The electrical storm had passed while I was inside Oceanus. Oscar used the break in the weather to locate his baskets of provisions. Alone with Dharma, I quickly briefed her on my contact with the Alpha Colonists, grateful our cephaloped friend was not around to question the nature of the device lying on the ground before us.

“Ike, you do realize that using a nuclear weapon to wipe out GOLEM violates your agreement with the cephs? They specifically wanted the clones spared.”

“I didn’t create the poison pill, Dharma. Right now, it’s all we’ve got.”

“Then inventory the rest of the ship. Have ABE create another option.”

“And what if this is the best option?”

“Since when is mass murder the best option?”

“If you had seen how they torture the cephs you’d realize this is more like an act of self-preservation.”

“Those you wish to preserve don’t see it that way.”

“Well, maybe I was placed here in order to act in their best interests.”

“That is the spirit of the Hungry Ghost talking. The anger experienced during your past lives is dictating your actions.”

“I don’t remember any past lives. But if I could go back in time to World War II and wipe out the Nazis before they exterminated six million of my people, then I’d do it.”

Before Dharma could respond, we both felt a deep reverberation in the sand.

“Ike, what was that?”

“Tidal waves, beginning their run on the shoreline. The ocean is rising with the approaching moon. We need to get to higher ground fast. This entire area’s going to be underwater pretty soon.”

Reaching into my sweat suit pocket, I squeezed the remains of Transhuman Andria’s severed finger, praying the neurons within the digit were still active enough to allow us to communicate. Andie, it’s Ike. If you can hear me, baby, we need your help. We’re at Oceanus. Please try to get to us.

Oscar returned with the food basket. Dharma and I ate while the cephaloped examined the small nuclear device, pressing one of its sucker pads to the protective lead casing.

Touching my arm, he communicated—ABE translating the creature’s thoughts internally for me: IT IS WARM ON THE INSIDE. LIKE THE SUN’S HEAT.

Yes. I replied, avoiding eye contact.

“Explain it to him, Ike. It’s his species’ future; let him have a say in it.”

God, she could be annoying. “Oscar, we’re going to use this device to destroy GOLEM—the ball of energy calling itself the Creator. We’re going to stop your kind from being hunted down and slaughtered.”

YES. THIS IS WHY YOU ARE HERE.

I glanced back at Dharma—catching sight of a seven-foot-high wave as it blasted its way up the beach like a wall of blue-green foam.

“Look out!”