History, Patricia thought. We're all history here.

Lanier came out first. Patricia restrained an urge to wave to him; instead, she lifted up on tiptoes and nodded. He returned the nod and descended the hatch steps. Farley came next. Carrolson waited in the doorway. Lanier pointed back into the cabin and said loudly, "We have an injured man inside. He may need assistance."

Olmy and the woman conferred again and the woman touched her silver torque. As she did so, she glanced at Patricia and smiled. Her pictor projected an American flag above her left shoulder; she had American ancestors and was proud of it.

"What do we do?" Carrolson asked. "Leave him there?"

"Tell your friends a medical worker is coming," Olmy said in an undertone.

"He'll be okay. Help is coming," Patricia said. Lanier tried to approach but was blocked by a worker.

"Let him pass!" Patricia pleaded. "Olmy, what harm can they do?"

"They're in quarantine," Olmy said, pointing to the glowing red line surrounding the V/STOL at chest level.

Patricia turned to Lanier, holding up one hand. "They're not going to hurt you. Everything's okay. Just wait a moment."

"It's good to see you," Lanier said, keeping an eye on the scuttling workers. "We had no idea we'd ever find you."

Patricia swallowed back a lump in her throat. She turned to Olmy. "We have to stay together," she told him. "We have to help each other."

Olmy smiled at her, but that didn't mean assent; he picted with the woman again and she touched her necklace once more.

"A decision is being made now," he said.

"Whether they're criminals or guests?" Patricia asked.

"Oh, they will be guests," the woman said in perfect English.

"They will be sampled now," Olmy said. "Perhaps it would be best if you told them."

"Garry," Patricia said, "they're really interested in our skin cultures. One of the workers—the machines—is going to approach you and collect skin scrapings. It doesn't hurt. And the cabin's waste tank—they'll want that, too."

"Here's the medical team," Olmy said. He would have to contact everyone involved later and have them swear out statements of secrecy. Two more corporeal citizens and a smaller worker entered the chamber and approached the red line. As they passed through, red chevrons appeared over their shoulders; they were now in quarantine also.

Lanier, Carrolson and Farley allowed the medical worker to pull back the sleeves of their jumpsuits and take samples. The worker then withdrew, touching the red line. It was instantly surrounded by a lovely lilac glow; when the glow dissipated, the worker crossed the line and came to a halt.

The medical team—all homorphs—entered the aircraft hatch. A few minutes later, Heineman walked out on his own power between them. The lead homorph picted a message to Olmy.

"He was in pain but not seriously injured," Olmy told Patricia. "They have relieved his pain but have not yet given him healers."