Earthseed

corridors. It isn’t as though Ship won’t be there for an emergency. But I think we can work things out for ourselves.”
    Some of those near Zoheret were getting restless; they fidgeted and began to whisper. She glared at them, irritated. Manuel was asking them to consider an important decision, and they wanted to leave and go back to what they had been doing. They would all do what Manuel wanted in the end. They would go along with him either because they did not care one way or the other or because they were afraid of him. She was no different. She would sit and remain silent until the meeting was over.
    “What does Ship think?” a red-haired girl named Rina shouted.
    “Why don’t you ask it?” a boy shouted back.
    “What do you think?” Rina said to the ceiling.
    “I have formed no opinion,” the alto voice replied. “I trust that all of you will consider Manuel’s suggestion and discuss it among yourselves and with me. Then I shall tell you what I think.”
    Zoheret felt relieved. If Ship has any doubts, she thought, it won’t let us go into the Hollow alone.
    “I’ve said all I have to say,” Manuel said. “We can talk about it again after Competition.” Zoheret heard grumbling behind her. Someone whispered Manuel’s name, but she could not make out the rest of the remark.
    “If no one else wishes to speak,” Ship said, “I have something to say now. As you know, Competition is coming up, and I’m sure you’re all anxious to hear about the sort of contest I have planned. As it happens, it will be an entirely new sort of game, and will tie in with Manuel’s suggestion.”
    Manuel sat down on his table; Bonnie and Ho perched on either end. “It’s a very simple game,” Ship murmured. “You’ll draw for teams, as always. Each team will enter the Hollow and cross it; the object will be to reach the door farthest from that entrance on the other side, which means you’ll leave from the door down this corridor and go to the one outside the nursery and observatory. One member of each team will draw to see which team goes first, second, and so forth. The team that crosses the Hollow in the shortest amount of time wins, and each member of the team must reach the door before I record that time. That’s all you have to do.”
    “What are the rules?” Gowon shouted.
    “There are no rules. You may take any path across the Hollow you wish. You may divide your team into smaller groups if you think that will make you move more quickly, but I’ll not note your time until every member of the team is at its destination. You may even circle the Hollow to avoid danger, but you’re hardly likely to win that way, since it will take longer than cutting straight across. I should point out one thing. I’ll shut down all my sensors there while you’re crossing, so I won’t be monitoring you, and you’ll get no help from me. You’ll be on your own. I urge you to be careful, since if a team loses a member, that team will be disqualified. I’ll tell you what you’ll be allowed to take before Competition begins. Any questions?”
    No one spoke.
    “We’ll draw for teams tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll all do your best.”
    “I move we adjourn this meeting,” Ho shouted. There was a chorus of assent, and then a thundering of feet as people moved toward the doors. Gowon mumbled a good-bye and disappeared. Zoheret remained seated, waiting for the crowd to thin out.
    “Zoheret.”
    She looked up, startled to see Manuel standing in front of her. She gazed at his curly black hair, afraid to look at his eyes. Her neck felt stiff.
    “You didn’t say anything. Do you think I have a good idea?”
    “I agree with Ship,” she said loftily. “I have no opinion at this time.”
    “Oh, come on. You must have some opinion.” He tilted his head and smiled, as if amused. “I think Ship agrees with me, whether it admits it or not. I think that’s why it’s having this kind of Competition.”
    “You might have a good idea,” she said. “It depends.”
    “Depends on what?”
    Bonnie had walked over and now stood at Manuel’s side. She nodded coldly at Zoheret.
    “It just depends,” Zoheret muttered. “I have to go.” She got off the table and moved toward the door, thinking of things she could have said to Manuel; she always thought of such remarks too late.

    Zoheret and Kagami were in their darkened room, lying on their beds, when Lillka entered. She tiptoed across the room quietly, then bumped