As they rode the sphere towards the surface, Robert had imagined all the possible scenarios. There were hundreds of ways a creative intelligence could have killed him and Willard while they were helpless in the sphere. But nothing had happened. Their ride up had been smooth and fast. With Choi meeting her fate in the depths of the Europian ocean, there was nothing to stop Peterson from acting. So why hadn't he?

After reaching the surface, docking the sphere and searching the TES platform with Willard, Robert had his answer—part of it anyway. They found Peterson face down on the ice, ten feet from TES. Robert noticed that TES's control panel had been accessed, but no commands had been successfully entered. Perhaps whatever was controlling Peterson attempted to disrupt the sphere's ascent, but having failed, threw a temper tantrum on the ice?

Doubt it, Robert thought as he approached Peterson's still body.

"Careful," Willard said.

"Playing possum?"

"Could be. Are his hands clear?"

Robert inspected Peterson's nearest hand, while Willard checked out the other. "Nothing," Robert said. "Looks like he passed out."

"Let's roll him over," Willard said. "Nice and slow."

The dead weight and stiffness of Peterson's body confirmed that he was either dead or unconscious. Robert grunted as they pushed Peterson onto his back. "Oh my," Robert said.

Peterson's face was bright red and pocked with hives. His skin and what was visible of his hair was soaked with sweat.

"Looks like he's burning up," Robert said.

Willard nodded. "He's alive. Look at his chest."

Peterson's chest was undulating like an eight cylinder engine. Robert was about to comment on the possible causes for Peterson's condition, but a growing tremor in the ice distracted him. He met Willard's eyes. "Take an arm."

Grabbing the ragdoll body of Peterson, they dragged him away from TES as quickly as they could. Seconds later, they were thrown to the ice as a wave of pressure burst from the melted hole. Robert landed on his back and watched as a geyser of ocean water spewed into space, rising one hundred times higher than Old Faithful. As he watched the climbing water freeze and drift away, he was overcome with a deep and sudden sadness. He hadn't seen a body come out with the water…Connelly never made it to the hole. She never had a chance.

Robert's head hung low. He'd never see her again. He clasped his hands on the back of his head and shook his head. Willard's hand rested on Robert's shoulder.

A shrill beeping stung Robert's ears as his headset blared out. He jumped back and looked around for the source of the noise, completely confused.

"Emergency channel," Willard said.

Robert quickly adjusted his com.

"If you guys can hear me, better move your butts." It was Connelly! "You've got incoming."