The native made no threatening gestures. In fact, he made no gestures at all, but instead continued to stare placidly at the petrified load of explorers. After several minutes of this, Rappan decided it was time things got moving. Besides, the native’s unbroken stare was beginning to make him feel a bit fidgety, not to mention silly.
“You, philologist! Can you talk to that thing?” Commander Rappan asked.
The philologist, a meter-tall being from a Ko star near Cen-Cluster, essayed a nervous reply. “It remains to be seen, sir. We have no records of their speech patterns, and there were few broadcasts to monitor the computers to as we descended.” His voice was faintly disapproving. “I am not even sure which of the two creatures is the dominant form.”
11
WITH FRIENDS LUCE THESE . ..
“The large one in the lead, certainly,” said the xenologist.
“I believe the Terrans are described in the legends, when not as hundred-/oomp-high fire-breathing monsters, as bipeds,” said the Professor quietly. “Although it also has four limbs, two are obviously manipulative. I suggest that one.”
“I shall have to work from next to nothing,” protested the philologist.
“I don’t care if you do it holding your breath, but get out there and do something! I feel like an idiot sitting here.”
“Yes, sir,”
“Yes, sir—what?”
The philologist decided that this would be an auspicious tune to essay a First Contact. He hurried out the door. At least, he thought, the native couldn’t be much more difficult to communicate with than the commander. He wished fervently that he was back in the community nest.