Commodore Mandelbaum read the second message on her tablet, her eyebrows gradually drawing together. Finally she looked up at Moore and shook her head slowly. Without comment, she sent a copy of both to his tablet, then waved a hand, inviting him to read.

From:Andrew Jennings, Captain, IMM Getting Ahead.

CC:Dr. Charles Kemp, Ship’s Doctor

Dr. Madhur Narang, ICDC

To:Commodore Rani Mandelbaum, UENN Fleet Command

We understand that you may not have considered the Cooperator offer to be of a sufficiently high probability to be worth attempting. However, according to Dr. Kemp, we may have some additional leverage—a way to force the computer to accede to our offer.

Again, we implore you to hold off and let us try this alternative.

A. Jennings, Captain

Moore read the messages twice, certain the first time that he’d missed something fundamental. He looked up at Mandelbaum. “I don’t remember hearing anything in the recording of the interview with Dr. Narang about possible game theory scenarios. What haven’t I been told?”

Mandelbaum stared at him silently for several seconds, then stood up. “Ready Room.”

Moore followed her, and sat in the indicated chair.

“You were given a summary and extracts, Admiral Moore. The drivel about game theory tactics wasn’t considered germane.”

Moore felt the blood drain from his face, as he realized two things. One, that he was sufficiently out of the loop to be subject to edited versions of the facts; and, two, that until very recently he would have approved of the tactic. Getting your ass kicked, however, tended to put a different perspective on your belief in your infallibility.

Recriminations wouldn’t help, though, especially with someone who could freeze him out, or even throw him in the brig, at her discretion.

“May I have access to the complete recording, now, Commodore?”

“Fine, Admiral. However, we will not wait for you to bring yourself up to date. The attack will proceed as planned.” She poked at her tablet, and Moore’s device dinged as he received a file.

Mandelbaum stood. “Feel free to make use of the room, Admiral. You may return to station when ready.”

He turned to watch her as she floated out of the room, then shook his head and followed.

* * *

Commodore Mandelbaum settled herself in her spot to the right of Captain Harding and nodded. He turned to his staff. “Tactical, operation status?”

“Nominal, sir. Everything is in place.”

“Then execute the plan, Lieutenant.”

“Aye.”

The tactical officer began running through lists, activating operations and handling confirmations. As the orders percolated through ship’s systems, other bridge crew become more animated. Soon, the bridge was a bee’s nest of activity, all carefully coordinated, as station operators worked in concert.

Finally, the tactical officer turned in his seat to face the Captain. “All scripts are active, sir. First contact, two minutes.”