Sudden anger flared within Joanna. “How do you know it is preposterous? How can we say anything about this world until we have explored all of it?”
Reed’s smile widened. “I’m not a betting man, but I’d be willing to wager long odds that there are no ancient civilizations to be found on Mars.”
“Yes, and a century and a half ago you would have bet that Schliemann would never find the ruins of Troy.”
“My, aren’t we fiery!” Reed laughed.
Joanna turned back to the computer, but Vosnesensky’s heavy-featured, morose face filled the screen now. She clicked it off.
“You’re right, of course,” Reed admitted easily. “One mustn’t jump to conclusions-either way.”
Joanna accepted it as an apology.
“Jamie’s doing good work, isn’t he?” Reed asked rhetorically. “I’m glad we fought to get him onto the team.”
“He is a great asset,” Joanna agreed.