23
Will, Beauregard and Sims saluted a television screen on the rescue ship bridge. Outside, the Pinheiro Space Station revolved, a rotating helix glinting in the light of Reader IV.
On the television, Commander Mike Ponty and Lieutenant Commander Danica Gregg saluted back. They were seated in a conference room, with a sunlit window behind them.
Will missed sunlight. He'd been in space for the last seven days and wouldn't have minded the sun on his face right about now.
“What did you find out?” Commander Ponty asked.
“We’re stumped, sir,” Beauregard said.
He recounted Michiko’s story and sent them a digital photo of Will’s notes.
Ponty rubbed his forehead. “This stinks. All of it.”
“I agree, sir,” Beauregard said.
“If I may,” Will said, “the weirdest thing about all of this, sir,
