"What a baby," Towne said.

Briggs looked uncomfortable. "Let's focus out," he said.

"Right," said Towne.

In a room back on Earth, a dial was spun, and a connection severed.

In a room on a lonely asteroid, three spectral images—electronic ghosts on a mission of mercy—faded, and vanished.

The man pulled himself to his feet, and looked around him.

All was silence.

The winds blew.

THE END