Dev thought carefully before replying. “The Gadeu are part of a galactic civilization whose technology far exceeds ours. If you were running a country in the Middle East, would you want to find out the extent of their military capabilities by inviting a demonstration on your home soil?” He looked around the table. “Do any of you think the governments of your own countries would wish to do that?”

The only response was silence.

Amotenada cleared her throat. “When is this grand emigration supposed to commence?”

“I was told it will take time to organize the necessary transportation and, more importantly, prepare adequate facilities on the Gadeu worlds to receive and properly integrate the new arrivals. No exact time frame was provided. At a guess, I would say more than a month and less than a year. Transport will be provided for as long as there are those interested in making the voyage.” He smiled slightly. “I believe it is to take less than forty days and forty nights.”

“And after that?” Natase asked. “After the emigration is concluded?”

“After that?” Dev shrugged. “I have no idea. I hope contact will continue and expand. I would hate to see several million or more humans given the opportunity to migrate offworld never to be heard from again. I would hate to have learned that there are swathes of inhabited worlds out there whose inhabitants will refuse to have anything further to do with us.”

“Except for the occasional ship thieves,” Wang commented wryly.

Dev had to smile in return. “One never knows who might show up unannounced at an out-of-the-way world like this one. Perhaps if we grow up enough, quit fighting one another and try to rehabilitate those portions of the Earth that we have defiled, civilized species will seek out our company. If not, we will be relegated to isolation through disinterest and indifference. It is a sad thought.”

“We’ll work it out.” Natase looked around the table. “We have to.”

The conference continued for the rest of the day, with lunch being brought in so that they did not have to call a formal break. Much of what was debated comprised little more than a recycling of what had initially been discussed. In a month or so the first descendants of the eight tribes that had remained on Earth would begin their journey to new worlds, leaving behind the world of their birth.

As evening began to settle around Washington and the conference finally broke up, Amotenada approached Dev and drew him aside. “The president would like to talk to you. Strictly off the record. For his own edification and interest. It’s been a long day and it’s late. I was told that we can schedule it for another time if you’re too tired.”