As he replied, Dev tried not to look away. “It is difficult to imagine what a powerful, space-traversing group of aliens representing at least two different species might need that would require them to stop at a world like ours. Simple metals could easily be obtained from an asteroid or moon. Therefore, we can assume that since they have come here, to an inhabited world with a semblance of a civilization—” a couple of the presidential advisors bridled visibly at that, but said nothing “—we have to ask ourselves if they need something we make.”

“Maybe they’re just lazy miners,” Katou-Zimmer put in, “and would rather we do their digging and refining for them.”

“That’s possible,” Dev admitted.

In the Oval Office, Science Advisor Pinski spoke up. “The situation might not be nearly as dire as it appears, Mr. President. If all they want is a quantity of refined steel or aluminum or copper or something like that, between ourselves and the other three political entities they have engaged with, satisfying their demand shouldn’t be a problem. Their main ship is big. Huge, yes. But I think we’re safe in assuming that it’s not empty, that it contains living quarters for its crew as well as whatever drive or engine mechanism is necessary to propel it, as well as other perhaps unimaginable devices.” She was nodding encouragingly to those around her. “If they can handle the transference, we can probably provide what they want.”

“If what they want is material we have available in quantity, yes.” Dev was not arguing with the presidential science advisor. He was discussing other possible scenarios. In other words, science. “What if what they want is tons of coltan? Or rare earths? Or plutonium. What’s worse, what if what they want is something we don’t have?”

At the Pentagon, an admiral spoke up. “Based on the recordings of your meeting with them, they don’t seem inclined to take ‘not available’ for an answer. At least, this Vantolos being doesn’t. Nor does its bodyguard, or backup species, or whatever that tall monster with the weapons was.”

“We don’t know that the biped in the back was wielding weapons. Also, referring to any of the visitors as a ‘monster’ is probably not helpful in constructing a basis for mutual understanding.”

“Neither is threatening to raze four capital cities,” McKendrick growled. “What if they do ask for something like plutonium?” His gaze flicked to his right, to another unseen visual pickup. “Ms. Pinski, can the world come up with a ton of plutonium?”

In the Oval Office, the science advisor shook her head slowly. “Not all the countries with nuclear facilities pooling their resources could supply a fraction of that. Certainly not on short notice. Even if it was available, there would be serious political ramifications to consider as well as issues involving packing and shipping.”