Turning away from his wife, Jakob smiled at him. “You are right, certainly. Our Earthly superiors, from NASA right on through the CIA and the NSA, would not look kindly on such a course of action. Not to mention what the reaction would be among the stratified paper pushers at the Department of State. Therefore, it cannot be a bluff.”

“Then how can any threats you conjure have any basis in reality?” Dev was thoroughly exasperated.

“I don’t know.” The admission was startling. “I’m going to have to query the golems.”

Dev gaped at him. Reed started to chuckle. Only Chiasa Katou-Zimmer had ready words for her husband’s response.

“That won’t achieve anything, Jakob. Either they’ll respond negatively, or they’ll ignore you. There’s no time, anyway. According to the last information they gave us, we’ll be arriving in Earth orbit any moment now.”

He started toward the wall that contained the portal leading outside. “Then I had best ask my questions right away, while there is still time.”

His companions gaped at him as he waved a hand over the wall, opening the portal to the corridor outside.

Katou-Zimmer lowered her voice. “Jakob, don’t do this. It is a waste of time anyway.”

He smiled back at her. “If your opinion is correct, my love, then it will indeed be a waste of time. But not much of that, and no harm done.”

She turned to Reed. “Gavin, stop him!”

The big man shrugged. “Stop him from doing what? Talking to the robots?” He looked to where the scientist stood framed in the open portal. “Like you said, it’s a waste of time. And if it’s not …” He paused thoughtfully for a moment. “If Jakob comes up with something, well then, it might have other applications.”

Her attention shifted to the cabin’s remaining occupant. “Devali, can’t you say something to him?”

Dev shook his head slowly. “What can I say that you have not already said? If he will not listen to you, why would he listen to me?”

“Perceptive as always. You are a bright young man, Devali Mukherjee.” Zimmer stepped out into the corridor. “I should be back soon. As Chiasa says, not much time to waste.” The portal closed behind him.

His wife started after him. For a moment, Dev thought that Reed might block her way. But the big man remained where he was, deep in contemplation of other possible futures. That left only Dev to confront her, with nothing more than words.