- Dr. Floyd talks with the Clavius Base personnel. He thanks them for their sacrifices and congratulates them on their discovery, which "may well prove to be among the most significant in the history of science." Hint: it's not a mushroom forest brimming with baffled French scientists.
- Floyd also reinforces the need for the epidemic cover story to preserve secrecy, because the public needs to be properly prepared for the implications of their discovery. Without it, shock, panic, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria. He informs them he's there to prepare a report for the council on how the news should be announced.