The leader of the newcomers, both arms widely outstretched in token of pacific intent, smiled with happiness at learning which tongue he should employ.
In precise and only faintly accented English he said hesitantly, "No, not uff Jupiter, Misser. We are chilttren of the planet Gog."
"Gog!" exclaimed Gary. "But that planet has not existed for—"
A cloud darkened the stranger's eyes. He nodded sorrowful agreement. "For many centuries your time ... for long years, ours. Nor did any uff us here ever see our parent planet. We are the children and the children's children uff our forefathers who once ruled Magog."
Warren, suddenly remembering his obligation as space captain and host, said, "Gad, this is incredible! But we can't talk here. Come into the ship where we can be comfortable while we get acquainted."
The Gogean leader turned to the doorway, raised his voice to an assemblage of attendants. Muttered replies and the stirring of many bodies in the darkness betold acceptance of his command. Then, designating one or two to be his companions, he followed Warren to the Liberty's lounge.
And there in an ultramodern Earthly space-cruiser was held the strangest conference ever attended by humans. A conference between adventurers of two solar worlds and representatives of an alien galaxy whose ancient culture had long since vanished from mankind's ken.
It was a give-and-take exchange exciting to both sides.
"We haff been looking for you," said the Gogean leader, Tsalnor, "and hoping against hope we might somehow get in touch with you. When we saw your ship and recognized it to be no space vessel of the Magogean fleet, our hearts leaped with joy. Joy which increased when you landed scarce four talus from our encampment."
"Saw our ship?" exclaimed Nora. "In this impenetrable darkness?"