Mandelbaum poured him a generous dollop, then pulled out a glass for herself and poured a double. She leaned back and raised her glass. “I’m not sure if I’m actually toasting success or just a reprieve.”

“Either way,” Moore said, and raised his cup in reply.

A warm glow began to suffuse his face with the mouthful of whiskey. Definitely getting out of shape, he thought. Or old.

“Ivan has refused to say specifically what the nanites will do to Earth and Luna,” Mandelbaum said. “Beyond the rather cryptic comment that we’ll be pleased with the results.”

“Or the computer won’t tell him. I don’t get the impression that it’s the easiest of relationships.”

She grinned at that. “He does say that it won’t involve modifications to humans, so I’m prepared to take a wait-and-see stance. Something about giving us time to clean up our act. I’m guessing it has to do with the ecosystem.”

Moore nodded and sat back. He’d finally had time to get caught up on the news. Mercury had grown two very large somethings, one at each pole. They were long and vaguely cylindrical, supported on some kind of massive mounting, and looked weapon-like to Moore’s eye. The rest of Mercury appeared to be growing giant solar panels. Military pundits speculated that it was a weapon, powered by solar energy, possibly with some truly huge accumulators under the crust.

Venus and Mars were now completely without atmosphere. The towers, once their mission of ejecting the atmosphere was complete, had metamorphosed into some strange combination of planet-spanning arches and radio dishes. Scientists were clamoring for permission to visit the planets, and so far, Ivan hadn’t denied it.

Of the impending Terran and Lunar modifications, well, they’d know soon enough.

86.Conversation

86.Conversation

Ivan looked out the open side of the Mad Astra at the Milky Way, stretching right across his field of view. It was a peaceful moment, and he still felt the urge to take and release a deep breath. Not going to happen in outer space, of course.

So what now?

Nanite balls have been deployed. Earth and Luna will begin changes shortly.

And the technology releases?

Your proposed schedule is acceptable.

What will happen with the message? How will the Makers respond?

Message has been sent to all likely destination systems, giving details on your species and the Agreement. Expected response times will be based on the distance of those systems. The Makers will transmit a response with further orders and options, but they will almost certainly ratify the agreed-to terms. Humanity will be left to its own fate unless countermanding orders are received, or the Arts show up, or humanity approaches one of the Great Filters, or reneges on the Agreement.

What will happen to me?

You will be deactivated and archived.

So that’s it for me? Gone?