Neither she nor Hubbs had said much about what they saw at the city. They didn’t really have to, of course, because the hardsuits had onboard video that was sent back to the Neptune. Everything the divers saw appeared on the monitors. But there was something else. Everyone who came back from that place looked a little pale, a little shaken, but Javonivic more so. She kept looking at Bell like she wanted to get him alone, say things she couldn’t in front of Hubbs.

“Your theory is full of holes, Hubbs,” she said. “Realistically, what makes you think they have any technology we could use? Their origin and evolution are obviously in great contrast to our own. They may have nothing we can use or if they do, there might be no way we can possibly harness it. I heard that stuff that came out of Kharkov. Those two survivors said the bogies’ technology was organically-based with a varying degree of supportive hardware. What the hell are we going to do with organic technology? Nothing, that’s what.”

Hubbs smirked. “Oh, come now, Javy. You underestimate human inventiveness. If these creatures have something we can use as a weapon, we’ll figure out a way to exploit it. We’re very inventive when it comes to killing our own kind.”

“No, they’re too advanced, too different. We always expect aliens to be like us. That there’d be some exchange of ideas, but that’s silly. The Elder Things…bogies…are too different. They do not strike me as having been overly mechanized or industrial. That city…as much of a freak show as it is…almost looks like a marine growth itself. I don’t think these creatures are like us. They do not wantonly destroy or damage their environment, but shape it to fit their own needs. They work with it, learn from it. We can’t even grasp their sense of technology.”

“Oh, boy. You hear that, Chief?” Hubbs said. “Javy wants to shake hands with ‘em, take me to your leader.”

She sighed. “I’m just saying we’re talking apples and oranges. They have no need of our technology and we couldn’t even begin to translate theirs. No, boys, I haven’t seen them and maybe they’re dead or afraid of us, but just because they might offend us physically, it doesn’t mean they’re monsters. We’re like children to them. And any wise parent does not give children weapons to kill other children with. Maybe we can learn from them, but not about warfare.”

Hubbs gave up. “Time to check in with Orr.”

That left the three of them there. They sat in silence a moment, uncomfortable silence. Finally, Bell said, “Okay, Javy. Let’s have it.”