Which was, of course, the important question.
32
“FRANKLY, YOU HAVE unique abilities,” said Brigid in response to Fang’s question. “The Antarctic is an unpredictable and dangerous place, but someone who can fly to safety can take greater risks.”
“But we don’t know anything about science,” I said. “Or not much, anyway. I mean, we can hack into computers. We know all kinds of other stuff. But we don’t know anything about global warming or the Antarctic.” Or about any of a million things they taught in schools, say.
Brigid smiled, and I thought again how young she looked. She was a doctor, right?
“That’s okay,” she said. “You don’t need to become experts overnight. We have some specific jobs we can teach you to do.”
“But that’s not the only reason you’re here,” said Brian Carey, speaking up for the first time. “The truth is, you guys are very newsworthy. As soon as you surface, people take note, and you get into all the newspapers. So who better to get the message out to the world?”
“And what message would that be?” Fang asked quietly, looking at Brigid.
“That our government needs to take global warming seriously,” she said directly to Fang. “That we need to develop alternative fuel sources, right now. That we need to slash our emissions of greenhouse gases. Plus, we need to do all we can to slow down the extinction by the year 2050 of more than a million species of animals, insects, and plants.”
“What if we don’t believe all that stuff?” I asked, and Melanie drew back and blinked. Had the file on me not mentioned my whole “uncooperative” thing?
“We won’t ask you to do anything you don’t believe in,” she said sincerely. “If, after working with us, you don’t think what we’re doing is worthwhile, then you’re free to leave, and you don’t have to publicize our cause.”
“You’re free to leave at any time,” Brigid said quickly. “The only reason you’re here is that Dr. Valencia Martinez recommended you. I took a course from her when I was getting my doctorate, and we’ve kept in touch. She called me a few days ago.”
That made sense. I still got a little thrill every time I realized that Dr. Martinez was my mom. That would never wear off.
“Okay,” I said. “We need to think about this and talk it over; me and the flock, I mean.”
“Of course,” said Michael. “Let us know if you need any more information. Are you guys still hungry?”
“We’re always hungry,” said Nudge.
“We need between three thousand and four thousand calories a day,” I explained. “When it’s warm.”
The scientists unsuccessfully tried to hide their surprise.
“Um, well, let’s see what we can rustle up,” said Brigid, leading the way to the galley.
“Thanks,” said Fang. “Appreciate it.”
I watched him follow her out the door, his dark head maybe six inches higher than hers. She looked back at him and smiled, and that’s when I got an icky feeling in the pit of my stomach.
33
LET ME TELL YOU, it was cozy in the tiny galley, which was so small that Fang had to totally squeeze in next to Brigid on the bench. Just too freaking cozy for words.
Beneath Gazzy and Nudge’s excited chatter, I could follow the low undercurrent of Fang and Brigid playing the get-to-know-you game.
“You’re young to be a doctor,” he said, helping himself to a fourth sandwich.
“I’m twenty-one,” Brigid admitted. “Sort of whizzed through MIT, then got my doctorate at the U of Arizona.” She paused, thinking. “In a way, I understand what it feels like to stick out, to be different from everyone else. I finished high school when I was twelve.” She gave a self-conscious laugh. “People called me a freak. Even my parents didn’t know what to do with me.”
“That must have been rough,” Fang said sympathetically, while my eyes widened.
“Max?” Melanie was holding out a carton. “Would you like some milk?”
“Gross, no,” I said without thinking. “I mean, no, thank you. But Gazzy probably would. He likes it.”