Hanno’s countenance was stark. “I told you, it’s about three hundred light-years between Phaeacia and Three,” he said.
Wanderer shrugged. “We have time ahead of us.”
“If Phaeacia doesn’t kill us first. We were never guaranteed safety there, you know.”
“Earth should be getting in touch too, once we’ve informed them,” Macandal said.
Svoboda’s tone lashed. “Yes, by beam, and by robots that beam back. Who but us will ever go in person, and get to know the Others as they are?”
“It is true,” Yukiko said. “Words and pictures alone, with centuries between, are good, but they are not enough. I think we here should understand that better than our fellow humans. We knew the dead of long ago as living bodies, minds, souls. To everyone else, what are they but relics and words?”
Svoboda regarded her. “Then you want to set for Star Three?”
“Yes, oh, yes.”