In 2503, the World Council re-elects Samuels as Director of Space Research. He is tasked with developing a reply to the message delivered by the alien robot Interface. After many stops and starts, the Directors decide to send a robot, Nuwoman, to track and follow Interface, who they believe is returning to his alien civilisation. The twenty-sixth century has seen rapid development in space technology and robotics. Habitats have been developed on the Moon and Mars, all in an attempt to set up ways to track the spaceships of both Interface and Nuwoman. However, Interface does not behave as expected. Instead of returning to his alien civilisation, he makes a detour. He lingers in the shadows of the Alpha Centauri triple star system, waiting for Nuwoman. Interface becomes infatuated with the development of Nuwoman. This incredible meeting of two like minds is both intellectual and romantic-and not at all what the Directors expected. Nevertheless Earth's reply to the message from the neighbours is a success.