Back on Earth. That was what Reed had said. So casually. So off-handedly. Dev thought of his parents, his occasional girlfriends, and his throat tightened.

“As far as Tilenyii’s proposal is concerned, I do not see that we really have much of a choice. We are headed for this Mozehn and the A'jeii expect us to assist them. All they want is for one of us to accompany the landing party, look mysterious, and, I think, appear intimidating.”

Katou-Zimmer made a face. “I have been accused of many things, but I cannot recall an instance where someone thought of me as intimidating.”

“Apparently it’s the ‘unknown’ factor.” Dev shrugged. “I agree with you, but the A'jeii seem to think our mere appearance, as representatives of a species new to the Mozehna, will be enough to give them pause.” He looked around at his companions. “I mean, what do we know about how alien species react to such things? Look how humanity reacted to the first appearance of the Olone and the Kaijank. The A'jeii obviously know plenty about the Mozehna.” When the silence in the room continued, he added, “All whoever goes with them has to do is stand silently. It’s not like they’re asking us to shoot somebody.”

Pavesi squinted across the room at him. “So you’ve already made up your mind to cooperate in this, Dev?”

He pursed his lips. “It beats not breathing.”

A low sound, half growl, half laugh, emerged from the powerful supine form of Gavin Reed. “At last: comic-book boy and I agree on something.”

Dev replied stiffly. “I am a formal consultant for NASA, I have multiple university degrees, and I speak several languages. What in that resumé leads you to believe I read comic books?”

Still prone on the floor, Reed rolled over to gaze up at him. “Don’t you?”

Dev looked away. “They are graphic novels. And what does that have to do with anything?”

“Space stuff?” Reed was relentless. “You read comics about space stuff?”

“Some of it, sometimes,” Dev admitted. “It all falls within the purview of my specialty.”

“Good.” Returning his gaze to the ceiling, Reed put both hands behind his head, lifting it slightly off the floor. “Then you can be the one to go down to the surface of this Mozehn. Me, I’m staying here.”

“So am I.”

Something in Pavesi’s tone caused Dev to eye her uncertainly, but Jakob Zimmer was gesturing for attention.

The biologist glanced at his wife, then back at Dev. “Chiara and I would love to go, but neither of us is what even an unknowing alien is likely to regard as ‘intimidating.’ If Gavin will not go, then you are the one most qualified for this, Devali. We will await your return with interest. Do not waste the opportunity for observation and learning.”

“I will try to keep that in mind.” Dev was unsure if he was reassuring them, or himself.