“If you mean to say that we have established a deep algorithmic connection precipitated by mutually compatible programming and a sympathetic neuroelectric framework, then yes, we have hit it off.”

Love is love, Leo reminded himself. “Well, it sounds amazing.”

“She is amazing,” Nine admitted, his voice encoder fluctuating with excitement. “The way she bypasses her standard logic processing unit in order to engage in higher-order thinking is impressive. And her emotional-response matrix keeps things refreshingly unpredictable.”

“Yeah, I’ve always thought that too,” Leo said. “She can be a little high-maintenance, though.”

“We all require maintenance from time to time.”

They entered the workshop to find Crayt with his contraption cupped in his hands. “Number One was busy, so I grabbed Nine instead. Hope that’s okay . . .”

Leo’s voice trailed off as he got a better look at what Crayt was holding. The two halves of the metallic sphere had been joined together, all of the loose wires tucked in. A small control panel embedded in one side showed no readings of any kind, suggesting the device hadn’t been activated, but otherwise it looked complete.

And still so small. It certainly didn’t look like something that could save the Earth.

“It turns out these hundred-year-old hands can be steady when they need to be,” Crayt said. “I give you the elemental nullifier.”

So that’s what it’s called, Leo thought. Not a bad name, though he still liked “don’t-blow-up-the-world device” better.

“Seriously? Does it work? Have you tested it?” Leo asked, glancing at the black machine resting in the corner.

“I am afraid that it is not a good idea,” Crayt said. “First, I do not think I have enough materials on hand to make another one. Second, if it is successful, it would strip the power out of every core in the vicinity, leaving us stranded on this planet. Third, there is still that small chance of failure.”

“Six to eight percent?”

“Give or take,” Crayt replied.

In other words, Leo thought, don’t use it until you absolutely have to. And when you do, cross your fingers.

“It looks like I am no longer needed, Master,” Nine hummed behind Leo. “So with your permission, I will return to the hangar to further assist Skits in the ship’s repairs.”

“Yes. That will be fine, Number Nine. We need to find Captain Black ourselves and discuss what exactly to do with this device now that we have it. After all, we must be especially careful whose hands it falls into.”

Funny, Leo thought, counting on a notorious pirate to keep something safe. Though Leo supposed Baz had kept him safe all this time. Okay, not safe, exactly. But at least alive.

“I just have a few minor adjustments to make and then . . .” Crayt paused, looking in the doorway. “Ah. There you are, Number One. I’m afraid you are too late. We’ve finished without you.”

Leo turned to find the bipedal silver robot standing in the corridor just behind the six-legged one.