September 20th, 2063. Outside White Sands Army Base, New Mexico, North American Province, 10.45 am local time.

Jade rechecked the coordinates. She had already checked and double-checked the planned route, the backup route, the weather report and the pod’s system status. They should reach their first destination in four and a half hours.

“Is there a problem?” Becker asked from the back of the pod.

“No,” Jade answered, with her back to Becker.

She checked the battery status of the pod again. Ninety-nine percent charged.

“Just being thorough since we’re going far into the desert.”

“I didn’t think you were such a careful person,” Becker commented dryly. “You must have checked everything three times by now.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “I’ve worked in the desert for years,” she said. “I know how dangerous it can be.”

“And still, you got caught in a storm just the other day,” Becker mumbled.

Jade did turn around now. Becker was waving at her tablet to navigate through whatever she was looking at.

“The storm didn’t take me by surprise,” Jade said, even though she probably wasn’t doing herself any favors by engaging with Becker. “I knew I would make it back to the base in time.”

“Except you didn’t,” Becker replied sarcastically, never even looking up from her screen.

Jade clenched her jaw. “I did,” she bit back.

“We must have a different definition of getting back in time, then,” Becker replied, tilting her head.

“I got us the data,” Jade said, stepping closer. “It was worth the risk.”

Becker looked up now. “It hasn’t brought us much insight so far, has it?” she said seriously.

“It’s being analyzed. Scientists worldwide are studying it and that should bring clarity fast,” Jade said, somewhat cocky.

“So you got hold of your superior? The team is looking into it?” Becker asked, her eyes intense.

Jade hesitated. She had sent all of her findings to her boss. But she hadn’t gotten a reply. She doubted she would any time soon. She was hoping Denise would hurry up and send her an update on her findings.

The problem was that Denise should have gotten back to her already. She had promised to go recheck two measurement stations yesterday afternoon after all. But Jade hadn’t heard from her yet, even after sending her co-worker several reminders.

“Well?” Becker insisted.

“I shared my findings with my superior, yes,” Jade said truthfully.

“And?” Michelle probed impatiently.

“She’ll get back to me soon,” Jade said, tucking her hand in her pocket. “I should probably read my messages. She might already have.”

Becker quirked an eyebrow.

Jade ignored her unwanted companion’s smug expression and sat on the other bench. She’d have preferred to sit further away still, but this was the only other spot where you could sit in this pod other than in the driver’s seat.

She grabbed her own tablet, intent on avoiding Becker’s gaze. Jade navigated to her inbox and pursed her lips. The only new message was a random newsletter about the air quality in cities of the Southern hemisphere.

After a few moments, Jade glanced up. Her cheeks reddened when she saw that Becker’s gaze was still fixed on her. She hated how her cheeks always gave her away. Just thinking about it was making her blush even more.

“Why are you out in the desert so often?” Becker asked, sounding a bit friendlier all of a sudden.

Jade loogked up, suspicious. “It’s my job? I explained all this earlier.”

“It’s not your job to stay in the desert overnight,” Michelle replied, putting her tablet on her knees and crossing her arms. “So why do you keep insisting on camping out there?”

“I like it,” Jade answered, a little too truthfully. “I mean,” she quickly added. “It’s much more efficient to stay out here. That way, I can visit several measurement stations in twenty-four hours. Going back and forth to the base is a waste of time.”

“Going back and forth is the safest option,” Becker said in a lecturing tone. “But maybe you think security and safety are a waste of time too?”

Jade felt her temper flare. She had sworn to herself that she wouldn’t let that happen again. But it was hard not to yell at Becker. Jade drew in a deep breath before speaking.

“Safety is very important to me. It’s the only way to survive here.”

Becker nodded slowly. “I guess credit to you for surviving out here despite your recklessness.”

“I am never reckless,” Jade snapped.

Becker could accuse her of many things, some of which might be true, but Jade knew that she was never reckless in the desert. She might take a risk here and there, but it was always a calculated one.

“You must be thrilled I’m finally letting you go on your field trip,” Becker continued, the smug expression back on her face.

Jade tilted her head. Was Becker trying to provoke her? Well, Jade wouldn’t let her. It was true that some part of her was indeed extremely excited to be going this far into the desert. She could admit that.

“I’m excited about seeing what’s out there, yes. But I’m also just doing my job,” Jade replied.

“Sure,” Becker chuckled. She pointed at her tablet. “I better get back to my job, too, then.”