Reed took a long breath. “It’s just not for me, Parks. Even if I could somehow go, I’m happy right here. If I ever feel the need to experience what life’s like on another world, I’ll go to a relevant movie or pick up a book. Thousands of other worlds in books.”

“In books, yes.” His friend turned thoughtful. “Me, I’d give anything to qualify to go.”

“You?” Reed was genuinely surprised. “You’re closer to retirement than I am. You ready to give all that up? For the unknown?”

Parkhurst finished the last of his beer, set the can down on the table. “Funny thing, the unknown. Some folks are afraid of it, some just ignore it, and some of us are drawn to it.” He looked over at his colleague. “You’re lucky. You don’t feel like you’re missing anything.”

“That’s not quite it,” Reed replied. “I know I’m not missing anything.”

“Then you’re a lucky man. I’ve heard it said that the less a man is afflicted with curiosity, the happier he is.” He nodded at the screen. “You see that last rebound? Nobody boxing out.”

“That’s what happens when you go with a small lineup. Gotta box out.”

“Bulls by a basket.”

“I got you. Loser buys dinner.”

“You’re on.” There was a pause before Parkhurst added, “I wonder if the Gadeuans have chickens.”

“I don’t know.” Reed considered. “The Bible only mentions people being taken, but I suppose the Gadeu could’ve picked up some other supplies while they were here. Another reason to stick around.”

Parkhurst made a tutting sound. “I’d even forgo my Aunt Leona’s smothered chicken if I could go.”

“But you can’t.” Reed was politely remorseless. “So there’s no use beating yourself up over it. Besides, we’ve got escort duty coming up.” He smiled. “Italy exodus, this time. Not an alien world and better wine.”

Parkhurst smiled back. But his heart wasn’t in it, and his dreams were elsewhere.

There were departures everywhere as people sold their homes, most of their belongings, packed their bags, and left aboard the enormous Gadeu ships. Despite that, most of the world paid the emigration little notice because more than 80 percent of the Jewish émigrés came from Israel and the United States. While the majority of the ultra-orthodox opted to remain behind, those Israeli and American Jews possessed of a less extreme and more secular bent rushed to take advantage of the Gadeu offer.