The Central Core hummed with purposeful activity as the Six gathered around Xylogram's holographic display of the Meridian's Edge. The ship's schematic rotated slowly, revealing the intricate network of atmospheric processors, ventilation shafts, and air recycling systems that kept fifteen kilometers of corridors breathable.
Lacey's brass gears clicked methodically as her tactical systems analyzed the ship's infrastructure. "Xylogram, display atmospheric distribution patterns for Decks Five through Twenty-Three."
The AI's crystalline avatar pulsed with processing light. "Atmospheric network active on all levels except the Deep Corruption zones. Estimated coverage: 78% of ship interior. Air circulation cycle: complete ship saturation in 4.7 hours."
"That's our delivery method," Lacey announced, her Knight systems already calculating optimal dispersal patterns. "We vaporize the antiviral cure and introduce it through the inhalation system. Every infected crew member breathes it in simultaneously."
Hexi's Tesseract plates shifted into analytical configuration, her geometric sensors probing the synthesized cure samples. "The nanites can survive vaporization," she confirmed. "In fact, aerosol distribution might improve their effectiveness—better penetration into respiratory tissue, direct access to bloodstream through lung absorption."
"But what about containment?" Pip asked, her empathic sensors picking up concern from the 500 survivors who had gathered to observe the planning session. "If we're triggering mass transformation across the entire ship..."
Bunk's angular frame rumbled with mechanical confidence. "That's where we come in," he said, his construction systems already designing mobile collection units. "We deploy collection teams with specialized equipment. The transformed crew members will immolate into those wax-like husks—we gather them before the process can reverse itself."
Zozo's bubble launchers cycled through containment configurations. "How long do we have between transformation and emergence?"
"Based on our test subject, approximately three weeks," Xylogram reported. "The hibernation process allows the antiviral nanites to completely rebuild the cellular matrix while the subject remains in protective stasis."
Tumbler flickered through several phase states as he considered the logistical challenges. "Three weeks of storage. We're talking about potentially 11,000 husks that need to be kept safe and stable."
"Cargo Hold Seven," Dagger suggested from the crowd of survivors. "Eet's zee largest storage space on zee ship—designed for transporting livestock and sensitive biological materials. Temperature controlled, humidity regulated, plenty of space."
Lacey's gears settled into their command configuration. "Then that's our staging area. We convert Cargo Hold Seven into a hibernation facility. Bunk, I need you to design collection vehicles that can safely transport the husks without damage."
"Already on it," Bunk replied, his fabrication systems beginning preliminary construction. "Mobile hibernation pods with full life support. Each unit can carry twelve subjects and maintain perfect stasis conditions during transport."
The scope of the operation was staggering. Unlike their careful, controlled test with a single subject, they were planning to trigger simultaneous transformation across thousands of infected crew members spread throughout the ship's most dangerous zones.
"Deployment strategy," Lacey continued, her tactical displays painting optimal routes through the ship. "We need teams positioned at key collection points before we begin atmospheric distribution. Hexi, can you predict where the highest concentrations of infected crew are located?"
Hexi's analysis painted heat maps across the ship's schematic—red zones indicating heavy Bleakbox bug populations, yellow for moderate infections, green for areas already cleared.
"Primary concentrations in the lower engineering sections, the Deep Storage areas, and... here." She highlighted a section that pulsed with particularly dark readings. "The former hydroponics bay. Something down there is maintaining a massive hive structure."
"The 500 volunteers will handle the green and yellow zones," Lacey decided. "Collection teams with basic equipment, minimal risk. The Six take the red zones—the heavy infestation areas where things could go wrong."
Zozo studied the atmospheric distribution timeline. "Four hours and forty-seven minutes from initial release to full saturation. That means we have less than five hours to position all teams before the transformation begins."
"And once it starts, there's no stopping it," Pip added quietly. "Every infected crew member on this ship will begin the process simultaneously."
The weight of what they were proposing settled over the assembled group. It was the largest coordinated rescue operation any of them had ever attempted—a ship-wide deployment that would either save thousands of lives or create a logistical nightmare that could doom them all.
Dagger stepped forward, her restored humanity lending authority to her words. "Zee crew who remain—we are ready. We have been waiting for zis chance to bring our people home. Whatever zee risk, we will take eet."
Around her, the 500 survivors nodded in agreement. Faces that had been marked by despair now showed determination, hope tempered with realistic understanding of the challenges ahead.
"Then we begin immediately," Lacey announced. " Bunk, start fabricating collection vehicles. Hexi, refine the atmospheric dispersal calculations. Pip and Zozo, work with the volunteer teams on collection protocols. Tumbler, I need you to scout the red zones and identify optimal positioning for the Six."
" What about you?" Hexi asked.
Lacey's brass gears gleamed as they shifted into operational mode. " I'm going to coordinate with Xylogram on the atmospheric release. If we're going to bet everything on airborne distribution, I want to make sure we get it right the first time."
The Central Core erupted in organized activity as teams dispersed to their assignments. In less than five hours, they would trigger the largest transformation event in the ship's history.
Eleven thousand infected crew members would begin their journey home.
If everything went according to plan.
The alternative was too catastrophic to consider.