“Negative, Captain. He should be out of range.”

“Okay. Do we have any new problems?”

“Some minor damage to the left wing. Nothing that we can’t manage when we get back to the Eiferman. Be careful, though, in the meantime. No high velocity. I am happy to know you’re okay. Where have you been?”

“Long story. We’ll talk about it later.”

Derek was still on the beach, shaking hands with Arin. But his eyes were on her. She gave him a thumbs-up and he visibly relaxed. Kwylla was standing on the port side of the lander, pressing her hands against the hull. Ken came inside and sent her a questioning glance. “So far, we’re fine,” she said.

He took a deep breath. “Thank God.”

She got out of the chair, retrieved the couplings—which she’d placed on the seat beside her—and went back outside.

“Need any help?” asked Derek.

“I’ll let you know.” She opened compartments in the right wing and the undercarriage, and replaced the couplings while the Volarians came forward to watch. Tasha reported they were okay, and she closed the panels while the Volarians gurgled and laughed and waved their arms. She waved back. “You guys,” she said, “are something else.”

They understood. Several called out, Bora hycut, Parsilla. Good-bye.

She climbed back into the lander. “I’m becoming seriously fond of them, Ken,” she said as she eased into her seat. “We all set, Tasha?”

“Everything appears to be good, Captain.”

She tapped the start-up and, despite Tasha’s assurance, was relieved to hear the engine come on. “Let’s hope we don’t have any more problems.”

Derek brought Arin into the cabin and invited him to sit. He did, pushing into the seat beside her, which of course was much too small for him. But he smiled contentedly and looked around, obviously impressed. Then he asked a question. It was clear enough. Will everything be all right now?

Hutch nodded. “We’re good.”

The smile widened. He took a deep breath and said something more, probably along the lines of how he had to be going, or maybe good luck. He shook her hand and squeezed back out through the airlock.

Outside, Sara had arrived and was talking to Kwylla and Beth. They looked at the lander and talked and embraced. It almost seemed as if they were all old friends. Hutch assumed that was true between Sara and Kwylla, but it seemed unlikely that Beth had ever met Sara. Hutch went back out to join in the fun. The crowd of Volarians continued to wave and laugh. “Are you waiting for me?” Beth asked.

“Take your time. We aren’t going anywhere until we see Barry.” She took a minute to say good-bye to the truck drivers. And to Korsek.