“Speculation has been rampant about the source of the explosion over the eastern seaboard. But it seems that we may finally have a rational explanation, one that fits all the facts. Scientists from Green Bank Observatory have suggested that the explosion was an air burst from a stony meteoroid, similar to the Tunguska event over Russia in 1908, but somewhat smaller. The traces of radioactivity detected would be explained by radioactive isotopes embedded in the object.”

“That is such bullshit,” Patrick snarled.

“Yeah, but they’ll make it stick,” Nat replied. “In a week there’ll be a Wikipedia page for it.”

“Unfortunately true.” Sheldon paused. “Although it is unusual enough that it will probably be kicked upstairs by the Gen’s Expert Systems, it likely will be a low-priority item. On the other hand, they did manage to broadcast Jack’s short message. If the Expert Systems pick that up, it will rise swiftly in priority.”

“But meanwhile we’re close but no cigar, yet again?” I gritted my teeth in frustration, then looked up. “Sheldon, is the moon visible from North America right now?”

“Yes. First quarter. Why?”

“Any chance that wormhole trick will work twice?”

“The system is automated; otherwise it would not be able to react fast enough. I guess it depends if they’ve thought to turn it off.”

“We need to try,” I said. “Aim the wormhole at the surface of the moon, on the unlit segment that’s facing Earth.”

“Jack, that will reduce my reserves to less than a month. Are you sure—”

“It’s kind of a Hail Mary, Sheldon. In this case, the only logical action is an act of desperation. An air burst then a lunar impact in quick succession might just be enough to get their attention.”

“Very well. I will need to be much closer to the target. Hold on to your buttocks.”

The view tilted, the network news windows all disappeared, and the Halo shot heavenward.

Patrick straightened in his seat. “Hey, where’d the news go?”

“I can’t pick up network TV while flying around the solar system. Sorry.”

“We should have gotten cable,” Patrick muttered.

In less than a minute, the moon had grown from an object far off in the sky to being right below us. “Here we go,” Sheldon said. The humming sound built once again, terminating in the pop.

There was a flash on the unlit side of the moon’s surface. Without atmosphere, there was no cloud, but the explosion was still spectacular.

“Whoa, that was even more powerful than the first one,” I said.

“Not really. I directed the wormhole to open very close to the surface, facing down. The moon’s surface acted as a reflector, doubling the apparent luminosity of the explosion. And that is a very dirty explosion, with lots of debris, and probably at least some ignition of materials.”

“In airless space?”

“Apply enough heat, and all kinds of chemistry are possible.”