Chapter 17: The Chemical Map Takes Shape

The ferry from Tessaly was late, which meant Pip arrived first.

Karev heard her before he saw her — the irregular percussion of her equipment cases against the depot's outer gangway, the way she always moved like she was racing a deadline that existed only in her own metabolism. He was standing at Thresh's worktable sorting through the laminated contract briefs he'd been carrying for two weeks, and he didn't look up when the depot door came open, but his biochemistry catalogued her the way it catalogued everything: familiar chemical signature, elevated cortisol, the particular salt-and-ozone smell she accumulated after extended time on the water.

"You look terrible," she said.