48 THE DESTINATION

CHAPTER 48 THE DESTINATION It was the early days of autumn, and already the far north was turning bitterly cold. But the temperature didn't bother Roz. The robot raced through the frigid waves, winding between chunks of ice, and then continued across open water. Following Gurry's directions, she headed west. Somewhere over the horizon was the mining station. But the ocean was vast. The last leg of her journey would take time. While Roz swam, thoughts drifted through her mind. She thought of Dr. Molovo and wondered why the woman had given her the ability to fight. Was it simply so she could defend herself? Or was she also able to attack? It didn't matter. The robot would never choose to attack anyone. Then Roz thought of Gurry. She wanted to prove to the shark that every problem really could have a peaceful solution. She thought of the mining station ahead and hoped the humans could be reasoned with. She thought of Brightbill and Glimmer, and of the goslings who must have hatched. Roz swam all through the night. Early the next

morning, she heard something rumbling in the ocean. The hours passed, the rumbling grew louder, and a hulking industrial structure appeared in the distance. At first, it was just a hazy silhouette. But as Roz swam closer, the details sharpened into the perfect lines and angles of the mining station.