Metafire

Randy spoke, "No, John. I was asking too. I talked with one of the Ukrainians and a couple of the Americans. Everyone said these were the only two they knew of. But one person, Kennedy, told me he didn't even know of these two until they appeared in the supply capsule."

"What!" Ferguson realized this could be a problem. "You told me these people were working as a team, but now you tell me that one of them didn't even know that Metafire had two other bombs!"

Franklin said it, "This could mean there are many more bombs. Did you have any indications of other bombs? For example, any references to doing anything more to the Earth. Any references to other threats. Anything."

"No," Erisa responded. The only things they talked about was their self imposed banishment, their shame in having been a part of the explosions, their interest in contributing on the Internet, and the like. They said several times that they intended to survive until their supplies ran out. They did say that they would basically do anything to prevent us from interfering."

John thought he had enough for now, "I think we are going to assume that the box there has a bomb in it. Since we have already cut off their communications from the rest of Earth, and they have not complained about it or generated any threats because of it, we can assume they are not feeding any bombs on Earth. In fact, let's assume the situation is exactly as it appears. They are using this bomb threat not to threaten, but to assure themselves of escape."