Kalico had given the woman a thin-lidded appraisal. “What part of TriNA didn’t you get? It’s a three-strand molecule that processes data at three-to-the-third power. Cheng has isolated some of the microRNAs that TriNA uses to communicate, and he’s building a list of proteins the molecules produce and may use for shorthand. Not to mention that the molecules separate into strands of deoxyribonucleic acid that recombine with strands from other TriNA. They copy, compare, or whatever, then separate again and go back to their original molecule. Sort of like they’ve gone visiting to share notes. I tell you, it’s an intelligence at the molecular level that we’re just beginning to work out.”

Just as they were all shuffling off to bed, Michaela had buttonholed Kalico, a sober look in her eyes. “I want to thank you. You’ve probably saved us months, maybe a year or more of false starts. I know my people may have come off as obstinate, but for some of them, especially in the biological sciences, they’ve just had their entire paradigms upended.”

“Welcome to Donovan,” Kalico had replied laconically. “That happens here. A lot.”

Hailwood had steepled her fingers, hesitated, then said, “Don’t take this wrong. It’s a pleasant surprise to realize our Board Supervisor isn’t just some administrator who could care less as long as the boxes are checked off. Your understanding of the planet’s fundamental biology is impressive. Don’t think we don’t appreciate it.” Hailwood had smiled. “After tonight, I think my team and I are more energized than ever to meet and exceed your expectations.”

“Director, this is Donovan. Nothing here works the way you expect.”

The woman had nodded. “Isn’t that the truth?”

To Kalico’s surprise, she’d slept well in the single-occupancy berth they’d given her. Awakened refreshed and been pleasantly surprised when the biological experts had quizzed her hard all through breakfast. Obviously, they’d spent most of the night mulling over what she’d told them. But knowing intellectually was different than having the reflexes.

Of course, when The Corporation had chosen them, it had picked from the brightest cadre of up-and-coming young scientists available. All of them had been in their twenties, people with drive and ambition who wouldn’t mind dedicating a minimum of fourteen years of their lives to the two-year transit time, the requisite ten-year contract on Donovan, and another two-year transit back to Solar System. That they’d all re-upped spoke well for the prescience used by the selection committee back on Transluna.

Given Kalico’s choice of the day’s duties and assignments, she’d chosen to accompany the inaugural run out to one of the small islands fifty kilometers to the north. Shinwua had assured Hailwood that the seatruck was finally ready for a shakedown trip. The second unit would be kept in reserve on the Pod’s dock in case anything went wrong.