Handwaving

When I was writing what is now Part 2 of Rome's Revolution, I knew that I wanted the VIRUS units to get loose inside of MINIMCOM's space tug so they could both consume him and also transform him into an intelligent starship. But I didn't really have a way of getting the VIRUS units over there. So I made up what I considered to be a flimsy excuse for the transfer. This is how it went down in both the original long-form and the modern version:

Original long-form:
     They left the command compartment and entered the foyer of the side airlock, directly across from the gym.
     “Hold on,” Rei said, pointing to the bench. “Wait here.”
     “Where are you going?” Rome asked.
     “Since I’m going over to MINIMCOM, I want to take the VIRUS units over there,” Rei said. “I’d much rather have them sitting on him than our tug. I just never had a chance to take them over before.”
     “I understand,” said Rome. “I think it is a good idea as well.”
     Rei left her only a moment while he retrieved the case containing the nanobots. He moved past Rome to set it down in the airlock then returned to the dressing area. Rome remained seated while Rei wriggled out of his jumpsuit which he set down on the bench. After he pulled his spacesuit from the storage locker, Rome stood up to assist him.
     At last, he was ready with everything but the helmet. He bent forward and puckered his lips. Rome kissed him but it was perfunctory. Rei picked up on this right away. In fact, it was hard not to notice.
     “It’ll be all right, sweetheart. I’ll be fine,” he said.
     “I know. It is just that this will be the first time we will be apart since we came onboard this ship.”

Modern version:
     Rei hopped up to aid Rome out of her seat. They made their way to the side airlock, where Rome helped Rei get into his pressure suit. He pulled the hand thruster down from the shelf and clipped it to his belt. Looking down, he saw the case containing the VIRUS units and picked it up and secured it to his belt as well.
     “Why are you taking that?” Rome asked.
     “It always gave me the willies to keep those things here,” Rei said. “I’m going to take them over and leave them aboard MINIMCOM. I just never had a chance before.”
     “I understand,” Rome said. “I think that is a good idea as well.”
     Rei picked up his helmet. He leaned forward and puckered his lips. Rome kissed him but it was perfunctory.
     “What?” he asked, peering into Rome’s eyes, glowing with the light reflecting off of her tapetum. Tears were streaming down both cheeks now.
     “Rei,” Rome said. “I am afraid. You will be leaving me alone.”

You can see in both versions, the idea of Rei transporting the case containing the VIRUS units over to MINIMCOM really doesn't make any sense but I got you involved with Rome tearing up because she was going to be alone for the first time in her life. A little bit of hand-waving was required so that MINIMCOM could evolve to the next level. I hope it slipped by.