“What kind of materials?”
Her eyes changed then.
For the first time, she looked less guarded and more alive.
“Thermal-resistant composite coatings for reusable high-altitude craft.”
The words came quickly.
Confidently.
Then she seemed to remember who she was speaking to and stopped.
Andrew stared.
“You developed one?”
“Not fully.”
A pause.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“I’m still testing simulations.”
Andrew almost smiled.
“You carry simulations in a notebook?”
“I carry derivations in a notebook.”
She nodded toward the backpack.
“The simulations are on my laptop.”
“May I ask where you study?”
“Public school. Mostly.”
“Mostly?”
“I use university libraries when I can get access.”
Andrew looked at her clothes again.
Her worn shoes.
Her patched backpack.
Her careful way of speaking.
“Who is traveling with you?”
