He turned to McCandless. "You, Lieutenant?"
McCandless licked dry lips.
"I think it's from out in space, sir. Maybe it's an exploration party, but more than likely it's an armed scouting party."
"What makes you say that?"
McCandless leaned forward, his concern over his cup of coffee momentarily forgotten. "I think if it was an exploration party they would have stopped at some point of civilization first. In all likelihood a city, a big city. But we've received no reports of any ship landing near a city. At least, not yet." He paused, a little self-consciously. "It wouldn't be difficult to tell that we're part of the fighting forces of this planet, and I think it's just luck that it chose the Josef instead of us. I think the alien ship is investigating the Josef. Or will shortly."
Davi
