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Admiral Cramer was seated again at the head of the table. “Here’s what’s going to happen. We will graciously accept the Craing Empire’s offer. We will return to them their damn robot, Emperor Reechet. Second, they have agreed to share their advanced technology—and we’ll provide limited access to The Lilly . Together, our two civilizations will build a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. In the process, we will become strong again here on Earth and as we venture into deep space.”
    There was something missing here. Jason didn’t get it. Considering both Ricket and The Lilly were far out of reach from Admiral Cramer’s grasp, what made her think she could pull any of this off? She must have been reading his thoughts. Leaning back in her chair with an all-knowing smile, another display went active. The last person Jason expected to see on the screen was his eight-year-old daughter, Mollie. Eyes wide and obviously scared, she stared blankly into the camera. The screen changed perspectives and a wider shot of both Mollie and her mother, his ex-wife Nan, came into view. Although Mollie looked fine, Nan was not. Several purple bruises and a scrape across her forehead made it clear she had been mistreated. All eyes turned to Admiral Cramer. Even Brian looked shocked. She returned Jason’s glare, then looked away.
    “Mark my words. Before this is over, I’ll have both my hands wrapped around your neck.” Jason’s words hung in the air.
    “You will comply with everything we ask. This is a revolution. People have already died; we have already killed for our cause. Do not doubt our resolve here, Captain. If you want your wife and child to live, do as we ask—it’s really that simple,” Admiral Cramer said, regaining her composure.
    Jason looked back to the screen. Knowing Mollie couldn’t see him, he still wished he could reassure her. Then she did something unusual. Mollie casually touched her ear—strange—she touched her ear with two fingers.
    “You have one hour, Captain.” The admiral signaled to one of the guards. Both Jason and his father were pulled out of their chairs. Before they were ushered out of the room, Admiral Cramer spoke again. “I want The Lilly and that robot delivered to the outpost today. Make no mistake about my resolve here, Captain. Do as I say, or witness the deaths of your daughter and ex-wife.” The guards manhandled them out of the room and into the hall.

Chapter 5
     
    Back in their cell and still at gunpoint, Admiral Reynolds wanted to talk. After three weeks of brooding silence, he’d picked this time to come alive. What Jason needed was quiet. Multiple conversations were going on in his head via what he’d recently determined was referred to as NanoTexting . Earlier, Jason had tried to communicate to his father this way, but apparently he hadn’t activated that NanoCom option. Jason couldn’t fault him; until several minutes ago, he too had no idea the option even existed.
    Jason turned to his father and held up a hand. “Dad, please! Just give me a few minutes to think. I’m doing some … internal processing here, do you understand?” The admiral sat back in a huff; his frustration seemed to be rising by the minute. Jason closed his eyes and returned to his in-process NanoText conversation with Ricket.
    Capt. Jason Reynolds:
    … No, Ricket, I saw her. It was like a signal. She held two fingers up to her ear, just as we do when communicating in public via NanoCom. What I’m asking you is this: was she nanotized like the rest of us—-perhaps back when she was injured? I need to know if, like the crew, she has the same NanoCom tech in her head.
    Science Officer Ricket:
    Yes, she was nanotized, but restrictions were placed on her devices. She cannot initiate conversations—only respond to those of others—and only from those at officer level.
    Capt. Jason Reynolds:
    So she would know that she has those capabilities. She was telling me to contact