“Well, the bid winner will send a survey ship to verify our data. If that turned out to be significantly incorrect, they could pull out. But I’m confident of Cirila’s numbers, sir. If anything, she’s been slightly conservative. So I don’t see that happening.”

Jennings nodded. “I agree, Ms. Generus. I’m more concerned about the buyer becoming spooked if this business with Ivan Pritchard goes public.”

“But we’ve been careful to separate the two events, both chronologically and spatially.”

“And done a good job, I believe. Nevertheless, is there a way for us to get screwed?”

“Honestly, sir, if the military got involved, and suspected a connection between the claim and the Pritchard Event, then they could conceivably attempt to interdict the Big Rock. But first they have to make that connection. And even then, there’s hundreds of billions of dollars at stake, and I’d think the bid winner would go to court to fight it rather than meekly backing off.”

“That is my analysis as well. Thank you.”

It was a dismissal. Lita hesitated for a moment, then got up and left the captain’s ready room.

Jennings paused to review the chain of events and consider their options. What he was about to propose would take them further down the rabbit-hole into possible illegality. He would have to present his proposal delicately.

Before hesitation could become paralysis, he stabbed the call button for the doctor.

“Captain?”

“Doctor, I wonder if it would be feasible, without breaking your oath, to delay reporting Mr. Pritchard’s condition. Say, three days?”

“Three days, Captain?” Kemp sounded concerned. Spooked, really.

“Will we be breaking any laws? Contravening any policies?”

“Well, no, sir. I guess if we were military… As it is, there may be questions about why we took so long to report the event, but it’s not unreasonable for us to try to handle it ourselves, at least for a while. Why three days, specifically, if I may ask?”

“In three days, bidding closes on Big Rock. After that point, the bid winner is personally, if that’s the right word, invested.” Jennings smiled for a fraction of a second at the attempted witticism. “Considering the life-altering nature of our claim, I think it’s a reasonable consideration.”

“I, uh, can’t really disagree, captain. Honestly, I think Ivan would agree as well.”

“And what is the situation with Mr. Pritchard?”

“I re-sedated him. I can’t do that again without risking medical complications. Of course, by that point it may not matter. The metallization is accelerating. The interface is now proximal relative to the knees and elbow on the three remaining limbs.”

“Which in English means it’s up to his thighs and upper arm? Will the conversion continue into the torso?”