Just as their guide had anticipated, they soon arrived at their winter lodging. It was still, or already, dark, but they found loads of people outside waiting for them. In addition to the two clones, Junior recognised Miss Roberts and Boris among the other guardians and many others who looked busy setting the base up.
They were thousands of miles away from the nearest city, but it almost didn't look like it.
R-328
Welcome!
X-466
And you've all made it... great...
Said X-466 sarcastically.
R-328
I hope you have found your little trip useful.
Every single candidate turned their head and glared at him. They wouldn't exactly call what they've been through a little trip... or useful...
R-328
You should all have got acquainted with each other by now, and possibly getting along very well.
In a typical move from the clones, Junior felt that the reason for that trek across snow and ice wasn't intended to help them get along, but instead was meant exactly to get them riled up against each other.
R-328
Getting along, you'll find, will be of the utmost importance in your next task.
He turned around and gestured at the complex behind him.
R-328
This will be you home for the next months!
IRINA
You said we were staying at North Pole...
R-328
Did I say that?
X-466
Yeah, you did say that...
R-328
Well, it sounded better than "you will be staying at the most northern place we could build an appropriate facility quickly, which happens to be in Greenland". But worry not! You will experience around four Earth months of total darkness; it will be, for all intents and purposes, like actually being there.
Irina didn't reply to that.
R-328
We have much lined up for you in the next couple of days, so go and get some rest.
X-466
You are going to need it.
They gathered their things and headed inside.
JUNIOR
Quick Lwazi, let's get inside before...
MISS ROBERTS
Junior!
LWAZI
Before?
JUNIOR
Too late...
Unenthusiastically, Junior lagged behind to listen to what Miss Roberts had to say to him.
JUNIOR
What do you want now?
MISS ROBERTS
Gee... don't be too pleased to see me...
JUNIOR
When should I ever be pleased to see you?
MISS ROBERTS
Remember that I'm one of the few friends you have in here.
JUNIOR
You're holding my family hostage.
Said Junior coldly.
JUNIOR
Is that what friends do now?
MISS ROBERTS
I'm getting real tired of your attitude, Junior.
She swiftly got close to him.
MISS ROBERTS
You and I want the same thing.
JUNIOR
For very different reasons...
MISS ROBERTS
All the same to me.
JUNIOR
Wel...
MISS ROBERTS
Shut up and listen!
We got this far and I won't let your pride get in our way. Answer just this simple question: "Do you want a place on Konos' spaceship?"
Junior knew the answer immediately, but was reluctant to give it to Miss Roberts.
JUNIOR
Yes...
He finally said.
MISS ROBERTS
Good. So from now on you are going to do as you are told! Got it?
Junior glared at her, but did not answer.
MISS ROBERTS
Now go. I will let you know.
He turned around to get inside, out of her reach and out of the cold.
When Junior finally found the room he was once again sharing with Lwazi, he was already lying down half asleep.
LWAZI
You don't mind if I take this bed, do you?
JUNIOR
Be my guest...
Exhausted, Junior dropped in his bed and promptly fell asleep, fully dressed. His hunger, all his worries could wait. What he needed now was sleep. Lots of sleep in a comfortably warm bed.
