“I won’t keep you long.” Dev spoke as if addressing any passerby on any street. The reality was somewhat different. “First question: where are we going? What is our current intended destination?”

“Another inhabited world. If the instructions and charting are accurate, Mozehn, to be precise.”

Dev nodded as if this actually meant something. “I see. And what will the crew be doing when we arrive at Moo-zahn?”

“Mozehn,” the mechanical corrected him. “I believe the intention is to remain in that system in the hope that the legal owners of this vessel will abandon their pursuit.”

A reasonable and understandable stratagem, Dev mused. “What about us? Myself and my friends, who have been removed from our world?”

“I have no idea.” The alien mechanical replied without guile. “I am not privy to such deliberations. Since this vessel and all aboard are to remain in that system for an indeterminate time, I can make the assumption that you and your friends are to remain in that system for an indeterminate time. Please pardon me, but I am compelled to fulfill my intended functions.”

The metalized cable that whipped forward wrapped gently but irresistibly around a startled Dev’s waist. Lifting him off the floor, it swung leftward and set him down with equal ease. As the cable retracted the automaton resumed its original route, scooting silently past Dev and up the corridor. Slightly shaken by the abruptness of the act, he realized that the device had lifted him as easily as he would have a feather. Thankfully, this had been executed with the utmost gentleness. Except for a slight skin burn around his waist, he was unharmed. This time. He made a mental note to think twice next time before barring the progress of one of the vessel’s diligent mechanicals. The next one might not react so considerately.

—VII—

I can make the assumption that you and your friends are to remain in that system for an indeterminate time.’” Gnawing on an excellent synthesized stalk of imitation celery, Katou-Zimmer regarded the others in the room after repeating what Dev had told them. “We can draw two suppositions from that. Either things remain as they are with us staying on board this vessel—or else our dour, slightly anxious hosts decide to dump us on this new world, this ‘Mozehn.’” A loud crunch permeated the ensuing silence as she bit off another inch of celery. “If the latter, one would hope it at least has a breathable atmosphere.”

“That’s all the mechanical said about it?” Pavesi’s tone and expression mixed curiosity with anxiety. “Nothing about whether there’s food to be had, or potable water? Are they just going to dump us there to be rid of us?”