Real Estate Scam

“Quarantine?” Hitherton’s face fell, and the old man wheezed a laugh and spat something green at the floor.

“Shoulda done your research,” the geezer cackled. “Might still catch the hover-bus back to orbit, if you get nekkid. It’s too late for your ship; it touched ground.”

“My ship?”

The old man nodded. “Them nanites. They start with the heavier elements, for the packaging. They’ll get to the organics eventually, though. That’s why you’d best start running.”

“...packaging?

Without speaking, the old man rolled up his sleeve. His skin bore faded markings, as from an arrested conversion process. One word: “Nestle.”