“I have given much thought to the problem,” Ryo replied. “I had hoped not to have to make the proposal I will now lay before you all. It is a bit—well, theatrical. My friend Wuuzelansem would approve the form if not the content. It is all I can think of, however. It will settle the question of compatibility permanently, I should think.

“If the operation becomes known, it will be condemned with many expressions of outrage and horror by both our peoples. I fully expect all of you,” and he gestured around the room, “to react in similar fashion as I explain. I entreat you to let me finish, and to consider what I say calmly and reasoningly. I ask you to put instinctive passions aside while considering the larger issues we are dealing with here. With success will come admiration and vindication. Failure would mean dishonor and much worse for all involved.”

“I don’t like choices that offer only extremes. I prefer to remain in the middle,” the Secretary murmured.

“There is no middle here, sir. Are you not risk-takers? Do you humans not like to dance with the laws of chance?”

“We’ve been known to do so now and then,” one of the other government officials commented drily.

“Then I shall detail my thoughts. I request only that you do not reject until I have finished.” At least, he thought, I have gained their full attention. Having acquired considerable wisdom during the past years, however, he was not sanguine about the chances for acceptance.

“Now then,” he began briskly, “if I have studied your customs efficiently I believe I am not wrong in saying that you look unfavorably upon kidnaping and infanticide …”

The world that hove into view on the screen was so achingly familiar that Ryo found himself shaking.

“Are you all right, Ryo?” Bonnie stared back at him from her seat

“I am. It’s only that I hadn’t expected so powerful a reaction.” As he stared the misty white-green globe swelled to fill the entire screen. They were diving at it very fast, as was planned. “I thought myself sufficiently detached, removed to a point where such mundane instincts would not affect me. That is clearly not the case. I feel rather numbed.”

“I understand.” She watched him sympathetically. “We are subject to the same emotions. We call it homesickness.” She lifted her gaze to the small screen. They were in Ryo’s quarters on board the heavily screened Seeker. She wiped the ever-present sweat from her forehead. She’d been sitting with him for over an hour now and her clothing was soaked. “It’s a beautiful world, your Willow-wane. Your home.”

“Yes. Most of the settlement is on the opposite hemisphere.”