Charters' smile was weak. "We tried two messages. After a short wait, they repeated them. You might say we've established communications. But we're not getting anywhere."
"The same messages? Nothing else?"
"Nothing."
"Maybe they have no imagination. I have an idea if you're ready to listen."
Charters nodded. "Go ahead ... if it's nothing that will endanger the ship."
"The ship isn't involved. We have two space-lifeboats—though I can't figure where we'd escape to if anything went sour out here. I'll take one and slip away from the ship. With luck, I can sneak up on our friends. Without lights. Keep your beam turned on, aimed right at the alien. I'll stay out of the beam, but it should give enough light to see by. If the thing looks like a real spaceship, and there's a chance the occupants are human, I'll try to make actual contact. If not, I'll scurry on back. How about it?"
"It could be dangerous. If anything happens—"
"You won't be any worse off. Probably, if it's another ship, the people are just as scared and curious as we are. As the show stands, you don't even dare try to run for it. I'm expendable."
"That's a matter of opinion. I won't rule on this, Braun. We'll call the gang together and decide by vote."