Lucy had hoped for a pleasant evening with her friends, but the emotional cross currents were more antagonistic than peaceful. Maybe it was because Dr. Colin Murti was tired from a long day of work, while she was keyed up with excitement. Roger Fourno glared sullenly across the table. He was often suspicious of her other male friends. She had invited Colin to dinner principally to discover what he had learned about the aliens. He had been in the team of doctors who helped restore the aliens from the frozen hibernation in which many had traveled through space. Her friend, and current lover, Roger, had insisted on attending the dinner too. He was now sulking because she was so eager to talk about the alien arrivals.
"You've talked of nothing else since the spaceships were first sighted," he complained.
"Oh, do you remember, Colin, how excited we were when the astronomers spotted an object moving toward Eden and speculated it was controlled by intelligent beings?"
"Yes, Lucy," a smile softened Colin's austere face. "Although, it was a long time before we were convinced the distant speck was really a spacecraft. Were you involved in the early attempts at communication?"
"I was recruited near the end," replied Lucy. "They had exchanged many signals and translated simple mathematical concepts before my talents were called upon. The translation team wanted my advice on exchanging descriptions of the molecules essential for life. I provided excerpts from our educational files."
"How did you determine what the Atrapako could understand?" Colin asked. "It was kept secret at that stage."
"It is no longer a secret. In fact, I'm writing a news article on the initial communications." Lucy ran her fingertip over the table top. She glanced at Colin. His dark face was alive with interest. Roger toyed with his beer glass, his untidy fair hair falling over his forehead. Lucy smiled at the contrast between black haired Colin with his direct, sober gaze and the volatile, blond and bearded Roger. She wished Roger would take more interest in her achievements.
"We sent a sequence corresponding to the nuclear protons and neutrons of the stable elements. Our sequence paused after the first two rows of the periodic table. Then we waited. Soon the correct response came from the spaceship. They continued the sequence of elements. So, we knew they could understand simple chemistry.
My colleagues were eager to jump to the bigger questions, and I advised that we attempt to transmit pictures. If the aliens had a strong visual sense, communication would be faster and easier. Of course, if the aliens had experienced the world primarily through other senses, there would have been further confusion.
We sent a scheme of our solar system, including all six planets and their larger moons. A time sequence showed the orbital motions around the sun. We were sure they'd recognize the solar system they were approaching. There was a delay while they processed our signals. Finally, they returned part of the same pictures with the addition of a new moving object in the position of their spacecraft."
"Why did they head straight for Eden?" interrupted Roger bruskly.
"Eden is the only inhabitable planet in this region of space. The Space Traders say it is the only inhabitable planet within about fifty light years." Lucy replied patiently.
She paused to recollect the thread of her story. Colin prompted her, "I remember the excitement when the aliens sent moving pictures. But according to your story, they were mostly repeating your message."
"Yes, that is true," said Lucy. "The only time they took the initiative in communicating was near the end. They requested assistance for landing and described the disease that had broken out on the ship."
"I know what happened after that, Lucy. Can you describe the events after that first exchange of pictures of the solar system?" Colin wanted to hear the complete story.
"Can't you talk about something else?" Roger brought his fist crashing down on the table. "I'm tired of hearing everyone talk about those reptiles!" He kicked back his chair and stamped out of the room.
Colin raised his dark eyebrows. "What's the matter with him, Lucy?"
"I don't know." She waved her hand dismissively, and added with a grimace, "He's been irritable ever since he heard of the Atrapako. But you are my guest tonight, Colin. Are you bored?"
"No, no!" he said emphatically. "I believe it is important to understand these Atrapako."
"You should be an expert after helping with their revival and treating the epidemic," she said.
"Not really, Lucy. I've learned very little. You finish your story and then I'll give you mine." He leaned toward Lucy expectantly.
She nodded. "All right, Colin Well, once we could send pictures, our exchanges were faster. We transmitted pictures of a few simple molecules like water, to make sure that they understood our symbols. It seemed to work well. So I edited our educational series and we sent the film of the duplication of DNA. If the aliens recognized DNA, it would indicate they shared our biology at a fundamental level. They understood. They responded with a picture of a cell dividing."
