Toni Donato is sent to join a first contact mission as the only xenolinguist available in nearby space to assist in translating the new language of the planet. As she begins the job she faces hostility from hew new boss and some distrust from the locals. AS she looks further, Toni finds her own culture and understanding at odds with in understanding the riddles in front of her and to solve them may mean putting aside everything she has grown knowing.

This is an excellent Sci-Fi story written by Ruth Westhold told in a classic style. The plot unfolds cleverly as more clues are given to both the understanding of the language and the situation in which the protagonist finds herself. The plot is well executed and everything mentioned has good reason with no wasted words in pulling the reader through the story. The characters grow through the course of the story, the decisions and interactions neatly chronicling their changing feelings and attitudes despite the short length of the story.

I would highly recommend this novella to anyone who wants a thoughtful, intelligent Sci-Fi story which cleverly takes a position that everyone can relate to and neatly expands upon it.