As with all satellite communication, there was a brief delay. Only a few seconds, but compared to the virtually instantaneous communication of quicker methods, it could be a little disorienting. “Message received, James Irwin.” The probe’s voice came in heavily distorted, stretching one minute and jumping in pitch the next. Yet she heard it all the same. “Please provide status report. This transmitter reported OUT-OF-RANGE disconnection 41 days ago.”