An alien race makes a chilling first impression in this story that "evokes difficult moral issues" from the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author (SF Site).

A corporate ship's complicated business venture involves the experimental use of new technology to scoop a sample from the core of a neutron star. The discovery of a dead civilization on a nearby solar system serves as a fascinating distraction. The same can't be said for the alien spaceship circling around them. Becoming the first expedition from Earth to encounter extraterrestrial life is not on the agenda-and the crewmembers find themselves out of their depth.

Treading a fine line between diplomacy and danger, the chief executive officer of the mission-a man of Sioux ancestry-decides to open up lines of communication with the aliens. And though they may be more advanced than humanity, the aliens' account of past actions calls to mind a dark age in human history, one that the CEO will make sure is never repeated. Not on his watch . . .

"With this story, Silverberg proves he knows his science and is willing to do a story grounded in hard sf." -MarzAat

Praise for Robert Silverberg and his short stories

"When Silverberg is at the top of his form, no one is better." -George R. R. Martin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author

"Silverberg's creative story premises are matched by a remarkable ability to make his characters sympathetic, whether human or not." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Decades after being originally published, most of these stories are still just as entertaining and powerful as they were when first released. A singularly unique collection." -Kirkus Reviews