The Gadeu nodded once. “Your compassion for other sentients, even though they did not do right by you, does you credit. I am sorry you cannot be among those offered the opportunity to emigrate to one of our worlds, since you so plainly would like to do so.”

Dev replied hesitantly. “There is absolutely no chance?”

“Not unless there is Jewish ancestry in your family of which you are unaware. We can gradually accommodate a few millions of Earth’s population only. More than that we cannot do. The resources do not exist.”

Dev sighed deeply. “I can trace my family back a couple of hundred years. My ancestors never lived farther west than the area around what is now Nagpur.” He brightened a little. “Nehorai said something about conversions being decided on an individual basis.”

Maacah considered. “Those would, I am certain, have to have taken place before we announce our offer. A spate of last-minute conversions whose sole aim would be to join the emigration would be denied. I am truly sorry.” Maacah turned back to his work, leaving Dev to a string of mournful musings.

These lasted until the Gadeu ship arrived in Earth orbit. The reaction to the appearance of another alien ship, one much larger than its predecessor and not preceded by broadcast announcements of its arrival, led to some panic. This abated as soon as Dev and his companions appeared on the world media to explain themselves.

No tickertape parade followed their repatriation at the landing site outside of Houston. No awards for exploration, or bravery, or determination in the face of never-before-imagined odds came their way. They were spirited off to Washington, away from the eyes of the rest of the world, where anything they had learned of value could be extracted prior to being hidden away in the vaults of the NSA.

No such strictures, however, applied to the Gadeu, who promptly took to all available media to announce their offer. Persons of Jewish descendant, whether living in Israel or London or Tierra del Fuego, would be given the chance to emigrate to one of the Gadeu worlds. Emigrating children would be educated by means unique to their new hosts but perfectly applicable to any human child in preparation for taking their rightful place alongside their Gadeu counterparts. Retirees would receive a chance to extend their useful lives via medical technology that made the best of Earth’s hospitals look like abattoirs. Those who wished to continue working would be retrained through methods new and accommodating. Artists of all kinds would be given the opportunity to continue practicing their arts; an infusion of outside influences that would find a hearty welcome on all the Gadeu worlds.

As for those who wished to remain in Israel, their safety would be assured by means that could not be imagined but which that tiny country’s immediate enemies would do well not to challenge.