A magnificent cloud formation erupts all around the Tower in the moonlight, creating a radiant halo. More colored flashing lights in the cloud cover signal the arrival of many more spacecraft.

The squadron of neon shapes and lights encircles the entire area and buzzes the runway, causing panic and fear among the humans.

One of the brilliant and bedazzling ships, looking like a galactic version of the Goodyear blimp, makes a slow, close pass over the base, drifting by and shining its underside of luminescent, sparkling colors.

Roy: You want to see better?

Jillian: I can see fine.

Roy: We can't stay here.

Jillian: I can.

Roy: Why?

Jillian: Because Barry's not here. I'm just not ready.

Roy [impatiently]: I can't stay. I've gotta get down there.

Jillian: I know.

They kiss quickly and impulsively.

He thinks he is going to be captured by an army officer, but the man is running away, hiding himself on the portable toilet facility. The French people see Roy, but they let him be.

Loudspeaker: This is data control to all personnel: We monitor no biologic hazards. Range: Safety clear.

Everything is very quiet until a deep rumbling, low-pitched vibration begins to build and increase in volume and intensity, suggesting the appearance of something awesome, incredulous, and frightening.

The three craft are followed by an immense alien mother ship, a circular object double the size of Devils Tower itself, with hundreds of glittering, illuminated windows.

Everyone shares the mass communal experience - they gaze with mouths agape up into the sky as the enormous vessel dwarfs the Tower and revolves and slowly descends toward them.

It is staggeringly beautiful as it draws near for a landing.

The light from the ship is so bright that dark glasses must be worn.

The great space vessel touches down at the end of the runway.

Loudspeaker: There is a safety hazard zone extending twenty-five meters from the ship.

Loudspeaker: Special teams are exempt and should be aware of low gravity.

Loudspeaker: Expect some dizziness and look out for static charge. All departments that are operational during this phase, signify by beeping twice.

Mission Commander: If everything is ready here on the dark side of the moon, play the five tones.

The speakers and flashing lights play the familiar tonal sequence toward the ship.

The large ship answers with a deep, bass vibration played in coordination with flashing lights around the lower rim of the vessel.

There is a back-and-forth musical duet as the conversational light/sound show-contact continues:

Specialist: Give her six quavers, then pause.

Specialist: She sent us four quavers, a group of five quavers, a group of four semi-quavers.

Specialist 2: What are we saying to each other?

Specialist: It seems they're trying to teach us a basic tonal vocabulary. It's the first day of school, fellas. Take everything from the lady. Follow her pattern note for note.

Jill is drawn forward and hurries toward the runway and the ship. One of the audio specialists realizes that they are actually communicating in a joyful mood with the alien ship

Specialist: We have a translation interlock on their audio signal. We're taking over this conversation now.