"Fine," said Gwann, the pilot and leader, as Klendro came into the room with the others. "Better keep your guns loose in their holsters, though. You know what they've told us about the Earthmen."
"Hot-headed." Volval nodded.
"Will we take the skimmers?" asked Jorik. "Or do you think the Earthmen would prefer being met without the barrier-screens around us?"
"They'd prefer it, all right!" said Drog. "However, in my opinion—"
"We're going to have to chance it sooner or later without the screens," said Gwann. "The batteries in the skimmers won't last forever. We might as well go out there as we are."
"Who goes first?" asked Jorik.
"Well," Gwann shrugged, "if the crowds look hostile, I should go, as your leader. If they seem merely curious, then it's up to Klendro, as our ambassador, to make his speech."
Jorik frowned. "Now, wait, Gwann. Perhaps I ought to tell you. The sight records on the robo-skimmer showed no evidence of Earthmen outside the ship."
"That's ridiculous," said Gwann, his eyes flashing. "Venus reports this city is one of the most populous."
Jorik smiled wryly. "Then the populace certainly ducked out of sight quickly when they saw the robo-skimmer coming."