Moore shook his head in frustration. “He could be anywhere. There’s simply no reason to prefer one direction over another, and we don’t have the resources to search the entire surrounding sphere. He has, almost literally, the entire universe to lose himself in.”

There was a short silence, before Kemp replied. “Well, that’s the thing, Admiral. If Ivan is doing what we think, trying to give humanity an out, then he will not have tried too hard to lose himself. He’ll be available for communications.”

“Wait,” Mandelbaum frowned. “Are you saying it’s as easy as broadcasting a message?”

Kemp chuckled, audible over the intercom. “One good way to find out.”

“Unbelievable.” Mandelbaum did a slow face palm, then played with the intercom panel. “Signals, give me a general broadcast channel, full power, omnidirectional. Keep it open until I say otherwise.”

“Aye, ma’am. Channel seven ready.”

Mandelbaum gazed at Moore silently for a few moments, then leaned on the chair arm closest to the intercom speaker. “I guess we should prepare a statement.”

“I’ve been working on that, Commodore,” Kemp replied. “First, let’s see if he’s listening.”

Mandelbaum nodded, then activated channel seven. “Attention, Ivan Pritchard. If you are listening, this is Commodore Mandelbaum of the United Earth Nations Navy. I have myself, Admiral Moore, Captain Jennings, Dr. Kemp, and Dr. Narang on the line. We wish to discuss the current situation with you.”

Mandelbaum released the transmit button and cocked her head at Moore. “That’s about all we can—”

Cutting her off in mid-sentence, Ivan Pritchard’s voice played from the intercom. “Hi, Commodore. How’s tricks?”

82.Discussion

82.Discussion

Kemp’s eyebrows rose. “That was fast!”

“Virtually no delay. He’s in the neighborhood. It seems you were right. He’s deliberately set things up to allow this meeting.”

Kemp leaned forward and spoke directly to the intercom. “Commodore, it’s very important that you not take any threatening actions.”

“Not to worry, Doctor,” Mandelbaum’s voice came back immediately. “Signals informs me that Pritchard’s responses are coming from an indefinite number of repeaters, completely englobing us. Even if we wanted to, we don’t have enough nukes to take them all out. And they could all be repeaters. He could be even farther out, relaying his responses.”

“Very well planned, it seems,” Jennings said.

“Ivan?” Dr. Kemp said.

“Here, Doc.”