He forced that thought from his mind and stepped forward as three figures stepped off the orbiter. He was surprised to note that he recognized two of them.

“Ithan Chans,” he said formally with a deep nod. “And Ithan Sienthe. A pleasure to see you both again.”

“Greetings, Captain,” the pilot, Cora Sienthe, said. “Permission to set foot on your vessel?”

“Granted,” Weston replied.

The young woman stepped off the plank and onto the deck. Weston hid a smile when he heard her boots make a tacky, sticking sound as she remained well attached to the deck.

Milla did the same. Then both stepped aside for the third person.

Weston turned his attention to this one, an old man who looked quite fit for his obviously advanced age. He stepped onto the deck, his own boots attaching themselves solidly, then nodded to Weston and the other two.

“Captain,” he said, his voice gravelly in comparison to the fluid, soft voices he had heard from most of the locals. “I am your…diplomat? I am Benjin Corasc, elder of the Planet Ranquil.”

You certainly are, Weston thought, carefully keeping it from his face as he returned the nod. “Welcome aboard the Odyssey, Elder Corasc. It is an honor to have you here.”

The old man waved the words away. “The honor is mine, Captain. I, and my world, am in your debt.”

“One doesn’t automatically rule out the other, Elder Corasc.”

The old man smiled, laughing in his gravelly voice. “As you say, Captain.”

Weston returned the smile, then gestured toward the far wall. “If you’ll come with me, sir, I’ll show you to your quarters. After that, I’m afraid that I must prepare for our departure from this system. However, I would be honored if you would join my officers and me for supper this evening.”

“Of course,” Corasc said evenly. “I will need quarters for my attachés as well, however.”

Weston glanced back at the two women. “Both of them?”

“Yes, Captain. This will not pose a problem?”

“No, Elder Corasc. It will not,” Weston told him. “However, I believe that Commander Roberts and Ithan Sienthe will need to speak concerning the proper securing of the orbiter.”

“Excellent,” Corasc said. “Then Ithan Chans and I will come with you while they deal with such things.”

“Of course.” Weston guided the elder toward the lift.

Commander Jason Roberts turned to speak with the young woman concerning her floating spaceship.

It was some time later when Weston stepped onto the bridge, a little worn out on the polite-o-meter and looking forward to being underway again.

“Captain on the bridge.”

“Ah, Commander,” he said as he took his position. “Did you get the orbiter secured?”

“Aye, sir. Fascinating piece of technology,” Roberts replied.

“Yes, well, I’m certain that they decided that having some evidence of their tech base might be useful.”

“Undoubtedly, sir,” Roberts said.

“Are we ready to weigh anchor?” Weston asked, a wry tilt of his mouth communicating his humor.