"So, you built up connections gradually," Colin remarked. "Meanwhile, the spaceship was traveling closer."
"We didn't know how to tell them to stop without seeming to threaten them. It's better to start peacefully." Lucy narrowed her eyes. "What are you implying, Colin?"
"Just that we should be cautious," his dark face was serious.
"Well, we actually tried to be cunning for the next stage. We sent a series of stylized drawings of several plants and animals. A simple human figure was included at a random position within the series. We wanted to show various creatures and hoped the aliens would indicate what they looked like."
"I'll guess the Atrapako returned the schematic human figure and everybody jumped with excitement. I remember you called me to say that the aliens were probably humanoid in shape."
"I was disappointed, Colin. I'd have preferred the challenge of a totally different lifeform. Strange colored scales appear to be the major, visible difference between Atrapako and humans." Lucy frowned and then questioned the doctor. "What differences have you discovered during your treatment of the sick aliens?"
"I have discovered nothing." Colin thumped the table with his fist and set the glasses jangling. Lucy steadied her drink and stared at the doctor. He was more agitated than she had ever seen him. His thick brows met in a deep frown. "They refuse to allow human doctors to conduct a proper physical examination. We helped revive the frozen Atrapako under the strict supervision of their medics. Of course, I was able to note outward appearance and take a few discrete measurements of heart rate and breathing. However, my numbers are meaningless since the patients were not in a fully normal state." He paused for breath.
Lucy broke in, "What about the epidemic you helped to overcome?"
"Their scientists handed us specimens of the infecting virus, and we designed an antidote based on human physiology. We gave this formula to the Atrapako and they administered treatment to their sick. I was permitted to observe one sufferer as she recovered. They placed me behind a viewing screen so the patient would not be unduly disturbed by the sight of a human."
"It's outrageous! They're very willing to accept our assistance, provided we stay within their restrictions. We can learn little this way. It is impossible to communicate with them in a normal manner. I've tried to speak to several aliens, and mostly they ignored me. Even if they did not understand our language, I would expect some response."
"They are aliens," said Lucy. "We cannot expect them to understand us easily. Although, they were eager to communicate before their ship landed. You suggested not all of them ignored you?"
"The others firmly ordered me out of the building. They treat us like an inferior species!" Colin gave a bitter laugh. "I don't like their attitude, even if on occasion I've been forced to agree. Many of those Atrapako are built like heavy weight fighters and I am wary of those sharp teeth and claws. I'm loath to oppose their demands, as I suppose are many other people. It's not a healthy situation."
"Not from the human viewpoint," murmured Lucy. She sipped her drink thoughtfully. "I talked with a big, blue Atrapako called Sa Kamizan Veedak. He has a forceful personality, although I believe he was trying to be friendly."
"You were lucky! Perhaps he was in a good humor. In my experience, the blue ones are the most insulting. You may learn more about the Atrapako than I have, Lucy. I'm returning to my human patients. The aliens have dismissed us. Their epidemic is cured and our services are no longer required. Fortunately, I am confident we can deal with any of their diseases that may infect humans."
"Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine," said Lucy with a trace of sarcasm. "Why can't we kidnap a baby alien and run all the physiological tests?"
"No good!" said Colin. "They have brought no children, or so I was informed. Also, we checked all the hibernation chambers and saw no small Atrapako inside. They claim the voyage was considered too hazardous for children."
"I had assumed they came to establish a colony. Youngsters would be an advantage for maintaining a viable long term colony. Do you suppose they expect more ships to arrive from their home planet?"
Colin shook his head, "I don't know, Lucy. Let's talk about something else. I'm beginning to agree with Roger's opinion that we'd be better off without the Atrapako."
"Oh no!" cried Lucy. "It's a marvelous opportunity to learn about a different intelligent species. I would never give up the chance."