“No argument. Just do as I ask.” He released his belt, got up, activated the commlink, and looped it around his neck. It transmitted a picture of the airlock to the display. “Stay tuned.” He left the cabin and closed the hatch.

Hutch relayed everything to the Eiferman. She saw no expressions on the faces of the escorts. At least, nothing she could read. The red jacket took center stage and came forward with one hand raised in greeting. The others remained at a distance. Derek raised his own hand and Tasha said, “Hello, Shalon.”

The creature in the red jacket stood halfway between the lander and the car. He was unquestionably of the same species depicted by the ice world statue. He had long, pointed ears, grass-colored scabrous skin, and his mouth was wide, lending a vaguely ominous quality to his smile. “Greetings,” he said. “Welcome to Tarka.”

Tasha responded: “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. This is Derek Blanchard. I am speaking for him.”

“I am Shalon Kobay, and I am pleased to have the good fortune to meet you, Derek Blanchard. And Tasha, who, I assume is an automated intelligence.”

“That is correct,” said Tasha.

They walked back to the car, and Shalon held a door open, inviting Derek to get in. He did, and his host joined him. Along with one of the black suits. As far as Hutch could see, there was no one else in the car. And no driver. The car was automated. “This is a moment of considerable significance,” Shalon said.

Derek signaled Tasha that he would speak for himself, and that the AI would translate his remarks. “Shalon, we appreciate your willingness to invite us to join you.”

“I am happy to have the opportunity, Derek Blanchard. I have wondered all my life what it would be like to meet someone from another world.” Hutch heard a sound that was probably laughter. That might have been prompted by the fact that the conversation had necessarily slowed down, allowing time for Tasha to manage the translations for both sides. “I feel as if I am living in a piece of fiction.”

“Call me Derek, please. And is that really so? Have you never before spoken with someone from another world?”

“Of course not.” The car started its engine and the black suits got into their vehicles. “Why would you ask? This is the first time we have met anyone like you. And please do not take offense.”

“That’s odd,” Hutch said.

“What is?” Wally’s voice.

“Nothing. Just some lightning.” She’d been watching the black suits move. There was a high level of synchronization among them. They all walked the same way, turned their heads in the same manner, and used an identical approach to getting back in their cars. The things were robots. But she didn’t want to say that into an open mike.