Metafire

"We can release hostages, John. Would this help?"

"We can move a tug to you. You can release all your hostages."

"No. We have an empty supply capsule coming in as we speak. We'll put one person from Discovery in it. If you allow us to join with Metafire One, he will be released."

"No. I need the Discovery back. I need all the hostages back. How do you propose to do this?"

"We can give you the Discovery back. This is how. I will put one hostage in our supply capsule. He will return to the Discovery. Then, in the Discovery, he can exchange himself for our people there. We will retain our other hostages." He had not told John that he had only two hostages. "You will have Discovery release our supply capsule back to us. But, we will not leave the Discovery until you have allowed Metafire One and Two to join."

"Huh? Let me play that back. You'll use your capsule to transfer the hostages in and your people out. Right?"

"Basically, except you only get one hostage from here, and the rest of those on the Discovery."