The car turned and started back toward the terminal. The other vehicles followed.

Shalon’s eyes fastened on the commlink that hung around Derek’s neck. His irises were vertical slits, not like those of an eagle, as had been her impression from the ice world statue, but more like a crocodile’s. He obviously understood the purpose of the device. In fact, Hutch got the sense he was looking directly at her.

They pulled up at the terminal entrance. The escort remained in the vehicle while Shalon and Derek got out and went through a very ordinary set of double doors that opened as they approached. Hutch saw no movement inside.

They rode an elevator up several floors, exited into a corridor, turned a corner, and entered an office. It was beautifully furnished with a thick carpet, a lavish sofa, three cushioned chairs, and a glittering, dark desk. A framed photo that might have been Shalon hung between two windows. He waited until Derek was seated before settling onto the sofa. The windows looked out over the spaceport, but Hutch could not see the lander.

“I hope you’re comfortable,” Shalon said. The fangs were momentarily visible. Nevertheless, he projected an ease of manner that allowed Hutch to lose some of the concern she’d felt when Derek got into the car with him. The red jacket was gone, dropped casually on top of the desk. He was wearing a light blue shirt with something imprinted across it in white characters. Despite everything, he appeared amiable. Hutch wondered how he managed it.

“I’m fine,” said Derek, who was probably doing his best to look at ease.

Something dinged, and Shalon asked to be excused for a moment. He opened a phone line, spoke into it, used a few terms that Tasha admitted she could not translate, and finally said, “Our guest is here.” A brief exchange followed, which Tasha was also unable to get. Then Shalon clicked off and looked at his visitor with obvious satisfaction. “The leader will get back to us shortly. He is anxious to meet you.”

Tasha commented that the “leader” term was unfamiliar to her, and it could be simply Shalon’s boss or possibly even a president.

Then Wally was on the circuit again: “What do you think, Hutch?”

“I think there’s a fair chance that we’re not the only ones tuned in to this conversation. We have an advantage that they probably don’t understand English unless the AI on the moon was playing us. Let’s just hold off for now.”

•  •  •

“In our entire recorded history, we have never before received visitors. This is truly a remarkable moment.”

“For us as well, Shalon. I should inform you we’ve been to your other world. The one that was devastated thousands of years ago.”

Shalon’s brow wrinkled. “What other world? I do not understand you.”