“Your arrival report says you have two aliens with you. Is that correct?”

Derek broke in: “Of course, Director. It was at my insistence that Captain Hutchins took them on board.”

“I was not aware I was speaking to you, Blanchard.”

“Sir, I’d like to explain.”

“Go ahead.”

“They are in serious trouble and they need our assistance. Their world—”

“Damn it, stop. Stop right there. We have our hands full keeping crazies from creating serious problems here. You really think—”

“This is nothing like that, sir. Their entire world is about to be destroyed by a black hole.”

“Oh. Good. So, you want us to do what? Deflect the black hole?”

“Director, their population is relatively small. If we build a fleet, we can evacuate them. We’ve found a safe place for them.”

“You’re not thinking of bringing them here, are you?”

“There’s a world close to theirs. And we may have a giant transport vehicle that can be adapted.”

They could hear Zhang talking to someone else. Then he was back: “What’s the population? Not that it’s going to make any difference.”

“It’s only three million, sir.”

“Oh. Only three million? Good. I was concerned there might be a lot of them.” They could hear him breathing. “Do you have any idea what kind of fleet we’d need to do something like that? Have you lost your mind?” Derek and Hutch looked at each other and shook their heads. “When’s this going to happen? The black hole?”

For a moment, Hutch thought he might adjust his attitude.

“Sixty years,” Derek said. “The effects will start to be felt considerably earlier. It would probably be a good idea to have them out of there within a half century. At most.”

“So, why did you bring two of them back here with you?”

“They saved our lives, sir. If people have a chance to see them, to get to know them as we do, we think they’d be more than willing to help.”

“That’s absolutely crazy.”

“I should tell you that they’re nearby, they can probably hear you, and they understand English.”

“They understand English?”

“That’s correct.”

“How did that happen?”

“We’ve been working with them. They’re smart.”

“Excellent. I was under the impression you and your team were to avoid such contacts. Watch and observe but keep your distance. Wasn’t that the guiding principle?”

“Sir, we didn’t intend this to happen. We were riding the lander when it blew something out and crashed in the ocean. They rescued us. I think if the presidents of China and the NAU had a chance—”

“Derek, I’ve already spoken with President Proctor. And I’ve been in contact with the People’s Congress as well. Nobody is happy with what you’ve done. Can you even guarantee these two creatures aren’t bringing a plague with them?”

“We have a physician—”