Derek and Ken spent most of the four days returning to Volaria practicing the language with Barry. Ken asked their guests what sort of relationships the various islands maintained with one another. Were they independent political entities? How much trade was there? Were there tourists? Was there political stress? Wars?

Ken hadn’t been aware of a word for war, and consequently had to explain its meaning. They looked at one another and appeared not to know whether to frown or laugh.

“Groups of people attacking and killing each other? That sounds insane.” Arin’s eyes narrowed, and his gaze moved from Hutch to Derek. “Your people do not actually behave that way, do they?”

“Unfortunately,” said Derek, “in the past, we have done that on occasion. But I think we’ve put it behind us.”

The conversation was awkward because Barry had to translate in both directions. But it worked. Kwylla was happy to hear Derek explain what he hoped to accomplish. And she responded: “I’m glad to hear it. I guess we’re lucky that you and your friends came, and not the organized killers.”

Korsek said something that Barry could not translate. Arin explained: “He was speaking of the broken star. He finds it hard to understand how something like this could exist in a benevolent universe.”

•  •  •

Their guests fell in love with the virtual scenery visible from the porch. They looked out over the Great Wall of China; the Sphinx at Giza; St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow; the Golden Gate Bridge; the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro; Stonehenge; the windmills at Kinderdijk, Holland; and dozens of other spectacles from around the Earth. They were disturbed when, in the middle of it all, Hutch took the Eiferman under and the stars went away. As also did the sense of movement. “Hutch,” Arin asked, “are you sure we’re still traveling?” The Volarians had adopted the easier version of her name.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “We are moving at an extraordinary velocity.”

Droo Haka’s eyes showed disbelief. “I’m pretty sure my car goes faster.”

When later they came out of it, into the twisted sky that surrounded the black hole, the mood darkened.

Barry put it all onscreen. It threw something of a scare into the Volarians. They decided the displays weren’t working right, talking as if nothing could really look like what they were seeing. So, they crowded two at a time onto the bridge and looked through the window. “No, no, no,” said Droo, standing behind Hutch, holding onto her chair to steady himself. “That cannot be.”

Kwylla stared. “I agree.”

And Arin: “I don’t believe this.” He asked Ken to explain again what they were seeing.

Rampol produced a small telescope and peered through it. “Incredible,” he said. “What is that thing?”