I’d basically assumed that, having been trained to be resourceful and keep himself alive in survival situations, Rob would have been quite used to eating just about anything. However, he seems genuinely surprised when the quick meal that Andy prepares has real animal protein as a main ingredient.

“I think it’s the texture,” He tells us all uncertainly as he chews a strip of meat. “I’m just not used to anything quite this chewy.”

“Seriously?” I ask. “Haven’t you done survival training and stuff?”

“Yes, but we’re not actually allowed to kill any animal on Earth. Just because it’s a military exercise, doesn’t take that rule off the books. I’ve done several survival exercises, on several worlds, but not on Verus and therefore nothing big enough to kill and eat. I’ve done fish, but that doesn’t have this sort of texture.”

“We export a fair amount to Earth these days,” Peter points out. “Have you tried anything back at home?”

“No, but then I don’t think I could afford it. The delicacies that you’re talking about are only in the most expensive of restaurants. If I’d ever had the time to visit Verus before, then I’m sure things would be different.”

“I can always make you something else?” Andy suggests.

“Oh, no, it’s actually very tasty. It’s just about getting used to the more robust textures.”

“We could always blend it for you,” I tell him with a smile.

“You’re technically my senior in the organisation, so I’ll refrain from telling you what I think about that.”

“We have the best of both worlds,” Peter admits. “Protein from Verus, we get fish from Sevrin and some marvellous grains and vegetables from Terranix as well. I know our position is a privileged one, but it’s not going to stop me making the most of it. As a family, we are considered very wealthy. Those Nobel Prizes went a very long way, even between all of us in the succeeding generations.”

“And we’re not isolated enough from normal Earth society to not be aware that coming to Verus, even for a short visit, can be an expensive proposition,” Andy adds. “I’m afraid it is a result of many factors, not just the availability of places to stay and pricy restaurants. Our local friends wish to remain a little exclusive and keep visitor numbers manageable.”

“I think that’s why it will be good if Tianok can help us. We need to demonstrate that we’re not an invasion force, despite our technological superiority,” I say.

“Are you talking about me again,” a new voice comes from behind me. “I hope I’m not interrupting?”

“No, of course not,” Peter tells the new arrival. “Have you eaten or do you wish to join us?”

“Oh, I’ll always find room for food,” Tianok suggests with a grin.

“It’s good to see you,” I tell him. “Haven’t seen you for quite a while. How are the family?”

“In general well, in detail, tiring.”

“Parenthood is hard work, or so I’m reliably informed. Never been tempted to try it myself,” I tell him.

“I shouldn’t complain, Viona and my mother take care of the boy most of the time, but I sometimes feel that he soaks up every moment we have.”

“It’ll get easier,” Peter reassures him. “It’s all about finding the right balance and that takes time. We didn’t get to feel organised until we had our second. It really does become mere routine with time and experience.”

“Now, this is Rob,” Andy finally makes introductions. “He’s helping the IEG with some military insight, but they might need our assistance as well.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about the military,” Tianok suggests as he shakes Andy by the hand and takes a spare seat at the dining table. “What can we do for you?”

“We are going to speak to the native inhabitants on the surface of Thermia before we go into orbit,” I tell him. “I feel that it will help if we can present a united and varied front when we do so. That’s what we were just talking about – wanting to try and present a unified and diversified front.”

“So, humans, Valatan and the AIs?” Tianok asks.

“I’m not sure. Seeing two alien races on your screen for the first time is no more shocking than seeing one new alien race. Bringing the AI avatars into the equation might be an initial step too far, but we’re not leaving any possibility out just yet.”

“You are in the same position as Peter was when we first found him unconscious and Mother fixed him up?”

“Very much so. We don’t want to lie to these people – particularly because they seem to be in the middle of a deadly planetary conflict with one-another – but we also don’t want to give too much away in case they are hostile regardless of our peaceful approach,” Rob tells him.

“So, what exactly do you need from me?”

“Can you spare a couple of days to come to Earth and be part of the welcoming committee?” I ask. “Help us with formulating a suitable video to send and then potentially be part of any meetings that may be organised?”

“I’ll have to check with my wife, but I’m pretty sure she will be delighted to have a few days without me hovering around and being useless.”

“Great. I’ll make sure that Minerva knows to make the language implants work for the Valatan as well as for humans.”

“Fine. I’d suggest, however, that for a first transmission, you speak in English and use subtitles. Don’t even spring our teaching technology on them too soon. When Peter learned to talk to us the first time, it really freaked us out. I understand there are two different languages. This will also allow you to speak to both parties without appearing partisan.”

“I never knew that,” Peter tells Tianok with a frown. “It made so much sense to us to be able to communicate properly that we didn’t think about it being strange to you all.”

“Well, we got over it pretty quick, particularly the younger ones among us. Dad and Grandpa were far too diplomatic to question it too deeply, but they were shocked and awed by such an ability.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” I tell him. “The Thermians seem to be at a technology level a fair bit above where the Valatan were before the asteroid hit, so they may find such technology to be less of a stretch.”

“Yes, but they may have enough to deal with just from you arriving in the first place. Interstellar travel is the big one, after all. Everything else is just frosting!”

“Well, we’re going to head back to Earth and get things sorted then,” I tell them all. “I’ll make sure that you have clearance to be on campus and get to work on the basics of this potential broadcast. Tianok, do you need accommodation on site for a few days?”

“That will help. I don’t want to have to commute, much though I don’t want to be away for too long.”

“No problem, I’ll make all the arrangements. If we can have you join us before the weekend, that will be great.”