‘This is Datura. It appeared a little over five years ago. It immediately shot to the front of Tier 1. We had never seen anything like it. As an asteroid, it was completely anomalous. And early indications suggested it was on a collision course with Earth.’ I went to speak but my mouth was dry. My lips hung open stupidly, as I failed to ask the question. ‘Fortunately, both our assumptions proved to be wrong. It isn’t on a course for Earth. And it isn’t an asteroid.’
