“The result is that the tribes, who began to refer to themselves as the Gadeu, came to successfully exploit, dominate, and spread out across half a dozen star systems. According to the mechanicals, they remain in close contact not only with their liberators and mentors the Dahf'fiotica but with several other sentient, star-traversing species with whom they have subsequently come in contact.” He shook his head at the wonder of it all. “We, as humans, have always speculated if there was other intelligent life in the universe. Well, there not only is, but there is apparently quite a lot of it—and some of it is us.”

“Then this is not a Dahf'fiotica ship we are on,” Dev remarked.

“No.” Katou-Zimmer spoke up. “It’s a Gadeu craft. Engineered with Dahf'fiotica technology but built by the Gadeu themselves.”

“That certainly explains a lot.” Reed was still coming to grips with the fact that at least some portion of his childhood Bible school teaching had not been entirely accurate—or alternatively, forthcoming. “How quickly and easily the cabin pods were able to synthesize human food, how well the furniture that’s been made for us fits our human forms, and so much more. But if this ship was built by these Gadeu, then where are they?”

Zimmer had an explanation for that, too. “While their population has grown to substantial proportions over the centuries, there’s still no reason or need for them to send out manned vessels to track down this one. It is considered more efficient to send out automated search craft to carry out such a task. We have been privileged to experience the confirmation of that for ourselves.”

Dev looked disappointed. “Then we are not going to meet them, these Gadeu, in person? Their mechanical servitors are simply going to return us home and depart our system with their recovered property?”

“That is the plan for now.” Zimmer tried to sound hopeful. “News of our presence on this ship is being communicated back to their worlds even as we speak. Personally, I find it hard to believe since contact has been re-established that these ancient people won’t want to re-engage with the world from which their ancestors were taken. Or rescued.”

“Maybe,” Reed pointed out, “they still hold a visceral if unreasonable fear of the Assyrians. Knowing as they must how far they themselves have advanced technologically, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to assume that those who had vanquished their ancestors had also advanced proportionately, albeit without alien help. I’d think they’d at least be wary, if not downright fearful.”