The giant of the mechanical trio did not move to interfere. It was one of the two smaller automatons, the twin of the robot Zimmer was directly addressing, that slid forward to intercept Dev’s rush. It did not strike out at him, did not utilize either of its flexible limbs to flail at the would-be assailant. It simply shifted its position, repeatedly and with inhuman speed, to keep between Dev and his objective.

Frustrated and unable to reach Zimmer, Dev whirled and raced down an opposing corridor. Not back toward his quarters. He would never be able to forgive himself if he simply lay on his bed while the apparently unhinged researcher employed alien technology to rain potential destruction on a blameless corner of the Earth. His parents had not raised him to be an inert spectator. While he ran, he had to repeatedly push out of his thoughts any notion that Zimmer’s strategy might actually work. No matter how precise the alien machines, any chance, any chance at all that their aim or control or calculation of velocity might be off by even the slightest amount frightened him more than he cared to admit.

He passed one, two, three automatons. Intent on their programming of the moment, they ignored him. He finally slowed only when he encountered an A'jeii. By chance it was Tilenyii. The diminutive alien looked up at him with what Dev chose to believe was a resigned expression.

“You are running. Why? There is no place to run to. If there were, I and my associates would already have run there.”

Dev ignored the implication. It was plain that the Gadeu mechanicals did not have to restrain or lock up those who had stolen their ship for the very reason the supervisor had just stated: there was nowhere to flee and no possibility of the now downcast A'jeii, Olone, and Kaijank regaining control. They were free-roaming prisoners on the very ship they had stolen.

He spoke while striving to catch his breath. It made him seem doubly anxious, though it was unlikely the A'jeii would interpret his respiration as indicative of such. “It is the eldest member of our group, Jakob Zimmer. He is consorting with the machines: he can imitate their vocalizations!”

Tilenyii began to show some interest. “That is interesting. Very interesting indeed. He knows the language of the Gadeu?” Dev nodded vigorously. “You say he is able to interact with the ship’s intelligence?” Again, Dev nodded. Tilenyii looked thoughtful. “I wonder if he would be interested in a partnership? Not that it is likely he can divert the mechanicals from their programmed task, which is to return this vessel to its owners, but I feel there is no danger in attempting such an exploit.” He started to turn away. “I need to consult with Syrenii and the others on this. The possibilities are …”