– You don't think that's enough?

– No, I just don't think it's such a big secret anymore. Military technology is, but this isn't.

– Is it?

Ruthra stared at Gabo, wondering if some of this was true, because he really believed it. Ruthra made a joke to lighten the mood, because he needed to make friends with the doctor.

– You're out of touch with life here, in Russia it's commonplace.

– What?

– Aliens.

– I always suspected you had a center like this. There's good reason to think so.

– Calm down, we go out early in the morning, especially after the holidays, there are so many aliens around, swaying, holding on to trees, the laws of gravity act differently on them.

– There you go again.

They both laughed and shook hands. As Rutra left, Gabo said to him: "I want to go to the sea." Rutra became convinced that this was a code phrase; either the sea was the peak of bliss for them, or they associated it with freedom. Probably the latter.

As he thought about what he had heard, he reached the administrator's compartment, who was in his quarters.

– Delighted? – He asked as soon as he saw Ruthra.

– Super," Rutra replied, smiling in his American way.

– You must be hungry, tired? – the administrator asked.

– Tired, yes, but not hungry. I ate in your dining room, thank you.

– How are the results of the scientific endeavor?

– Well, not really.

– I see, they must have messed you up with their aliens. It is because of them, scientists, all this nonsense has become a cult. They are people of science, and their opinion is listened to as an expert. From time to time they try to make a sensation, leaving, so to speak, from scientific work to show business.

– I want to come back soon and try one experiment.

– What's that? It's a restricted facility.

– No more than what's in the contract.

– And yet? I mean, it's got to be documented, accounted for.

– Long-range signal transmission using a reflector. Perhaps an extraterrestrial reflector, somewhere in orbit, or even further away.

– I see you're infected. Everyone here gets infected, then they get delusional. The technology that's official for civilians is a notch or two below what we have. Otherwise, how do you run a society? You probably know that, since you're here.

"Yes, it's very familiar to me," thought Ruthra.

– Yes, I realize that, but everything else I've already checked, it's still like this.

– Okay, no problem.

They said their goodbyes, Rutra was escorted to the capsule conduit, and he left for the base below the airport.

Upon arrival in Denver, Rutra showered, ate, and contacted Hent via encrypted video link. It was morning in Russia, and Hent was fresh and dressed. The admiral's uniform looked great on him.

– Good morning," Ruthra greeted.

– Good evening," Hent replied with a smile. – How are you?

– It's mind-boggling, especially these ones from the 'zone'.

– Don't listen to them too much, they're all aliens. Don't trust them. They can be so brainwashed, but the goal will be completely different; there are many people there who are from Russia, – Hent smiled in his manner, with a serious face. – You must have met the daughter of that scientist, Alikhanov's friend?

– Yeah. (chuckles)

– What did she tell you?

– Told Lazarus about it.

– Oh, that obsessed man who didn't know anything and spread such nonsense all over the world.

– Is this all bullshit?

– Look, if you're not tired, I've got some time. I worked my youth, interned at this facility with Lazar. Just like you did at the firing range.

Ruthra raised his eyebrows upward in amazement.

– Surprised?

– I don't know what to be surprised about or how to react anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if alien contact is real, or at least has been.

– Look, I need you to be factual. I was in the process of transitioning from Echelon 1 to Echelon 2, so I was doing assignments for two organizations at once. I had to be in close contact with the entire scientific community, especially the young ones, for future endeavors. It was my duty to keep an eye on the cases, to follow their activities, to plant information from time to time and to control the development of events. That's why I know a lot of things from Bob's own mouth, he told me a lot of things, shared his impressions. He was a fantasist by nature, and we needed one. If you know what I mean, that's the kind of guy we have in our closed F Division. They're the only ones who can do what they imagine. You get the idea?