“You have that figured out, right?”

“I hope so.”

“Good. What’s the plan?”

She did a burn, adjusting their position until Earth and moon were visible through her left-hand window. Then she picked up the chip that had been used to record the interview. “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They went down to the cargo bay and climbed into the lander. She closed the hatch and turned on the radio. Then she depressurized the bay and opened the launch doors. “Excellent,” said Derek.

She inserted the chip and turned on the transmitter.

•  •  •

They gathered on the front porch and raised glasses while Barry played “Galactic Hearts,” a song popularized a few years earlier by the group of the same name. They celebrated through the day and well into the evening. It was, finally, great to be back. And nobody really cared when the Conover, the escort vehicle they’d been expecting, showed up.

Derek was up front with Hutch the following morning when a call came through from the station. “Eiferman, this is Union Ops. The director wishes to speak with Captain Hutchins.”

They glanced at one another. Here we go. She flipped the switch. “Hutchins here.”

“Wait one, please.”

There was a click, followed by silence. “He never gets tired of playing games,” said Derek.

For a while, the only sound on the bridge, other than the burps and beeps of the electronics, was their breathing. Then Zhang’s voice was so sudden that Hutch actually flinched. “Hutchins.”

“I’m here, Director Zhang.”

“We are looking forward to your arrival today.”

“We are too, Director.”

“Have everyone packed and ready to leave. There will be a security unit at the gate to ensure you have no problem. The two aliens are to remain on board. Be sure you and your passengers have all your belongings when you depart. Once you have left the ship, no one will be permitted back on board.”

“Wait a minute,” said Derek.

“Do not give me an argument, Blanchard. If you need assistance getting everything off, it will be provided.”

“Do you still intend to return them to their home world?”

“That is correct.”

“Stop,” said Hutch. “You can’t do this. For one thing—”

“Captain, do not challenge me—”

“Damn it, Zhang, there’s not sufficient food on board for them.”

“We’ll take care of it.”

“I’m not leaving the ship until they do.”

“Well, if I could trust you, I suppose you could ride back with them. But I can’t, so actually, if you persist, you give me no choice but to put you under arrest. We’ll carry you off if necessary.”

•  •  •