Rockhoppers Epilogue
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. It’s a mining slug, and it’s marked as originating from the Widdershins.“
“That’s like saying the Flying Dutchman just mailed you a rock.“
“The AI says it has the right orbital math. It could have originated at the same point as the Daystar did.”
“How long ago?”
“About the same time. Almost a hundred and fifty years.”
“Christ.”
“We’ve already got a drone headed out to pick it up.”
“Is the AI recoverable?”
—Possibly. I will know more after further analysis.—
“And the woman?”
—Carbon stasis. A common technology at that time. At some point she received a massive dose of radiation. I am rebuilding her cellular structure before I revive her, it will be several weeks. It may take longer than that to quicken the AI she was encased with.—
The Stationmaster of New Pangea examines the frozen girl through a thick double pane of diamond set in one wall of the isolation chamber. Coldsuited doctors move around the cryogenically chill room. In another part of the habitat rests the battered sphere of the antiquated assault drone that made the trip with her, being poked and prodded by several technicians.
“Keep me updated, Pangea. Be careful, but use every means at your disposal. Let me know the moment you anticipate either of them regaining consciousness.”
—Yes, Stationmaster. There is one other complication I wish to bring to your attention, regarding the woman.—
“Yes?”
—It seems she is pregnant.—