Earthseed

of its procedures.”
    “But it could happen again. There’s always a chance.”
    Aleksandr was silent.
    “No one’s going to put me in suspension,” Tonio said. “I’m not going to lie there like a corpse, wondering if I’ll ever open my eyes.”
    “Ship tried to be careful this time. It learned from its mistakes.” Aleksandr paused. “It can learn, you know. The directives it was given had to allow for accidents and unforeseen events.”
    Zoheret pressed her hands against her thighs. Ship had made too many mistakes. She stood up. “We can’t stay here all night. We’d better go into the corridors.”
    Aleksandr rose. “Come, then. I’ll introduce you to the others.”

    They walked through the familiar hallway, following the young man to the dining hall, where he left them. Kagami and Gervais brought food to a table, and then they sat down.
    Zoheret glared at the wall. “You lied,” she burst out. “You lied to us.”
    “I didn’t lie.” Ship, which had been silent as they entered, had spoken at last.
    “You did.”
    “I neglected to tell you about the others because there was nothing to be gained by revealing their presence. I did not lie.”
    “You let us believe that we were alone,” Kagami said.
    “That is true.”
    Aleksandr had returned with a small, slender, dark-haired woman. They hesitated at the doorway, then entered. As they came to the table, Aleksandr said, “This is Kieu.” The woman smiled at them uneasily. Zoheret and her friends mumbled their own names.
    The two sat without speaking while Zoheret and her companions ate. Then Kieu said, “Why did you come back to the corridors?”
    Zoheret searched her face; it was a kind face, with tilted brown eyes and a small, full mouth. Kieu’s skin was golden, her black hair short and straight. “A friend and I needed help from Ship. We went to the corridor by the nursery playroom and found out that Ship didn’t want us to return here, and that’s when we realized it was hiding something. We wanted to find out what.”
    “I was careless,” Ship said. “I’m not used to deceit.”
    “You should be,” Zoheret replied. “You should be an expert by now.”
    “I thought you were ready to take care of yourselves in the Hollow without asking me for help.” The words were sharp, as if Ship were spitting them out.
    “Please,” Kieu said. “It’s pointless to fight. Why did you and your friend seek Ship’s help in the first place? Were you hurt, or ill?”
    Zoheret was suddenly on her guard, unsure if she could trust the woman. Her companions seemed to have had the same thought. Tonio glared across the table; Kagami frowned; Serena warned her with her eyes. Dmitri squeezed her hand. “Nothing important,” she replied. “We realized that when we had time to think about it.”
    “Are you sure?” Kieu asked. Her eyes turned toward Aleksandr, as if she realized she would get no more out of them. “Well. You’re certainly welcome to stay the night.” She folded her hands. “Ship told us a bit about you when we were revived. You see, we’re all related, in a manner of speaking—each of us is related to one of you. The same vials of sperm and eggs Ship used for me were recombined to make one of you. I have a brother who’s part of your group. We have the same parents, you see—that makes me his sister. My brother’s name is Ho.”
    Zoheret dropped her fork; it clattered on the table. Tonio narrowed his eyes. “Do you know him?” Aleksandr asked, and then he laughed. “What a question. Of course you must.”
    “We know him,” Dmitri said, staring at his plate. Zoheret was glad she hadn’t tried to explain their problem.
    “And I have a brother, too,” Aleksandr said softly. His eyes turned toward Dmitri. “You’re my brother.”
    Dmitri stiffened. Zoheret was still; she had known it without realizing it. “Really,” Dmitri croaked.
    “Yes.” Aleksandr held out a hand.
    “Well.” Dmitri’s voice was strangled; he ignored the young man’s hand.
    “I’m tired,” Zoheret said quickly. “Do you think we could go to sleep now?” Her friends gazed at her gratefully.
    “Wouldn’t you like to meet the others?” Kieu asked. “They should be here very soon.”
    “We can meet them when we wake up.”
    “Go, then,” Aleksandr said. “We’re only using the three rooms nearest here; you may have your choice of the others.”

    The shock began to wear off while Zoheret was showering; the realization