But when the Earthmen introduced the notion that the Ganymeans had journeyed from another star, and sought an indication of its position, they were greeted with what appeared to be a firm denial. The aliens seemed to be trying to tell them that their journey had begun long ago from Minerva itself, which of course was ridiculous. By this time, however, Storrel had got himself into a hopeless grammatical tangle and the whole subject was dismissed as the result of a short-term communications problem. No doubt it would be resolved later, when the linguistic skills of the interpreter had improved.
The Ganymean interpreter had spotted the implied connection between “Earth” and “Earthmen,” and returned to the subject to obtain confirmation that the beings he was talking to had indeed come from the third planet from the Sun. The Ganymeans visible on the screen appeared very agitated when informed that this was correct, and they went off into a lengthy exchange of remarks among themselves which were not audible on radio. Why that revelation should cause such a reaction was not explained. The question was not asked.
The aliens concluded by indicating that they had been voyaging for a great length of time and had endured much illness and many deaths among their numbers. They were short of supplies, their equipment was in poor condition with much of it unserviceable, and they were all suffering from total physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. They gave the impression that only the thought of returning to their home had given them the will to
carry on against impossible difficulties; now that hope had been shattered, they were at their end.
Leaving Storrel to continue talking to the aliens, Shannon moved away from the screen and beckoned some of the others, including the two scientists, to gather round for a short, impromptu conference.
“I’m going to send a party across to their ship,” he informed them in a lowered voice. “They need help over there and I guess we’re the only ones around here that can give it. I’ll recall Storrel from the bay and have him lead it; he seems to be getting along fine with them.” Then he glanced at Hayter. “Captain, make ready a bus for immediate flight. Detail ten men to go with Storrel, including at least three officers. I’d like everybody in the party to be assembled for a briefing in the lock antechamber to whichever bus can leave soonest, let’s say. . . thirty minutes from now. Everyone to be fully supplied, of course.”
“Right away,” Hayter acknowledged.
“Any other points from anybody?” Shannon asked the assembly.
“Do you want sidearms issued,” one of the officers inquired.
“No. Anything else?”
“Just one thing.” The speaker was Hunt. “A request. I’d like to go too.” Shannon looked at him and hesitated, as if the question, had taken him by surprise. “I was sent here specifically to investigate the Ganymeans. That’s my official assignment. What better way could there be of helping me do it?”
“Well, I really don’t know.” Shannon screwed up his face and scratched the back of his head as he sought for possible objections. “There’s no reason why not, I suppose. Yeah-I guess that’d be okay.” He turned to Danchekker. “How about you, Professor?”
Danchekker held up his hands in protest. “You are most kind to offer, but thank you, no. I’m afraid I’ve already had quite enough excitement for one day. And besides that, it has taken me more than a year to feel safe inside this contraption. What an alien one must be like, I dread to think.”
Hayter grinned and shook his head, but said nothing.
“Fine then.” Shannon cast his gaze around one more time to invite further comments. “That’s it. Let’s get back to our man out front.” He walked back to the screen and drew toward him the
microphone that connected him with Storrel. “How’s it going down there, Gordon?”
“Okay. I’m teaching them to count.”
“Good. But get one of the others to take over, would you? We’re sending you out on a little trip. Captain Hayter will provide the details in a second. You’re going to be an ambassador for Earth.”