“That right?” Chan turned back to Flammarion. “He came with you?”

“Yes. No. I mean, I came with him.”

“Why does it take two of you? You could have told me why you’re here. I would have listened to one of you just as well, and I know you from the old days.”

“It’s nice to hear that. Very nice. But as a matter of fact …” Kubo wasn’t sure how to say this. “As a matter of fact, I don’t know why we’re here.”

Dougal MacDougal took over. “Captain Flammarion performed the invaluable service of locating you—”

“Not too difficult, I would have thought. I’m known through this whole sector.”

“ — and guided me here. Mr. Dalton, I cannot overemphasize the importance of this visit, and what I am about to say to you. When the other species of the Stellar Group imposed their quarantine on humans, restricting us to travel at most one lightyear from Sol, humanity began to stifle. Instead of being able to look outward to new frontiers, we have been forced to turn in on ourselves. We are beginning to choke and suffocate, to weaken our resolve, to lose our drive.”

“You don’t have to tell me that. Earth has felt the effects more than anybody.”

“But Earth people are used to living in a static world, a sluggish backwater where opportunities are small and progress is minimal.”

Kubo Flammarion avoided looking at Dalton. If the Ambassador were seeking favors, he was going about it the hard way.

MacDougal continued, “So when there is a chance, no matter how small a chance, of changing our status and removing the quarantine, nothing in the solar system can have a higher priority. Such a chance now exists! Next week, at their request, an Assembly of the Stellar Group is planned to take place in the Ceres Star Chamber. There will be representatives of the Tinkers of Mercantor, the Pipe-Rillas of Eta Cassiopeiae, and the Angels of Sellora. All the known intelligent species!”