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of the shuttle, ” said Lieutenant Larry ‘Grocer’ Albertson, the shuttle’s weapons system officer (WSO). “ It’s incredible how they’re able to keep them trimmed like this. ”
    “ The trees aren’t trimmed, ” said Nightsong. “ We just ask them nicely to keep this open. This pad is one of only two that exist on the continent. ”
    “ What if you need to bring a larger ship down to the surface of the planet? ” asked Hooty.
    “ We don’t. ”
    “ Wait, ” said Calvin, “ you ask them to keep it open? ”
    “ Yes, ” replied Captain Nightsong. “ We have a very close relationship with nature…and some outstanding nanobots to assist us with the process. ”
    The shuttle touched down gently on the pad, and its boarding ramp came down, allowing the shuttle’s occupants to see two Aesir waiting for them. Calvin was the first person out of the shuttle, followed by Captain Sheppard and Night. Although the Aesir smiled as Calvin exited the shuttle, Calvin had also seen their faces before they masked them with smiles. He wasn’t sure whether it was distrust or displeasure, but neither had looked pleased to see the Terran shuttle. “For a welcoming party, they didn’t look very happy to see us,” he said in an undertone to Nightsong, who was behind him on the ramp. “What’s that all about?”
    “It could be a number of things,” replied Nightsong. “They might be unhappy about the shuttle. You are the first non-Aesir to land here in several centuries; some of my people are probably unhappy with this.”
    “I don’t think that was it,” said Calvin, who could tell the Aesir was being evasive. “What else could it have been?”
    “Not everyone is happy we went off-planet in search of aid,” said Nightsong. “Some of my people wanted to solve the problem ourselves and avoid becoming entangled with the Alliance again.”
    “But I thought the Alliance was no more,” said Captain Sheppard, catching up with them.
    “It’s not,” replied Nightsong, “but try telling that to my people. We have long memories, and there are a number of people who want to avoid any off-planet obligations ever again.”
    “Forever is a long time,” Calvin noted.
    “That is true,” agreed Nightsong. “Let’s hope they never come to power.”
    “Never is just as long,” said Calvin.
    “Indeed.”
    Calvin shook his head as Nightsong stepped forward to embrace the two Aesir waiting for them. Strange fragrances filled his nose. One smelled like pines, but not quite; a second smelled of lemons and a third had an odor of oranges. None were quite like the corresponding Terran smells, but they had one thing in common; they all smelled clean. The forest pressed in on all sides, its foliage almost every shade of green in the spectrum. Lit by the warm sunlight filtering through, the leaves appeared to dance in a light breeze.
    Captain Nightsong turned from his embrace to introduce his countrymen, both of whom were pale blue with dark hair. They were slender in build, like all of the Aesir Calvin could remember seeing, and remarkably similar in appearance.
    “This is Senior Reeve Foron and his deputy Elhael,” Nightsong said. “Foron is in charge of the Council of Reeves.” Both of the Aesir bowed, and the Terrans returned the bows.
    “Welcome to our world,” said Senior Reeve Foron. “If you would follow me, the Thor and his queen are waiting with the rest of the council.”
    Captain Sheppard agreed, and the Aesir turned and began walking toward the forest. Without warning, the ground in front of them began moving, and an opening 30 feet long by 20 feet wide appeared as the ground was lifted up on four hydraulic rams. A ramp was revealed which led below ground, and the Aesir continued down without slowing.
    The Terrans followed them below the surface of the moon into a well-lit passageway. As they stepped off the ramp and into the tunnel, the opening behind them began closing as the rams retracted. The opening