"There's no one here," said the robot blocking the door.
"We'll wait." Amantha tried to go inside. The robot wouldn't move.
It was dark and windy and, from the steps, they could see lights of houses glowing around them. Not many—it was near the edge of the little town. Farther away, over the hill, the ship nestled safely in a valley. No one had seen them land. They were sure of it.
Ethan removed his hat and his bent shoulders straightened. He seemed to grow taller.
"Rain," he said in awe. "Thirty years and yet I haven't forgotten what it's like."
"It's wet, that's what it's like," said Amantha. "Robot, let us in or I'll have Ethan take a wrench to you. He loves to tinker."
"I can't be threatened. My sole concern is the welfare of my charge. Also, I'm too large for any human to hurt me."
"Damnation, I'm soppin'!" complained Ethan. "It's better to remember the rain than to be in it."
"Wait till my son Jimmy gets back. He'll be ravin'. Makin' us stay out here and get soaked."
"Son? Is the Jimmy you refer to Pilot James Huntley?"