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argue the point with the guy who held her license in his hand. “Jake,” she said, “do you want to go into orbit?”
    â€œYes,” he said.
    â€œHow long do we plan to stay?”
    â€œNot long.”
    â€œOkay. What’s next?”
    â€œUse your imagination, Priscilla.”
    She laughed and raised her hands in confusion. “I’m not sure what you’re asking me to do, Jake.”
    â€œThink about the situation. Look at it from the perspective of the aliens.”
    She wanted to point out that aliens would probably not think like people. But she let it go. “How do you mean?”
    â€œIf you were in their place, and you’d come back here for a rendezvous with representatives from another technological species, something everybody knows is very rare, you’d expect them to show up, right?”
    â€œYes. Probably.”
    â€œWhat would you do if they didn’t?”
    She was thinking of the jilted bride. “They’d never see me again.”
    He laughed. “Assume for a minute you’re rational.”
    â€œI’m fairly rational.”
    â€œAll right then. Let’s say unemotional. The failure to show up could not have been personal. Maybe the other side is afraid. Or maybe something happened to delay them. What do you do?”
    She exhaled. “I’d leave a note.”
    â€œNow answer your own question: What next?”
    â€œBenny,” she said. “Commence search for artificial satellite.”
    â€œExcellent.” Jake looked pleased. “You’re going to be good at this yet, Priscilla.”
    Â * * * 
    THE SATELLITE FOUND
them
. “Greetings,” it said. “We are sorry we missed you.”
    Jake took over. “We are, too.”
    â€œWe hope there was no difficulty.”
    â€œThe people you talked to were lost in an accident. On the way home.”
    â€œThat saddens us. Please accept our—” It used an unfamiliar word.
    â€œThank you,” said Jake.
    â€œWe wish we could do more.”
    â€œAre you perhaps still in the area? Is another meeting possible?”
    â€œUnfortunately, not at this time. We are long gone, and will probably not return in the near future.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear it.”
    â€œWe also have regrets. We waited as long as we could. But there were limitations.”
    â€œI understand. Perhaps, one day we will meet again.”
    â€œI’m sure we will. Meantime, know that you have new friends. Farewell.”
    They waited a few moments. Priscilla looked at the planetary images, at the clouds, at the oceans. Listened to the silence. “Do we want to take the satellite on board?”
    â€œNo.” He shook his head. “Leave it where it is. Take it home, and they’ll just put it in the Smithsonian. This is where it belongs.” He pointed at the control panel. “Meanwhile, Captain Hutchins, you have a report to file. And some deliveries to make.”
    â€œJake,” she said, “Simmons was wrong. He didn’t bomb. He went outside in the shuttle. That made all the difference.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI wish he’d known—”

Chapter 2
    â€œPRISCILLA,” SAID JAKE, “let’s talk about our next assignment. We’ll be heading for Groombridge.”
    Good, she thought. The last stop before they started home. She wondered what the problem, or problems, would be this time. Fuel leak, maybe? Avoiding collision with an asteroid? She was, of course, not informed in advance.
    â€œWe can get rolling when you’re ready,” he said. “Something you might want to think about—”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œHow you would handle a runaway engine? I’m giving you fair warning because—”
    It was as far as he got before Benny broke in: “Captain Hutchins, we have an emergency message from Union.” He put it on-screen.
    Copperhead
, we have been