“I was planning on just letting Tasha handle it. But that’s probably not a good idea. If something happens, we don’t want to lose the damned thing. So, you take me down, but stay inside.”

•  •  •

Hutch was still in her seat when she woke in the morning. She checked to make sure her laser was in the storage cabinet. They’d had nothing but good vibes from the Volarians. But Derek was right. Play it safe.

She went back through the passenger cabin, where Ken and Beth were enjoying pancakes and scrambled eggs. “Looks good,” she said.

“They’re delicious.” Ken had never looked happier. “When I finish this, I’m going to go for some sticky buns.”

“He has to get used to the ship’s menu again,” said Beth.

“Sounds like a good idea.” She settled for one of her standard breakfasts: grapes and two pieces of cinnamon toast.

“When are you and Derek going down?” Beth asked.

It was now shortly after sunrise on the island. “In a few hours.”

Ken took another swallow of his pancakes. “Be careful down there, okay?”

“Sure.”

Beth smiled. “I can’t recall the last time he enjoyed his food so much.”

“You think,” he continued, “there’s any real chance they might try to grab you and Derek?”

“Not really.”

“Pity. It would make a great scene if you guys had to shoot it out with them. Nothing’s more boring than friendly aliens. You guys will be carrying weapons, right?”

“Yes. But we’re not going to need anything.”

“I’m just kidding. I’m so relieved to have gotten back here, I’m not thinking straight.”

Wally came in with a set of new commlinks and distributed them. “I missed being able to talk to you guys. Stay out of the water, okay?”

•  •  •

Derek carried a laser. “Priscilla, if anything unexpected happens,” he said as they started down, “just leave. No heroics, right?”

“Okay.” He was using her given name again. Everything was back to normal.

“Stay in the lander. Don’t leave it under any circumstances.”

“I thought we weren’t worried.”

“We’re not.”

They dropped down into the clouds and came out over a blue, sunlit ocean. Nothing moved across its surface. “We’re about fifteen minutes away,” she said.

“Okay.”

She handed him a commlink. “Take this with you. I’ll make sure everything gets back to Ken. Barry’s going to keep them in place overhead so you won’t lose contact.”

“Okay. Good.”

More clouds showed up as she took the lander lower. Then the island appeared on the horizon. “We don’t really know anything about who runs things here,” said Derek. “We’ve met Arin and Kwylla, and Korsek, and a few people on a beach. And that’s about it.” He obviously had been having second thoughts about the meeting.

“This feels like the same conversation I had earlier with Ken.”