Final answer:
The story titled 'The Cold Equations' likely presents a narrative where a character encounters unforgiving natural or scientific laws, highlighting a struggle for survival and decision-making under emotional and physical coldness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the title 'The Cold Equations' and the initial phrase 'He was not alone', one could surmise the story involves a character who faces the stark realities of a harsh environment, or a setting that operates under unforgiving laws of nature or science, likely in space or an equally isolating location. The presence of another person or entity suggests a tension between the protagonist and the unexpected company, which could lead to a struggle for survival against cold, calculated circumstances. The duality of 'cold' indicating both emotional distance and physical temperature implies that the character may have to confront a situation where survival requires tough decisions devoid of sentimentality. This could result in the protagonist experiencing a change in perspective or coming to a grim realization about the nature of existence when faced with uncompromising survival equations.