Metafire

"Simply opportunity. Our space is precious. We have many months of travel before we die."

"How do you propose to do this?"

"We propose that the Bluebird capsule be moved close, then detached from the tug and joined with us. You can have one person aboard the capsule. Then we will release Erisa and Randy into the capsule. They will re-attach with the tug and leave us alone."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Within the hour, if you wish."

John knew that the hostages were now of no use to Metafire. Particularly, what he had to say next would make it absolutely certain they were of no use. But, he wanted Erisa and Randy to be on board Metafire. With what he had to say next, he might have to tell them to attack their captors, even at the expense of their own lives. If Metafire had bombs planted, this would possibly get them to make a threat. John said, "We have other matters to discuss, George. First, we know you are the terrorists. We know you are the ones that destroyed the cities. You've killed tens of millions of people. Do you have anything to say about that?"