“Not being king.” Having clearly thought through his scheme, Reed spoke with confidence. “Not being president. Not being appointed rulers of any kind. Just becoming the aliens’ official satraps. Empowered to go anywhere and do most anything while simply observing and taking notes.” His hands spread wider than his smile. “Free everything! Food, lodging, use of private planes from any airport in the world. We’d be the official alien ambassadors, and everyone would have to facilitate our work. At minimal cost to assorted governments and no cost to us. We’d essentially spend the rest of our lives doing whatever we desired while living on a blank international check.”

“Unless,” Katou-Zimmer pointed out, “someone finally decided to call the bluff and stick a knife in our respective backs just to see how the no-longer-here aliens would react.”

Reed nodded: he’d thought of that, too. “Not an impossibility. Neither is dying the day we return home from slipping and falling in the shower. But why would terrestrial governments chance calling something that might or might not be a bluff when the upside is so cost-effective? A company providing you or me with a private jet could apply to its local government entity for reimbursement. Same for hotels, car dealerships, you name it. I know how government funding works. Not just in the US, but around the planet. In the overall budgetary scheme of things, funding the jet-set lifestyle of four individuals—” he paused to throw the Zimmers a meaningful glance “—two of whom are already elderly, is a pretty easy decision to make. Especially if the downside of not complying is the risk of planetary destruction.” He chuckled and crossed his arms. “I mean, if any of you were in a position to make that call, which would you opt for?”

“What if the aliens were to intercede with the truth?” Katou-Zimmer challenged him.

Reed laughed and shook his head. “The aliens won’t be around to comment on the bluff, remember? They’re leaving! Even if they weren’t leaving, I think Vantolos at least would appreciate the effort.” His smile faded somewhat. “Syrenii and the rest of the A'jeii, maybe not so much. But like I said, they won’t be here. Why should they care anyway?”

“I commend you for the extent of both your ambition and your imagination.” Finishing the last of his tea, Jakob set his empty cup aside before offering the big man a fatherly smile. “But though I say this with the best will in the world, I am afraid Chiasa, and I cannot partake of such a ploy.”

Reed’s expression fell. “Replying with the best will in the world, why the hell not? Are you two looking forward that much to living out the rest of your lives on your university retirement checks and social security payments?”