“I know.” Derek was unhappy with the idea. “The problem is, if we do that, there’s no guarantee they’ll let us bring him back here.”

“Tell him that.”

Beth broke in: “We’ll also have to pack food on board for him. And invite Kwylla too, by the way.”

“Arin’s island,” said Barry, “is directly ahead, Captain.”

•  •  •

Ken looked supremely uncomfortable as he started down to the launch bay. He took his notebook with him. Hutch suspected he’d written out everything he wanted to say. Hutch opened the lander and climbed in. Derek held the door for Ken and then followed him inside. Beth appeared at the bottom of the ramp. “You want to come?” Derek asked.

She obviously didn’t want to and had probably made up her mind to stay on the ship. But she couldn’t live with that decision. She came over and got into the lander. Then Wally appeared.

“Wally,” said Derek, “we need you to stay here.”

“Boss, I’d love to see the place.”

“Maybe that’s a good idea,” Beth said. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll stay.”

“You sure?” Ken asked.

“I’ll be fine. Wally deserves a chance to see what it looks like down there.”

She got out and Wally took her place. The cargo bay depressurized and the launch doors opened. The cradle carried the lander outside the hull. Hutch started the engine, the control panel lit up, release lights came on, and they were on their way.

The sun was in the eastern sky, maybe an hour above the horizon as they approached. She cruised over the beach, which already had some sunbathers. “Set down at the temple,” said Derek.

There were cars in the parking lot. But there was more than enough room for the lander. She touched down and they sat staring for a moment at the tower, beautiful in the early morning sunlight.

The temple doors opened and a few Volarians came out, looked in their direction, and started toward them. “What are they doing here so early?” asked Ken.

They waved and laughed, and one of them, a female, got as close to the side windows as she could and stood with her arms outstretched, inviting them to come outside.

Hutch opened up and waved back. That got some cheers. Kwylla appeared at the cottage door. She came over and said something to the crowd. They cheered some more, while Hutch thought how this would all soon stop. “That brings up another aspect of this thing,” she said. “I wonder if they have any end-times prophecies.”

“We’ll probably find out before the day’s over,” said Ken.

They were still climbing out of the lander when Arin appeared. He wore dark clothing and a gold neckpiece and was obviously headed for the temple. But he changed course when he saw the lander. “Hello,” he said. “We didn’t expect you back so soon.”