He feared that Pavesi might have botched the offer when she looked up from her communicator and asked, “Can we make visual and audio recordings of what we see?” To Dev’s relief, Vantolos was not fazed by the request.

“Certainly. You may make records of whatever you like.”

So, the aliens had nothing they wanted to hide, Dev reflected. Maybe they were convinced that such recordings would prove useless to the uncomprehending apes making them. Or perhaps Vantolos and his superiors, assuming he had any, were in truth responding with an honest and open offer: a gesture of kindness coupled with condescension in response to the humans’ ready compliance with their demands.

“What time could we arrange to do this?” Katou-Zimmer gazed expectantly at Vantolos. “We don’t need much time to prepare and we …”

The Olone cut her off. “Now. Soon everything we require will be loaded and we will depart.”

“Will you return some day?” Katou-Zimmer asked quickly. “We have hardly had a chance to ask you any questions, and …”

The alien interlocutor turned to her. “Come with me now or not at all.”

Reed voiced the thought Dev and the others preferred to avoid. “How do we know this offer isn’t some kind of trick? How do we know you won’t just leave with us, so you can use us for …?” He left the rest unsaid.

Vantolos replied anyway.

“‘Use you’? Use you for what?” This time two tentacles rose to semaphore outlines in the air while the enigmatic shapes beneath his garment accelerated their twisting and wriggling. “What possible use could we have for a handful of primitives such as yourselves? You would require constant supervision to ensure you did not damage yourselves by attempting to interact with our ship. You would need your own food, facilities, atmosphere.”

“You’re breathing our atmosphere,” the ever-observant Pavesi pointed out.

The alien swung to face her. “Your ignorance is profound. Yes, I can breathe the air of your world.” One tentacle gestured behind him. “The Kaijank and others cannot.”

“There are others? Other species on your ship?” a startled Dev inquired. Vantolos ignored him.

“You assume much. I can promise that if you come with me now, you will see many wonders, the sight of which will remain with you forever. Your ‘recordings’ will awe your species and give them much to ponder. Then you will be returned to this location. We have neither the interest nor reason to retain you on board our ship.” He paused. “I give you one of your minutes to make up your minds.” Dev found that the alien was again looking directly at him. “We will see how deep your curiosity truly runs.”

“Not even enough time to check in with Washington.” Reed was shaking his head slowly. “Any of you going?”