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“For tonight.”

She looked up. “You are terrible at victory.”

“I have learned to distrust machines.”

“From Tavi?”

“From you.”

She smiled.

“Then you're welcome.”

They climbed out near dawn. Ash Camp had already begun turning disaster into work.

Garden crews carried surviving trays toward the infirmary side of the settlement, where condensation pans could provide enough moisture to keep the shallow roots alive. Forge workers cut new brackets. Ena immediately began testing the dead red growth against every decontaminant Ash Camp possessed.

Pela met Kesta at the edge of the terraces. The first row of winter greens had already gone gray. Forty-seven trays survived intact. Nineteen showed damage around the edges. Three had collapsed completely, their fine root systems shriveled beyond recovery. Pela crouched beside one of the dead beds.

“My people will say the human saved the drinking water and killed the winter greens.”

Kesta lowered herself beside her.

“Will they be wrong?”

“Incomplete.”

Kesta brushed one dry leaf between her fingers. “Incomplete truths cause most of the trouble I've known.”

Pela looked toward the condenser, where Dreven stood helping workers secure the restored line.

“You could have allowed him to decide.”

“Yes.”

“It would have been easier.”

“Yes.”

Pela's ears lifted slightly. “You make strange things harder.”

Kesta smiled.

“I've been told.”

A shadow fell across the bed. Dreven stood behind them carrying two water cups. He handed one to Pela first. Then Kesta. She took it and drank. No argument. Dreven's brows rose. Kesta lowered the cup.

“Say nothing.”

His smile came slowly.

“I am learning.”

Kesta looked toward the restored condenser and the damaged gardens beyond it.

“So am I.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN