“I’ll let the environmental technicians know. And I’ll ask the Life Support people if they’ll let you help them in the garden.”

Waves of blue coursed over Moki’s body. “Thank you, siti,” he said.

“I can’t promise anything, and if you are allowed to help, you must do exactly what the gardeners tell you to.” Moki nodded eagerly, and four horizontal bars flickered across Ukatonen’s chest in acknowledgment. “We look forward to learning the gardeners’ atwa,” the enkar told her. “It will be good to be of use.”

Juna smiled and was about to reply, when she heard them paging her over the ship’s public address system.

She swore in Amharic, the language of her mother. “I’m late for the staff meeting!”

At least I have a good reason for being late, she thought as she headed out the door at a run.

“Welcome, Dr. Saari,” Commander Sussman said as Juna took the last remaining seat. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

Juna listened as the ship’s divisions delivered their reports. It was a good, well-run ship, there were only a couple of minor problems, quickly solved. At last it was her turn.

“By now most of you have met Ukatonen and Moki,” she said. “Hopefully you’ve had time to read through my preliminary report on the Tendu.” She was greeted with mostly blank looks.

“I’m afraid that getting the ship under way has taken up all of the crew’s time, Dr. Saari,” the first mate told her apologetically. “But the crew is interested in the aliens, and will read the report as soon as they can. Perhaps you can summarize the details for us.”

Juna glanced at Commander Sussman, who nodded. “If you would be so kind, Dr. Saari. I’m sure the staff would appreciate it.”

“It is easy to underestimate the Tendu,” Juna began. “Their culture seems quite primitive at first glance, but they have been stable and at peace for many millenia. Their medical and biological sciences surpass our own in many respects.