“I’m—my name is Jakob Zimmer. You must excuse our initial hesitation. No one anticipated that you would speak our language.” He bobbed his head slightly. “I have to compliment you on your unexpected fluency.”

All four tentacles curled up and around at the creature’s sides. This allowed the central trunk to drop comfortably to the ground. Having done duty as legs, the quartet of flexible limbs now served as arms. Behind the speaker, the tall, thickset biped contributed not a word. The three intimidating instruments it held remained pointed (Dev could not bring himself to think “aimed”) at the members of the contact team.

“Your language is a simple one, easy to analyze and learn. Also, communication is a specialty of mine.” Dev wanted to inquire as to the nature of the large, possibly armed biped’s specialty but held back. “I have been designated to communicate with your species here at this location.”

Uncharacteristically, it was Pavesi who spoke out. “What about the other locations? Where your other ships have come down? The ones that have appeared near three of our other major cities?”

The body did not move at all, save for whatever unpleasant small things were in motion beneath the golden material, but the smooth skull turned to look at her. The wide, narrow, toothless mouth opening flexed.

“They are conducting studies. Upon the conclusion of their investigation of their surroundings, they will return to their respective vessels. The language we are presently speaking is your dominant language of exchange, as determined by our instrumentation in the course of our approach to your world. Adjuvant studies suggest that your tribe is the dominant one utilizing this language. So it was decided to conduct the thrust of our business with you, on behalf of your entire species.”

Business? Dev’s thoughts whirled. Was the alien’s translation entirely perfect? “Business” was not a word, not a term, he expected to be used in the course of a first contact. There was a perfunctory ring to it that he didn’t like. On the other hand, if the alien was telling the truth about the other three landing craft only making observations and not being involved in promulgating actual contact, the US government would be exceedingly pleased. The Pentagon, perhaps not so much.

Zimmer extended a hand. “Whatever the future may bring, I am empowered by my government … tribal though it may be … to welcome you to Earth, in the hope that both our speci—” noting the looming presence of the second alien, he quickly adjusted his greeting accordingly “—that all of us may continue forward in a spirit of learning, friendship, and cooperation.”

The one who called itself Vantolos digested this before replying. “That depends.” Next to him, Dev could see Reed tensing. The big man’s right hand slipped slowly into a pocket. What lay concealed within? A communication device? A recorder? A grenade?

“‘Depends’?” Pavesi beat Zimmer to the response. “Depends on what?”