The doctors watched from the control tower as the Mad Astra slowly pulled into the docking area. Given the nature of the possible infection, the Navy had decided not to provide a tug. Instead, the Astra was coming in using attitude jets. It was a far slower process, and a breach of operating protocols, but not too much less safe as long as the tower stayed on top of things.

Much discussion and planning had gone into the disposition of the patients and personnel. First, the medical staff would be transported over to the Level 2 ward. Then, the entire crew of the Astra would be moved to the Level 3 ward, with Ivan Pritchard moved to the Level 4 ward. After that, the Navy would go over the ship with a microscope, using remotes.

Dr. Narang turned to her assistant, Dr. Haruki Nakamura. “Our team is ready?”

“All waiting in the Ready Room.”

“Then let’s do this.”

* * *

Dr. Narang swept the room with her gaze, and allowed herself a moment of private awe. The conference room, and the long table dominating the center, displayed a curvature along the circumference of this hab ring level. Twelve doctors, all seasoned ICDC pros, looked back at her, expressions ranging from calm to excited. And, in Henry Samuelson’s case, hungry.

She took a deep breath.

“You’ve all read the briefing. You’ve almost all responded with ‘Is this a joke?’ Believe me, it is not a joke. It is real, it is unknown, and it is a potential threat. We don’t know the limits of capability of these nanites. We don’t know where they can hide, or how well. The simplest, the safest thing to do would be to push the Mad Astra, crew and all, into the sun. But we are civilized, and we don’t do that. So we must find a way, first, to clear those who are not infected and, second, to see what we can do for those who are. A distant, distant third priority is clearing the ship.

“For the one person in the entire solar system who might not already know about it, this is the ship that nailed the Big Rock strike. These people are now rich enough to buy their own navy. Or a stadium full of lawyers. So we will follow procedures, but we will also treat the patients with all due respect and courtesy. One upside, by the way, is that Captain Jennings has already told us that if we feel the need, we should just melt down the Astra. He’ll be buying a new ship, anyway.”

A hand went up. “Then why are we bothering with it at all?”