Hutch’s mom called next morning. Her image blinked on in the living room, seated in the black leather armchair that still survived from Hutch’s childhood days. She was worried and made no effort to conceal it. “Hello, Priscilla,” she said. “I don’t guess you’re going to get up here before you leave?” She looked pretty good. She’d started the telomerase reverse-aging process a few years earlier. And while nobody would mistake her for a young woman, she was nevertheless making excellent ground. Her hair was black again, the wrinkles were gone, and her eyes had acquired a sparkle. Even when she was unhappy.

“I was planning on driving up tomorrow, Mom. If that works.”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “Good.” She paused. “Everything all right?”

“Yes. I’m doing fine. Spent most of the day yesterday with Maureen. Helping with the classes.”

“What does she think about this Calliope thing?”

“I assume you’d prefer I not go, right?”

“I don’t want to lose you, Priscilla. And these missions scare the devil out of me. I thought this was supposed to be all over years ago. But you keep going back for more.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. It’s basically what I do for a living.”

“There’s a lot more to it than that.”

“I suppose. I like the work.”

“Did you see Unterkoefler’s comment?”

Unterkoefler was probably the world’s best-known physicist. “Yes,” Hutch said. “I saw it.”

“Don’t you think it would be a better idea not to go to these places? Even if this one is safe, eventually somebody else will find something that follows him back here. You know, I try to stay out of your affairs, Priscilla. But this time I feel I have to speak up.”

“I understand how you feel, Mom. I’d be nervous too if Maureen was off doing stuff that might have a bad ending. And you’re right, I suppose. It would be safer, in the short term anyhow, to stay home. And keep our heads down. But do you really think we should do that forever? Hide here and keep quiet? Turn off all the radio and TV signals? That really what you want?”

“Of course not. I just want you to stay alive.”

•  •  •

Calls came in from multiple journalists asking for interviews. The Internet was filled with comments on both sides of the issue. She was surprised at the anger showing up on some of the posts. A few people even made remarks along the lines of hoping that the shuttle carrying her to Union would go down.

They had a legitimate argument. Suppose they were followed back by an invisible fleet that proceeded to destroy everything? It struck her as being hopelessly silly, but it got into her head.