Ivan moved carefully through the ship. Internal doors wouldn’t be monitored unless the ship was active and underway, and even then, it was more about pressure differentials and potential breaches than security. An adjustment to his eyes allowed him to see in infrared, since a livable environment was being maintained on board.

He sat down in the Captain’s Chair and looked around the bridge with interest. He’d never been invited up during the tour, and in the normal course of events probably never would have.

He examined each console and control. Some were labelled, and some were obvious. For the rest, a process of elimination and a bit of logic suggested functions with various degrees of likelihood. A couple of glowing telltales told Ivan that he’d been right about the umbilical. That would be the first problem. He needed to be able to work without alerting the base to his activity.

He still didn’t understand how he was able to control the nanites. He wasn’t entirely sure that it was him doing so. In some way, he might be simply telegraphing his desires to Ralph, who then implemented them.

Not that it mattered. The effect was the same either way. He thought about the nanites modifying the circuitry so that the base wouldn’t detect any activity on the ship. He sat back, confident that he would somehow know when the task was complete.

Meanwhile, he would have to figure out how to fly off in the Astra without attracting a flock of armed pursuers.

60.Calling with News

60.Calling with News

The phone rang, and Kemp scooped it up. The caller ID indicated Dr. Narang’s phone. “Hello?”

“Charlie?” Narang’s voice quavered.

“What’s wrong, Maddie?”

“Ivan’s dead.” She swallowed, sounding like she was choking back a sob. “I just got a call from Admiral Moore’s assistant. The bastard couldn’t even call me himself.”

“What happened?”

“Well, if you believe them, the nanites abruptly changed their behavior and started eating everything. I’ve asked for documentation, and I’m sure they’ll be able to produce credible evidence, just as soon as they finish creating it.” The bitterness in her voice left no doubt about her faith in the veracity of said evidence.

“This makes no sense, on so many levels,” Kemp said. “Why would the nanites suddenly change their behavior? Why would the military be so quick to react? And why would they pull this so soon? They must know that Captain Jennings will release the hounds.”

“I don’t know, Charlie. And Lt. Bentley was very matter of fact about it. I would have expected them to rationalize a little more, maybe try to sell me on the necessity.”