I had to chuckle at his bluntness, charmed by the man who might well hold my future—and Paxton’s—in his large, callused hands.
* * *
Later that afternoon,I smiled at the group around the conference table as I finally leaned back against my seat. We’d talked for four hours—four! I’d answered questions and limped to the whiteboard, unconcerned about my impediment in my excitement to share the details of my design and the potential it had for moving goods into space.
The group of eleven scientists and engineers now rose to mill around, some waving their hands in excitement as they discussed parts of the design or its impact on space provisioning.
Dr. Gerenstein patted my shoulder. “Still as passionate about the work as ever, I see. I’ll walk you back downstairs. The team and I need to discuss your potential employment.”
He winked, which told me this was more of a formality than anything else. Still, nerves crested through my belly and chest.
“I’ll take her down with me,” Gunnar offered.
He and Dr. Gerenstein chatted for another moment while I collected my belongings and stretched my stiff leg and back.
Out in the hallway, Gunnar fell into step next to me, shortening his stride to match my own.
“How did you get access to this part of the agency?” I asked.
“A lot of money and the right connections,” he said.
I nodded. I’d seen how money held sway, especially in scientific settings. Experimentation was expensive.
“That was utterly fascinating,” Gunnar said. I offered him a shy smile. “I’ve never had anyone explain the physics so succinctly. What’s the end goal for this technology?”
I hesitated. “Well, clearly I’d prefer it be used to benefit society as opposed to wage better war.”
Gunnar chuckled. “That I can understand.” He sobered. “I’m the sole survivor of my parents’ children. I had two older brothers. One died protecting Sweden’s interest in the Arctic Circle. The other was a hockey player, killed by a homophobe after the Swedish team’s win at the Sochi Olympics.”
I touched his forearm as he jabbed at the elevator’s button. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”
He pulled himself out of the darkness and blinked at me. “Yes, me, too. For us both. I shared that so you’ll understand I’m not interested in more death or destruction either. But I am interested in sending carbon capture or methane—even heat, based on those reverse solar panels you mentioned—into deep space. That seems like it could help us win our war against the heating of the planet.”
I shook my head. “It may buy us some time, but not if we continue our same behaviors.”
We stepped into the elevator and faced the closing doors. “You’re an activist,” he accused. It was kindly, but still an accusation.
“I’m a pragmatist,” I emphasized. “And the way we fix this problem is by changing behavior. You’ve heard the Einstein quote about madness?”
“Indeed. I like it because it’s true. You cannot continue the same behavior and expect a different outcome.”
“Which is why the work that NASA or Space Elevated or any of the many hundreds, possibly thousands, of startups looking to change our behaviors or at least extend the chance to change those behaviors is imperative.”
“I look forward to debating this further, Hana,” he said as the doors opened. We stepped out, and he gestured toward Paxton, who sat in a chair nearby, flipping through a magazine. “I think now you have a date with your young man.”
I looked up at him, and Gunnar raised his eyebrow, as if daring me to deny my feelings for Pax. That had never been the issue.
“We’ll see if he thinks it’s one,” I said, refusing to back down. I’d been cowed by Jeremy’s position once, but I wouldn’t let another man intimidate me.
Gunnar’s eyes danced with mirth as he smiled, crooked and real—probably the first one I’d seen through the urbane façade. “I like you, Hana. I can’t say that about just anyone.”
“Your hockey players? The staff?”
“Mmm... No. They’re a means to an end. Most of them I respect, and those I don’t, I remove.”
The ruthlessness of the statement was matched by the cold that had seeped into his expression.
“But I like you,” he confirmed. “I’ll be sure to tell Paxton so.”
