The Zimmers exchanged a glance, whereupon Katou-Zimmer nodded. “A very valid observation, Gavin. We will of course be able to put any such apprehension to rest once we are given the opportunity to engage in direct conversation with the Gadeu. We can assure them that they have nothing to fear from their ancestors’ tormentors because the Assyrians are no more and have not been a collective threat to anyone for thousands of years, though their own ancestors still exist in the Middle East.”

She focused her attention on Reed. “I imagine, Gavin, that all of this new information will finally put to rest any lingering notions you might have about anointing yourself the aliens’ satrap on Earth. Since now that contact has been re-established, they will likely soon be appointing actual representatives of their own.”

Letting out a huge sigh, the big man leaned back against the wall behind him. “In addition to making me go to church, my grandmother also kept a bucketful of sayings at hand. As poor as we were, one I heard a lot was ‘easy come, easy go,’ especially when the lottery tickets she bought every week never won big.” He shrugged resignedly. “So, I had free rein of Earth for a day, if only in my mind.” Suddenly alarmed, he regarded his colleagues. “None of you are going to bring those foolish speculations up when we’re officially debriefed, are you?”

Dev laughed. “Do not worry. I imagine every human has had such a wish, or dream, at least once in their life. No one will ever know that you might have come close to having the means to fulfill it.”

“Thanks.” Reed looked genuinely relieved as he turned to the older couple. Zimmer looked strangely preoccupied, but his wife responded with a gentle laugh.

“Don’t give it another thought, Gavin. Your momentary flirting with megalomania is safe with us. As Dev says, it is a common affliction.” She adjusted her posture on the bed. “People will in any case be too overwhelmed with improbable facts to spend time pondering the random conjectures of we three returnees. They will have more aliens to deal with, and the reality of what Jakob and I have come to refer to as the Gadeu diaspora.” Her eyes shone.

“Think of it! I wish I were young like you two so that I could see everything that is going to happen. Contact with the Gadeu and their technology will change Earth and human society in ways that we cannot begin to imagine.”

Her husband’s voice sounded as if he were emerging from a deep sleep. “I can do some imagining. I must confess first, however, that the thoughts I have been having are hardly original with me. They have been around for quite a few centuries.”