervous.

We sit on the couch, which now feels almost lonely with the room cleared out.

“You got rid of the exercise equipment?”

“Yeah. I was done with it.”

She cocks her head.

“My rehabilitation is over.”

She glances at the cane. “I see. Where’s James?”

“At a meeting.”

“Outside the camp?”

“Yeah.”

She eyes my cleaning supplies, still sitting on the kitchen counter, evidence of my nervousness.

“You’re worried about him?”

“A bit.”

“And?” When I don’t respond, she presses me. “What’s really going on?”

I need to tell somebody. I need to talk to someone about all the things going on right now. Oscar is great, but he just isn’t that someone. I need my sister.

“If I tell you, Madison, you have to promise not to tell anyone. I mean it. Not even David. Or the kids.”

She shifts on the couch. “I promise. What is it?”

“NASA’s launching another mission to space. Soon.”

Her mouth falls open. “Why?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“James is going?”

“James is leading the mission.”

“And you’re going to go.”

As usual, Madison has seen right to the heart of the issue.

“Yes.”

“And he doesn’t want you to go.”

“I don’t know yet. But I think he’ll say no.”

“And do you know why?”

I chew my lip. This is not the conversation I wanted to have. What I want is some help in convincing James.

“Because he’s stubborn.”

Madison gives me a look that says, You and I both know that’s not the reason.

I shrug. “Because he cares?”

“Emma, I think it’s a little more than that at this point. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I know you’ve seen it too.”

I have no idea what to say to that.

“Oscar,” I call over my shoulder.

He emerges from James’s office nook, where he’s been doing some work that James left for him.

“Yes, Emma?”

“Do you mind going to the depot to get our weekly rations?”

“Not at all. Is there anything else I should get while I’m out?”

“No thanks.”

Once he’s gone, I say to Madison, “We haven’t really talked about… that.”