“If we land more gently and nondestructively, can we get back up into space?” asked Ram Odin.

“We have been performing those calculations during your discussion of the ethics of temporary musicide,” said the expendable. “Since we made the return voyage to Earth without expending any fuel at all, and we began that voyage halfway through the huge energy expenditure of creating the fold and leaping into it, we definitely have enough fuel for a trivial task like rising from the surface of a small rocky planet and getting back to scoop velocity.”

Noxon had learned enough to know this meant the speed at which the powerful collection field could be extended to gather interstellar hydrogen and other dust to turn it into the plasma that fueled the ship.

“Then I think we’re all set,” said Noxon. “All that remains is to choose the right time. For that, Ram and I need to leave the ship for a while. And that means that the mice go back into the box.”

“No it doesn’t,” said a mouse.

Noxon took Ram Odin’s hand. “Expendable, please pick the mice off my body so I can begin time-slicing while you reduce the oxygen inside the ship to zero. It will mean I can’t come back and revive the mice, but that’s their decision.”

The mice scampered off his body and returned to the box, which the expendable was holding open for them. “You see we’re complying,” said a mouse.

“I’ll keep my word,” said Noxon, “but since I know you won’t, I can’t leave you in a position to alter the ship’s programming.”

“We already gave our word, but we understand your lack of trust,” said the mouse. “We’ll look forward to your return.”

“Come with us to the flyer,” said Noxon to the expendable.

When they were inside the flyer, Noxon ordered a complete disconnection from the ship.

“Now it’s time for you to tell us,” said Noxon. “Did the mice already alter the ship’s programming so that my instructions won’t be obeyed after I leave here?”

“They did not,” said the expendable.

Noxon thought for a moment, remembering how many times in the past Vadeshex and other expendables had told lies while adhering to the strict truth.

“I think I asked the wrong question,” said Noxon. “They wouldn’t have to alter the ship’s programming to make it so my instructions would be disobeyed, because I’m not the commander of this ship.”

The expendable said nothing.

“Ram Odin is the commander,” said Noxon. “Right?”

“Yes,” said the expendable.

“So any instructions I give are not binding. And he hasn’t given you any. So you could set the mice free, give them complete control of the ship, and you wouldn’t be violating any of your programming.”

“That is certainly possible,” said the expendable.