Everyone turned to look at Lita Generus. Her face was drawn and tired. “This peaceful demonstration was organized by the Fundamentalist Church of We’re-Always-Right. Apparently, the idea that there are E.T.s out there conflicts with Creationist beliefs. Who knew? Anyway, surprise surprise, it got out of control.”

Tenn frowned. “How is that different from what I said?”

Lita smiled at him, shook her head, and went back to her tablet.

“I think I heard about similar demonstrations in the Middle East,” Tenn added. “Same motive, I think.”

“Well, not all religions are up in arms about it.” Lita looked up from her tablet again. “The Church of the Return, for instance.”

Seth made a face. “Who’s got the what, now?”

Lita laughed. “It’s new. Apparently whoever built our nanites are the same aliens who invented people and built the pyramids. They’re coming back to take the faithful back to the pearly gates. Which is a space station, or something.”

Seth covered his face and groaned.

“Oh, yes,” Lita continued. “They congregate on mountain tops and hills, build huge fires to attract the starships, and run around wearing tin-foil hats.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was.”

The news coverage switched to a different topic. The reporter was interviewing someone, who was wearing camouflage and carrying a military-looking rifle.

“What the hell?” Grabbing the remote, Seth hit volume. The Vid’s sound system filled the room.

Sir, we aren’t worried about whether the aliens are returning gods or demons or whatever. We’re simply getting ready for the possibility that they might, purposefully or accidentally, unleash a plague on us. My understanding is that the quarantined ship has a disease on board. There are rumors that the crew were all turned to goo.

“Oh, friggin’ hell,” Tenn muttered. “Preppers.”

“Well, it’s a simple series of jumps from ‘there are nanites’ to ‘Gray Goo scenario’ to ‘it actually happened.’” Lita shrugged.

“Did someone actually release that information?” Seth asked.

“No.”

Everyone turned at the last statement, to look at the observation window. Dr. Narang stood on the other side, holding the microphone. “We’re still trying to put together a news release that won’t cause the apocalypse. It’s beginning to look, though, like the delay is worse than a hasty statement would be. We don’t know how details got out. Navy intelligence is working on it.”

Lita put down her tablet. “Based on that last interview, it looks like lack of information is just leaving room for speculation to spiral out of control.”

“Our feeling as well. We’re going to squirt what we have to the UEN by end of day, and they can do what they want from there. The President will probably make a statement within twenty-four hours.”