The three newcomers leaped off their carts and ran about the room throwing their tentacles around the heads of the other six, shouting greetings at the same time. After the first wild jubilation of their reunion died down, Cakna asked: “What about the others, the other two teams. Any word?”
The group fell silent for a moment.
“Nothing.” The captain blinked his huge eyes in a sign of remorse. “I’m afraid they’re dead. It seems that you boys were the only other group found, aside from us. Of course there’s always a chance, but I wouldn’t bear any false hopes. This whole planet was alerted when we were found. I’m sure that some word of the others would have been sent here by now if they had been seen. So far there has been nothing.”
After another silent moment Drul changed the subject with:
“What do you think of our chances, sir? These things don’t strike me as being the most rational creatures I’ve ever seen.”
“I say they’re barbarians,” Cakna Stated flatly.
“Then where did they get a seventh-level culture from?” The captain sat as he spoke, and motioned the others to do the same.
“Perhaps they are degenerating mentally, due to some cosmic radiation,” Cakna said. “I noticed a strong sunspot activity on this planet’s mother star.”
“Perhaps,” the captain chuckled, “but I rather doubt it. No, this planet’s disease is more complicated than that. Babla and I have been going over the evidence we’ve been able to glean from these interviews, and I think we’ve hit upon a workable theory. Maybe you three can add to it.”
The nine aliens rolled themselves into a small circle and prepared to listen.