Johnny Winger and the Europa Quandary

  ***General, there are inherent risks in applying this memory field. I must check my files and determine that I have the correct modules to execute this procedure. If I have these files, the risk factor is still quite high…estimating probability of success at about forty-five percent. I may not be able to re-construct you with a high level of fidelity***

  “I hear what you’re saying, Doc.” The Keeper sphere was now only a few meters away, its roiling surface flicking tongues of fire at him, but all of it in silence, save for a growing buzz in his ears. “I have to do this. I’m going to launch you from the capsule. Execute disassembly operation…execute memory field procedure. Make me a cloud of bots, Doc—and hurry up, will you? I don’t want this bastard to swallow me first.”

  He cycled his shoulder port and tapped out the launch sequence on his wristpad. Moments later, the faint, sparkling vapor of the Doc III swarm began issuing into the air. The embed erupted and rapidly formed a diffuse swarm of bots, which contracted onto Winger’s hypersuit and soon enveloped him in a fine mist.