She looked up at him, having to crane her neck to do so. “You meet the aliens. Everything’s been arranged.”

“That’s fine, that is.” Zimmer looked like a man who very badly wanted a cigarette. “We’re supposed to be the contact team. Why haven’t we been informed before now?”

“Because,” Townsend replied patiently, “the place and time of the meeting were only finalized a couple of hours ago. Please come with me.” Turning, she led them toward the park. They followed, the Zimmers murmuring between themselves, Pavesi and Reed silent, Dev wondering if they were going to be expected to sleep out in the open on benches.

Once within the park boundary, Townsend proceeded to lead them off the paved path they were on and out across an open swath of grass. Upon reaching a cluster of trees she removed a small, round disc from a pocket and spoke into it. In the middle of the grove, a medium-sized oak promptly tilted backward to reveal a set of steps leading down. Dev, who thought he knew every inch of the Space Center complex, was as impressed as the rest of his colleagues.

One short flight down, they found themselves in a small concrete-walled chamber devoid of ornamentation save for lights gleaming inside transparent fire- and bomb-proof boxes. The elevator before them was just big enough to hold everyone and their minimal luggage. As he entered, Dev noticed buttons on the control panel for four floors. Only the first and second were flattered with numbers, leaving him to wonder what might inhabit the lowermost, unnumbered levels.

Following a rapid descent, they exited to find themselves facing a desk behind which was seated a young man wearing the expression of the deeply earnest. He and Townsend exchanged words and something unseen, whereupon the large door behind him, driven by a dead-silent motor, opened to admit the arrivals to a T-juncture. Taking the left one, their guide halted before a much smaller desk. The woman seated behind it rose to greet them, her smile Texas wide and apparently genuine. It was a relief after all the solemn expressions Dev had encountered over the course of the past twelve or so hours. She looked like a small-town ex-beauty queen.

“You can call me Daisy.” Not, he noted, “My name is Daisy.” Just, “You can call me.”

“I’ll be here until 8:00 am Hopefully you’ll all still be sleeping when Lily, my replacement, arrives.” To be followed by Rose, no doubt, Dev thought dryly. She gestured down the corridor that stretched away behind her desk. “You’ll find everything you need in your rooms. If there’s anything else you require, use the intercom.”

“Food?” Reed asked tersely. “Not now. Breakfast.” He really is a man of few words, Dev mused.

“There are menus in your rooms. Order whatever you like, whenever you want. Or you can eat together later.”