“Morra,” the Gringg replied. Several of the other Gringg filed in around them, surrounding the table like an impromptu forest. “It is a most interesting thing to tell you. You will like to hear it. Rrawrum, my communications officer, has just called me.” She tapped her collar with a foreclaw. “Another species has just attained an orbit around our homeworld. They are so unlike us that they cannot communicate anything except that like us, they arrive in peace.” She shot Todd a knowing glance. “And yes, our people have determined that their ship has no weapons, although they do have meteor shields.”
“Another race?” Kiachif demanded. “Another kind of alien? Not like us, or them, or you?”
“Reh.” Grizz smiled, her rubbery black lips peeling back to show all the sharp white fangs in her mouth. “Since you Rraladoonans seem to be able to master new languages with little trouble . . .” She glanced at Todd when he groaned. “That is a proven ability, Todd, so our leaders, who have been vastly impressed by the voder and all your courtesies to us, have managed to convey the spatial coordinates of Rraladoon to these new creatures.”
“Your leaders did what?” Todd asked, half-appalled but also finding himself ready to accept a new challenge. After all, with Hrrestan as First Speaker, there would be harmony with that world.
“They are proceeding with all dispatch here to this Treaty Planet,” Grizz said. “It is the sensible solution to a problem we Gringg are not capable of solving.”
“Look, Grizz, we can only do so much,” Todd began, temporizing only because he didn’t want to appear eager.
“But you did so well in greeting us, putting us at our ease, showing us how two species can live in harmony.”
“But we treated you badly,” Barnstable said, joining them. “We distrusted you.”
“You only acted with caution, as a Gringg would,” Grizz assured him. She nodded her big head in approval.
“Great stars,” Barnstable exclaimed involuntarily, and then looked around him, as if embarrassed to be complimented so publicly by someone he had, until just recently, held in great suspicion.
“I wonder what kind of joy juice they might bring with them,” Kiachif mused, sloshing the thick amber liquid which Eonneh suggested he try. “I mean, every civilized species has something or other to ease the pains to which flesh—of any kind—is susceptible.”
“What do zey look like?” Nrrna asked.
“We do not know,” Grizz said. “A description and other details will follow.”
Todd’s mind boggled at the hundreds of possible shapes an alien species could have. Kelly nudged him with her elbow. “I wonder if they have young,” she said, assuming a most innocent expression.
“And if zeir young will play with ours,” Hrriss added, enjoying the bemused expression on his best friend’s face.
Admiral Sumitral of Alreldep grinned broadly at Todd. “Prime your children, Reeve and Hrriss. Alreldep can’t seem to get anything done without their assistance.”
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