Someone came out of the warehouse and caught Korsek’s attention. He came over and the two started talking. Korsek’s mood darkened. Arin looked uncomfortable, said something, and the conversation quickly descended into a three-way debate. It continued and grew more intense. Meanwhile, the second truck reached the bottom of the ramp and pulled over near the warehouse where a team of workers had begun unloading the first vehicle. They wasted no time starting on the second. The two drivers stood by and watched. Both wore bright yellow jackets.

Korsek was getting louder, raising his hands and shaking his head, making it clear that Arin was creating a problem.

Whatever it was about, Arin remained adamant. He couldn’t comply. Ken looked toward Derek. “Don’t know.”

Korsek pointed at Derek and Hutch. The meaning seemed clear. Ask them.

Arin stood his ground. And Korsek walked away.

“Well,” Hutch said, keeping her voice low, “wait till they hear about the black hole.”

Derek asked what they’d been arguing over. Arin said it was of no concern.

•  •  •

The first truck rolled past them, pulled onto the road, and started south.

The workers finished unloading the other vehicle. Arin went over and spoke with the driver while Korsek watched. When he’d finished, the driver got back in the truck and also started south.

Hutch suspected the dispute between Arin and Korsek had to do with shutting down the effort to recover the lander. Maybe Korsek had another use for the trucks. Maybe he thought helping aliens wasn’t a good idea. Maybe he was just a crank.

Derek was standing next to Kwylla. He looked worried.

Arin had a final exchange with Korsek. It looked as if he was trying to make peace. They at least seemed not to be shouting at each other any longer. When it was finished, he came back to the car and everybody got in. Derek tried again to ask about the argument. What was it about?

Arin opened that enormous mouth and took a deep breath. “He thinks you look hostile. Dangerous.”

It was the sort of remark that, on a different occasion, would have prompted laughter. But this was too serious. Who among them looked dangerous? Even Ken, who was by far the biggest of the four humans, was too small to pose any kind of threat to a Volarian.

Ken asked Arin whether he had any reservations about them?

He did not.

Then why?

Ken replied. “Arin says it has nothing to do with the way we’ve been behaving. It’s just that we’re different.”

“We’re different from all the people at the beach, too,” said Hutch. “They’ve been willing to accept us.”

“They saw us crash into the sea rather than bring the lander in. They understood the sacrifice. And they also watched you try to rescue one of their kids. So, we’re clear with them. But apparently, we’re too different. We scare Korsek.”

•  •  •