16 ARRIVAL AT VAN MAANEN’S
2294 A.D. DAY ONE AT VAN Maanen’s Star
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NINA PINGED MY NODE. “We have arrived at the Oort Cloud. I have contacted the covert team ship, and we will meet them in the far habitable zone orbit. The Archon ship has released the fleet, and is currently exiting the Oort cloud, on its way to its next destination.”
I opened my eyes, preparing to get out of bed. Fido was staring directly into my eyes. The node did not emit sound, or any other wavelength, which canines should be able to detect, but for some reason, he always knew when it was being pinged.
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” I said to Sheila, and to punctuate this, I lightly goosed her bare bottom. That felt so good; I followed up with a light caress.
I said, “What is the status of the system, Nina?”
Nina
